- Area
- About 157,000 acres
- Distance from Bhadrachalam
- About 25 km
- Best time
- June to October
- Nearest railway station
- Bhadrachalam Road (Kothagudem)
- Nearest airport
- Hyderabad
Wildlife and landscape
The sanctuary spreads over roughly 157,000 acres, much of it teak, bamboo and mixed hardwood forest. Animals recorded here include blackbuck, chinkara, wild boar and jackal, and the water attracts a good range of birds. Peafowl are common, and their calls carry across the reservoir in the early morning, when mist often lies on the water. The sanctuary is fed by the Kinnerasani river, a tributary of the Godavari, and the dam across it created the reservoir that now forms the heart of the protected area. Its islands and shoreline stay largely undisturbed, and the forest roads are quiet enough that a slow drive often turns up deer or birds at the edge of the trees.
Things to do
Most visitors spend their time around the reservoir and the facilities near it, which make the sanctuary an easy outing for families with children.
- Kinnerasani Lake and its forested islands
- Deer Park
- Eco Park
- Holiday Home Glass House
- Environment Education Centre
- Birdwatching, jungle drives and nature photography
Best time to visit
The forest is at its greenest from June to October, during and just after the monsoon, and this is when the landscape looks its best. Mornings and late afternoons are the most rewarding times for spotting birds and animals at any time of year. Carry water, wear muted colours and keep voices low on forest walks; basic snacks are worth bringing, as food options inside the sanctuary are limited.
How to reach
Bhadrachalam is the base for the sanctuary, and cabs and local transport run from there. The nearest railhead is Bhadrachalam Road station at Kothagudem, and Hyderabad has the nearest major airport. The region is home to many tribal communities, and nearby Bhadrachalam is linked in local belief with events from the Ramayana, so a visit pairs naturally with darshan at the Sita Ramachandraswamy temple. We can arrange the drive and stay as part of a Bhadrachalam trip.
Also nearby
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