Location: Kemmannagundi, Karnataka
Total Area: 540 sq. kms
Main Attractions: Gaur, Chital
Visiting Season: September to May
Description: B.R Hills Wildlife Sanctuary
Situated
at a height of 5,091 feet, B.R Hills Wildlife Sanctuary is a unique blend of
resort and wildlife sanctuary, a must for wildlife lovers. Dancing trees, whistling
winds and swirling streams form a backdrop to some very rare animal. The B.R
Wildlife sanctuary is 3,375 ft above sea level and is spread over an area of
540 sq. kms of undulating hills and valleys covered in deciduous forests and
Sholas.
Topography:
The BR Hills Wildlife Sanctuary is an important link between the Eastern and
the Western Ghats. The river Cauvery flows South East and at Kollegal takes
an abrupt turn towards the North and again returns to its initial course. This
reflects the geographic significance as well as the wonderful blend of the Biligiri
Rangaswamy and Male Mahadeshwar ranges, bridging the gap between the Western
Ghats and the Eastern Ghats.
Wildlife Attractions:
The B R Hills Wildlife sanctuary is home to many species of wild animals. The
sanctuary is teeming with varied flora and fauna. Gaurs, chitals, sambhars,
bears, elephants, panthers and tigers inhabit the place in large numbers. Here
is an opportunity for the nature lover to study over 200 species of birds, chief
among which are the racket-tailed drongo and the crested eagle.
Adventure Activities:
Professional angling, amateur fishing, coracle boat rides, bird watching, river
rafting, trekking, outdoor camping will keep you busy. Every April you can witness
the wonderful Ratha festival at the BR Temple too.
Park Trips:
For
trips within the park one can either trek up on foot or opt for jeep safaris
or elephant rides.
Visiting Season:
The BR Hills Wildlife sanctuary is open throughout the year. Best time to sight
wildlife is June to October when the animals come out for water. But the more
comfortable time to visit if relaxation is what you're looking for is winter
to early summer. Make sure you take permission from the Forest Department at
Chamarajnagar if you are not staying at the resort.
Access:
By Air: The nearest airport is at Bangalore
By Rail: Bangalore is the nearest rail junction.
By Road: It is easily accessible by road being 100 km from Bangalore via Kanakapura
/ Halagur. 85 km from Mysore via Malavalli and 245 km from Ooty via Mysore.
There is couple of buses leaving from Mysore everyday. Mysore is 90 kms and
Bangalore is 254 kms away.
Accommodation & Facilities:
Furnished twin bed tents, with attached modern toilet facilities, lit by hurricane
lamps. Furnished ethnic huts on stilts, with attached modern toilet facilities
again lit by hurricane lamps. Furnished rooms at the Maharaja's Bungalow with
electricity are also available for the one's seeking some luxury. There is a
bar and multi-cuisine dining is at the open-sided Gol Ghar restaurant, a Jungle
Lodges specialty as well as conference facilities.
General Information:
Nearby Excursions: Biligiriangaswamy Temple
Nearby Cities: Bangalore
