Sloth Bear Foundation - To protect and preserve the endangered sloth bears and their habitats from destruction

National Parks and Sancturies

BIRDING TOURS

Bird Watching Tours (Plan I)
Bird Watching Tours (Plan II)
Bird Watching Tours (Plan III)

Out of 8,600 Bird Species(about 30,000 if subspecies or geographical races are taken into account) the Indian subcontinent affords suitable living conditions for more than 2,400 Birds(Species and subspecies) of which over 300 are winter visitors. The winter visitors are chiefly from Arctic region to the North.

Though it is difficult to judge which is the largest Bird of India, Sarus Crane(stands the height of a man) and the Himalayan Bearded Vulture(wingspan of more than 8 feet) are at the top. Amongst the small Birds is the Tickell's Flowerpecker scarcely bigger than a normal Thumb. Peacock is the most colourful bird with its gracious colourful patterned wings. The list of most accomplished songster in the order of preference is Grey-winged Blackbird, Malabar Whistling Thrush and Shama. The best talker is certainly the Hill Myna whose articulation of the human voice and speech is clear. Four rarest birds in India are the Mountain(Himalayan) Quail, Jerdon's Courser, Pink-headed Duck and Forest Owlet. Though these birds were declared extinct, Jerdon's Courser was rediscovered in 1986 after nearly 90 years of non-sighting and the Forest Owlet was rediscovered in 1997 after 113 years of non-sighting. Indian Birdwatchers hope that Pinkheaded Duck and Mountain Quail may also be rediscovered soon.

India's wildlife is both rich and varied. There are at least 90 national parks and 482 wildlife sanctuaries. The country is one of the 12 mega diversity areas in the world, in terms of animal.

SBF’s birding tours takes you to the best birding sites in Karnataka and south India with some of the very well known Naturalists .

The trip will be guided by Sandeep Chakrabarti / Sandesh Kadur / D.K.Bhasker / S.Kartikeyan / Santosh Martin / Harshavardhan Varma who are naturalists accredited by the Wildlife division of the Karnataka forest department.

We offer you birding tours extending from 4 to 12 days duration. The tours are designed to take you on a memorable journey across Karnataka to help you take in the beauty of this land while birding. In a 2-week trip you should be able to see at least 250 species including most of the endemics.

The Sloth Bear Foundation is a non-profit, self-reliant and independent organization registered as a trust. Participation in tours and expeditions contributes the needed money to fund the SBF conservation and rehabilitation projects.

Bird Watching Tours (Plan I) Bangalore - Cauvery Reserve Forest - B R Hills Wild Life Sanctuary - Bannerghatta NP - Bangalore
This tour is designed for groups interested in observing birds in their natural environment. This 4 nights & 5 day tour covers some of the important bird habitats in the National Parks and Sanctuaries. The tour involves long walks in the forests. Brahminy Duck © Vijay Mohan Raj
ITINERARY :
Day 00	Airport pick up and overnight at a Guest House in Bangalore.
Day 01	Drive to Cauvery Reserve Forest ( 2 ½ hrs). This is a different habitat with forests on both sides of a perennial river, the Cauvery. Take several walks and drives in and around the forest and river. Overnight stay at Galibore Fishing Camp.
Day 02	Drive to the Wildlife Sanctuary at B.R.Hills (2 1/2 hr). Jeep safari in the evening to observe wildlife. Overnight at K. Gudi Wilderness Camp.
Day 03	Early morning trek into the forest for observing birds. These forests are at an elevation of about 3500 ft. above sea level and are home to several species of birds. Jeep safari or trek in the evening. Overnight at K Gudi Wilderness Camp.
Day 04	Early morning walk for observation. Check out after breakfast, but remain in the park premises. Walk / drive for observations. Drive to Bangalore airport in the evening.

Tour cost : 1200 $ per person for a minimum group size of 2 persons.

Budget And Customized Itineraries Also Available On Request

Package includes:
Accommodation in rooms/tents/cottages on twin sharing basis.
Transport in an air-conditioned car / SUV.
All meals
Jeep safaris and National Park entry fee.
Camera fee.
Tour guide / Naturalist.
All taxes

Package excludes:
International airfare.
Personal or incidental expenses.
Beverages, alcohol, bottled water.
Tips, laundry, phone calls, extra rides or activities.

Bird Watching Tours (Plan II) Bangalore - Bannerghatta NP - Cauvery Reserve Forest - B R Hills Wild Life Sanctuary - Bandipur National Park - Bangalore
his tour is designed for groups interested in observing birds in their natural environment. This 7 nights & 8 day tour covers some of the important bird habitats in the National Parks and Sanctuaries around Bangalore. The tour involves long walks in the forests. Group members should carry their own binoculars. Orange headed thrush © Vijay Mohan Raj
ITINERARY :
Day 00	Airport pick up and overnight at a Guest House in Bangalore.
Day 01	Drive to Bannerghata National Park (1½ hr.). Full day visiting park. Visit the Tiger, Lion, Bear and the herbivorous Safari. Visit butterfly park (the only one of its kind in India). Overnight stay at Bannerghatta Nature Camp.
Day 02	Take several walks and drives in and around the national park for observation. Overnight stay at Bannerghatta Nature Camp.
Day 03	Drive to Cauvery Reserve Forest ( 2 ½ hrs). This is a different habitat with forests on both sides of a perennial river, the Cauvery. Take several walks and drives in and around the forest and river. Overnight stay at Galibore Fishing Camp.
Day 04	Drive to the Wildlife Sanctuary at B.R.Hills (2 1/2 hr). Jeep safari in the evening to observe wildlife.Overnight at K Gudi Wilderness Camp.
Day 05	Early morning trek into the forest for observation. These forests are at an elevation of about 3500 ft. above sea level and are home to over 200 species of birds. Jeep safari or trek in the evening. Overnight at K Gudi Wilderness Camp.
Day 06	Drive to Bandipur National Park (21/2 hrs.) Jeep safari in the evening. Overnight stay at Bandipur Safari Lodge.
Day 07	Early morning trek into the forest for observation. Jeep Safari or trek in the evening. Overnight stay at Bandipur Safari Lodge.
Day 08	Early morning trek into the forest for observation. Check out after breakfast and drive to Mysore and visit the Mysore Palace. Lunch at Mysore and drive to Bangalore and transfer to the airport.

Tour cost : 1800 $ per person for a minimum group size of 2 persons.

Budget And Customized Itineraries Also Available On Request

Package includes:
Accommodation in rooms/tents/cottages on twin sharing basis.
Transport in an air-conditioned car / SUV.
All meals
Jeep safaris and National Park entry fee.
Camera fee.
Tour guide / Naturalist.
All taxes

Package excludes:
International airfare.
Personal or incidental expenses.
Beverages, alcohol, bottled water.
Tips, laundry, phone calls, extra rides or activities.

Bird Watching Tours (Plan III) Bangalore - Bannerghatta NP - Ranganthuttu Bird Sanctuary - Kokrebellur Pelincanary - Bandipur National Park - Mudumalai National Park - B R Hills Wild Life Sanctuary - Cauvery Reserve Forest - Bangalore
This tour is designed for serious bird watchers interested in observing birds in their natural environment. This 14 nights & 15 day tour extensively covers most of the important bird habitats in the National Parks and Sanctuaries around Bangalore. The tour involves long walks in the forests. Group members should carry their own binoculars. Painted Strok © Vijay Mohan Raj
ITINERARY :
Day 00	Airport pick up and overnight at a Guest House in Bangalore.
Day 01	Drive to Bannerghata National Park (1½ hr.). The forests are rich in bird life. A visit to the butterfly park (the only one of its kind in India) and to the Lion and the herbivorous Safari could also be included. Overnight stay at Bannerghatta Nature Camp.
Day 02	Take several walks and drives in and around the national park for birding. Overnight stay at Bannerghatta Nature Camp.
Day 03	Drive to Kokrebellur to see pelicans. Overnight at a resort at Srirangapattam.
Day 04	Drive to Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary and spend the day. Overnight at a resort at Srirangapattam.
Day 05	Drive to Bandipur National Park (1 1/2 hrs.) Jeep safari in the evening. Overnight stay at Bandipur Safari Lodge.
Day 06	Early morning trek into the forest for birding. Jeep Safari or trek in the evening. Overnight stay at Bandipur Safari Lodge.
Day 07	Early morning trek into the forest for birding. Check out after breakfast and drive to Mudumalai National Park. Evening trek for birding. Overnight at a resort in Mudumalai.
Day 08	Early morning trek into the forest for birding. After breakfast drive to Sigur Ghat en-route to Ooty for more excursions for birding. Evening trek in Mudumalai for birding. Overnight at a resort in Mudumalai.
Day 09	Drive to the Wildlife Sanctuary at B.R.Hills (2 1/2 hr). Jeep safari in the evening to observe wildlife. Overnight at K Gudi Wilderness Camp.
Day 10	Early morning trek into the forest for birding. These forests are at an elevation of about 3500 ft. above sea level and are home to over 200 species of birds. Jeep safari or trek in the evening. Overnight at K Gudi Wilderness Camp.
Day 11	Early morning trek into the forest for birding. A short drive in the day to visit a Soliga Tribal Village. Jeep safari or trek in the evening. Overnight at K Gudi Wilderness Camp.
Day 12	Early morning trek into the forest for birding. Check out after breakfast and drive to Cauvery Reserve Forest ( 2 ½ hrs). This is a different habitat with forests on both sides of a perennial river, the Cauvery. Take several walks and drives in and around the forest and river. Overnight stay at Galibore Fishing Camp.
Day 13	Early morning trek into the forest for birding. Take several walks and drives in and around the forest and river for more bird watching. Overnight stay at Galibore Fishing Camp.
Day 14	Early morning trek into the forest for birding. Check out after breakfast but remain in the camp till late afternoon. Drive to Bangalore in the evening and transfer to the airport.

Tour cost : 3200 $ per person for a minimum group size of 2 persons.

Budget And Customized Itineraries Also Available On Request

Package includes:
Accommodation in rooms/tents/cottages on twin sharing basis.
Transport in an air-conditioned car / SUV.
All meals
Jeep safaris and National Park entry fee
Camera fee
Tour guide / Naturalist
All taxes

Package excludes:
International airfare.
Personal or incidental expenses.
Beverages, alcohol, bottled water.
Tips, laundry, phone calls, extra rides or activities.

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