Dandeli is a picturesque city set amidst the backdrop of the Western Ghats. Dandeli City is located at the bank of River Kali in Uttarkannada District, which is 117 KM FROM KARWAR, 75 KM FROM HUBLI, 57 KM FROM DHARWAD, 481 KM FROM BANGALORE. It is very famous for Wild sanctuary, Paper Mills, Syntheri Rock and Forest Resorts. Kali River is the main water source. People of this city are coming from different states of the India. They are very good example for “unity in diversity” with its different culture, religion and language. So Dandeli city is Recognised as “MINI INDIA”.

Dandeli is a natural habitat for wildlife. Safaris in open jeeps into the Dandeli wildlife sanctuary accompanied by trained naturalists are the best way to view wildlife here. It is home to big cats such as tigers, leopards, and even black panthers, elephants, gaur, deer, antelopes, many kinds of reptiles and a rich variety of birds. It is also a perfect place for white water rafting. Of late, it has become a hot tourist spot and attracts many local and foreign tourists all the year around. A adventure trek into the dense forest with expert guides you can follow trails, which leads all the way up to the peaks of nearby hills. The views from atop the hill are astounding with the panoramic view of backwaters of Supa Dam, misty mountains and greenery spread out for miles.

Dandeli is surrounded by natural, historic and religious spots in the form of River Kali, Kavla caves, Syntheri rocks, Ulavi temple, Sykes point, the Supa dam etc. Owing to the expansion of tourism industry today, many jungle resorts and camps, and also nature camps have come up around the place catering to the needs of the tourists. You can visit Dandeli any time of the year. During the monsoons, you may see less animals and miss white-water rafting,but the place acquires a unique ambience. On a ride down the river, a variety of birds can be sighted. Hornbills flying around, kingfishers, darters and egrets darting into the waters in search of food, serpent eagles, falcon, magpie, robin, bulbuls, orioles, woodpeckers, weaverbirds and many more. At the end of the journey, you can either be picked up by a jeep or walk back to your camp. You can also travel inside the forest in a jeep.

The most interesting animal in the sanctuary is the Gaur or the Indian Bison. Once they were plenty in these forests and the sanctuary itself was known as ‘Bison Sanctuary’. But now their numbers have dwindled. Bison have beautiful, near-perfect horns. Male bison are short and stocky, but sturdy. They weigh between 600 and 940 kg and stand 1.6-1.9 meters at the shoulder. Female bison are only about 10 cm shorter, but lighter in build. Other animals in the sanctuary include elephants, tigers, black panthers, wild pigs, sloth bears, wild dogs, jackal, sambar, spotted deer, barking deer, mouse deer, common langur, bonnet macaque, slender loris, Malabar giant squirrels, giant flying-squirrels, civets, porcupines, mongoose and several species of snakes. However, animal sightings in the wild depend on sheer luck. You could either see several in a day, or none for days. During the rains, or immediately after, a tiger or panther could be lurking just a few feet away, but the thick growth and the animal’s camouflage would make it practically invisible.

Sights in and around Dandeli
Kavala Caves

from the base camp at Dandeli, the ancient Kavala caves is a must see’ destination for all visitors who come to Dandeli. Trek up a thousand steps thousand steps though dense virgin evergreen forests to reach the caves. Said to be inhabited by humans since prehistoric times, these limestone caves are today revered as the abode of Lord Shiva-the Hindu god of Destruction. Crawl into the depths of the earth through the narrow, winding tunnels, and you will come face to face with an aweinspiring display of the earth through the narrow, winding tunnels, and you will come face to face with awe-inspring display of the nature’s marvel – a gigantic “Shivlinga” formed naturally. It is said that these tunnels go on for miles below, and there are many which no man has ever ventured into. As you trek back from the caves, enjoy a breathtaking view of the river Kali winding through the valley below.

Syntheri Rock
Syntheri Rock is a 300ft tall monolithic granite located deep inside the thick Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary. With the Kaneri River gushing ferociously by its side, the Syntheri Rock is a spectacular Sight. One can actually see the effect of erosion that has resulted in hollows on this rock. Thousands Of pigeons have made this rock their home in the innumerable nooks and crannies, and one can also See the hives of rock bees hanging precariously from the Kali Wilderness Camp. A jeep ride for about an hour followed by a walk through the scenic jungle will bring you to this incredibly beautiful sculpture of nature

Maulangi
If the outdoors are what excite you, then Molangi is the place to be! A spot indelible beauty, Molangi has god”s signature written all over it .it situated at a point amidst dense bamboo thickets Where the river kali passes between steep slopes and rock formations, Molangi makes a perfect hideout for campers. Spend and entire day backpacking across dense jungles watching spiders spin their webs and saddle fungus on tree barks .you can see wildlife too….spotted deer the malbar giant squirrel , and if you are lucky ,may be even a black panther Retreat to a camp under the skies as you pitch your tents on river bank . Try a quick hand at finishing before days make way for night. Start a flint-lit fire for the barbecue and set the scope to simmer. As dusk falls setting the sky ablaze with start, listen to sound of darkness. Exchange tales of yore of ghosts and man- eating tigers, late into the night by campfire.

Sykes point
It is one of the most beautiful spot in Karnataka. From here one can get an unhindered view of Kali River flowing through the valley below. For miles together, one can see nothing but undulating lush green forest all around. Observe the giant colorful hornbills gliding effortlessly through the sky down the vale. From atop Siroly peak- the highest point the entire Uttarkannada district, view the magnificent unbroken vista of mighty rain-forest. An ideal picnic spot, this reached traveling by jeep to summit – or by trekking. Yet another ideal location is the Nagajari valley around which are densely forested mountains and stream s running as the eye can see.

Supa Dam
It is near about 25 Km from Dandeli City. This Dam used to produce Electrical power under KPC. The Nagajhari point (14 km from Dandeli) inside the forest offers a beautiful view of the hills and the valley. On the forest edge is Dandeli town — small and idyllic. About 25 km from Dandeli are the Kavala Caves. You have to walk down a thousand steps to reach the entrance. The ancient limestone caves show signs of human inhabitation during prehistoric times. Inside the caves is a naturally formed Shiva Linga. About 32 km from Dandeli is the Syntheri Rock, a 300-metre monolithic granite rock. Pigeons and swifts have built nests high up on the steep rock face. Wild honeybees have built many hives, too.

Ulavi Channa Basaveshwar Temple
Ulavi Channabasaveshwara Temple is one of the important pilgrimage centers of Karnataka, especially for Lingayath community. Ulavi Channabasaveshwara Temple is situated amid thick forest in a picturesque location of Western Ghats in Uttara Kannada (North Kanara) district. Thick forests here hold tiger, cheetah, elephant, sarang, cobra, and other wildlife. The Samadhi of Channabasavanna, one of the most respected saints of the Lingayat faith lies here. In the 12th century, Channabasavanna traveled from Kalyana to Ulavi before he died. Very close to this holy Samadhi is the Akka Nagalambike cave named after Nagalambike,