Karnataka Tours and Travel

A unique blend of hill resort and wildlife sanctuary. The hills take their name from the ancient Ranganatha Swamy Temple that sits at the edge of a granite precipice with a drop of more than 1000 ft. into a dense forest. Find inner peace at the foot of the great champak tree (Dodda Sampige,) believed to be more than 2000 years old and worshipped by the Soligas, the tribals of that area. Don't miss the coffee estates, the tribal hamlets and the Vivekananda Girijana Kalyana Kendra which displays preserved tribal information and the biodiversity of the region. There are many trekking trails here, including one that leads up to Honnamati, the highest point of the range.

B.R Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, Situated at a height of 5,091 feet, B.R Hills Wildlife Sanctuary is a unique blend of resort and wildlife sanctuary, a must for wildlife lovers.

Dancing trees, whistling winds and swirling streams form a backdrop to some very rare animal. The B.R Wildlife sanctuary is 3,375 ft above sea level and is spread over an area of 540 sq. kms of undulating hills and valleys covered in deciduous forests and Sholas.

The Topography
The BR Hills Wildlife Sanctuary is an important link between the Eastern and the Western Ghats. The river Cauvery flows South East and at Kollegal takes an abrupt turn towards the North and again returns to its initial course. This reflects the geographic significance as well as the wonderful blend of the Biligiri Rangaswamy and Male Mahadeshwar ranges, bridging the gap between the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats.

WildlifeAttractions
The B R Hills Wildlife sanctuary is home to many species of wild animals. The sanctuary is teeming with varied flora and fauna. Gaurs, chitals, sambhars, bears, elephants, panthers and tigers inhabit the place in large numbers. Here is an opportunity for the nature lover to study over 200 species of birds, chief among which are the racket-tailed drongo and the crested eagle.

Adventure Activities
Professional angling, amateur fishing, coracle boat rides, bird watching, river rafting, trekking, outdoor camping will keep you busy. Every April you can witness the wonderful Ratha festival at the BR Temple too.

Mammals
They include the elephant, tiger, leopard, wild dog, jungle cat, sloth bear, civet, mongoose, Malabar giant squirrel, porcupine, common langur, bonnet macaque, wild pig, gaur, sambar, spotted deer and the four-horned antelope.

Birds
The Malabar whistling thrush, yellow-throated bulbul, paradise flycatcher, racquet-tailed drongo and the crested hawk eagle are some of the birds found here. There are also an amazing variety of exotic butterflies