Dandeli Jungle Camp

When I was looking for a short getaway, Dandeli sprung up as the obvious choice, especially for those of us who crave to escape the hustle and bustle of modern day living, into the calm serenity of dense forests and wildlife. As expected, I knew I had made the right choice when I was greeted by the melodious chirping of birds and sounds of the forest, which seemed to foretell the possibility of a memorable holiday for me.

Drive to Dandeli

The drive from Bengaluru was a pleasant one as I took an overnight bus to Hubballi.  Taxi arranged by Dandeli.com took me to from Hubballi to Dandeli. As we moved away from Hubli-Dharwad, the beautiful country side and the forests kept me busy. The recent rains had made the entire area green and bright. By the way, Dandeli is about 460 km from Bengaluru and can be covered in 8 hours of driving.

 

The Resort – Dandeli Jungle Camp

I realized I had opted for one of the best places to stay at Dandeli, the Dandeli Jungle Camp in Pradhani village, as soon as I entered the precincts of the resort. Situated in the heart of the forest, it is about 8 kms away from Dandeli. This part of the journey is a Jeep track but good enough for any four-wheeler to pass through. The competitive pricing was one of the most important reasons why people chose the place, and I soon realized it was complete value for money!

 

There is a range of room options to choose from. While it offers budget accommodation options such as tents for people looking to experience peaceful atmosphere with bare essential facilities, I opted for the family room. All rooms are clean and well maintained, and the family rooms have been provided with a small veranda in front of the room, which gives you an option to simply sit and relax, enjoying the serenity of the place. I also observed that all the rooms are well placed, facing away from each other, ensuring privacy. As per the staff here, the camp has been operational since 1994, which makes it one of the oldest resorts in Dandeli. Here is a video of Dharmesh about Dandeli Jungle Camp. (Note: Dharmesh manages this place). 

 

Rooms and Facilities

The enchanting Dandeli Jungle Camp Resort is best known for its Hill Top Tree-House which offers a memorable experience. Located in the serene and lush precincts in the middle of the pristine and forest-scapes of Dandeli, the resort unravels the true beauty of the destination to you. Be prepared to experience the oxygen laden fresh air and an overload of bird songs that wake you to a day of pleasant surprises!

 

Here’s another surprise: even though the place is in the heart of the jungle, the cell phones work and you can still contact the outside world. You will, however, be tempted to use this only in case of an emergency – such is the mesmerising beauty of Dandeli!

Food for the Soul

One of the best things about this place is the hospitality of the staff. The camp has a restaurant that provides breakfast, buffet lunch and dinner. The food is simple and good. The restaurant is in an open area and you can soak up the beauty of the wild while enjoying wholesome meals.

Activities All Year Round

Mornings which start with a stroll on the dew laden grass can be sheer magic for your weary spirits! As you walk deeper into the forests, you will feel mother nature’s bounty and the warm welcome that she offers you. It is interesting to note that there is something for everyone, at any time of the year at Dandeli! All you need to do is to inform the very helpful staff a Dandeli Jungle Camp about your interests and they will help you with organising the activities as per the permissible itinerary depending on the season.

 

Some of the major attractions of Dandeli are white-water rafting, kayaking, boating, jacuzzi, rafting, zorbing, zip line, bird-watching, nature-walks, wildlife spotting, angling, camping, walks to natural caves, ancient temples and family picnics. Water sports are prohibited during monsoons owing to safety reasons, which is when you may indulge in other activities on offer.

 

Evening campfire is a must-do that enables you to relax after all the activities of the day. There are so many things to do! 

Best Time to Visit

Winter months are undoubtedly my personal favourite, especially because of my inclination to spot elusive avian varieties! October to February is the time when migratory birds arrive in the jungle of Dandeli. And there’s an added bonus – the clear waters of Kali River are conducive for the water activities. Alternatively, the summer months of March to May is good for viewing wildlife in the Jungle. Rafting will still be conducted as the flow in the Kali River is controlled by dams.

Tips for Travel

• If rafting is your main activity in Dandeli, I suggest you contact beforehand to know about the status. The contact details are here (https://www.dandeli.com/dandeli-jungle-camp.php). This is because the activity is based on the water levels.
• Prepare for rains if you are visiting during monsoon (June to August) as Dandeli is in the Western Ghats.
• Get a waterproof camera if you are interested in taking pictures / videos of your water sports activities.
• Bring a telephoto lens or a pair of binoculars if you are interested in birding.

Note

The trip was arranged and managed by Dandeli.com (https://www.dandeli.com/). You can get more information about Dandeli Jungle Camp here (https://www.dandeli.com/dandeli-jungle-camp.php).