The Bago Yoma
 Myanmar
has over half of the remaining closed-canopy
forest in mainland Southeast Asia. Having a
wide range of habitats and ecosystems, it
has one of the highest biodiversity values
in Asia. The large undisturbed forested
patches in Myanmar are important for the
survival of several endangered species
including tiger, elephant and Eld’s deer.
The long, vast green contour of Bago
mountain range, with its north-south hills,
covered with dense tropical forests,
extending for 270 miles (435km) between
Ayerwaddy & Sittaung Rivers at the average
elevation of 2,000ft (600m) in the
central-southern part of Myanmar, boasts
many of major timber extraction sites,
producing the world’s most treasured Teak (Tectona
grandis) and other valuable hardwoods. These
tropical forests host not only plants that
largely support Myanmar’s much needed
foreign earnings, but also congregate
various wildlife including approximate
number of 5,000 wild and tamed Elephants
made up the world’s second biggest
population. Until 1994, before govt.
officially banned, capturing wild elephants
was common, as Myanmar needs to use trained
elephants in its large scale logging
industry as it has done for more than 200
years ago. The use of elephant in logging
business enables economical,
environmental-friendly & efficient ways to
transport logs in the difficult terrains
while leaving the forests intact. Despite
the fact that many of Myanmar elephants were
smuggled in to Thailand for work in tourism
industry, others are being used for
transportation in the remote mountainous
areas, and ceremonies of religious and state
functions in Myanmar apart from timber
industry. Unlike in neighboring Thailand,
the use of elephants in Myanmar tourism
industry is far less developed and
widespread. Myanmar has more elephant
experts than any other Asian country and
leads the world in elephant management,
veterinary care and mahout skills, and
offers the best hope for the survival of
large herds of wild elephants. Now we are
able to offer a couple of jungle safaris
into Bago Yoma during the open season (from
November to April), where you can benefit
from different activities such as nature
studies of tropical rainforests, jungle
trekking, elephant riding, observing
elephant training, pond fishing, to watching
of elephants at work or study how the
elephants are begin natured scientifically.
 Myaing Hay Wun Elephant
Nature Camp
 Established in 1986 as an elephant
nursing camp, the Myaing Hay Wun camp bask
in the thrill of intact natural beauties of
southern Bago Yoma tropical forests…
providing a different world of relaxation
and pleasure. The elephant camp can be
reached from Yangon by car via a small town
called Hpalon, on the main road to Pyay,
Bagan, and Mandalay. It will take around two
hours to north of Yangon to Hpalon for 96km,
and another 20km eastward drive into the
forest camp on the unsealed road by special
off-roader. At Myaing Hay Wun elephant camp,
you can enjoy watching of elephant skills &
their spectacular talent show, elephant
bathing in the stream, elephant riding
around the virgin forest, jungle trekking,
pond fishing, training given by their
mahouts, and spend your night in this
wilderness setting at your simple but
comfortable eco-friendly bungalows in
complete serenity and wake up to the sound
of chitchatting birds
Hpo Kyar Forest Camp
 Closed to Taunggoo, the major timber
industrial town & the convenient stopover on
the Yangon-Mandalay main highway, there is a
small town called Thargaya, some 204 miles
(326km) away from Yangon that serves as the
gateway to the central Bago Yoma range where
recently emerged eco-tourism spot, Pho Kyar
Forest Camp is located 10-ml (16km) in the
west of Thargaya. This forest camp has
approximately 20 acre (8.1hac), and lies
deep inside the Swa forest reserve. The
forest camp is highlighted by a
well-appointed Pho Kyar Resort built by a
running stream and surrounded by the teak
forests where a few trees have age over
150yrs. From you beautiful resort, different
activities can be enjoyed from jungle
trekking, jungle explorations on the
elephant back, flora and fauna studies, to
rafting and mobile camp stays. |
