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Wildlife Guide
Elephas maximus — the Asian elephant is one of Chitwan's most iconic residents. And one of the most important conversations in responsible Chitwan tourism concerns how we interact with them.
Chitwan Bamboo Lodge does not use elephants for safaris or guest activities. We made this decision based on the welfare evidence that elephant riding and elephant-based tourism is harmful to the animals. Elephants are present in Chitwan National Park as wild animals — we observe and respect them from a safe distance.
Wild elephant herds do move through the Chitwan buffer zone and can occasionally be spotted from our lodge or on safari. These sightings are special precisely because the animals are genuinely wild and free.
On our extended 4-day tour we visit the government-run Elephant Breeding Centre at Sauraha — an important conservation facility focused on the welfare and breeding of Nepal's captive elephant population.