Booming Ecotourism: Winga Baw Elephant Camp attracts visitors

To improve the community-based tourism and to create job opportunities for residents, Winga Baw elephant camp was established on 3rd November in 2016. The elephant camp is located in PhayarGyi Township, east of Bago Region. 

Sein Lwin, Assistant Manager, Winga Baw Elephant Camp, said " Winga Baw Elephant Camp is the only camp which keep orphaned elephants in Myanmar. The cleaning shelter and bathing elephant activities are carried out according the set schedules at the camp. The visitors can enjoy elephant performance shows around 8 am and take elephant ride between 9:00 am and 12:00 noon as well as 4:30pm to 6:00 pm in the evening. The pre-wedding shooting and other recreation events can also be held at the camp. "

The camp is 80 acres wide and there are a total of 14 elephants including orphaned elephants at the camp. The vaccination programs and medicaments are also provided at the camp to keep the elephants health. 

Than NaingOo, Veterinary Officer, Winga Baw Elephant Camp, said " Most of the elephants in the camp are in good health. The orphaned baby elephants need special cares than other elephants. We conduct vaccination programs annually to prevent the serious illness. The old elephants also need to be taken care properly by mahouts and veterinarians."

The admission fee is 1000 kyats for local visitors and 10,000 kyats for tourists. For elephant ride, it’ll cost 5000 kyats each for local visitors and 20,000 kyats for per tourist. The camp sees more visitors in open season. The elephant museum and cute baby elephants usually draw the interest of the visitors from home and abroad. 

The visitors can explore the interesting elephant related stuff including the skeletons of adult elephant and baby elephant at the museum. People who want to provide buffet for elephants can contact through the camp’s social media page.