Kanha National Park

Tara- the elephant has spent the past 14 years or so at Kipling Camp, she is an absolute gem, very popular with so many guests, who greatly enjoy assisting in her afternoon dip in the river Banjar, and carrying guests around the Buffer Zone of the Tiger Reserve, viewing wildlife, a truly unforgettable experience.

Tara was bought by Mark Shand in deprived shape in 1989. Mark Shand then rode her, very gently for several hundreds of miles to the Sonepur Mela north of Patna in Bihar, which is held annually as the largest elephant fair in the country. Of course he was accompanied by a jeep-load of stores and delicacies, together with Aditya and a mahout! His subsequent publication 'Travels on my Elephant' became a best seller. Today Kipling camp is her home where she has recently had an enormous 'Palace' constructed for her to replace two which she had previously pulled down!"