Elephant Interaction

Every evening at Manas National Park, the Forest Department brings its elephants to their camp inside the forest for a bath, rub-down, and feeding — and guests staying with Sikhiri Cottages can watch, and even interact with the young calves, up close.

This isn’t a tourist show — it’s the department’s real daily routine for the elephants that work in park patrolling and safaris. You’ll see the mahouts scrub the elephants down at the water’s edge, feed them their evening meal, and — if the calves are in a friendly mood — you may get the chance to feed a young elephant by hand yourself.

When: Every evening at 3:30 PM
Closed: Tuesdays — this is the non-safari day for the Bansbari range, so the elephant camp visit isn’t available
Where: Forest Department elephant camp, inside Manas National Park (Bansbari range)
Duration: Approximately 45 minutes – 1 hour
Best for: Families, wildlife photographers, and anyone who wants a quieter, closer wildlife experience than a jeep safari allows

Permits & transport: This activity requires a separate Forest Department permit, and a permitted safari gypsy to reach the elephant camp inside the park — you cannot walk in or arrange your own vehicle. Sikhiri Cottages arranges both the permit and the gypsy hire as part of booking this activity, so there’s nothing you need to sort out yourself once you tell us you’d like to go.

How to book: Because both the permit and gypsy need to be arranged in advance with the Forest Department, we recommend requesting this at least a day ahead through our front desk or at the time of your room booking.

What to bring: Closed shoes (the camp area can be muddy near the water), a camera, and if you’d like to feed the calves, ask our staff about the department’s guidelines beforehand — this is a wild working elephant, not a domesticated ride animal, and Forest Department staff will guide the interaction for everyone’s safety.

“Permit and gypsy hire cost is separate, payable at booking”