Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary

The animals and birds usually come out of their hiding mainly at dawn or twilight. They often look for food before turning in for the night for a good night's sleep, and after they've enjoyed their good night's sleep when they get hungry.

Timings The jungle safari's timings have been coordinated with the animals' movements; in the morning from 6:30 AM to 8:30 AM and in the evening from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM on all days of the week. The jeeps can enter the premises of the zones between these timings only. Types of Vehicles Buses or canters also go in for safaris.

The cost per head for a jeep is INR 400, and a jeep accommodates 6 passengers, excluding the driver and the guide. The price per head in a bus or canter is INR 300, and they accommodate over 25 passengers in each vehicle.

The wilted leaves of the deciduous trees crackle beneath the jeep as the winds whistle and rumble the shrubs. The pacifying silence lets you listen to the faint sounds of the tiny insects and happy birds.

Activities like Water-based adventures, trekking, island camping, bird watching and rock climbing are the added recreational things along with the wildlife viewing on jeeps. The reserve also provides an opportunity for a 3.5-km long nature trail at Muthod. Talbidrekere is the place nearby where you can locate a watering hole where one can see plenty of wildlife. Melgiri and Kesarhalla too offer excellent sightings. Tigers can also be seen in Doddahadlu and Chandanahadlu.

During the summers, all the sources of water inside the forest are extinguished due to the heat. As a result, all the animals have to come out of their comfort spots to the rivers and bigger water holes. With the Bhadra river's rich and robust flow in the summer, it is the all the wildlife's saviour in the summer.

Since all the animals have to come out of hiding to drink water at the river, there are higher chances of spotting these exotic and shy creatures. Hence, even though the sanctuary is heaven on earth throughout the year, summer time-particularly March through May, is the best time to spot the diverse wildlife that takes shelter in this sanctuary.

The diversity of the flora in Bhadra Wildlife sanctuary is spell bounding. The forest is mainly a dry deciduous mixed forest. With over 120 species of trees, this forest practically has a ceiling of green. Teak, Rosewood, Dry Bamboo, etc. are just a few of the many tree species that are home to the distinctively unique wildlife in the sanctuary.

Sheltered by the mighty trees is every kind of life, from the dung beetle to enchanting birds of every colour! The sunlight filters through the tree branches into shafts of light illuminating the forest floor. Exotic animals like tigers, leopards, porcupines, sloth bears, panthers, wild boars, etc. have taken to this sanctuary.

There is always a togetherness of all the animals in the wild. The langurs throw fruit from the top of the tree for the deer to eat and send out alarm calls as soon as they notice a hungry prance of the tiger. Witnessing this sync and love between the animals warms you at heart. The sound of the running water of the river has the same hypnotic quality as that of music. The squirrels and birds play along with the banks of the river with pure carefree joy.

The tiger basking in the light by the banks of the river, the deer frolicking around the grassland, the elephants bathing at the waterhole or the leopard resting in the trees - these moments are simple, yet so magical. One is truly mesmerized by the art and liveliness of nature. Even though our houses are carefully constructed with the topnotch quality of cement, intensive planning, and rich interiors, the forest will effortlessly make you feel like you're home.

1. Carry a cap and a pair of binoculars for the safari. Wear a pair of casual clothes that allow easy movement and are comfortable to wear on a bumpy safari route.
2. Do not forget to apply a generous amount of sunscreen as well as insect repellant to protect yourself from tanning or contracting any diseases.
3. Don't forget to carry a camera, but also remind yourself to live in the moment when a shy animal graces you with its presence. These are not moments you get to relive often.

Chikmanglur itself does not have a railway station. The nearest railway station is Kadur which is approximately 51 km away from the sanctuary and is only an hour long drive. The closest airport is Mangalore Domestic Airport located at a distance of 185 km. Taxis and buses ply from popular spots in the town to the sanctuary all through the day.