Dandeli Delights

In Uttar Kannada district of Karnataka, the Western Ghats and the free-flowing River Kali combine to form undulating streams, sylvan surroundings and trekking tracts making Dandeli a serene and magical nature experience.

From banks to mountain tops, Dandeli is dominated by the River Kali - a breathtaking emerald green serpent. A continuous canopy covers its banks, while the river itself is calm and clean unlike any other. Dandeli is home to endemic species like Malabar Giant Squirrel, Malabar Pied Hornbill, and the Malabar Gray Hornbill; other citizens include the monitor lizard, fishing eagles and several kinds of kingfishers amongst many others. Monsoon at Dandeli is just the right time for bird watching.  Weaverbirds, pied kingfishers and egrets skim over the river bank, even as cormorants pose and dive to catch fish.

The known habitat of the rare Black Panther, the dense forest cover makes it difficult to spot this majestic beauty. Yet trails mark easy spotting of the spotted deer, Sambar, barking deer, sloth bear, the gaur, wild boars, fox, jackal, pangolin, and elephants.

The Kavala Caves are located 25 km. from Dandeli. The trail here is through dense virgin forest with a thousand steps to maneuver. These prehistoric limestone caves are revered as the abode of Shiva. arrow, winding tunnels lead to a naturally formed lingam. The trek back offers awe-inspiring views of the River Kali winding through the valley below.