Chandoli National Park

The Chandoli National Park is situated near the Chandoli Dam. It is surrounded by the districts of Satara, Kolhapur and Ratnagiri. It is home to a varied category of flora and fauna. Spread over an area of about 318 sq km, it is a year-round destination. It is a natural World Heritage Site and was established in May 2004. It was previously declared as a WIldlife Sanctuary in 1985. Along with the Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary, the Chandoli National Park forms the southern portion of the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve.

Chandoli National Park charges an entry fee of Rs.30 per head. Each private vehicle or gypsy has to pay a fee of Rs.150 to enter the premises. In addition to that, it is mandatory to hire a guide to take you around the National Park. Hiring a guide will cost Rs.300 on average, per safari.

The best time to visit Chandoli National Park is from October to February. The weather conditions are delightful during these months and also make for an excellent opportunity for wildlife sighting. The area experiences heavy rainfall between June and September. It is recommended that the monsoon months be avoided, if possible.

An optimum duration for a trip to the Chandoli National Park is one night and two days. There are numerous activities to take part in, such as safari and bird watching. Ornithologists and wildlife enthusiasts can take required permissions from the forest authorities to spend more time inside the National Park.

Chandoli National Park is a promising venture for adventure seekers and wildlife and bird enthusiasts alike. Bird enthusiasts come from far away places to spot the colourful winged features in this reserve. Apart from bird watching, the Chandoli National Park also offers a guided jungle safari and boating and trekking activities. Travellers seeking a unique opportunity to experience nature and wildlife in its natural habitat should make this park a must on their list.

The Chandoli National Park is spread out along a crest of the Sahyadri range, which is a part of the northern part of the Western Ghats. It forms a bunch of perennial water channels and water holes and protects a bunch more. The main water supply of the park is from the Warna River and reservoir. The several surrounding small streams and rivers form the additional water supply.

Chandoli National Park is at an elevation of 589 m to 1044 m from sea level.
Longitudes 73°40′ and 73°53′ E

Latitudes 17°03′ and 17°20’N

The Chandoli National Park, like other National Parks, is strictly reserved for the preservation and betterment of the wildlife, as well as, the biodiversity. The park is home to more than 122 species of birds, 23 species of mammals and 20 species of amphibians and reptiles. The type of forest seen here is a mix of the Malabar coast moist forest and Northwestern Ghats moist deciduous forests.

A mix of the Malabar coast moist forests and the North Western Ghats moist deciduous forests are seen in the Chandoli National Park area. Commonly spotted trees include Amla (Indian gooseberry), kokum, Anjani ironwood tree, umbar or devil fig, jamun, pisa, Nana, kinjal, Spinous kino tree, false kelat, Harra, Indian laurel among many others. Commonly spotted grasses include Kalikusli, Dongari, Bangal, Black spear grass, Bluestem grass, Golden beard grass, Kangaroo grass, Buffalo grass, Grader grass among others. Among medicinal plants and shrubs, one can expect to find Tamalpati, Ranmiri, Karvand, Toran, Kadipatta, Narkya etc.

The Chandoli National Park region is home to 23 species of mammals, 122 species of birds and 20 species of amphibians and reptiles. Animals like Indian leopards, Bengal tigers, Indian bison, leopard cats, Indian giant squirrels and sloth bears are widespread and visible here. Several prey species like mouse deer, sambar deer, barking deer and blackbuck are also present. Among reptiles, the common species that can be spotted are Crocodile, Dwarf Gecko, Calotes, Dhamen, Skink Snake, Bark Gecko, Rock Gecko, Common Indian Monitor, Common Cat Snake, Indian Python, Indian Cobra etc. Moreover, the common species of birds that can be spotted here are White-throated Kingfisher, Common Babbler, Yellow-billed Babbler, Rufous Babbler, White-checked Barbet, Green Bee-eater, Erasion Black bird, Crested Bunting, Laughing Dove, White-eyed Buzzard, Red-vented Bulbul, Honey Buzzard, Common Stonechat, White-billed Drongo, Ashy-crowned Sparrow Lark, Jungle Babbler, Black-throated Munia, Pale-billed Flowerpecker, White-browed Fantail, Black-shouldered Kite, Black Kite, Common Kingfisher, Rose-ringed Parakeet among others.