Raveesh Kumar: Kyathadevara Gudi or K Gudi Trip

Kyathadevara Gudi or K Gudi Trip was an exciting one. Spending the night in the forest is amazing. It was the month of July in 2011. On July 22, 2011 seven of us left Bangalore early in the morning. After passing via Mysore, the last 50 km stretch to K Gudi was horrible as the road was in bad shape and we were driving uphill!

K Gudi Wilderness Camp : It was past noon when we reached K Gudi and we had spotted the first animal in the forest already, an elephant. No no, it was not a wild elephant but a tamed one tied to a tree! K Gudi wilderness camp is at a perfect location in B R Hills (in Kannada Biligiri Rangana Betta) overlooking the landscape down! Why the name K Gudi - there is a small temple Kyathadevara Gudi built by Maharaja of Mysore! Soon after getting refreshed and having our lunch, we roamed around the K Gudi camp.

Tamed elephants, K Gudi

Deers, Elephants and Animals on the board! Apart from the elephants which you can find in the camp all the time, you also find spotted deers roaming freely in the area. Not afraid of human settlements in the area, watching deers up close is such an amazing experience. At the Jungle Lodges and Resorts office, in a white board names of the animals spotted on safari during last few days will be listed. We found just 2 days back, a tiger was spotted and needless to say, we were excited!

Barking Deer

Safari and Wild Elephants : At about 3 30 pm, we went on a safari into the forest. This was my first safari and thrilling it was. Just before entering the forest we could spot Soliga tribe colonies. Moving further ahead, we could spot herd of barking deers. Then, a herd of spotted deers. This was an usual sight in our journey for an hour or so. It was getting frustrated and at the same time, we were nearing a pond where another jeep carrying tourists had been parked. Something special to be sighted for sure.

Spotted deers in K Gudi

We went quiet sensing the situation. Now at the other end of the pond, some black thing moving - was it a rock or an animal? Revelation was a minute away - the black shape grew bigger as it neared the pond! Alas - a wild elephant! No, no - not just one. Three of them, one being a baby elephant. First reaction from our camp was - ugly elephants! Yes - they were ugly with a big belly. Not at all like the ones in Mysore Dasara procession. Back to the action - now the three were getting down to water. Next scene - they splashing water. Pouring water was done by one up above also - it was raining! We watched the scene for about half an hour or so. Once the elephants disappeared in the greens, we started our vehicles.

Wild elephant, K Gudi

Morning Safari : The next day we went on a safari in the morning at about 6 am. This time, with misty surroundings, it was getting even more difficult to spot the wild animals. Did we spot any? Of course - not the special ones - only barking and spotted deers.

Machan, K Gudi

Waiting at the machan : After having breakfast, we went on trekking in the forest. Well, there was a guide (from the Soliga tribe) to show us the right routes. We went to machan located near a big pond, waiting for wild animals which could come to quench their thirst! As luck would have it, none of the animals were interested in drinking water there!

Pond near the machan, K Gudi

Camp fire and Scorpion : That day night, a camp fire was set up and we seven gathered around. It was an awesome setting middle of the forest and that too in high altitudes. One incident is memorable here. As we were around the camp fire for warmth, some other creatures found it warming too! One of us said to me that some small creature is moving here(kuch keeda hai idhar). I spotted and it was a scorpion and I shouted - scorpion, scorpion. Every one jumped from their chairs except for the guy who informed me of the keeda leaving everybody wondering why. Then somebody screamed - abe bichchu hai. Now it was his turn to get scared and jump out of the chair!

Scorpion which came to the campfire

Trails and Walks : Trails leading to the Jungle lodges huts form nice walkways here. Rocks scattered in the surroundings provided ample space for our discussions or rather chit chats. Next day we were on our way back to Bangalore only to stop to admire the beauty of B R hills.