The Biligiri Ranga Hills wildlife sanctuary is one of its kind in India. Less widely known than its peers like Mudumalai or Nagarhole, this is a gem of a sanctuary completely unspoilt by human interference. After crossing the forest check post near Nellor village, you drive several miles deep into the forest without encountring a single human dwelling until you reach the lone forest lodge at Kyathadevara Gudi (K Gudi). One can feel the true grandeur and majesty of nature in these pristine surroundings, a rare experience in 21st century India.

The sanctuary is spread over an area of 525 sq kms in the picturesque BR Hills near Mysore. The forest ranges are located at a height of 3000 to 5000 sq feet and the undulating hills offer some of the most gorgeous views that you can ever get to see. The sanctuary has a mix of deciduous forests, grasslands and evergreen vegetation making it home to a variety of animals including tigers, leopards, elephants, sloth bear, Indian wild dogs (dhole), Indian bison (gaur), sambar deer and giant squirrels. Over 250 species of birds live here.

The grasslands offer some of the best sightings of Gaur that we have seen anywhere in the South. We had the fascinating experience late one evening, with darkness surrounding us, of a huge male measuring almost five feet at the shoulder blocking the dirt track in front of our jeep. We faced him in stunned silence for about five minutes feeling completely overwhelmed, before he walked away. Watching the rippling muscles under his shiny black coat from less than ten feet, we could get an idea of the immense strength and majesty of this animal.

K Gudi is also excellent for sighting sloth bears from February to June, when they roam around looking for honey. There are about 40 tigers in the sanctuary, though sightings are not easy. Elephants and sambar deer are commonly seen, also malabar squirrels and langurs. If you are lucky, you may see a pack of dholes setting out for their evening hunt.