Welcome to my review of K Gudi Wilderness Camp, a Jungle Lodges property in the BRT Tiger Reserve. I love sharing my reviews as stories to help you truly experience the place along with me. However, if you’re short on time, feel free to use the Table of Contents to skip straight to the details you need.
Table of Contents
Drive from Ooty to K Gudi Wilderness Camp
K Gudi Wilderness Camp was about 200 kms from our location at the time, Ooty. We knew tourist vehicles weren’t allowed to descend via the Kalahatti Ghat road, making the Pykara Dam route our safest bet. However, Google Maps played a trick on us, leading us toward a hidden, incredibly scenic route. Unfortunately, it wasn’t open to the public, and officials made us turn back.
We needed to be at the camp by 1:00 PM, yet at 12:30 PM we were still trying to navigate out of Ooty Locals became our saviors, whispering secret map tweaks, and finally, our real K Gudi odyssey began!
Before diving further into the travel story and my experience at the camp, here are a few essential details about K Gudi to help you plan your own trip.
K Gudi Wilderness Camp Review
K Gudi Wilderness Camp is a property run by Jungle Lodges and Resorts situated in the B.R.T. Tiger Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary. BRT stands for Biligiri Ranganatha Swamy Temple. Here, the jungle stretches out like a vibrant tapestry, woven with emerald leaves, sun-dappled grasslands, and whispers of life unseen. Dry and moist deciduous trees stand like sentinels, guarding a haven for creatures both curious and powerful. This, truly, is one of India’s most breathtaking forests, a vital bridge between the Western and Eastern Ghats, pulsating with the rhythm of the wild.
Types of Stay
K Gudi Wilderness camp has multiple package options giving different stay experiences:
- Loghut Package
- Tent Package
- Maharaja Package
- Room Package
The booking for the camp can be made via their website K Gudi wilderness camp | Jungle Lodges
We chose the Loghut package. For our earlier stays at other JLR properties, we had chosen Tent package. So, this time, we wanted a more comfortable stay. Having said that, all the packages offer a good comfortable stay, with some minor differences in experiences like space, view, etc.
Tariff
Tariff for the stay depends on the package chosen. Tariffs are per person per night on twin-sharing basis.
- Loghut Package – 8260/-
- Tent Package – 7080/-
- Maharaja Package – 7080/-
- Room Package – 5900/-
Please note that the Tariff above is exclusive of the Taxes and Forest entry charges. Camera charges will be additional, which is charged by Forest Dept., which is applicable only to lenses which are 400 mm or larger. Each such gear is charged at Rs. 590/- per Safari.
What’s included in the package
The package covers for Stay, all 3 meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, including Morning Tea and Evening Tea with Snacks. In short, you wouldn’t be required to spend a single dime once you at the camp, other than the camera charges. The package even includes 2 Jeep Safaris in the jungles of B.R.T. Tiger Reserve.
Check-In and Check-Out Time
Check-in Time : 1300 hrs
Check-out Time: 1030 hrs
Food Quality
The food is served in the typical JLR style at Gol Ghar. Plenty of options to choose from, applicable to both Vegetarians and Non-Vegetarians. Tasty and hygienic, yet light enough to easily digest. Though, you may want to watch out that you don’t end up overeating. 😀
Hospitality
Full marks when it comes to hospitality. All staffs are eager to give a helping hand in whatever way they can during your stay. A good experience is guaranteed.
Things to do
They have a perfectly planned itinerary which will keep you engaged. However, if you are staying for two or plus nights, you will have some free time to explore the camp area, which is huge. Lots of birds you can spot in the camp area. You may find spotted dears right next to your cottage. Monkeys, Wild boars are other companions that you can find in the camp. Listing few of the activities below for easy readability:
- Wildlife Safari – Part of the package
- Nature Walk
- Bird Watching
Note: Each cottage is provided with a Hammock Swing. A peaceful relaxing time can be spent in the woods.
Journey to K Gudi Wilderness Camp Continues
Coming back to the drive story from Ooty, we were back on the road and were finally making some progress towards our destination and the arrival time to the destination showed as 2:30 pm, late by 2 hrs time to the desired arrival time of 12:30 pm. But Google, had some other plans, we were played again. The offered route needed us to drive through a less-traveled treacherous route which I had to give it a pass. Google map conveniently rewarded us with additional 45 mins to the destination for this loyalty.
New deadline: 03:15 pm. No time for lunch, no time for a breather. Just pure focus, fuelled by a cocktail of urgency and the fear of missing out safari. The pressure became a perverse blessing, keeping me wide awake and laser-focused on two numbers: the clock and the safari start time.
Entry at B.R.T. Tiger Reserve
Reaching the B.R.T. Tiger Reserve checkpoint at 2:55 pm brought a sigh of relief. Though Google still predicted a 3:15 pm arrival, every minute counted for our evening safari dream. We breezed through formalities, eager to dive into the emerald embrace of the forest.
And what an embrace it was! Towering trees, heavy with the weight of countless leaves, cast a dappled coolness on the road. Sunlight filtered through, painting fleeting patterns on the dusty track. It was a scene of verdant majesty, reminding us we were mere guests in this magnificent kingdom.
Our journey had barely begun when a flash of movement caught our eyes. A serpent eagle, regal and watchful, perched on the road ahead, a sinuous length at its feet. The sight sent a ripple of awe through us – the stark beauty of the predator and prey, starkness tempered by the intricate balance of nature.
With hushed hearts, we stopped the vehicle, respecting the sanctity of this untamed tableau. The serpent eagle, unfazed by our presence, calmly surveyed its prize. Then, with a powerful beat of its wings, it soared skyward, the snake dangling silently in its grasp. We watched, speechless, as it disappeared into the emerald labyrinth, leaving only the echo of its silent power.
The encounter was a potent reminder of the fierce yet fragile dance of life unfolding around us. In that fleeting moment, the jungle had whispered a secret, a promise of unseen wonders waiting to be unveiled. And as we pressed on, a quiet hope blossomed in our hearts: perhaps, just perhaps, the eagle’s feast was indeed a good omen, a harbinger of adventures to come.
Race with Time continues
It did not take us long to realise, the race with the time was not over yet, but the incident boosted the spirit levels. Soon we found ourselves driving up the B.R. Hills through the Tiger Reserve. We made it to the camp exactly at 3:15 pm. A naturalist came to our car to welcome us at the camp. The camp itself sat nestled leftwards after exiting the hill road, the straight path ahead leading to the wildlife safari checkpoint.
Lunch? A distant dream. We abandoned our luggage in the car and made a dash for Gol Ghar, where the JLR team, angels in khaki, held our meal with a warm smile. Ten precious minutes were all we had. Devour, digest, and dash back – a culinary sprint fuelled by the promise of adventure.
Encounter with Wild during Lunch
We headed straight to the Gol Ghar to fill our stomachs with whatever we can. Soon we saw ourselves on the dining table with our plates filled with whatever we could pick to quickly have our stomachs filled before the evening safari. We had not even started eating, from nowhere a monkey appeared. In no time, he jumped and grabbed Chapatis from Nutan’s plate. Before we could have reacted, his eyes collided with mine. I felt a little strange, as if he was trying to tell me something. Soon it became clear what he had in mind. He jumped and grabbed the chapatis from my plate as well and vanished in the woods. It felt, as if he wanted to say, “I am going to take the chapatis from your plate too”.
This incident surprised us a little, but instead of getting annoyed, it made us feel excited about what’s next is there in store for us at this wonderful place. Next, we found ourselves enjoying the yummy lunch that JLR had arranged for us.
A Visit to the Wild
After about non-stop 4 hrs drive from Ooty to K. Gudi Wilderness Camp and an adventurous lunch, we were all set for our very first Jeep Safari in the Jungles of B.R.T. Tiger Reserve. My mind was still wandering around the memories of Serpent Eagle that we sighted enroute with a kill, wondering, if we will be able to cross our paths again.
In no time, we were deep inside the forest through typical safari muddy hill-roads. We spotted a heard of Spotted Deers, followed by few Sambar Deers. It felt so good to have finally made it on time enough to catch the Jeep Safari.
Feathery friends
While researching for the place, I had noticed many reporting of sightings of Brown Fish Owl. I wished, if I could spot one and update my bird list with this amazing specie of bird. There are about 200 plus species of birds in the jungles of B.R.T. Tiger reserve.
Soon, we came across the Serpent Eagle I had wished for before starting the safari. We stopped for a while and clicked few images and moved forward. Not even 200 meters from this spot, we came across another extremely beautiful bird of prey, Changeable Hawk Eagel (Crested) at a close proximity. Though, it was sitting in little dark, but gave us enough opportunity to photograph and shoot some videos of it.
Next in line, we had Brown Fish Owl waiting for us just round the corner, not very far from this place. It felt like a dream come true, as on multiple occasions this bird had eluded me. I was all click-click-click. Though, again the lighting was not as good as I would have liked, but getting one of the most awaited lifers was in itself huge.
Tiger spotting
It is impossible not to think about big cats whenever you are out in Safari. Being a Tiger reserve, I was wondering, if my jinx of not spotting a Tiger will be broken, once and for all. In all my safaris, so far, though the count is less, I had never come across any big cat, apart from one instance of spotting a Leopard for a very brief moment, once in Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary. Back then, I was not into Wildlife or even into Bird Photography. We in fact, have a Video from that travel, which was even shared by NatGeo India on their social platforms back then, which was huge for us, as getting their attention is not easy. That too for a YouTube video. Check the Video here: Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary
Coming back to this safari, we saw other Safari jeeps waiting for something. There was a strange silence in the air. It did not take long for us to read that they had spotted a tiger and were eagerly waiting for it to come out again. It was a male Tiger that they had spotted. One of the guests had managed to click some pictures of it.
Past Experience
Our Naturalist and driver, Mr. Shafiq, told us that he is very shy. They have spotted him multiple times in recent visits. And every time, he has rewarded the patience by giving a royal walk in the end. Though, other few guests were doubtful, but our naturalist was certain, if given time, he will show up. This was all coming from past experiences from the encounters. But today was different. It was already dark and the clock was ticking fast leaving us with no time to stay back further. We were forced to leave, with a hope to catch him the next day.
An Eagle with a Kill
The next morning was not so exciting in terms of Safari. Though, the sighting started with a Grey-headed fish eagle (that’s what I’m zeroing in to, but open for correction, if applicable) with a kill, but not so close in the range at a water body. In between it was even drizzling, though soon the forest was shining bright with a clear blue sky. In no time, we were at the same spot, were one of the Safari Jeeps had reported the tiger sighting last evening. But, there were no trace of him. We scanned the place but had no luck. We eventually moved ahead with disappointed faces in the Jeep.
Soon we were back at the waterbody were we had spotted the Eagle earlier. We spotted a Greater Cormorant sunbathing. We spent sometime photographing it and were back in the camp to have a sumptuous breakfast at Gol-Ghar.
Birding in the Camp
We spent the day after the morning safari, exploring the camp area. Spotted woodpeckers, Asian Fairy woodpecker, a flycatcher and few other birds. Walked to a pond just next to the camp area.
Soon it was time for lunch and took some rest before the evening Safari. But, the evening safari was unlike any Safari that we had done. Full of excitement, drama, suspense and action. Have covered the experience in my earlier blog. Click here to read it: Tales of K Gudi Wilderness Camp – PankajSinghPhotographie
After the evening Safari, we were back at our cottages. Nights in the jungles are very different. You can hear the sound of the jungle. It’s a totally different experience all together. After our dinner, I was trying to click the crystal-clear moon and I heard the call of a Sambar Deer. That reminded me of something that one of the camp officials had shared earlier. A leopard is a permanent resident of the camp. He has been sighted multiple times in multiple occasions. That thought was sufficient enough to make me rush back to my cottage without any delay.
That single thought was more than enough to send me rushing back to the safety of my cottage without a second’s delay.
Once my heart rate settled, I couldn’t help but smile. That mix of awe, suspense, and sheer unpredictability is exactly why we come to the wild. With the leopard patrolling somewhere in the dark, day one at K. Gudi was officially in the books.
Don’t miss the rest of the action from this trip:
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