Bhadra Tiger Reserve – A Photographer's Delight -

This holiday has nature and only nature to offer. Besides relaxing in your cottage with no TV and newspaper to catch up on, you have two major things to do here. Take a jeep safari into the Bhadra Tiger Reserve and a boat safari on the Bhadra river.

The safaris are conducted at pre-designated hours every morning and evening. Since we were staying there for two nights we went for the jeep safari twice and boat safari once.

Jeep Safari

We left for our first adventure at 4.30 PM with a naturalist accompanying us in an 8 seater jeep. The terrain is a little rough as the approach roads are dirt roads.

Our first sighting was a kingfisher bird perched high on a tree on our way to the Tiger Reserve. We got really excited and were looking forward to an eventful day. But alas! That was not to be. After going up and down in the forest for about 2 hours our only sightings were Spotted deer, Sambar deer, Gaur, Malabar squirrel and a Crested Serpent Eagle. Slightly disappointed we returned to our cottages to be greeted by a resplendent sunset that raised our spirits again and we decided to take the jeep safari again the following evening.

Spotted Deer

Malabar Squirrel

Sambar Deer

Crested Serpent Eagle

Gaur

While I backed out at the last hour having been let down umpteen numbers of times in the past, others in the gang did not lose hope and ventured again on the jeep safari. For my brother, who was out on such a holiday for the first time, it turned out to be a memorable experience. For this time they were rewarded for their patience and were graced by the presence of a Leopard, walking down the road with a majestic gait. They followed the big cat for a while till it was dark and difficult to see it anymore. The group returned to the lodge super excited and in high spirits. Even the staff at the hotel was highly excited about the fact that a Leopard had been sighted, a rare occasion. 

The majestic Leopard

In a Playful Mood

If you don’t mind being woken up early at 6 AM, then you must go for the boat safari that leaves at 6.30 AM. Early mornings are the perfect time to catch a glimpse of the wide variety of birds in the area. Since we were visiting in the non-breeding season River tern birds were not in abundance but we got to see a few in flight. Some of the other avian species we saw were White-throated Kingfisher, Cormorants, Peacock, Barbet, Brahminy Kite, Swallows, Wagtails and Osprey. You can return to a hearty breakfast after a 2 hour trip.

The river in its morning glory

Our waiting boat

White throated Kingfisher

Cormorants taking off

River Tern bird

The beautiful Peacock

Brahminy Kite

Swallows

Osprey also known as fish hawk

Wagtail

Water Sports

Having enjoyed our jeep and boat safari a couple of us decided to enjoy some water sports, available at the resort for an additional cost. At Rs. 250 per person for an hour of water trampoline and kayaking it was time for some fun. Though strenuous and exhausting for the not so fit ones, it was lot of fun for the audience.

Water trampoline

Kayaking

On our way to River Tern lodge we stopped at Kamat’s just outside Tumkur for breakfast. After this there are not many options available except tender coconut vendors or local tea stalls for break.

On our way back we took our lunch break at Planters Court in the Chikmaglur town. Nothing fancy about the hotel but good food. After Halebid on way to Bangalore you will find some options like Kamat’s, Café Coffee Day etc. for dinner.

Chikmagalur

Having enjoyed our stay immensely at River Tern lodge we left on the third day after breakfast. On our way back we decided to return via Chikmagalur, the coffee town, and take a detour to Halebid, for the benefit of my mother and brother who hadn’t seen it before.

The drive through Chikmagalur is scenic as both sides of the road are lined with coffee plantations. On the way we came across a beautiful coffee shop situated inside a coffee estate and we decided to take an unplanned halt. 

A coffee shop in Chikmagalur on our drive back

Water lilies on the way