K Gudi Jungle Lodges - Total Relaxation

Kyathadevara Gudi Wilderness Camp - popularly known as K Gudi wilderness camp is one of the wilderness camps from Jungle lodges (http://www.junglelodges.com/kyathadevara-gudi-wilderness-camp/). This is one of the unique resorts from Jungle lodges. It is situated midst of B.R.T Wildlife Sanctuary. B.R Hills is very close from the camp - it's about 30 min drive from the camp. This is the place where the Eastern Ghats meet the Western Ghats.

View from B. R. Hills

Tents - JLR K Gudi

Of all the JLR properties, this is one of those properties which hasn't been commercialized yet (compared to others). Since the forest is very thick, spotting wildlife isn't very easy. However, the place itself is very beautiful and is definitely worth a visit for total relaxation.

We had been hearing from our friends and frequent travellers that since this particular camp is amidst the jungle it is likely to shut down as some laws have been passed. We were wanted to have a small break where we could just relax and spend some time together. And this was the place we decided to go before it closes (if at all - hope it doesn't).

Its not very far, about 4 hour drive (225 Km) from Bangalore. We started at 7am, stopped for breakfast on Kanakpura road. The road was in rather bad state until we reached Mallavalli. After that, the drive was beautiful. Even in peak summer (April), there was greenery everywhere. Once we cross the entry gate of B. R. T Sanctuary, the drive is very scenic. It takes about 40min - 1 hr to the camp from the gate as it has lot of hairpin curves.

We were at the camp by 11:30am. Fresh lemonade was served, before we were shown to our tents. We had booked 2 tents. Kids decided to have a tent for themselves. All accommodations over look the forest. It is beautiful and quiet. The only sound one gets to hear is the birds chirping.  There are hammocks and tyre swings everywhere. We dumped our luggage in the tents and each one got hold of a hammock to relax.

Lunch was standard JLR lunch - simple food of salads, rotis, curries, rice and sambar. This was one of those breaks where we had not planned to do anything. Just read, eat, chat, sleep and go for safari. And that's all we did. We went for 2 jeep safaris. Did not spot any big cats. However, during the evening safari, we saw a fresh kill of Sambar deer by a tiger. The kill was left half eaten. We saw the tiger pug marks around the kill. Sambar deer are supposedly favourites of Tiger.

Half eaten Sambar Deer - Tiger Kill

As the evening set in, it got very chilly. By the time we returned from the safari, we were cold. Hot tea/coffee along with some pakoras were served. This was very refreshing. Each of us got our favourite books to read and enjoyed uninterrupted reading until dinner time.

After a good night sleep in the tents, we were given a wakeup call at 6am for the morning safari. First thing on safari our driver took us to checkout the status of the kill (which we had seen yesterday). And what we saw, was shocking. The entire Sambar deer was eaten, except for its guts which were left. We also saw the tiger's poop which had all the undigested Sambar deer hair. The sight was scary and disgusting. Scary - because we knew the tiger was somewhere close by, probably watch us. Disgusting - because, the site of all the uneaten organs and stench was not very pleasant. Our naturalist/driver mentioned that the tiger usually finishes the whole deer in a day and then hangs around a water body to quench its thirst. We waited near the water body which was very close to the kill for sometime hoping to see the tiger, but alas no sign of the cat.

Left over guts of the Sambar Deer - Tiger Kill

Tiger Poop - Sambar Deer Fur (undigested)

We saw lot of other animals during the safari - Spotted deer, Sambar deer, barking deer, langurs, mongoose, Malabar squirrel, a Bison pair, wild boars, serpent eagle, owl etc. After the safari it was time for breakfast. Breakfast was of good spread. We eat leisurely as we had no other plans before we checked out.

 

It was now time to checkout. We drove to Ranganathswamy temple which is located on top of B.R. Hills. The temple is about 30min (20KMs) drive from the camp. The temple was closed for renovation. However the views from the hill top are beautiful and definitely worth visiting. After this it was straight drive to Bangalore. Since Kankpura road was under repair, we joined Mysore-Bangalore highway at Madduru. We stopped at Kamath Lok Ruchi for Bhakri Oota (North Karnataka Meals). Love this food - reminds us of home town. We were home by 5pm.

Ranganathswamy Temple Gopuram - B. R. Hills