Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary, Dandeli near Dharwad

Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Uttara Kannada and covers an area of 334.52 sq mi. It is an ideal holiday destination for nature lovers. The sanctuary is easily accessible by road, rail and air. It lies at a distance of 57 kms from Dharwad which is the closest location to reach the sanctuary.

The Dandeli wildlife sanctuary is the second largest sanctuary in Karnataka and is located on the banks of River Kali. It is surrounded by thick forests and hills of the Kannada District. It has a rich diversity of the plants and animals in and around the sanctuary.

Orange headed thrush at Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary. Image courtesy Prajwalkm

Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary – Spot Crocodiles and Birds

The sanctuary is rich in flora and fauna. Crocodiles are a major wildlife attraction in this sanctuary. It offers a unique experience of bird watching and crocodile spotting. You can walk through the forest or enjoy bird watching. There are a variety of reptilian and amphibian species in and around the wildlife sanctuary.

You can get a glimpse of the barking deer, bison, Indian Mongolian, black panther, sambhar, tiger, leopard, elephant, flying squirrel and the Malabar giant squirrel. If you are lucky, you might catch a glimpse of the king cobra, tiger or giant iguana in the thick and dense forest.

Indian yellow tit at Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary. Image courtesy Prajwalkm

Quick Facts about Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary

Best time to visit: From March to October
Opening Hours: 00 AM to 6.00 PM
Visit Duration: 7 to 8 hours
Entry Fee: INR 40 per person (Indians) and INR 80 per person (foreigners)
Camera: INR 100 per camera
Jeep Safari: INR 40 per person
Address: Solad Complex, J N.Road, Dandeli, Gokarna, Uttara Kannada -581326 (MAP)

Fauna at Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary

Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary is a paradise for bird watchers with more than 200 species of birds. The dense deciduous trees and evergreen trees, including bamboo and teak cover the entire forest area. Some of the birds include Blue throated Barbet, Great Pied Hornbill, Malabar Pied Hornbill and Peregrine falcon.

You can experience the lush forest in a forest safari and get a look at the exotic creatures in the sanctuary. Dandeli is a paradise for bird watchers and an ideal destination for nature lovers. There are various resorts in Dandeli which provide a pleasant and comfortable stay.