It is located in a lush tropical setting on the gorgeous Mekkarai to Achankovil to Konni forest route. This offbeat waterfall in the middle of a dense jungle is a top scenic waterfall holiday destination of Kerala. The route you take to hike to the waterfall from the main forest highway is also frequented by elephants, gaurs and other wild animals and birds. And the hike takes you across multiple streams and gradients. Thus giving its visitors lots of adventure and joy even in the short 10 to 15 minute forest trek. I am talking about Kambhavurutty Falls located in the Konni reserve forest whose herbal waters make for a rejuvenating waterfall bath amidst the dense jungle of the Western Ghats. And thus making it perfect for a nature holiday in Kerala with family and friends.
Kambhavurutty falls offers a heady mix of a scenic drive, a short jungle trek, a picturesque location and a waterfall that is perfect for that relaxing bath in the middle of the forest. The adventure begins as soon as you park your car by the entrance and you start climbing the well marked out forest trail. Pretty soon, you step into the jungle stream that cross crosses the trekking trail and then you climb a hillock up and down to be greeted with the stunning sight of the Kambhavurutty Falls that falls from a wide rock while being surrounded by lush forests. A metal walkway takes you to the bottom of the waterfall where you can choose to bath under the waterfall shower that is being permitted or the one that has water force to your liking. After your relaxing bath under the thundering waterfall, you can relax on a rock with a book in hand, conduct a photo session with your family and friends, find a nice well shaded place and catch a short siesta. In all, a fabulous location for a weekend getaway in South Kerala, especially during the monsoon season or right after.
If you carry a picnic basket with you along with some towels, swim wear and a pair of sunglasses, you will treat yourself to a divine and rejuvenating waterfall holiday. As this place is managed by the Kerala forest department, you will have to buy entrance tickets for all the members in your group and parking ticket for your vehicle. You can park your vehicle on the side of the road that also doubles up as the forest highway. There is hardly any infrastructure here, but you may find a simple toilet and a street vendor or two selling local fruits and hot tea. A 10 minute walk through the forest on a lush trail crossing few streams will take you to Kambhavurutty Falls from the ticket counter. The hike and the final flight of stairs can get slippery when it rains, so do exercise caution.
Both Kambhavurutty falls and Manalar falls, further along the forest highway towards Mekkarai are proper jungle waterfalls and hence care should be taken to protect the waterfall and jungle surroundings from any pollution. So, do ensure to carry your trash with you (including dirty diapers) and do refrain from smoking and drinking inside the forest. And most importantly, do keep an eye out for elephants and other wild animals, especially if it happens to be raining or there is a thick mist cover. If you take care of the above, you will possibly enjoy a surreal jungle environment and have a ball of a waterfall holiday.
Best season to visit:
Kambhavurutty falls looks its best during the monsoon season from June to October. This is when the waterfall carries copious amounts of water and the vegetation is dense and lush. This time is perfect for trekking to the waterfall and enjoying its beauty, but might not be best to get under the waterfall for a bath. There is also the threat of leeches during this time of the year. Between November and February, the vegetation will continue to remain lush, the water force would be lower and the water much clearer. This would mean that you can enjoy the waterfall fully. Threat of leeches will also be lower at this time of the year. During March to May, the water levels would be lower and the heat and humidity would be higher. Reaching the waterfall will make you sweat, but a bath under the cool waters of the waterfall would make it worth the effort.
How to reach there:
If you are traveling from Konni, take the forest route via Achankovil to reach Kambhavurutty Falls. This route also happens to be the most scenic.
If you are traveling from Thiruvananthapuram, Punalur or Kollam, take the road via Punalur –> Vettithitta –> Cherukadavu Dam –> Chempanaruvi Falls –> Achankovil –> Kambhavurutty Falls.
If you are traveling from Thenmala, take the road via Ottakal –> Edamon –> Valcode –> Cherukadavu Dam –> Chempanaruvi Falls –> Achankovil –> Kambhavurutty Falls.
If you are traveling from Shencottai, Tenkasi or Tirunelveli direction, take the road via Shencottai to Elathur –> Panboli –> Mekkarai –> Kerala Forest Check Post –> Manalar Falls –> Kambhavurutty Falls.
Where to stay:
There are a few budget hotels in and around Achankovil (about 8 kms away) for those looking to stay inside the reserve forest. There are a few resorts and homestays in and around Mekkarai (about 8 kms away) that offer simple accommodation with the best views. For a diverse range of decent hotels, head to Tenkasi (about 25 kms away).
If you prefer to stay amidst nature, try the resorts in and around Courtallam, the accommodation inside Thenmala Eco Zone (Kerala) or the forest accommodation inside Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve.
For luxurious options, head to Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu or Kollam/Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala.
Where to eat:
The nearest place to eat would be either Achankovil in Kerala (about 10 kms away to the west) or Shencottai in Tamil Nadu (about 15 kms to the east). There are restaurants that serve basic tiffin and meals here. For more diverse options, Tenkasi in Tamil Nadu would be your nearest hub.
Other nearby tourist attractions:
1) Manjolai: The unknown hill station gem of India
2) Mekkarai to Achankovil to Konni: Heavenly motorcycle route through pristine forest
3) Mekkarai: One of Tamil Nadu’s prettiest villages
4) Courtallam: The herbal bath holiday destination of Tamil Nadu
5) Sunderapandiapuram: Of lovely brahmin agraharam houses, sunflower fields, windmills and mountain views
6) Puliyarai View Point: Scenic pit stop on the Tenkasi – Kerala highway
7) Sivasailam Temple: 1000 year old temple surrounded by the lush mountains of the Western Ghats
8) Sivasailam: One of the wettest places during the North East monsoon in India
9) 13th century Kasi Visvanathar Temple at Tenkasi
10) Manalar Falls: The herbal jungle waterfall of Kerala
11) Rosemala View Point: Gorgeous motorcycling route inside Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala
12) Thenmala Forest: Offbeat nature and wildlife getaway
13) Vintage Pathimoonu Kannara Bridge: Colonial charm of the Indian Railways
14) Punalur Suspension Bridge: Historical gem of Kerala
15) Lesser known Kerala Mountain Railways: Treat for nature lovers
16) Achankovil Saastha Temple: That happy Lord Ayyappa in the middle of pristine jungle
17) Palaruvi Falls: Kerala’s herbal waterfall that drops like milk from the sky
18) Thenmala Dam: A monsoon pit stop view
19) Aryankavu Saastha Temple: Ancient temple located in the sacred forests of the Western Ghats
20) Nalumukku: The wettest place of India during the North East Monsoon
21) Kudrevetty: The gorgeous windy station of Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve
22) Manimuthar Falls: The herbal waterfall inside a tiger reserve
23) Agastyar Falls: A gorgeous waterfall on the Thamirabharani river
24) Oothu: The quaint little hill station of Tamil Nadu
25) Kakkachi: The highest point inside Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve
26) Scenic Iron Bridge of Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve: Pristine nature overloaded
27) Karaiyar Dam: Offbeat wildlife and nature holiday destination in India’s deep South
28) Cycling through the backyards of Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve
29) Hidden pristine waterfall inside Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve
30) Mannarkoil Rajagopalaswamy Temple: Magnificent 10th century temple with an ashtanga vimana
31) 10th Century Brahmadesam Kailasanathar Temple: Lesser known architectural marvel of South India
32) 1000 year old Papanasanathar Temple: Where you can wash all your sins away
33) Kallidaikurichi: The village of the saaral season
34) Iruttu Kadai Halwa: Icon of Tirunelveli
35) Nellaiappar Temple: A 7th century cosmic dance wonder
36) Pattamadai Pai: GI tagged beautiful handwoven mats from a tiny Tamil Nadu village
37) Thamirabharani river delta: A motorcycle route full of rustic gorgeousness
38) 10th Century Valiswara Temple at Thiruvaliswaram: Hidden Chola gem in the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu
39) Tiruchendur Murugan Temple: Sea Shore magic
40) Kallidaikurichi to Manimuthar Dam: A top scenic and rustic cycling route
41) Garuda Sevai from the agraharams of Kallidaikurichi
42) Festival of Thiruvathirai from a traditional Tamil Nadu village
43) The Festival of Karthigai Deepam from a traditional Tamil Nadu village
44) The exotic tropical fruits of Puliyarai
45) Kallidaikurichi Adi Varaha Temple Chariot Festival: Grand cultural spectacle in rural Tamil Nadu
46) Kallidaikurichi Anaicut: Gorgeous picnic spot nestled in the lap of nature
47) Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple: World’s richest Hindu temple
48) Shangumugham Beach: The tranquil and divine beach of Thiruvananthapuram
49) Thiruparappu Falls: Gorgeous monsoon spectacle near Kanyakumari
50) Mathoor Aqueduct and Hanging Bridge: An offbeat wonder nestled in the mountains near Kanyakumari
51) Kappil Beach: Sandy beauty hemmed in between the sea and the backwaters
52) Varkala Beach: The stunning cliff beach of Kerala where you can wash away all your sins
53) Meenmutty Falls inside Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary: A beautiful tropical jungle trail
54) Ponmudi: The offbeat hill station of Kerala with a 360 degree mountain panorama
Thursday, February 20, 2025
Kambhavurutty Falls: Scenic Waterfall Holiday Destination of Kerala
Friday, February 14, 2025
Kenya’s Lake Nakuru National Park: A Photo Story of Wild Riches
It is a place where you can see hundreds of thousands of flamingos in one view making it one of the most famous bird spectacles in the world. It is a stronghold for both of Africa’s endangered rhino species. It is one of Kenya’s top wildlife destinations that is also a bird lover’s paradise. It is an important pitstop on the African – Eurasian migratory flyway. It is home to the big five and other animal and bird species. And it is one of Kenya’s lakes system UNESCO world heritage sites. I am talking about Lake Nakuru national park, a Ramsar wetland that is nestled in the vast Rift valley. This national park is a wildlife enthusiast’s delight and a stay of a few nights here is enough to wow you with its wildlife riches and panoramic beauty. This photo story aims at showing you the diversity of this rich ecosystem though these varied wildlife and bird photos shot here during a Kenya wildlife safari holiday.
Above photo: Flamingos gather at Lake Nakuru by the millions. There is something about the Rift valley lakes that appeal to these birds and the sight of them feeding and flying together in millions is a sight for the ages.
Above photo: Apart from flamingos, other water birds like Great white pelicans, african spoonbills and others can be seen at Lake Nakuru in huge numbers. Most of these birds migrate to the lakes of the Rift valley from Europe every year.
Above photo: The grassland surrounding Lake Nakuru is fertile and is made up of highly adaptable alkaline grasses, which attract herbivores in hoards. This is an example of a common zebra chomping on these delicious grass.
Above photo: This is another instance of a herbivore enjoying the grasslands surrounding Lake Nakuru. All herbivores thrive in healthy numbers in this national park.
Above photo: This olive baboon family can be seen enjoying the morning sun on the jeep track inside Lake Nakuru national park. These olive baboon families are rowdy in nature and the males can fight any animal, however large when threatened.
Above photo: Lake Nakuru national park is home to 400 species of birds. And one of them is this vibrant yellow-billed stork that can seen feeding in the shallow waters of the lake.
Above photo: Egyptian Goose, another migratory visitor, fills up new colours in your camera viewfinder.
Above photo: Black faced velvet monkeys are playful in nature and are commonly seen at Lake Nakuru National Park. Other primates that can be easily spotted here are olive baboons and colobus monkeys.
Above photo: The star attractions of Lake Nakuru national park are the greater and lesser flamingos that congregate here in millions. It feels as if the whole horizon is dressed in different shades of pink.
Above photo: The shallow algae rich waters of Lake Nakuru attract more than 2 million flamingos. The biggest numbers can be seen during the dry season. When the lake is full, the flamingos are known to migrate to another Rift valley lake, Lake Bogoria or sometimes Lake Turkana.
Above photo: Wildlife, bird and nature photographers like Lake Nakuru for its amazing flamingo photography. And you don’t have to travel a lot inside Lake Nakuru unlike the other national parks of Kenya, which ensures that you get lots of animal and bird photos with minimal hassle.
Above photo: A fluffy pied crow perched on top of a dead tree branch at Lake Nakuru national park. A common citizen here, the pied crow looks exactly like a crow, but with the added white colour chest jacket.
Above photo: This is the baboon cliff view point inside Lake Nakuru national park. It is situated in the middle of the park and offers great vistas of the lake and the surrounding hills and forests.
Above photo: Lake Nakuru is one of the few places in East Africa where one can see Rothschild’s giraffe in the wild. The population of this giraffe at Nakuru is the second highest after Murchison Falls national park in Uganda and the largest in Kenya.
Above photo: The common zebra exists in healthy numbers in Lake Nakuru national park and seem to love the grasslands here.
Above photo: If hippos interest you, go near the mouth of the Makalia, Njoro or Enderit rivers as the hippos like the freshwater that the river brings. Do keep a safe distance from the hippos as they are known to get aggressive.
Above photo: A dozen white and about 20 black rhino were translocated to Lake Nakuru in the 1990s and have since bred to form populations or around 100s of each species. The white rhino in particular is common on the lake’s southern floodplain.
Above photo: The best place to see the cape buffalo (one of the big five of Kenya) is in the swamps next to the lake. In all probability, you will see the buffalo wallowing in the mud.
Other nearby tourist attractions:
1) Samburu Tribe: One of the colourful tribes of Kenya
2) Samburu National Reserve: An Oasis of Wildlife in Arid North Kenya
3) Thomson’s Falls: A stunning waterfall at Nyahururu
4) Nanyuki’s Equator Point: A great place to understand the Coriolis effect
5) Maasai Mara’s Great Migration: 8th Wonder of the world
6) Maasai Tribe: The tribal people of Maasai Mara Game Reserve
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
Waghoba Eco Lodge: Earth Friendly Luxury Wildlife Resort at Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve
One of India’s largest and oldest national parks, Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve is rich in biodiversity and is one of the best places to see the tiger, gaur, leopard, wild dog and other wild species. It’s thriving tiger population make it a fabulous place to see the tiger up close in its natural habitat. The upcoming summer months also happen to be the best time to spot the tiger inside Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve. And one of the best ways to have a top wildlife holiday in Tadoba is to stay with Waghoba Eco Lodge, an earth friendly luxury wildlife resort owned by pugdundee safaris.
This review article is based on my recent experience of staying at Waghoba Eco Lodge and enjoying a surreal wildlife holiday at Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve. Following are the key highlights of staying at Waghoba Eco Lodge:
1) Excellent In-House Naturalists
Whether you are a pro wildlife lover or an upcoming nature enthusiast, you will definitely love the in-depth knowledge of Waghoba’s naturalists. Not only are these folks, well trained in the flora and fauna of Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, they are also genuinely interested in learning more about the nature around them. And this makes for great conversations and interactions and the joy of exploring the national park with them is unparalleled. They share local stories of the animals, are excellent at tracking the tiger and share their well rounded understanding of the forest that includes plants, birds, insects, amphibians, reptiles and the big animals. This makes your jungle safari, jungle treks and other activities more wholesome and thus making for a rich wildlife holiday with not just visual experiences, but with a deeper understanding of the wild too.
2) Strategic Location bordering the Tiger Reserve
Waghoba Eco Lodge enjoys a lovely location a bit away from the villages while sharing the border on one side with the tiger reserve. This ensures that they get regular wildlife visitors from time to time and if you get lucky you can actually sight a tiger from within the property itself. This proximity to the forest also ensures that you can go on those private walks into the jungle from the property where you can track the tiger on foot and may be, even spot it while you are on the walk. Imagine, how thrilling it would be. This is also a great way to understand the lay of the land and see some of the other denizens of the forest that you usually give a miss while on a jeep safari.
Waghoba Eco Lodge is just 8 kms away from the Khutwanda gate and 20 kms away from the action packed Moharli gate of Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve.
3) Sustainable Eco-Luxe Resort in Tadoba National Park
Waghoba Eco Lodge is that place where you can immerse yourself in the lap of luxury and enjoy a stay that is in complete harmony with nature. It is set beautifully in a 12-acre land of an untraversed area in the buffer zone of the tiger reserve. It has been crafted using the very best of sustainable and eco construction methods that include green architecture, handmade conical tiles, sustainable lighting fixtures, ground water recharge and Pythriod Sewage Treatment Plant among others. Waghoba Eco Lodge’s key features include:
a) Nature inspired cottages
b) In-house organic farm
c) Hide for bird photography
d) Wildlife library and lounge
e) A gorgeous swimming pool
f) In-house lake that attracts lots of local birds and animals
4) Organic Kitchen that serves Lip Smacking Thalis
If you are a foodie, you will definitely relish your time at Waghoba Eco Lodge as their chefs serve some thoughtfully designed regional platters and dishes for you. Their authentic thalis (including the Maharashtrian, Varadhi and the Hyderabadi Thali), the spicy Saoji curries and their iconic desserts are enough to take you on a journey to gastronomic heaven. The icing on the cake is that most of the food served here is grown locally in their organic farm or it is sourced locally from the nearby villages. Waghoba Eco Lodge is also home to a well stocked bar that is perfect for those relaxed evenings after a long day in the jungle.
Don’t look any further if a top eco-friendly wildlife holiday destination is on your mind. The beautiful mix of rich wildlife sightings coupled with some seriously good information from the naturalists, green architecture, luxurious stay and lip-smacking food make Waghoba Eco Lodge a top destination for your wildlife holiday in Maharashtra’s Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve. I had a jolly good time there and am eager to return soon.
Wildlife Highlights of Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve:
Tadoba has a thriving population of Royal Bengal tigers and hence is one of the best habitats to see the tiger up close. As Tadoba is mostly made up of sharp bamboo thickets, the tigers here prefer to work on the soft mud of the jeep tracks and hence the tiger sightings here are legendary. It is also a great place to sight the Indian gaur, leopard, black panther, sloth bear, dhole or wild dog, jackal, sambar deer, barking deer, nilgai, spotted deer, macaque, langur, monitor lizard, crocodile, Indian pitta, Indian roller, paradise flycatcher and many other species of birds.
Things to keep in mind while visiting Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve:
1) If visiting during summers, wear comfortable cotton clothing, sunglasses, hat and scarf to protect you from the heat and dust.
2) If visiting during the winters, wear winter wear with some kind of wind protection, gloves, closed shoes, warm cap and sunglasses.
3) The use of mobile phones is completely banned in Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve. You can either leave your mobile phone in your hotel room or carry it with you in airplane mode or switch off position. Do not take out your mobile phone at any time, else it will be confiscated.
4) You can only use DSLRs to take pictures during your jungle safari. You can either carry your own equipment or rent gear from the forest department.
5) There are only a few areas inside the forest that are allowed for walking. Do ensure that you have a guide with you at all times. When anywhere else inside the tiger reserve, do stay inside your safari vehicle.
How many gates are there in Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve:
There are 20 different gates in Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve. Fourteen of these fall under buffer zones while the other six come under core zones. When making bookings, it is important to keep accessibility and connectivity in mind while selecting a gate or zone of Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve.
How to book your jungle safari:
To book your safari permits, you will have to visit the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve government website and make your bookings online. Alternatively, the team at Waghoba Eco Lodge can help you with your safari bookings.
The cost of the safari permits vary for weekdays, weekends, festivals and for special occasions. The safari duration varies between morning and evening session and the safari timings change depending on season.
Best season to visit:
Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve is open all year round, but the core is closed from July 1 through September 30 due to the monsoons. The monsoon season is a bit lean as only the buffer zone is allowed, but it can allow you to see the forest dressed in pretty green and sometimes, you might catch a whole bunch of tiger activity.
The best season to see tigers and other wild animals happens to be between March and June. This season also happens to be the hottest and dustiest.
October to February offers moderate weather with good sightings.
How to reach there:
The nearest airport is Nagpur International airport, about 122 kms or 3 hours away. The nearest railway station is Chandrapur, about 60 kms or 1 hour away. But, better rail connectivity can be found at Nagpur.
Waghoba Eco Lodge is situated near the Khutwanda gate. While traveling from Nagpur take NH 44 and NH 347A to Tembhurda via Borkhedi, Sonegaon, Jamb, Keslapur and Khambada. At Tembhurda, turn left and carry on forward to Khemjai, Shegaon, Chandankheda and Wadala Tukum, where the lodge is located.
Bus connectivity is very poor to Waghoba Eco Lodge. Taxis play between Nagpur and Tadoba, but it is best to book one in advance from a reliable tour operator for best service and prices.
Other nearby tourist attractions:
1) Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve: A wild place for a jungle safari
2) Pench Tiger Reserve: Where the jungle book comes alive
3) 11th Century Bhojeshwar Temple: Home to one of the largest Shiva lingas in the world
4) Ellora Caves: One of the largest rock-cut monastery-temple cave complexes in the world
5) Ken Gharial Sanctuary: A fragile and vulnerable ecosystem
6) Hidden Bundelkhand Kingdom called Orchha
7) Khajuraho: Of history, temples, sculptures, erotica and kamasutra
8) Ajanta Caves: The 2200 year old rock cave wonder
9) Aurangzeb’s Tomb at Khuldabad: The simple resting place of the last strong Mughal Emperor
10) Bhopal: The city of lakes
11) Moti Masjid: Bhopal’s mosque of pearls
12) Udayagiri Caves: 5th century cultural beauty of Madhya Pradesh
13) Bheem Betika: Of prehistoric structures, caves, drawings and paintings
14) Sanchi Stupa: Indian heritage gem that gave torana architecture to the world
15) Chanderi Sari: 700 years of history and a traditional handloom icon of India
16) Bhopal’s Taj-ul-Masjid: One of the largest mosques in Asia
17) Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve: In tiger’s territory
18) Zero Mile Marker: The true center of India
19) Diksha Bhoomi: A holy Buddhist monument in Nagpur
20) Kasturchand Park: The biggest meeting place in Nagpur
