In a bid to increase more foreign visitors, the entrance fees for foreigners at the Winkabaw elephant camp in Bhayargyi, Bago Region has now been halved, from Ks20,000 to Ks10,000.

But for the elephant rides, it will still be charged at the usual rate of about Ks20,000 per person. The entrance fees for local visitor are Ks1000 and for elephant ride it will cost Ks5000 each. 

When inquiring about the reduction in entrance fees, Myint Soe, in charge of the elephant camp said, “the services we are providing is as usual but the entrance fee for the foreign visitor will be changed. In the past, the entrance fee and elephant ride is Ks 20000 each. For special treatment toward the elephants such as those that wants to donate a buffet for the elephants, one can contact us in advance for the day they are going to treat the elephants. The buffet costs Ks 75,000 and above. Visitors can enjoy elephant trick shows and take memorable photos with them. The visitors are only allowed in the camp at day time and we have arranged places of recreation for the visitors.”

There are orphan elephants like Yu Y Htay, Mary, Pan Nu May, Ayeyar Moe, Ayeyar May, and Ayeyar Maung totaling 6 elephants. Visitors can observe and learn of the daily life of the elephants such as bathing time, a ride on the elephant and so on.

As the fair weather season is around the corner, preparatory measures are taking place at the camp and on October 11, Vice-president Myint Swe and party visited the camp, urging staff members at the camp to take utmost care of the elephants.

The Winkabaw elephant camp is situated on a 86 acres wide land. There are 17 elephants at the camp, 6 are elephants for demonstrating, 6 orphans, 2 baby elephants, and 9 adult elephants. It is located in Bago Region, which is about two to three hour drive from Yangon. 

Visitors coming from Yangon are able to take the Yangon-Mandalay Highway Express Road and leave the Express Road towards Pha Yar Gyi when arriving at the 39 mile junction. The camp is on the left side of the road just after 10 minute drive from there. Travellers from Bago, can  get to Pha Yar Gyi first, turn towards the highway and around 4 more miles later will see the camp.

Since the government has reduced logging, many elephants and their mahouts are out of work. To support these mahouts and to raise the fund for orphan elephants, the camps offer these activities such as elephant rides and shows.