About Dandeli

You can visit Dandeli any time of the year. During the monsoons, you may see fewer animals and miss white-water rafting, but the place acquires a unique ambience.

Wildlife & Nature in Dandeli

On a ride down the river, a variety of birds can be sighted. Hornbills flying around, kingfishers, darters and egrets darting into the waters in search of food, serpent eagles, falcon, magpie, robin, bulbuls, orioles, woodpeckers, weaverbirds and many more.

At the end of the journey, you can either be picked up by a jeep or walk back to your camp. You can also travel inside the forest in a jeep. The most interesting animal in the sanctuary is the Gaur or the Indian Bison. Once they were plenty in these forests and the sanctuary itself was known as ‘Bison Sanctuary’. But now their numbers have dwindled. 

Bison have beautiful, near-perfect horns. Male bison are short and stocky, but sturdy. They weigh between 600 and 940 kg and stand 1.6-1.9 meters at the shoulder. Female bison are only about 10 cm shorter but lighter in build. Other animals in the sanctuary include elephants, tigers, black panthers, wild pigs, sloth bears, wild dogs, jackal, sambar, spotted deer, barking deer, mouse deer, common langur, bonnet macaque, slender loris, Malabar giant squirrels, giant flying-squirrels, civets, porcupines, mongoose and several species of snakes.

However, animal sightings in the wild depend on sheer luck. You could either see several in a day or none for days. During the rains, or immediately after, a tiger or panther could be lurking just a few feet away, but the thick growth and the animal’s camouflage would make it practically invisible.

In and Around Dandeli

Kavala Caves

Situated at a distance of 25 km’s of from the base camp at Dandeli, the ancient Kavala caves is a must-see destination for all visitors who come to Dandeli. Trek up a thousand steps thousand steps through dense virgin evergreen forests to reach the caves. Said to be inhabited by humans since prehistoric times, these limestone caves are today revered as the abode of Lord Shiva-the Hindu god of Destruction.
Crawl into the depths of the earth through the narrow, winding tunnels, and you will come face to face with an awe-inspiring display of the earth through the narrow, winding tunnels, and you will come face to face with an awe-inspiring display of the natures marvel – a gigantic Shivlinga formed naturally. It is said that these tunnels go on for miles below, and there are many which no man has ever ventured into. As you trek back from the caves, enjoy a breathtaking view of the river Kali winding through the valley below.

Syntheri Rock

Syntheri Rock is a 300ft tall monolithic granite located deep inside the thick Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary. With the Kaneri River gushing ferociously by its side, the Syntheri Rock is a spectacular Sight. One can actually see the effect of erosion that has resulted in hollows on this rock. Thousands Of pigeons have made this rock their home in the innumerable nooks and crannies, and one can also See the hives of rock bees hanging precariously from the Kali Wilderness Camp. A jeep ride for about an hour followed by a walk through the scenic jungle will bring you to this incredibly beautiful sculpture of nature.

Molangi

If the outdoors are what excite you, then Molangi is the place to be! A spot indelible beauty, Molangi has gods signature written all over it. It situated at a point amidst dense bamboo thickets Where the river kali passes between steep slopes and rock formations, Molangi makes a perfect hideout for campers. Spend an entire day backpacking across dense jungles watching spiders spin their webs and saddle fungus on tree barks.
You can see wildlife too spotted deer the Malabar giant squirrel, and if you are lucky, maybe even a black panther Retreat to a camp under the skies as you pitch your tents on the river bank . Try a quick hand at finishing before days make way for the night. Start a flint-lit fire for the barbecue and set the scope to simmer. As dusk falls setting the sky ablaze with a start, listen to the sound of darkness. Exchange tales of yore of ghosts and man-eating tigers, late into the night by the campfire.

Syke’s Point

It is one of the most beautiful spots in Karnataka. From here one can get an unhindered view of Kali River flowing through the valley below. For miles together, one can see nothing but undulating lush green forest all around. Observe the giant colourful hornbills gliding effortlessly through the sky down the vale. From atop Siroky peak- the highest point the entire Uttarkannada district, view the magnificent unbroken vista of mighty rain-forest. An ideal picnic spot, this reached travelling by jeep to a summit or by trekking. Yet another ideal location is the Nagajari valley around which are densely forested mountains and stream s running as the eye can see.

Supa Dam

Supa Dam is built across Kalinadi (Kannada) or Kali river in the state of Karnataka in India. The dam is situated in Joida taluk of Uttara Kannada district. The powerhouse at the foot of the dam has two electricity generators of fifty megawatts each. The electricity generated is supplied to different parts of Karnataka. It is near about 25 Km from Dandeli City. This Dam used to produce Electrical power under KPC.

Ulavi Channa Basaveshwar Temple

This is a very beautiful and religious place amidst the western ghats lies between Dandeli and Karwar. Near the town is Kumbarwada which is 30 KM from here. It’s around 55 Km from Dandeli. Lush green and calm environment makes it cool spot.