The stretch of the Cauvery from Sangam, downstream to Bheemeshwari near Bangalore offers a variety of activities.
If Bheemeshwari lures you with Masheer angling, then surely Doddamakali is the right place for bird watchers.
The Doddamakali camp which operated by Jungle Lodges and Resorts is located 6 km upstream from Bheemeshwari.
The camp has a rustic atmosphere and is bang on the riverside. The Cauvery flows serenely by and the first things that greets you is the chirping of birds and the lack of crowds.
There are more than 200 varieties of birds here including water bird avian such as Pied kingfisher, Spot Billed duck, Black-bellied river tern, Osprey and the grey-headed fish eagle. When you trek into the forests you can spot honey buzzard, pied crested cuckoo and several other species.
Go deep into the forests and try you luck at spotting the elusive leopard, jackals, wild boar, elephant, sambar, spotted deer and giant squirrels.
If you still have time, take a coracle ride down the Cauvery or just sit down near the river and bird watch. You can also go for a trek.
The best time to visit Doddamakili is during and just after the monsoon- between July, August and February- when the forest and its surroundings are lush green.
The camp offers eight twin-bedded, spacious tented cottages with attached bath. However, there is no electricity here. A few hurricane/ solar lamps are provided which add to the natural ambience of the place.
Doddamakali thus is an oasis of peace and calm. The reats for a day’s starts at Rs. 1,300.
To reach Doddamakali, you have to go past Halagur just off Kanakapura and drive through a metalled road and reach Shimshapura village.
Halgur is a small town past Kanakpura on the Bangalore-Kanakapura road. From Shimshapura, you have to either walk down or negotiate through winding road in a jeep. You can stay at Doddamakali, if you are interested in real wilderness and are prepared to rough it out. For more details contact the Jungle Lodges and Resorts offices either at MG Road Race Course Road
