Jungle safari service resumes in Kawal Tiger Reserve; prices go up

The jungle safari at Kawal Tiger Reserve in Mancherial has resumed after a July suspension. New safari tracks, additional vehicles, and bird-watching activities are drawing tourists, though revised safari and accommodation charges have increased costs for visitors.

Mancherial: The jungle safari service at Kawal Tiger Reserve, suspended in July due to heavy rains, has resumed, drawing nature lovers and tourists back to the forest. However, the hike in safari and accommodation charges has come as a burden to visitors.

Jannaram Forest Divisional Officer K Rammohan said three tracks, each measuring 15 km, have been readied for the safari which was suspended on July 1 and resumed on October 1. Nine safari vehicles are being operated now, against five in the past, to meet the growing demand from tourists. Enclosures have also been set up to regulate visitor movement.

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According to officials, the safari charges have been revised from Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 3,500 per trip, and Rs. 4,000 on weekends. A maximum of six persons are permitted per ride, with an additional Rs. 500 charged per extra passenger. Department staff have been deployed at ticket counters to facilitate bookings.

Tourists have been advised to visit the special counter at Gonduguda Gate No. 1 on the outskirts of Jannaram mandal headquarters or contact 94403 37315 and 73826 19071 for bookings. Visitors are assured of spotting various wild animals and enjoying panoramic views of the forest from watchtowers.

Kawal, the 41st tiger reserve of the country, is home to leopards, wolves, wild dogs, spotted deer, wild cats, Indian gaurs, foxes, blue bulls, wild pigs, mongooses and sambar deer. It also hosts around 300 bird species, including several rare ones. Bird-watching activities introduced by the Forest Department are receiving good response from wildlife photographers.

Meanwhile, accommodation facilities include six non-air-conditioned cottages, eight air-conditioned cottages and a dormitory hall maintained by the Telangana Tourism Department. On weekdays, AC cottages are priced at Rs. 1,890, while non-AC cottages and dormitories cost Rs. 1,155 and Rs. 2,500 respectively. The earlier charges were Rs. 1,600 for AC cottages and Rs. 1,064 for non-AC cottages.

On weekends, the rates are Rs. 2,100 for an AC cottage, Rs. 1,260 for a non-AC cottage and Rs. 3,000 for a dormitory. In 2023, these were priced at Rs. 1,792, Rs. 1,176 and Rs. 1,800 respectively. Bookings can be made by dialling 79816 62513.