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My trip notes to the gorgeous Kali Tiger Reserve (aka Dandeli-Anshi)

by Afreen Kadri

Just back from a stay at Dandeli Reserve (also called as Anshi and now officially called as Kali Tiger Reserve)

To summarize the visit is two words – Amazingly Beautiful. The Forest is so calm, so beautiful and watching the full moon amongst them is love at first sight – you will just fall in love head over heels – me got kind of obsessed with the Moon!!

The Travel

We three left for the jungle, my mother, my cousin and myself. We left Belgaum (aka Belagavi, a town in the northern part of the state of Karnataka) around 6ish in the morning in a cab and with numerous stops, we were able to reach there by 10am (approx. 100 kms).

The Accommodation

I had checked out these two accommodations that were listed in the WildTrails App – Kali jungle lodge and Kulgi nature camp, both are within a two km range of each other. Also I had tentatively blocked a cottage at Kulgi on phone two days prior. So we went to Kali jungle lodge first and after checking around and getting to know that there are no water activities that day since no release of water, we decided to check out Kulgi, which was very pleasant to my surprise [govt maintained ] but had a couple of hitches, I was supposed to send a DD (Demand Draft) to the DFO officer, collect the allotment letter and then come to Kulgi and the second issue being had no network coverage but I guess that was the whole point of escaping into the Jungle 🙂 The manager there, Mr Chandrakant, a very helpful person helped me out with formalities and also it really helped that I had blocked a cottage.

The Trek and the Safari

So after we settled in our allotted Cottage  with our belongings  (BTW our driver was accommodated in the dormitory – was very helpful) (BTW we were nicely  welcomed by naughty baby monkeys), we had our lunch which was so good and tasty to my surprise:)(again govt lodges but amazing tasty food ). The jungle activities (the Safari) started at 4pm but we let go and decided to stay in the jungle in the serene nature. It turned out to be a bad decision as the team that went for teh 4pm safari had a Tiger sighting and unfortunately we missed it totally 🙁 Sad Sad

But we had a beautiful walk by the forest around sunset and went back to the camp and had tasty dinner and left for a drive and sighted a wild rabbit, and the forest and greenery looked beautiful under the moonlight.

Next morning we left for the Safari – started around 6am in the morning – good sighting of peacocks, Wild Boar, spotted Deers, a Green Snake and lot more but missed the Big Cats. Nonetheless another reason to come back to the forest 🙂 To be frank Dandeli has such a splendid beautiful jungle with amazing spots and waterholes. There is also the elephant safari but unfortunately was not available when we were there but something I would like to try in my next outing (& I am already planning for that)

After such a wonderful safari back to our camp, had breakfast – the cook was was kind enough to ask previous night itself about what we would like to eat for breakfast and had prepared such good egg burji!!

The Gushing Kali and the Water Sports

Then we left for Bison resort for Water Activities.  Wow, the kali river was such a sight with the gushing waters and beautiful rapids but it was cool waters even in such a hot weather (The hot weather was the only problem that made us leave early). Tried rafting & Coracle Ride but I thoroughly enjoyed rafting:) My mother enjoyed the coracle ride. The trainers there were really nice.

Kudos to WildTrails!!

We then left home by around 5pm but not before having an amazing jungle trip. But none of this was possible if not for the WildTrails App. I have to thank them a lot. It was only after I checked out the sanctuaries close to home in the app that I came across the Anshi Tiger Reserve. The details and distances posted really helped me in planning the trip. Attached accommodations helped in easily planning my stay options. Used the App abd located nearby ATM too!! Wonderful App!!

BTW I will definitely be going back again for the trekking through forest but in a cooler weather. Bison resort offers water activities to outsiders without a stay. Staying at Kulgi and water activities at bison was a very good experience and also very budget friendly.
Procedure to book the Kulgi Cottages

Here is the procedure to book the Kalgi Cottages:

Dandeli Anshi tiger reserve (DATR aka Kali Tiger reerve) have 3 camps where one can put up

1. Kulgi nature camp
2. Anshi nature camp
3. Castle rock camp

While one can choose any of the base camps, I chose the first due to its proximity to elephant and jeep safari, kali jungle lodges.

Now one needs to make a call to the DFO office (DFO Office Phone No : 08284-231585) and block for the dates you want to visit and you will get the exact amount that you need to make a demand draft and also the address where it has to be sent [Cost as in April 2016: cottage Rs.1200/-, tent Rs.1000/- & dormitory Rs.200/- per day].

On the day of the visit, head to the government office (as you reach the city, you have to reach Kittur Chanamma circle and from there head to govt timber depot and sawmills and that is the DFO office. In doubt, ask for the directions). You should get the stay allotment letter there and with that head to the nature camp you have booked with.

The Bison Resort for Water Activities:

The Bison resort is situated in Ganeshgudi. Take the way to Ganeshgudi, the whistling woods property too is situated here on the left diversion and  bison is on the right. No need to call or book, just reach there and you can hear the gushing of the river Kali from far. Just beautiful, You must not miss it at any cost . Bison River Resort, owned by Indian Adventures Wildlife Resorts. Ph: 0822-26433622 or 26408742. Web site.

by Afreen Kadri

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PS: Please be a responsible wildlife tourist; No littering, No sounds, No feeding, no getting down from the safari jeep (when on safari), No phone calls. Remember that we are visiting their home and when we are there, let’s follow their rules.

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