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Theppakadu is the reception and administrative hub of the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, on the Mysore–Ooty road in the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu. On the banks of the Moyar river here, the Tamil Nadu Forest Department runs an elephant camp that has become one of the most popular wildlife stops in the region.
It is not a zoo or a riding park. The camp looks after captive elephants that work for the forest department – helping with patrols and with wild elephants that stray into villages – as well as orphaned calves and rescued animals. Visitors come to watch the elephants being bathed in the river and fed at fixed times, usually on the way to or from a safari in Mudumalai.
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A camp with a long history
Elephant keeping at Theppakadu goes back more than a century. The camp is usually traced to 1910, when elephants were used by timber traders, and it is often described as the oldest elephant camp in Asia. When the government took over, the forest department kept the elephants and the mahouts and kavadis (assistant handlers) who care for them.
Today the camp also trains kumki elephants – calm, experienced animals used to guide wild elephants away from villages and farms. Some of these kumkis were once wild ‘problem’ elephants themselves. Reported numbers vary, but recent counts put the camp at around two dozen elephants.
The camp became widely known after The Elephant Whisperers, a documentary filmed here about the Kattunayakan mahout couple Bomman and Bellie and an orphaned calf called Raghu, won the Oscar for Best Documentary Short Film in 2023.
What you see at the camp
The main event is feeding time. The mahouts prepare a separate ration for each elephant and feed the animals one by one, hand to trunk, while visitors watch from behind a barrier. It is a good chance to see the bond between each elephant and its handlers up close. Before the morning session you may see elephants being bathed and scrubbed in the Moyar.
At the time of writing, feeding sessions run for about half an hour in the morning (around 8:30–9 AM) and the evening (around 5:30–6 PM). Visitors are not allowed to touch or feed the elephants. Tickets are sold at the Theppakadu reception centre, a short walk from the camp, and are listed for online booking on the official Mudumalai Tiger Reserve website. Timings and fees change, so check before you go.
Safaris from Theppakadu
Private vehicles are not allowed off the highway inside the reserve. Wildlife safaris use forest department buses and jeeps that leave from the Theppakadu reception in early-morning and late-afternoon slots, each lasting roughly an hour. You have a good chance of seeing spotted deer, gaur, langurs, peacocks and wild elephants; tigers and leopards are seen only occasionally.
Safari seats can be booked on the official Mudumalai Tiger Reserve website or at the counter, subject to availability. Safaris may be suspended during the fire season or after heavy rain. Safaris are never part of our package price – we only drive you to the reception and plan your day around the slots.
Getting there and road rules
- From Ooty: roughly 40–50 km, about 1.5–2.5 hours, either down the steep Kalhatti ghat via Masinagudi or on the longer, gentler road via Gudalur.
- From Mysore: roughly 90 km through Bandipur, about 2–2.5 hours.
- Night closure: the forest highway through Bandipur and Mudumalai is closed to most traffic between 9 PM and 6 AM, so plan to cross in daylight.
- No stopping: do not stop, get out of the car or feed animals on the highway through the reserve.
Tips for your visit
- Arrive early: reach the reception at least 30 minutes before a feeding session or safari slot; queues build up quickly on weekends.
- Dress quietly: wear earthy colours and avoid perfume on safari.
- Respect the camp: follow the mahouts’ and guards’ instructions and keep a distance from the elephants.
- Stay nearby: Masinagudi and the forest lodges around Theppakadu make an evening plus a morning visit easy.
Visiting from Pondicherry
Theppakadu is a long drive from Pondicherry – roughly 470 km via Salem, Mettupalayam and Ooty – so it works best as part of a Nilgiris holiday rather than a single trip. Our Nilgiris, Coonoor and Mudumalai tour includes a night near the reserve, and the Ooty, Coonoor and Mysore tour passes through Theppakadu on the way to Mysore. Combine it with a stay in Ooty and see our wildlife and nature page for more ideas.
Frequently asked questions
What are the feeding timings at Theppakadu Elephant Camp?
At the time of writing, feeding sessions run for about half an hour, around 8:30–9 AM and 5:30–6 PM. Check with the Theppakadu reception or the official Mudumalai Tiger Reserve website before you go.
Can I ride or touch the elephants at Theppakadu?
Visitors watch the bathing and feeding from behind a barrier and should not touch or feed the elephants. Follow the instructions of the forest staff.
Is Theppakadu where The Elephant Whisperers was filmed?
Yes. The Oscar-winning documentary about the mahouts Bomman and Bellie and the orphaned calf Raghu was filmed at the Theppakadu camp in Mudumalai.
How do I book a Mudumalai safari?
Safaris start from the Theppakadu reception centre and, at the time of writing, can be booked on the official Mudumalai Tiger Reserve website or at the counter, subject to availability.
Can I drive through Mudumalai at night?
No. The forest highway through Bandipur and Mudumalai is closed to most traffic from 9 PM to 6 AM to protect wildlife.