Elephants are some of the most loveable and intelligent animals on the planet and kids of all ages will be smiling from ear to ear as they get up close and personal in the interactions with these gentle giants.
A little north of Ubud in the verdant village of Taro is the completely delightful Elephant Safari Park & Lodge. The cool, humid climate and fresh air of Taro is ideal not only for the lovingly landscaped botanical garden and the myriad types of orchid growing everywhere, but also the herd of more than 30 Sumatran elephants who are lovingly cared for and tended in a safe and supporting environment that prioritises their well-being. Four baby elephants have been born to this herd in Bali: Ganteng, Jegeg, Riski and Fajar.
The elephants were rescued from a poor environment in Sumatra where land conversion threatened their existence and the park in Taro upholds a conservation approach where these intelligent mammals thrive. Their good humour and sense of fun is clearly seen in all their guest interactions.
While day trips to the park are hugely popular and highly entertaining, for an even closer encounter, an overnight stay in the luxurious Elephant Safari Lodge is strongly recommended. The luxury lodge offers astonishing experiences as you share a common habitat with the pachyderms, such as waking to the sound of elephants trumpeting just outside your window, where their individual pods are located in the shade of the prime tropical rainforest.
However, the truly special experiences are the opportunity to help bathe an elephant and then ride it bareback in the lake by the restaurant, which is part of the elephant’s bathing ritual, and being picked up at your elevated lodge door by your elephant chauffeur to be transported either to breakfast or to dinner!
There are five types of luxurious safari-style, elephant-inspired accommodation all with modern amenities and a relaxing atmosphere. The Garden View and Park View rooms are spacious and available in king, twin and triple combinations, with the Park View rooms looking out onto the elephants’ pods, while the new Lake View rooms are traditional wooden bungalows overlooking the lake where the elephants enjoy playing during the day.
The Paddy View rooms feature a private balcony overlooking the traditional rice fields for a view of the island’s true beauty, while for ultimate luxury, the Taro Suite overlooks the park from floor-to-ceiling windows in the master suite and offers an on-call private butler, relaxation lounge, private bar and Jacuzzi for safari-style luxury in its own class.
The Park Restaurant offers breakfast, lunch and a lavish four-course dinner, while the Mammoth’s Head Bar & Lounge is ideal for a nightcap. The Safari Wellness Spa has an extensive menu of body and hair treatments for luxurious pampering, while guests looking to keep fit can take advantage of the Fitness Room with its state-of-the-art Matrix equipment and free weights. Both the Safari Wellness Spa and Fitness Room have incredible vistas of the elephants at rest and play in their lush habitat.
With the Elephant Discovery Museum presenting copious information about elephants on different continents and a whole host of elephant-focused entertainment activities available during the day, including feeding the elephants, watching them playing in the man-made lake and visiting the baby elephants in their nursery, there is plenty to do. One of the most popular activities is riding an elephant through the jungle and the locals’ plantations, a great chance to enjoy the beauty of the location, the fresh air and learning more about your elephant from his personal mahout.
Whatever you choose to do and whatever your age, you are sure to cherish your time at Elephant Safari Park & Lodge.
Elephant Safari Park & Lodge
Jalan Elephant Park Taro, Tegallalang,
Gianyar, Bali 80561, Indonesia
T: (+62) 361 898 8888
