Dandeli

Dandeli is a small town in the western ghats of North-West Karnataka, India. Dandeli is known as a wildlife sanctuary and is proud of being one of the tiger projects. People have also moved from across India to work in the industries in Dandeli. Dandeli is also known for its adventure activities on the River Kali. Located close to the Supa Dam on Kali, Dandeli offers options for white water rafting and canoeing. The rapids are class 3 and there is one recirculating rapid in the circuit.

Get in

By air

The nearest airport is in Hubli, which is 80 km from Dandeli.

By train

The nearest railway stations to Dandeli are Londa, Alnavar, Dharwar and Hubli. Dandeli is 78 km from Hubli, 32 km from Alnavar, 56 km from Dharwad and 38 km from Londa junction.

• From Bangalore, you could take the train to Alnavar or Londa and then take bus to Dandeli.
• From Hyderabad, you can take a train to Londa and take a taxi or bus to Dandeli.
• From Goa, one can alight at Londa junction. Buses are available from Ramnagar bus stand which is 5 km from Londa railway station.

By road

Dandeli is well connected by bus services of NWKRTC and KSRTC from Bengaluru, Hubbali, Dharwad, Belagavi (Belgaum), Mangaluru, Udupi and Goa. KSRTC runs a Rajahamsa Executive bus service (Non A/C, Push back seats, Air suspension) from Dandeli to Bangalore. The bus departs from Dandeli at 5:30PM. It takes around 12 hours to reach Bangalore.

See

Haystacks at Dandeli

• Kavala Caves: Ancient Kavala caves are a perfect destination for tourists to visit while their trip to Dandeli. This place is 25 km from the Dandeli. Tourists will have to trek some thousands steps through a dense forest to reach Kavala caves. These caves are revered as the abode of Lord Shiva-the Hindu god of Destruction.
• Kulgi Nature Camp: Kulgi Nature Camp is 14 km from the Dandeli National Park. This camp has small museum, nature interpretation centre. It is on the Ambika Nagar- Yellapur Road. Main highlight of this museum is the stuffed remained of 13-ft king cobra which was caught few years back in this area. Reservations at the Kulgi nature camp involve phoning the Forest Conservator's office at 08284 - 231585, preparing a demand draft (DD) and sending the original DD by courier service to the Conservator's office, in advance of your stay. A photocopy must be sent to the camp. No other form of payment is accepted. Meals are charged separately, with not much variety to speak of. Hot water is only available for 2 hours in the morning. The only available guide-free trail is a "Birder's trail", a 2-km-long loop in the forest interiors. Overall, don't expect much from a stay at Kulgi unless all you want to do is sleep and walk in the surrounding forest.
• Anshi National Park or Kali Tiger Reserve (KTR): Dandeli is one of the gateways to Kali Tiger Reserve.

Do

Rafting at Dandeli

People enjoying river rafting at Dandeli

• Rafting: Dandeli is near the Kali River, which is a great location for the rafting. There is a route of around 9-14 km for rafting. This rafting route is of class III and continues for around 2 to 3 hours, it make also go more than that.
• Dandeli Wild Life Sanctuary and Anshi National Park is dominated by river Kali, be it from its banks or from atop a mountain. The activities at this national park include:
  • coracle rides (in water, would be able to spot crocodiles, hornbills and other birds),
  • rock climbing (small),
  • mountain biking,
  • rafting, kayaking, canoeing,
  • camping,
  • Jeep safari ride,
  • trekking in the forest, bird watching.
• Other nearby places to visit include: Kavala Caves, Syntheri Rocks, Sykes point, Siroli peak.

Eat

Kachori and samosa are very famous in Dandeli.

Drink

• Garcinia indica or kokum sherbet.
• Masala Soda - famous in this entire region.

Sleep

There are KTDC (Karnataka Tourism Development Corporation) guest houses available which provide packages to the tourists which include accommodation, food, safari, coracle ride and rafting. These guest houses are well maintained and good food is available.

• The State Lodge (Right opposite the Dandeli Bus Stand). Clean sheets & toilets. Single room ₹200-300, family rooms around ₹600. 
• The Kali Adventure Camp (Jungle Lodges & Resorts) (Somu), Raichur (about 2 km from Dandeli Bus Stand), [email protected]. Check-in: noon, check-out: 11AM. Usually a package that includes lunch, coracle ride, BBQ, dinner, early morning safari, breakfast. 
• 1 Magenta Resort, Kogilban, ☏ +91 73386 60808, [email protected]. Check-in: noon, check-out: 11AM. ₹3000. (updated Feb 2019)
• 2 Dandeli Yatri Resort, 290 Third Cross, Kogilban, Dandeli, ☏ +91 9880050754, [email protected]. Check-in: noon, check-out: 11AM. Villas on the high grounds facing the lake. ₹999. (updated May 2021)

Go next

• Karwar
• Murdeshwar
• Lakkundi
• Gokarna