I am covering mainly those wildlife locations that you can drive to within 7 to 8 hours from Bangalore and can manage a 2-night stay at a given destination. You can always start on say Friday early morning by 5 am (assuming the long weekend starts on Friday) and reach there by 2 pm (assuming you have taken a breakfast and couple of coffee/tea breaks), have lunch at the resort and stay there for Fri night, Sat night and leave there by Sunday afternoon after lunch and you should be home by late night that day and ready for the office on Monday morning!! That’s the plan and with this, let me list the top 5 long weekend wildlife getaways for Bangaloreans 🙂

1. Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary – 463 kms, approx. 7 hrs Drive

Dandeli the picturesque village that is located on the banks of river Kali in Karwar Dt. (117 Kms from Karwar) It is one of the last patches of pristine forest left in the Western Ghat. The lush green dense forest has one of the richest wildlife habitats in the world and is home to several valuable trees and animals.  Being dense and also due to restricted buffer zone (for safari), sighting of wild animals is limited but you get to see different kind of deers, gaurs, langurs, peacocks and if you really really lucky might get to see elephants, tigers, black leopards, and leopards but it is a bird lover’s paradise with various and numerous species (450+) of birds and very well known for hornbills and can be found everywhere.

Distances:

Dharwad- 57 Kms, Hubli- 75 Kms, Belgaum – 110 kms, Karwar – 117 kms,  Goa -150 kms, Bangalore – 463 Kms.

To Reach there:

By Road: Dandeli is well connected to Bangalore, Mumbai (Bombay), Goa, Belgaum, Karwar and Dharwad, Hubli by road. Road condition is extremely good (from Bangalore)

If you are not the driving type and want to explore other options:

By Air: Deccan/Pegasus Airways has daily flights from Mumbai, Bangalore & Chennai to Belgaum, Goa and Hubli.

By Train: Closest rail head: Alnavar (32 kms) Londa (48 kms), Dharwad (57 kms), & Hubli (75 kms). Konkan-Karwar(117 Km).

Best season: October to June

Where to Stay: There are many resorts near the Kali river and there is one (Old Magazine Resort by JLR) inside the jungle and an amazing place to sight birds and to do a forest trek to the sunset point.

Things to do: Crocodile Safari, Rafting, Hiking, Trek, Wildlife Safari into the forest & Lot more

(To know more details & for a complete listing of all resorts along with all attributes, contact info, to book and also to know nearby spots and lot more, download the “WildTrails of India” App)

2. Daroji Sloth Bear Resort – 344 Kms, Approx. 6 hrs drive 

Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary is located in Bellary district in Karnataka. It is spread over 55.87 square km. The sanctuary was exclusively created for the preservation of Indian Sloth bears. It is about 50 km from Bellary and near to World heritage site Hampi about 15 km

Visiting hours of the sanctuary is between 6.00 A M and 6.00 P M on all days. To watch the Bears one must be in the watch-tower on a hillock and sit quietly to look at the Bears descending from the opposite Karadikallu Gudda. This hillock has hundreds of caves where the Bears take shelter. For the travel enthusiasts, who nurture plans to visit this sanctuary, it is advisable to wear natural dark colored clothes. Avoid white and light colored garments. Arm yourself with binoculars and cameras.

Best Season: Between August and April.

To Reach there: By Road: Bangalore to Chitradurga (199 kms) on NH-4, then to Hospet (135 Kms) on NH-13. And then to Kamalapura (12 Kms)-which is 10 Kms from the Sanctuary.

If you are not the driving type and want to explore other options: By Rail: Nearest railway station is Hospet where trains from Bangalore and Hubli are accessible. By Air: Best is to fly to Ballari and from there take a cab to Daroji which is just 40 kms from there

Where to Stay:

Government: Forest Guest House, Kamalapur and Gunda Forest Guest House, Vyasanakere near Hospet, HPC guest house, HPC, Kamalapura, PWD guest house Kamalapura, KSTDC’s Mayur Bhuvaneshwari, Kamalapura, “Vaikuntha” TB board guesthouse Hospet.

Private: Mallige Tourist Home, Ballari road, Hospet, Priyadarshini Lodge, station road, Hospet. (But Best Place will be) The Sloth Bear Resort by Jungle Lodges

(To know more details & for a complete listing of all resorts along with all attributes, contact info, to book and also to know nearby spots and lot more, download the “WildTrails of India” App)

3. Anshi Wildlife Sanctuary – 515 Kms, Approx. 8 Hrs Drive

Anshi National Park is located in Uttara Kannada district, in the Indian state of Karnataka, bordering the state of Goa. Anshi allows one to experience the astounding scenic beauty. Anshi National Park is located in a pristine part of the Western Ghats and is known for the richness of its flora and fauna. Anshi is believed to be India’s most endangered Wildlife Park. This place boasts of about 197 rare species of birds. Tourists interested in bird watching activity must visit Anshi National Park as the forest has a variety of rare bird species. The perfect time for bird watching is in the spring season when the trees are at full blossom. It has the rare distinction of being the only park in Asia where Black Panther is found naturally. Anshi National Park has a variety of species of mammals and reptiles. The forest comprises both rain forests and deciduous forests. A huge array of flora and fauna is found in the Anshi National Park, and it is an ideal home ground for species such as elephants, tigers, deer, black panthers, and wild boars. Not only this, there are variety of reptiles in the forest.

The 340 km2 (130 sq mi) Anshi park adjoins the Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary, and together with six adjacent protected areas in the states of Goa and Maharashtra, forms an almost uninterrupted protected forest area of over 2,200 km2 (850 sq mi).

Best Season: October to May.

Visiting Times: Plan your visit from 6.00 am in the morning to 6.00 pm in the evening because that is the only time when the park is open for visitors.

Distances: Anshi is around 50kms from Dandeli and 60 km from Karwar in Uttara Kannada district.

How to Get there? Anshi National Park can be reached by rail, road, and air. Karwar railway station, which is 55 kilometers away, is the nearest one. The nearest airport is Hubli/Dharwad, which is 106 km from the park. Regular buses from Dandeli to Bangalore, Pune, Panaji, Dharwad, Belgaum, Karwar, and Mumbai are available. Bangalore is roughly around 515 kilometers from Anshi National Park and is well connected by road.

Where to Stay: There are almost no place to stay inside the park and most prefer to stay at Dandeli or Dharwad. There is a Nature camp inside the forest called “Nature Camp at Kulgi” which has accommodations available in tents and also dormitory.(Prior Booking Required).

To do there: Safari. Bird Trail & Mammal trail in Kulgi which is a 3km walk. The water sports like jacuzzi, boating, rafting, and canoeing can be planned in the river Kali, and trekking the extremely beautiful Dudhsagar waterfalls by a 20-km trek is also available.

(To know more details & for a complete listing of all resorts along with all attributes, contact info, to book and also to know nearby spots and lot more, download the “WildTrails of India” App)

4. Eravikulam National Park, Munnar, Kerala – 470 kms, approx. 8 hrs Drive

The most sought after destination in Munnar is the Eravikulam National Park, the first of its kind in Kerala, where the endangered Nilgiri Tahr is protected. Spread over 97 sq. km., this park holds the largest viable population of Tahr, several other species of rare animals, birds and butterflies. The park offers a magnificent view of the tea plantations and also of the rolling hills caressed by blankets of mist. The park becomes a hot destination when the hillslopes get covered in a carpet of blue, resulting from the flowering of Neelakurinji. It is a plant endemic to this part of the Western Ghats which blooms once in twelve years.

The sanctuary is divided into three regions – the core area, the buffer area and the tourism area. Visitors are allowed only to the tourism area – Rajamala – the region lying beyond the road entry into Eravikulam.  Rajamala is the place where one can see Nilgiri Tahr at close quarter. Visitors are taken to Rajamalai in forest dept vehicles. Please note that private vehicles are not allowed here.

The tourism zone will be closed in calving season during Feb – March every year. Visitors can get assured sighting of Nilgiri Tahr, feel the kurinji and experience the shola grassland eco system. Visitors will be picked from 5th Mile on safari buses and dropped back. The park have restaurants, eco shops and an amenity centre. Entry time 8 am – 4.30 pm Fee: Indian – Rs. 90/- Children – Rs. 65/- Foreign National – Rs. 360/- Reservation fee Rs 50/- (Reservation counter 9 am – 3 pm at Information centre, Munnar).

Wildlife Population: 29 Species of mammals are found here of which 5 are endemic to the Western Ghat’s. The Nilgiri Tahr, Gaur, Sloth Bear, Nilgiri Langur, Tiger, Leopard, Giant Squirrel and wild dog are common. Half the world population of the endangered Nilgiri Tahr lives here. Panthers are usually sighted in the open grasslands while Civet cats and Jungle cats live in the Sholas.  140 species of birds of which 10 are unique to the Western Ghat’s. The Atlas moth, the largest of its kind in the world is seen in this Park. More than 100 varieties of butterflies have been recorded here. Besides 20 species of amphibians are also seen.

Best Time: The Park receives heavy showers during the southwest (June/July) and retreating (October/November) Monsoons and is one of the wettest area of the World. The tourism zone will be closed in calving season during Feb & March every year. Any other months will be ideal.

How to Get there? It is located Approx 470 kms from Bangalore and has a good access via road. One needs to drive to Krishnagiri (TN) via Hosur Road and towards Salem, Tirupur and towards Munnar. This place is around 15kms north of Munnar. If you are not the driving type and want to explore other options: Nearest railway station: Aluva, about 109 km from Munnar; Angamali, about 108 km from Munnar and Coimbatore (165 Km) in Tamil Nadu. Nearest airport: Madurai (Tamil Nadu) about 142 km; Cochin (Kerala) International Airport, about 150 km, Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu) airport about 175 Km.

Where to Stay: Lakkom log house – Like a hidden bird nest under the forest cover, close to the falls, the log house offers a high end comfortable accommodation to visitors. One can cherish the solitude and wilderness, the sweet music of falls and forest birds as well as caring services and complimentary food. One can also stay in Munnar as there are many accommodations over there.

To do there: Trek to view Anamudi Peak (highest peak in south India), Kurinji Trail, Lakkom Water Falls, Cascade walk & many more.

(To know more details & for a complete listing of all resorts along with all attributes, contact info, to book and also to know nearby spots and lot more, download the “WildTrails of India” App)

5. Periyar National Park, Kerala – 510 Kms, approx. 8 hrs Drive

Periyar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary (PNP) is a protected area in the districts of Idukki and Pathanamthitta in Kerala, India. It is notable as an elephant reserve and a tiger reserve. The protected area covers an area of 925 km2 (357 sq mi). 305 km2 (118 sq mi) of the core zone was declared as the Periyar National Park in 1982.

The park is often called the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary or Thekkady or as Periyar Tiger Reserve. It is located high in the Cardamom Hills and Pandalam Hills of the southern Western Ghats along the border with Tamil Nadu.

The major portion of the Reserve forms the catchment of the river Periyar and the rest that of river Pamba. Administratively, The park falls in Idukki, Kottayam and Pathanamthitta districts of Kerala state. The reserve is divided into two functional divisions, each managed by a Deputy Director. Periyar East is the larger division with an area of 707 sq.km and headquartered at Thekkady, where most of the tourism activities are centred. This Division is divided into three Ranges – Thekkady, Periyar and Vallakkadavu. Periyar West division (218 sq.km) has its headquarters at Peermedu and is divided into two Ranges, Azhutha and Pamba. Each Range under a Range Officer is further divided into Sections and Beats, looked after by Foresters and Forest Guards respectively.

Wildlife: Tigers, Elephants, Civets, Leopards, Malabar Gaint Squirrel, Sambar, Asian Openbill, Black Baza, Black Bittern, Black Stork, Black-Crowned Night Heron, Black-Shouldered Kite, Cattle Egret, Chestnut Bittern and lot more.

Best Time: September to May

How to Get there? Periyar Tiger Reserve, Thekkady is well connected by road. It is approx 510 kms and 8 hours away from Bangalore. One needs to drive to Krishnagiri (TN) via Hosur Road and towards Salem, Dindigul, and towards Kumily. This place is around 4 Kms from Kumily. If you are not the driving type and want to explore other options: Nearest railway station: Kottayam (114 Kms), Changanassery (120 Kms), Ernakulam (190 Kms) and Madurai (135 Kms). Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport (190 Kms), Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (267 Kms), & Madurai Airport (140 Kms).

Where to Stay: The Bamboo Grove, The Jungle Inn, The Jungle camp and more such places.

To do there: Nature Walk, Cloud Walk, Green Walk, Border Trekking, Bamboo Rafting, Bullock Cart Ride, Jungle Trek (Night trekking), Tiger Trail & many more.

To get the detailed info of the place, best season & time to visit, how to get there, safari details / boating/ trekking details, list of animals/birds you can expect to see there , entry/camera fees, and of course all of the accommodations nearby, please download the app or send us an inquiry:

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(We are an Aggregator App, bringing all of Indian wildlife & Nature resorts into one place to help YOU find your ideal destination/resort based on your personal preferences!! Will aggregate Wildlife/Nature Resorts, National parks, (bird & animal) Sanctuaries, Tiger & Elephant reserves, Organized photographic oriented wildlife tours, Camera, Lens & related equipment Rentals, Cab/Car Rentals, Photography Workshops, info about Indian Animals & birds, Tourist Guides and lot more.  Currently we are covering Bandipur, Nagarhole (Kabini & Coorg), Coorg & Bird Sanctuaries close to Bangalore.)

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