Kali Tiger Reserve: Anshi, Bird Watching, Dandeli, Near Karwar

Home to a wide range of flora and fauna, the Kali Tiger Reserve is situated in the central part of the Uttara Kannada district in the state of Karnataka in India. Formerly known as the Dandeli-Anshi Tiger Reserve, this tiger reserve lies between the Karwar and Haliyal forest divisions and is spread through certain parts of Karwar, Joida, and Haliyal Taluks in Karnataka.

Kali Tiger Reserve In Dandeli – An Overview

It was in December 2015 that the tiger reserve got its current name, Kali Tiger Reserve. The river Kali flows through the Anshi National park and the Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary and is the lifeline of the people living in Uttara Kannada. The name change was to create awareness among the people on how important River Kali was to the ecosystem. Besides, the name also helped in giving the tiger reserve a single identity.

The tiger reserve in Dandeli is spread throughout an area of 1300 square kilometers and comprises two major areas of that region that are protected. They are the Anshi National Park which covers an area of 339.866 Square Kilometers and the Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary which is spread across an area of around 475 Square Kilometers.

The forest reserve consists of 6 ranges. They are:

Phansoli
Kumbarwada
Kulgi
Anshi
Castle Rock
Gund

The Conservator of Forests heads the entire tiger reserve.

Flora And Fauna In Kali Tiger Reserve

The Tiger Reserve is located within the moist deciduous forests of the North-Western Ghats and the mountain rain forests of the North Western Ghats. Forests situated within the Kali Tiger Reserve are mostly semi-evergreen and moist deciduous. Excellent sections of evergreen forests can also be seen within the deep valleys and towards the western tips of the tiger reserve.

The commonly seen plants and trees within this region include the following.

Bamboo
Eucalyptus
Malabar Tamarind
Teak
Silver Oak
Cinnamon
Blackboard Tree
Jamba
Bauhinia

The tiger reserve is also blessed with a wide range of animals, birds, and reptiles making it a true paradise for any animal lovers and bird watchers, students, researchers, and wildlife photographers.

Animals inKali Tiger Reserve

Even though this is a tiger reserve the tigers are rarely spotted. This place also houses rare black panthers and elephants. However, these animals are also quite difficult to be seen. This place is also home to the Indian wild boar, Hanuman Langur, the Indian bison, sloth bear, bonnet macaque, jackal, porcupine, and a wide variety of deers, squirrels.

Reptiles: This place also houses several reptiles including the monitor lizard and a wide range of snakes including the spectacled cobra, bamboo pit viper, king cobra, Russell’s viper, saw-scaled viper, and the Indian Rock Python to name a few.

Birds: Some of the interesting birds found in this area are the Asian fairy bluebird, Malabar Grey Hornbill, great hornbill, Indian grey hornbill, and the Ceylon Frogmouth. Besides, the black-crested bulbul, brahminy kite, crested serpent eagle, adjutant stork, broad-billed roller, yellow-footed green pigeon, golden-backed woodpecker, ashy wood swallow are also seen in this tiger reserve. Around 200 different species of birds have been recorded within this area.

Adventure Sports And Activities Within The Kali Tiger Reserve

The Kali Tiger Reserve offers different kinds of adventurous sports and other activities for travelers and tourists at affordable prices. Given below are some of the popular games and other adventurous activities organized by this tiger reserve.

Camps

Kali Tiger Reserve offers different types of nature-based and educational camps for tourists and students. Some of the camps organized within this place are the following.

Castle Rock Adventure Camp
Kulgi Nature Education Camp
Anshi Ever-Green Camp

Adventure Water Sports

The Jungle Lodges and Resorts offer a wide range of adventurous water sports for travelers and tourists. The water sports are conducted within the River Kali. Some of the more popular water sports organized here include the following.

Kayaking
Coracle Ride
White Water Rafting

Jungle Safari

The Kali Tiger Reserve organizes jungle safari twice a day.

Timings are as follows: 6:00 am – 8:00 am & 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Reporting Point: Phansoli

All travelers are expected to report at least 15 minutes before the time of departure.

Safari Fees: Rs. 450/- per head

Forest safaris are also organized by Jungle Lodges and Resorts. It’s a jeep safari inside the forest. The starting point is Dandeli.

Bird Watching and Nature Walk

Bird watching is another popular activity organized in this place. The Kali Tiger Reserve is home to several species of birds including the rare ones and hence is the perfect destination for any bird watchers.

Trekking

Trekking is another popular activity organized by the tiger reserve. The following are the different points of trekking that take place in the Kali Tiger Reserve.

Kulgi
Anshi
Castle Rock

Time Taken

6 hours and 45 Minutes (In general)

Other Popular Places To See In And Around Kali Tiger Reserve

Some of the popular destinations that you can see in and around this tiger reserve are given below.

Ulavi Caves

The Ulavi caves house the famous Chennabasaveshwara temple and several other caves. The main caves that are popular among travelers are:

Akka Nagamma Cave
Akala Gavi Cave
Rudrakshi Mantapa Cave
Vibhooti Kanaja Cave

Kadra Dam: This dam is built across the river Kali and is well frequented by travelers

Shirve Gudda: This is a popular trekking trail that’s situated in this area.

Syntheri Rocks: Syntheri Rocks is a perfect destination for a one-day trip. Rapids are formed as a result of the river flowing through the rocks.

Supa Dam: This is another dam that is popular among travelers who visit this tiger reserve. This dam is situated off the Karwar-Dandeli road.

Kodasalli Backwaters: Special activities are organized at the Kodasalli backwaters for travelers visiting the Kali Tiger Reserve.

How To Reach Kali Tiger Reserve?

One can choose to travel to this tiger reserve by air, rail, or road. Once you reach the closest airport, or the railway station or the bus station you’ll have to depend on private vehicles /cabs to reach this destination.

By Air

The airports that lie closest to the Kali Tiger Reserve are the following.

Belgaum Airport
Hubli Airport

By Rail

Three railway stations are close to this tiger reserve.

Alnavar Railway Station
Londa Railway Station
Dharwad Railway Station

By Road

You may also choose to travel by a state/private bus or by your private vehicle or a long-distance cab. You have to take a diversion from Dharwad to Dandeli if you are traveling by your private vehicle. The tiger reserve is situated at a distance of 470 Kilometers from Bengaluru.

The closest bus stations are the following.