SUNKADAKATTE-KABINI

SUNKADAKATTE-KABINI-NANJANGUDU-RANGANATHITTU

Myself (Sateesh N) along with my Secretariat Freinds visited the Sunkadakatte Guest House (Antharasante Range) on 09th July to 11th July 2010,

Day 01: 10th July 2010 : As soon we entered the forest gate we found a herd of Wild Dogs and it was sitting on the Road for nearly 10 -20 minutes and then we had a view of elephant, chital, wild bore etc, we stayed in the middle of the forest at Sunkadakatte Forest Guest House, in the evening after having lunch RFO had made an arrangement for Safari as soon as we started safari heavy rain started, we could see elephants in rain, bisons, sambar, chital, mongoose, etc, we halted some ten minutes at Balle Elephant Camp and had a Darshan of Balarama (Elephant), who is represented the Mysore Dasara Ambari

Day-02 : Moring Safari we went in Jeep, we could find only some elephants and same herds of Wild Dogs, it was brigth sunshine and was a good safari, we came back had lunch and move towards Nanjangud and then to Ranganathittu and back to bangalore

Here are the information about place and some photos
Kabini is one of the most popular wildlife destinations in Karnataka, probably because of its easy accessibility, lush green land scape surrounding a large picturesque lake, and fantastic sightings of large herds of elephants. It is 80km away from Mysore and 205km from Bangalore, and comprises the south-eastern part of Nagarhole National Park (Rajiv Gandhi National Park). Situated on the banks of River Kabini, this forest reserve is spread over 55 acres of forestland and water bodies.Once a private hunting lodge of the Maharaja of Mysore, Kabini was a popular shikar hotspot for British viceroys and Indian royalty. Now it is considered to be one of the best wildlife spotting areas in Karnataka, famous for its spectacular wildlife and bird life.

At the south-eastern end of Nagarhole, by the backwaters of the Kabini River, 69 km from Mysore.
Tourist attractionsKabini Dam was built in 1974 for an irrigation project and a huge reservoir was built. The Kabini dam is 2,284 feet long and 58 Mts high. Mastigudi lake is named after the village it submerged and it became the nucleus of the reserve. The Kabini is a tributary of the Cauvery which runs through nagarahole and finally drains into the reservoir.

Mastigudi temple is visible when the reservoir drains out during summer.The Kabini dam at Beechanahalli village seprates Nagarahole from Bandipur.

Kabini Dam is located on the Mysore-Manathavady Road.

Things To Do

Wildlife Safaris An excellent home for the Asian elephant. Wildlife safaris are conducted twice a day in jeeps along pre-designated routes. Early morning safari you get to see animals and evening safari you can spot leopards. In summer safari rides are taken towards the river as the water sources dry up, to watch large elephant herds. In the morning Elephant rides are organised.

Boating is a very popular activity they run motorboat rides twice a day on the lake till the edge of the forest for wildlife spotting. You can spot aquatic birds, crocodiles basking on the banks, sambar at the edge of the water etc. Sometimes you also get a chance to see tuskers feeding on tender bamboo shoots.

They also have bamboo rafts, pedal boats, kayaks and rowboats on the lake for you to enjoy the evening sunset.

Birdwatching If you are are a ardent birdwatcher Kabini is the place to be. There are over 350 species of birds identified here. The reverie habitat surrounded by forests, provides ample opportunities for bird watching.

You will be able to spot grey-headed fish eagles, ospreys and nestling sites of great cormorants on the dry stumps of trees. Malabar pied hornbill, Malabar lark, Malabar trogon, Indian pitta are the main species to look out for during guided nature walks.

Other Activities

Nature walks, Bicycle trails, bonfires and tribal village visits are organised

When to Visit:
All year round, but best between September and May. For wildlife sighting it's November to June
Dial in code(s):City code:8228

Getting There Distance(s):
208 km South West from Bangalore
69 km from Mysore

Route(s) From Bangalore
SH17 to Mysore via Maddur and Mandya
SH17D (Mananthavady Road) to Antarasante via Chattanahalli and Hampapura
District road to Karapur

How to Reach
Road:
Car: From Mysore’s Hand Post Circle take the Mananthavady Road till Kabini Circle. The road bifurcates here. Take the left arm to Antarasante; 5 km from here you enter the jungle. A little further down is Kabini River Lodge at Karapur. The resorts are 2 km ahead.

Bus: Daily KSRTC service to Kabini from the Central Bus Stand in Bangalore.
Rail: Rail Nearest railhead: Mysore Junction

Best option TO Mysore Express (dep: Bangalore City 7.05 am; arr: Mysore Junction 10 am).

Taxi to Kabini charges Rs 1,200 approx one-way. Contact Skyway (Tel: 0821-426642) or Seagull (Tel: 0821-529732), reliable taxi operators

Best option FROM Chennai Express (dep: Mysore Junction 6 pm; arr: Bangalore City 9 pm)

Journey Time : Road: 5 hours
Rail: 3 hours + 1 3/4 hours by road
Other Activities

Go on a jeep safari for wildlife sighting; or opt for an elephant safari for a tr unique experience. A third option is by boat or coracle along the river.

Where to Stay

Sunkadakatte Guest House : Sunkadakatte Guest House (Reservations, DCF Hunsur) is one of the best places to stay, for the simple reason that it is right inside the forests, 5 km away from the main road and 15 km from Kabini River Lodge. It has two three-bedded rooms with clean, tiled toilets. Food is served piping hot by the caretaker, who can turn out both veg and non-veg meals. There’s no electricity, (Now they had Solar Lightings) and that’s the best part. As night falls and you recline on comfy cane chairs in the wooden-floored, open verandah, you get to truly experience the wilds. Wild boars, habituated to human life, come looking for roots and tubers. The distant trumpeting of an elephant, the spine-chilling roar of a tiger in the immediate vicinity, the dull thudding of gaur hooves, the sudden chattering of grey languor’s and the alarm calls of sambhar and chital echo all around.

Ph: 0822-2652041
Tariff: Rs 850 parking Fees : Rs. 40 per vehicle
Food ; cook is there to prepare, Should Carry everything including vegetables