A QUICK ESCAPE INTO THE WILD FROM HYDERABAD

[SK01]

Hello India-Drive members,

 

This is a travelogue of my recent trip to Nagarjuna Sagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve and my third travelogue in this Forum. Wanted to make it the best out of three so took some time.

 

Before starting the story, i would like to thank my dear friends from the WhatsApp group who made this trip a memorable one with their tips and advice.

 

Distance: 408KM

Drive Time: 8HRS including 1 breakfast break for a hour.

Mileage: 13KMPL

Vehicle: Honda City VX  Manual

Fuel: Petrol

Speed: Cruised at 100KMPH and 140KMPH

Route Taken: HYDERABAD-KURNOOL-NANDYALA-ATMAKUR-BAIRLOOTY 

 

DAY 1. 22 SEP 2017

Started at Kompally at 6:00 AM and reached M food court Mahbobnagar at 7:30 AM.

The road is a good 4 lane road but going above 100KMPH is a tough thing after entering AP border. There are many white lines near the intersection which irritates at high speed. 

Had breakfast at M food court and started at 8:30 AM.

About M food court,

A restaurant with bad food and bad service. Not at all VFM.

There is another restaurant called hill park before M food court but missed it due to the speed i was in.

Started at 8:30 AM. after having breakfast and a small quarrel with the hotel staff there and reached Kurnool around 10:00 - 10:30AM. 

 

Got confused after reaching Kurnool and asked in the group. Thanks to @DheerajReddy  @jay_chitti  for suggesting me a route.

Took RAYALASEEMA express way to reach Nandyala. After entering Kurnool we will get a signal from which we should go straight and then left to enter RAYALASEEMA express way. Going left from the starting signal will directly take us to Atmakur which is the best and quick route.  

 

Reached Nandyala at around 11:30 and did a mistake by switching on Google maps. It took me through streets where even a cycle guy thinks twice to enter. The street is Sunkallamma street adjacent to market road. got stuck there for one hour. That time i was sure that some one would come and trash me and my car for entering that narrow street with such a long vehicle... as imagined people came near me but what happened is a very different thing... people there are very good and kind, they helped me cross the street with absolutely zero damage to my car. One local there even walked for almost a kilometer just to ensure that the road is clear so that my car could enter. even a police there did the same thing. Was pleased by the way they treated their guest. all these things were because of the TS number plate my car has. After all those things, crossed  Nandyala around 12:30PM and reached Bairlooty at 1:30PM.

 

Had lunch there and started off to safari at 3:00PM, half and an hour earlier as there were no one that day.

The safari is very good, takes us through dense forest. A  person with an axe accompanies us for safety. Unfortunately could not spot any wild animals as its difficult during this time, happened to spot a Sambar female in this first day and captured it in my camera. 

 

The very adventures thing that has happened was a Gypsy break down. The Gypsy after going deep inside the forest broke down and we had wait for an hour for next Gypsy in the calm, peaceful, serene forest enjoying the chirping sounds of the birds, waiting for some wild animal to come so that i can capture. The driver, and few guys accompanying us were very attentive as they knew that there is always danger hidden behind a beauty. The place that we stopped was a thick forest where tigers, bears, cheetas come for evening snacks. The place is near a Y junction where there is an old British building and an old temple which is very very risky.

 

Completed the safari by 6:00PM entered the room, had some tasty pakodas with hot tea enjoying the nature and then had dinner at 9:30 in the room itself as we were tired and slipped onto the bed.

 

DAY2. 23 SEP 2017.

Woke up at 7:30 AM from the comfy beds, got freshed up, had breakfast, bought some goodies from the local shop in the resort and went on for a second safari at 10:15 AM

 

Forgot to tell you, there is an old Shiva temple inside the forest which is considered as a very risky place to go. The second day morning my father woke up early took the Gypsy and went inside the forest and temple. He spotted few wild bores, wild dogs, and wild pig on the way to temple. 

 

Many wild animals including Bears and Wild dogs, which are considered as the most dangerous animals than tiger come to that place early in the morning and in the evening. One should be prepared for the worst thing before going to the temple. Many people asked me the reason forgoing there, instead of going to some other place, there is no answer for those type of questions.. after all its a wildlife enthusiast  and travelers thing.

 

Coming to the second day safari, I was fortunate enough to spot few Neelghais this time. Spotted a group of Neelghais in the bushes and captured it in my camera. 

 

After going deep inside the forest for few kilometers there was a ditch where our Gypsy wheels got stuck and back seat occupants had to get down. The drivers are well experienced and got the Gypsy out of the ditch after few minutes of off-roading. This is my first off-roading, that too deep inside a forest.. after going for few kilometers, the driver stopped the vehicle at a safe zone and then i took few pictures. Completed the safari at around 12:30 and then bought an archery ticket for 100 rs for 10 arrows, the archery is a thing filled with great fun and joy. Learnt archery from the local tribal workers there and managed to shoot the red wall on the target board. A great achievement for me

 

Finished the fun filled archery paid extra amount ie, 200 for 20 arrows, had lunch at 1:30 PM and drove to YSR Smruthi Vanam at 2:15 PM. Reached the place in less than 45 mins, a very good road where one can easily maintain 60KMPH entire 30KM stretch.

 

About YSR Smruthi Vanam,

A place which is 30 kilometers away from Bairlooty( Nallamalla Jungle Camps) at Atmakur. A place build in memory of undivided Andhra Pradesh ex Chief Minister Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy. His plane was crashed 15 kilometers from YSR Smruthi Vanam at Pavuralagutta which is clearly visible from a view point tower constructed at that place. Its a picnic spot for many locals, a good place for children to play around and have fun, for elders its not so interesting. Visited that place paid my respects to the great person, my father went on to the view point and clicked some pictures, we read few facts about him engraved on a marble stone and left the place at 2:45 PM.

 

Reached Bairlooty at 3:15 PM took rest for an hour, had snacks, Mirchi Bajji, Tea, and then again paid 100rs for archery at 5:30 PM. could not play much because of the low light and returned early to the guest house. There the light is very low, looks like 6:30PM but will still be 5:30PM

 

Had some quality talk with the supervisor Mr. Rajendra Prasad. He is a very passionate person, passionate about wildlife, a nature lover, photographer, and flutist. 

 

His passion towards these things are obvious from the way he talk, he is a Bpharm degree holder, had a lab of his own, stopped it and came to bairlooty from Kadapa just to serve the nature. His job at Bairlooty is amazing, outstanding, and he is still a contract employee. His wildlife photo collection is excellent. He has a Nikon D5 with which he captures the beautiful wildlife. He has got a very good knowledge over wild animals, plants, forests. He caught a very dangerous spider and sealed it in a box. Took the picture but its not clear. 

 

At 8:30PM i tried for some star trails but could not get because of the clouds. Had dinner at 9:00PM and slipped onto the bed at 10:30PM.

 

 DAY 3. 24 SEP 2017

 

Woke up at 7:00AM, had tea, paid 200 for 20 arrows, (yes, I am addicted towards that game)  had breakfast at 9:30,  Packed our bags, bought some more goodies from the store there which were made by the Girijans there, paid amount and left the place by 10:30 with a heavy heart

 

Route Taken: BAIRLOOTY-ATMAKUR-KURNOOL-KADWAL-HYDERABAD.

Reached Hyderabad at 7:15 as we stopped for some time at Gadwal and Food Pyramid.

About Gadwal,

A nice place famous for its sarees. Could not explore much.

About Food Pyramid,

A restaurant with worst food and service.

No hygiene at all.

Stopped at Gadwal and my mother took some sarees at the weavers. 

 The roads were good all the way, the road from Bairlooty to Atmakur is a beautiful two laned road surrounded by lush green farms.

 

 A special thanks to 

@Ranger @DheerajReddy @jay_chitti @varunc @shruthi and all the WhatsApp group members for sharing the information rite from the beginning to the end of the trip. 

 

Few pictures 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Gowtham]

Great pictures and excellent information.
Rooms looks fantastic, definitely a must visit place before monsoon ends. 

I have few questions related to your drive.

How is the overall road condition?
How much does the resort cost?

Any idea about how many jeeps they can provide(at a time), If we do group booking?
 

 

[SK01]

Great pictures and excellent information.
Rooms looks fantastic, definitely a must visit place before monsoon ends. 

I have few questions related to your drive.

How is the overall road condition?
How much does the resort cost?
Any idea about how many jeeps they can provide(at a time), If we do group booking?
 

 

Thank you[emoji4]
Yeah, the rooms are great with rose wood furniture. A private person would charge around 7-8k for that room alone, leave about safari and food.
Must visit before monsoon to enjoy the nature and at March, April for wildlife.

* Overall road condition is excellent. Anyway you know about Hyderabad to Kurnool road and the speed limitations on that road.
Kurnool to Atmakur direct road is also good though it's a two lane road.

* ₹4K for cottage for two per day, ₹5k for tent for two per day.
₹1k for extra bed. Including one safari, food.

* They have two Gypsys, 6+1 driver + 1 person accompanying us with a weapon is the capacity.
They also have a Mahindra Bolero Camper but they didn't use it. They might take if the population is large.


7995417994 he's Mr. Rajendra Prasad supervisor and a very nice person. You can contact him. Below are the tent pictures for your reference.




Miles to go before I sleep

[Sridhar Tandra]

I remembered the Monkey temple in "The Jungle Book" movie by looking at the temple pictures and your description..!! <3 Wonderful information, planning to go here in December unless our Admins plan something to disrupt my December plans  

[SK01]

I remembered the Monkey temple in "The Jungle Book" movie by looking at the temple pictures and your description..!!

Haha..

Miles to go before I sleep

[veeran]

1 hour ago, Krish said:

Haha..

Miles to go before I sleep
 

wonderful write up bro

[SK01]

wonderful write up bro

Thank you bro[emoji4]

Miles to go before I sleep

[Naveen1]

Excellent write-up mate.
Fantastic pictures!!

What is the maximum capacity of resort?
Are they full during weekends?

[SK01]

Excellent write-up mate.
Fantastic pictures!!

What is the maximum capacity of resort?
Are they full during weekends?

Thank You buddy[emoji5]
There are 4 cottages and 6 tents, 2+1 per each tent/cottage
The maximum accommodation is 3*10=30.
Yes, during weekends it's full. It's very irritating when other people roam here and there and disturb the beautiful butterflies doing their work, and when their voice dominates the chirping sounds of the birds which we can't hear here.
Week days is the best time. On Friday we were alone, no insecure feeling. All the persons there are good.
During Oct, Nov, Dec the demand is very high, even foreigners visit.
Better book on week days a month before.


Miles to go before I sleep

[sagar]

Beautifully narrated with the best of pictures @Krish. Your information about the cottages and routes would help our fellow road trippers. This could probably be one of the best road trips for all the Hyderabadi's looking for a place in the closest proximity. Cheers for more to come buddy. 

[SK01]

Beautifully narrated with the best of pictures [mention=342]Krish[/mention]. Your information about the cottages and routes would help our fellow road trippers. This could probably be one of the best road trips for all the Hyderabadi's looking for a place in the closest proximity. Cheers for more to come buddy. [emoji4]

Thank you bro[emoji3][emoji3]
Yes, this place is the best place from Hyderabad for a two or three day weekend..


Miles to go before I sleep