Dandeli on the River Kali

Some moments of your life will always be etched in your memories, I could still remember the moment, my heart thumping and gasping with the sound ringing in my ears. All through the moment my only worry was about my swimming skills which i never had, although i was tethered to a Life Jacket. I was like a kid caught between whether to close my eyes or open and go with the adrenaline rush. But adrenaline caught up with me and i let out a sharp shriek while going through the turbulent waters. White Water Rafting was the pinnacle moment of the trip, when all you can do is hold a paddle against the agitated white frothy waters.

Dandeli is a sleepy small town in the Western Ghats lying somewhere in the forest between Hubli and Goa. Although it does not have much of the charm like the various Hill-Stations dotting the Western Ghat, it does have its own old town character. This place is dull, gloomy and not so lively if you want to experience packed houses, jumbled shops with you vying for space with all other socialites.

Dandeli is not yet commercialized like other hill stations or adventure spots of India. This place enlightens you with the tall green trees which allow only a spec of light to reach the ground. The other beauty which enlivens the place is the River Kali. The river in all its meandering flow is beautiful and gives a lively picturesque view all along its banks.

Wildlife

Dandeli is flanked on the Western side by National Parks and Wildlife reserves, one can sight rare birds but chances of sighting other fauna are rare. Forest Safari are arranged everyday from Pancholi by Forest authority for a price of 500/head. But seats for a Safari are very limited to 120 per day and can be difficult to get during the long weekends. I was on the unlucky side and could not get a spot, but we did spot some wildlife while on return. 

Animals don't have boundaries

I was dejected I could not get a ticket and was returning to my homestay, when my lucky angel was walking straight onto me. At first glance I thought it was a dog and let it passby, but then I realised it was a Golden Jackal. I screeched to a halt and went tip-toeing in search of the feline, having two thoughts I should not scare it and the Jackal should not scare me either.... But I caught a glimpse of it and took a few snaps before returning. But the sighting of other animals had just started, I spotted few Hornbills as they flew in pairs wherever I looked up the sky. And the icing on the cake was spotting a Giant Malabar Squirrel, this one was massive, the size of a teddy bear jumping, hurtling along the trees and eating wild fruits of god only knows name kind.

Indian Golden Jackal

Indian Hornbill

Giant Malabar Squirrel

Stay Options

Dandeli does not have proper hotels or well built infrastructure for tourism but they do have homestays which provide decent accommodation in the wild. Plan your stay way ahead to get decent accommodation. One big disadvantage is there are not eating out places and one has to be suffice with the food options provided by the Homestays.

Sight-Seeing & Adventure

There are a lot of Sight seeing spots around Dandeli like Syntheri Rocks, Sykes Point and Crocodile Park. Adventure activities are limited to water activities like Water Rafting, Zorbing and River Crossing on the River Kali. Homestays do arrange the activities and help you out.

USP: If you are looking for a quiet sojourn in the midst of a cool forest, this place has got it.