Enjoy watching the delight of colonial waterbirds at Gudavi Bird Sanctuary, which is a dream come true for bird watchers. It is also one of the five best bird sanctuaries of Karnataka. An ideal picnic spot to spend weekends or vacations in the most exciting way, you can hear the delightful greetings of birds and cacophony of sounds echoing in the air. This gives the sanctuary a beautiful and serene atmosphere.

Location

Located in the midst of a dense forest at a distance of 15 km on the Banavasi Road in Gudavi in Sorab taluk of Shimoga district in Karnataka, the Gudavi Bird sanctuary occupies an area of about 0.74 square km. It is surrounded by agricultural fields on the west and north and by moist deciduous forests on the east and south. The sanctuary comprises of a lake called the Gudavi Lake, which provides shelter to various species of birds. Gudavi lies at an altitude of 560m and the nearest major town is Sirsi.

Flora & Fauna

About 217 different species of birds belonging to more than forty five families were recorded in the Gudavi Bird Sanctuary of Karnataka. The Gudavi Lake and the large canopy of trees give shelter to the various species of birds. Floating plants and weeds are also used for nesting. There is a platform here for bird watchers so that they can enjoy a close look.

The various birds found here also include the White Pebi, Egrate, Snake bird, Stone Bill, Gray heron, Night heron, little cormorant, Jungle fowl, Pond heron, Waterfowl, White-headed crane, Black-headed crane, Darter, Indian Shag, Little Grebe, White Ibis, Pariah Kite and Brahminy Kite. About 8000 White Ibis are recorded annually.
Various avian species emigrate from distant places in different seasons for breeding. Their symphony can be heard from long distances.

Things to do

Trekking

Put on a nice pair of hiking boots for some light trekking in this sanctuary. It has plenty of trekking options or you can even create your own trail. Don’t forget to bring your binoculars to enhance the experience.

Photography

Get out your camera and take pictures from the recently built platform. Or take a stroll through the park and take the pictures at your own convenience!  

Picnic

Open to the public and safe for children of all age-groups, this park is a perfect place to have a picnic with your family and friends. Make sure that you bring your own food, as the options from within the sanctuary are very limited. 

Accommodation

There are no accommodation facilities available at Gudavi Bird Sanctuary. You will need to stay at Sagar or Shimoga.

Distance from Gudavi Bird Sanctuary

• Soraba: 15 km
• Sagar: 41 km
• Shimoga: 83 km
• Bangalore: 375 km
• Mangalore: 270 km

When to Visit

The best season to visit extends from June to October. It is open for visitors from 6 in the morning till 6 in the evening.

How to Reach

By Air

Hubli is the closest airport to Shimoga. It is located at a distance of 165 km. Other airports near Shimoga are: Mangalore (200 km) and Bangalore (274 km).

By Train

There is a good network of trains at Shimoga and there are regular trains to Bangalore and Mysore.

By Road

Gudavi is at a distance of 83 km from Shimoga. Continue towards Jog Falls and turn right from Sagara for Soraba. NH 206 connects Shimoga to Bangalore. Distance between the two is 274 km. If you go via Chitradurga - NH4, then the distance is 305 km and you will reach within 6 hours. There are regular buses from Gudavi to Sirsi which takes two hours to reach.