Unexplored Karnataka: 10 Wilderness Resorts For The Adventurous

Located at the edge of the Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary, the Hampi Heritage Wilderness Resort is part of the Jungle Lodges properties. The jungle in question here is dry scrub vegetation typical to the drier parts of the Deccan Plateau. Apart from spotting bears, a variety of endemic birds and critters, you also get to enjoy a visit to Hampi. The rooms are pretty basic, and  you have the option of enjoying a pleasant walk through the property and bonfires in the evening. The resort offers packages that include three meals, a jungle safari, as well as a guided visit to parts of Hampi. You can book your stay here .

Best Time To Visit: September to February

Average Price Per Person: INR 3,520

Distance From Bangalore: 343 km via Tumkur, 366 km via Anantapur

Straddled by Bandipur, and just as close to Mudumalai National Park is the Wildflower Resorts' Tusker Trails property. Lush and practically within thick vegetation, book a stay here for a particularly immersive experience. So much so that they don't have television, and cell phone connectivity is low so they don't disrupt the patterns and habitats of the jungle. That being said, it's a high-end resort with a great spa, swimming pool, multiple dining spaces and a bar. They offer indoor and outdoor games for all ages, nature walks, evening bonfires and even jungle safaris (paid activity) if you want to spot tigers, elephants, and bison among others. If there are other things you want to do in and around Bandipur, check here.

Best time to visit: July to September for the best of the monsoon, January to March for animal sightings. 

Average price per night: INR 13,000

Distance from Bangalore: 236 km

The River Tern Lodge is a rustic property that overlooks the Bhadra Reservoir. Close to the Bhadra Tiger Sanctuary, this resort is perfect for everyone who loves animal and bird spotting (over 200 species visit) and photography. Since the property is in the Western Ghats you'll be enjoying your vacation here with the background score of nature be it bird and animal calls, the rustling of leaves, or the sound of water lapping against the shore. Should you want to do more, the resort offers safaris, forest walks, as well as a host of water sports like kayaking, boating, and swimming of course. You can book your stay here.  

Best time to visit: June to September, and January to June for animal and bird spotting 

Average price per person: INR 7,000

Distance from Bangalore: 282km

Pro-Tip: Chikmagalur and Sakrebyle Elephant Camp (you can book a stay here too if you’re so inclined) are also nearby for those who want to drive out. 

For adventure lovers who also love comfort (because why not enjoy in style?) book a stay at The Bison Resort by the Kabini River. If you’ve never been glamping, this is a great place to discover that joy. Accommodations here are in tents and machans with four poster beds, outdoor bathrooms (where luxurious baths take on a whole new meaning). The resort overlooks both Nagarahole and Bandipur national parks, and the team consists of naturalists, wildlife enthusiasts, photographers and adventure lovers so you’re sure to have the wildest of adventures. Apart from soaking in the natural beauty from your tents, feel free to get a picnic, boat ride (the evening option is wonderful), or safaris organised. You could also just enjoy the view - elephants, big cats, birds and more are often spotted here and The Bison has binoculars on-site that you can borrow for this. You can read more about them here 

Best time to visit: July to September for the best of the monsoon, January to March for animal sightings.  

Average price per person: INR 21,600 per night

Distance from Bangalore: 229 km via Kanakpura, 217 km via Maddur

Located in the Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary with the Souparnika river flowing nearby is Anejhari Butterfly Camp. If you’re not one for hectic adventures, but still want a slice of nature, this is perfect! Butterfly chasers and avid birders are in luck, because a host of them as well as other animals are commonly spotted across the region. The Kodachadri peak, Mookambika temple, Maravanthe and Byndoor beaches are a short drive away so you have the best of hills, forests, and beaches around you. The accommodation is pretty basic, and you can choose between rustic tents, wooden cottages, or dorms depending on your budget and group size. The package price is inclusive of stay, forest entry charges, three meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner), and taxes. You can book your stay here.

Best time to visit: October to March

Average price per person: INR 1,829 upwards per night

Distance from Bangalore: 434 km

Slightly different from the others on this list is Hampi’s Boulders Resort. Located on the banks of the Tungabhadra River, the resort is amidst the scraggly bush vegetation, typical rock formations and boulders that the region is known for. What’s wonderful is that the resort is constructed in a way to merge with the environment while still providing all the amenities for a relaxing or adventure filled vacation. If sightseeing isn’t on your list, there’s plenty at the resort to keep you occupied. From playing beach volleyball on the riverbanks to taking a walk through the resort’s organic farm and garden (the in-house restaurant is farm to fork too!) to bridge crossing and light bouldering, you can enjoy nature without stepping out of the property. Accommodations are cozy with cottages with sit-outs and balconies that either face hillocks or the river. And if you really want to spot animals, look out for migratory birds, plenty of monkeys, crocs and even otters if you’re lucky! Book your stay here

Best time to visit: October to March

Average price per person: INR 8,500 upwards 

Distance from Bangalore: 346 km

We thought it was worth including the Black Buck Resort because of the possibility of spotting the near threatened antelope species. The resort is located by the Honnikeri Reserve Forest right at the banks of the Vilaspur Lake - so you get to enjoy the sounds of waterfowl, peacocks and other forest creatures commonly found there. The accommodations here are basic but homely, and the cottages blend well with their surroundings. The USP of the place is of course spotting the Black Buck, so the team at the resort offers walks and rides to catch sight of them in their natural habitat. This also means that you’re treated to both the tropical and grassland landscape(s). If getting into the water is more your thing, then they offer boating, and canoeing based on the season and weather conditions. Come evenings, enjoy looking at the star studded nightscape by the bonfire while listening to the sounds of the forest.  The package price is inclusive of stay, forest entry charges, three meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner), and taxes. Book your stay here.

Best time to visit: October to February, and July to September for monsoon magic. 

Average price per person: INR 3,009 upwards 

Distance from Bangalore: 705 km via Kurnool, 675 km via Kalburgi, and 733 km via Chitradurga.

Pro-Tip: If you don’t want to drive all the way, the resort is 169 km away from Hyderabad by road. 

For the best of monsoon hikes, check into Kyathdevaraya Gudi Wilderness Camp. Located at the foothills of BR Hills, you'll be able to enjoy the magic that hill station forests offer. Enveloped in mist, a common pathway for local wildlife (including the Malabar giant squirrel) and moa derate to pleasant climate through the year so don't worry about the timing of your trip. There are naturalists and guided on site for all the nature walks, safaris, and jungle trips you might take. Some of the cottages are at an elevation so when you wake up in the morning, you can enjoy treehouse vibes. You have the option of picking wooden cottages, tent style accommodation, or a suite as part of a larger cottage/villa. The package price is inclusive of stay, forest entry charges, safari into the wildlife sanctuary, or a guided walk into the jungle, three meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner), and taxes. You can book your stay here. 

Best time to visit: Through the year 

Average price per person: INR 5,000 upwards 

Distance from Bangalore: 188 km via Kanakpura, 199 km via Ramanagara

Pro-Tip: Trips to the Biligiri Ranganathaswamy Temple can be arranged at an extra cost. 

Elephant lovers, look no further than Dubare Elephant Camp for your encounter with the gentle giants. What used to be the training camp for the Elephants part of the Mysore Dasara procession is now a sanctuary for the tuskers that are rescued from erstwhile logging companies that used them and temples. Now with the added bonus of accommodating humans on holiday, experts on site will take you through the history of the place as well as conduct educational tours to better understand elephants. The best part though, is that you can actually get involved in some of the grooming activities! Yes, you can get into the river and wash the elephants, scrub them, and recreate the joy of all the elephant videos we see online. All under the watchful eyes of the mahout of course you can feed as well as oil them too if you’re lucky. Since this happens on the banks of a river, you can freely walk along it as well. Depending on the package, the walks might be guided for bird watching. You can check that out here.

Best time to visit: September to March

Average price per person: INR 4,800 upwards 

Distance from Bangalore: 233 km via Mandya, 250 km via Kunigal

Pro-Tip: The elephant camp is very close to Coorg, so if you’d rather just stay there, and not at the camp, book the Day Visit (INR 1,700) or Elephant Activities (INR 1,000) for a fun day out.

Want to go rafting? You’re in luck here because Kali Adventure Camp in Dandeli is known for this. Much like the goddess, the river is not gentle - perfect for white water rafting! The river has created much of the natural sights and tourism around it, so if that’s what you enjoy, don’t think twice about heading here. Apart from rafting, boating and swimming you can visit the Kavala Caves or behold the sight of the 300- foot tall monolithic Syntheri Rock. You can bring your hiking boots and climb to Siroli Peak (the highest point in the Uttara Kannada district). You can also make the challenging but rewarding trip to Molangi through dense bamboo thickets and incredible rock formations and enjoy the view of  river Kali, and all the waterfalls and streams (perfect right after the monsoons). You can also head on a safari with the hopes of spotting a black panther known to frequent the area and plenty of other birds and animals. There’s really something for every type of wildlife and adventure lover here. Oh and did we mention that they have a well-stocked bar too? Book your stay and pack your bags already!

Best time to visit: October to May

Average price per person: INR 2,000 upwards 

Distance from Bangalore: 460 km