Chitwan National Park

We were met in what I can only describe as looking like a field - which was actually the main Tourist Bus Station - by Mani who was the really lovely man that runs the Jungle Wildlife Camp we are staying at. We were shown to our room which was lovely, and offered a delicious mango juice drink (slice) which went down really well after the long dusty bus ride. Our home for the next few days was right on the Rapti River and had lovely jungle views on the other side. We had only been relaxing in our room for a short while when we heard the first elephant trumpeting! Well Jody was off trying to track it down. Mani took us to where they lived and these 3 beautiful Asian elephants all had their faces painted. They were so pretty. Mani told us their names and then explained they were going to a beauty competition. Well Champa was definitely the prettiest and I’m sure she must have won - she was gorgeous! Mani then said we were going to the Elephant Breeding & Research Centre. So off we went with our guide and we all jumped in the jeep and drove to a point further down the river. They use little wooden canoes to ferry people across the river to the centre but our guide made us laugh. He was describing how they are made and said that they are “one piss trees”. As he talked we realised he was saying ‘one piece trees” meaning the boat was hollowed out of one tree. We had a laugh about it though and the name stuck. The Elephants at the breeding centre we’re all chained by a front foot. Our guide told us they had been out all day in the jungle and came back late afternoon for food & safety from poachers. He also told us that that was were they met the wild male elephants that fathered the baby elephants at the centre. And what a beautiful baby she was! 4 months old and full of fun. Running towards us and playing with us - it was just amazing. She was so tiny too and have I said how beautiful she was? We really didn’t want to leave her. The following day we did our Jungle Walk and you can read about that separately. And when we had had a nap after it, we decided to go back to the breeding centre and see the baby elephant again. Unfortunately, the keepers had walked her little legs off, taking her further into the jungle than she had ever been before. She was whacked out! So no play time today. But it was still lovely to see her and we took some more cute photos. On the way back from seeing the baby elephant again we stopped at the local village which is still being run by local tribal people who are immune to malaria, the ladies performed Tharu dance for us. Later in the evening the Cultural Village Show which is performed every night, by men only, is performed. Slightly entertaining but nothing much to write home about. Jungle Wildlife Camp Room rating: 7/10 no hot water!! Location: 10/10 - right on the river & close to the pillage! Staff: 8/10 - just lovely, nothing too much trouble Value for Money: 8/10 - £10/night each all inclusive of trips Other comments: delicious food, tea & coffee free all day Stay again? yes Overall area experience: 10/10 We would highly recommend Jungle Wildlife Camp as they gave us the best experience Chitwan has to offer, and of course were so lovely with it.