Anshi National Park

Anshi National Park lies in the Uttara Kannada district of northwestern Karnataka, deep in the Western Ghats near the Goa border. A rugged expanse of dense evergreen and semi-evergreen rainforest, it forms the core, together with the adjoining Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary, of the Kali Tiger Reserve (also called the Dandeli–Anshi Tiger Reserve). Far wilder and less developed than the southern reserves, Anshi is prized for its rainforest birdlife, black panther sightings, and the hornbills that haunt its towering canopy. The Kali river, with its rapids and reservoirs, runs through the broader reserve.

The reserve protects tigers, leopards (including melanistic black panthers), elephants, gaur, sloth bears, king cobras and an exceptional variety of birds — among them the great hornbill and Malabar pied hornbill. The best time to visit is roughly October to May; the heavy southwest monsoon (June to September) drenches the rainforest and makes tracks difficult, though it brings the forest to vivid life.

By Plane

The nearest airports are Hubli (HBX, about 100 km from Dandeli) and Goa's Dabolim (GOI) and Mopa (GOX), with the widest connections. Continue by road into the reserve.

By Train

There is no railway in the park. The nearest useful railheads are Hubballi (about 100 km) and Londa Junction; Dandeli town is the usual base, reached by road from these stations.

By Car / Road

Anshi and the Kali Tiger Reserve are reached by road via Dandeli, about 100 km from Hubli and around 130 km from Goa. The Anshi forest road also links toward Karwar on the coast. KSRTC buses serve Dandeli; most visitors arrive by car or resort transfer, as the reserve is remote and spread out.

Wildlife viewing is by official Forest Department jeep safaris and guided nature walks, arranged at the reserve or through resorts; private vehicles are not permitted on safari routes. The broader Dandeli area also offers river-based activities. A car or resort transport is essential, as the rainforest reserve is remote with no public local transport for sightseeing.

• Hornbills — Anshi is one of the best places in the region to see the great hornbill and Malabar pied hornbill in the rainforest canopy.
• Black panther and leopard — the reserve is known for sightings of melanistic leopards; big-cat sightings require patience and luck.
• Birdlife — an exceptional rainforest avifauna, including the Malabar trogon, hornbills and many endemic species.
• Tigers, elephants and gaur — present across the Kali reserve, though elusive.
• The rainforest and Kali river landscape — dense evergreen forest, waterfalls and river gorges.

The main draws are jeep safaris, birdwatching and rainforest nature walks. The wider Dandeli–Kali reserve is also a noted adventure destination: white-water rafting and kayaking on the Kali river, coracle rides, and crocodile-spotting on the backwaters. Birders come specifically for the hornbills and rainforest species. Stays at the riverside jungle camps combine wildlife and river activities.

Dining is mostly at the jungle camps and resorts, which serve set meals; options inside the reserve are limited.

• Resort and jungle-camp dining — buffet-style Indian meals, usually included with stays (mid–upscale).
• Dandeli town eateries — simple South Indian "meals", north-Karnataka thalis and tiffin (budget).

Carry snacks and water for safaris and walks; camps cater to vegetarians and can arrange non-veg with notice.

Bottled water, tea, coffee and soft drinks are available at camps and town eateries. Alcohol service is limited to some resorts. The reserve is remote, so carry bottled water for safaris and treks.

• Budget: simple guesthouses and lodges in and around Dandeli offer rooms from around ₹1,200–2,500.
• Mid-range: river camps and eco-resorts (including government Jungle Lodges at Dandeli/Kali) run roughly ₹4,000–8,000, often including meals and activities.
• Upscale: premium jungle resorts on the Kali river offer comfortable stays typically from around ₹10,000 upward.

There is no shopping inside the reserve. Dandeli town has basic markets and local produce; resorts may sell a few souvenirs. Stock up on essentials before heading into the forest.

• Dandeli (adjoining) — Kali river rafting and wildlife.
• Goa (about 130 km) — beaches via the Western Ghats.
• Yana (about 80 km) — dramatic karst rock formations in the forest.
• Gokarna (about 130 km) — temple-and-beach town on the coast.
• Hubli–Dharwad (about 100 km) — north Karnataka's commercial hub.