GANESHGUDI AND DANDELI WILDLIFE SANCTUARY BIRDING EXPEDITION

Outing Date : 20th – 22nd January 2017

Category : Wildlife
Type : Birding expedition
Duration: 03 Days / 02 Nights

Day 0:
About 10 pm leave for Belgaum by luxury bus / private car from Mumbai

Day 1 :
Greeting at Belgaum by 09:00 am. Transfer to Resort in Dandeli – Ganeshgudi by private vehicle. Check in resort and Lunch. After Lunch Introduction about the birds of Dandeli and gear up for the photography session. As the afternoon shifts towards early evening, the bird activity at the studio increases exponentially and various birds like oriental white eye, Racket tailed drongo, Asian paradise flycatcher, Tickell’s blue flycatchers, Emerald doves, White rumped shama etc will start showing off their presence right in front of you, giving you enough opportunities and ample poses to grab your dream shot. The photography session shall go on till sunset time.
Enjoy evening at leisure with Campfire and tasty dinner. Post dinner try your luck on night trail on the roads of buffer area for some elusive and nocturnal wildlife. If you could even get a glimpse of black panther, that would surely be one of the most memorable days of your life. Back to resort and then Rest.

Day 2 :
Early Morning Wake in the melodious sounds of forest birds. Refresh yourself with a cup of tea / coffee and leave for birdwatching & photography trail in Dandeli national park. Highlight of this trail would be guidance one of the most skilled guides and bird trackers of Dandeli and our aim for this trail will be to spot and shoot rarities and endemic birds like Malabar trogon, Great hornbill, Malabar hornbills, Vernal hanging parrots, Sri Lankan frogmouths etc.
On arrival breakfast on the open terrace of JLR Ganeshgudi which is also a great observation point for various birds. Post breakfast rest till lunch or if you wish, can enjoy bird photography at the studio.
After lunch the previous day schedule continues. Night trail and overnight at resort.

Day 3 :
Early morning head for the nature trail in search of exclusive birds. Alternatively you can choose to stay at the bird photography studio or even take an open gypsy jungle safari in Dandeli Anshi Tiger Reserve*. Post breakfast check out resort.
Visit the timber depo at Dandeli town which is a famous international auction ground for forest timber and also shelter a good number of hornbills and woodpeckers. Lunch at Dandeli town and post lunch leave for Belgaum. Tour concludes with happy memories and some great photographs.
In evening start return journey for Mumbai by Luxury bus / private car.

Tour concludes with memory card full of amazing pictures and heart full of happy memories!

Note * One can also do a Jungle safari in open jeep in the Anshi-Dandeli Forest at an extra cost. 

Tour Cost : Rs.11,200/- per person(Ex-Belgaum)
For Lifetime Member : Rs.8,500/- per member(Ex-Ganeshgudi)
For Lifetime Membership Details (Rs.1000/- only), click here

Discounts :
Early Bird Offer: Book your seat 120 days (04 months) prior and get Rs.1000 /- off on the total tour amount.
Group Discounts : For booking of 4 or more travellers : Rs.1000/- off per person on the tour amount.

Inclusions:

1. Pickup and Drop from Belgaum to Belgaum
2. Accommodation at JLR Ganeshgudi (Old Magazine House) in AC Dormitory. Separate arrangement for ladies and gents
3. All Meals from Dandeli to Dandeli
4. Bird Photography sessions, Night trails and Bird watching trails.
5. All taxes and expertise charges
6. GST

Exclusions:
1. Bus tickets From Mumbai- Belgaum and Return.
2. Meals during bus Journey and last days dinner.
3. Any Other Expense other than mentioned above.

For booking you need to deposit the advance amount of Rs.6,000/- per person.
Balance Payment to be done 21 Days prior to the Tour Date.

NAME: MUMBAI TRAVELLERS
BANK: ICICI
ACCOUNT: CURRENT AC
A/C: 623805029453
BRANCH: MULUND WEST
IFSC CODE ICIC0006238

Cancellation and Refund applicable on the whole tour cost : 
1. If cancellation done prior to 15 days of outing 75% will be refunded.
2. If done prior to 10 days of outing 50% will be refunded
3. After that no refund will be provided.

FAQ’s For WILDLIFE SAFARI:

1. How many people will be there in Gypsy for a safari tour..?
– All wildlife safaris will have 6 pax in one gypsy.

2. Can I get a Safari on 4 sharing basis..?
– Definitely yes, but it will be on extra cost and you need to inform us well in advance.

3. What is the Child policy for Wildlife Safaris?
– A child above 05 years of age is considered as an adult for any safari permit all over India. Children below 05 years of age exempted from any safari costs and can travel free of charge.

4. Are Wildlife Safaris safe?
– Absoultely! Even if all the safaris are carried out in an open gypsy, there is hardly any danger from any wildlife. Plus on every safari we would have a Forest guide with us along with the gypsy driver and our expert who will help out if any unwanted situation arises.

5. What are the safari timings?
– Safari timings change from season to season in different National Parks depending on the Sunrise and Sunset. Usually a safari lasts for 3-4 hours morning and evening.
Approximately the tmings are:
Morning: 6.00 am – 10 am
Afternoon : 3.00 pm – 6 pm

6. What is a Core zone and Buffer Zone ?
– A tourism zone in any National Park is divided into two zones: Core Zone and Buffer Zone. Buffer zone lies around the periphery of core forest area. Most of the tourism/safaris takes place in core zone.

7. What is the best season to do a Wildlife Safari?
– The wildlife safari season starts from October-June. In Winter, from October to March one can have amazing birding oppurtunities with some migratory birds along with decent Tiger sightings and other mammals. March to May as the summer approaches one can have good tiger sightings along with other mammalian sightings and birding. So if you are a tiger centric wildlifer, we suggest you do a safari from March-May.

8. What are chances of Tiger Sightings during the safaris?
– Tiger sightings are dependent on pure luck and chance.Weather conditions also affect tiger sightings.But all our safari tours are well guided with experts and local guides who help track tigers along with other mammals and birds! So we ensure that you take back some unqiue experiences with you if not tiger sightings!

9. Why does one has to book Wildlife Tours in advance?
– The safari permit booking starts 120 days before the actual travel date. Plus there are limited number of gypsies that can enter each gate every safari.Hence safari booking is very crucial and needs to be done at earliest.

10. What kind of facilities will be available at the destionation we are travelling to?
– Our resorts in all the wildlife safaris tours are Deluxe Category; comfortable and homely All resorts are equipped with all amenities like hot/cold water, toiletaries, A/C facitiles, Laundary on call etc. Along with this, Veg-Non veg meals will be available in buffet style.

11. What are the camera charges for safaris?
– Some National parks forest permit charge extra camnera fees to the travellers which carry a high-end cameras with telelenses or video camneras for photography and shooting. For eg: In tadoba : A camera with lens of 200mm and above is charged Rs.200 per safari.

12. I am not a professional photographer or wildlifer…can i still enroll for safari tour?
– Yes,why not?? Every nature lover is welcomed on a safari tour! We feel every traveller must do a wildlife safari atleast once in his lifetime! Its an experience that every individual must take in

13. What are photography oppurtunities for someone who is keen on wildlife photography and will he/she get guidance for the same?
– All our safari tours are balanced providing ample opportunities for wildlife photography. It not only focuses on tigers but also on other mammalian species, birds, reptiles along with capturing beautiful Landscapes and natural beauty.

14. What will the climate/waether be like in/around the park we will travel to?
– The weather differs from regoin to region. Winters are usually cool with temperature ranging from 8-20 degrees while Summers are hot and dry with temperatures ranging from 25-45 degrees.

Some Do’s :

* Carry clothes according to the season of the visit. Carry clothes that will help you camouflage with the surroundings.
* Always carry Original Identity Proof.
* Carry a frangrance-free Sunscreen.
* Always keep your phone on silent or airplane mode when entering forest.
* Cover your face with a scarf to protect it from dust.
* Also carry extra batteries, memory cards for cameras and cover it to protect the camera from dust,rain etc.
* Always remain calm and composed when any sighting takes place.
* Your guide/mentor and locals know the area inside the forest better than anyone, so do cooperate with them.
* Do follow strict timing as given by your team leader to avoid delay in any activities as safaris are group events.
* Always respect your local guide/driver and their knowledge about the forest during an safari.
* For herping/monsoon wildlife tous, always carry wind-cheaters, proper clothing and shoes, water-proof bags. Also get rain proof covers for your camers/binoculars etc.

Some Donts:

* Do not litter in forest and surrounding areas
* Do not throw anything out of the gypsy.
* Dont yell,scream or wave at the animals.
* Do not wear brightly coloured clothes or apply any kind of perfumes or deos
* Never feed any animals
* Do not play any loud music in vicinity of the forest area.
* No one is allowed to get down from the gypsy inside the forest.
* Do not argue with any person like forest guards,guides,locals or even travellers from another gypsy during the safari.