Dajipur

Around 60 kilometers from the city of Kolhapur and situated at a height of 3.940 feet in Maharashtra, the Dajipur wildlife sanctuary is best known for great herds of gaur that are commonly misnamed as bison. The evergreen forest which originally served as the hunting resort of the erstwhile ruler of Kolhapur has now been declared a wildlife sanctuary.

Apart from the gaurs who have made it their natural habitat, the sanctuary boasts of 5 or 6 tigers, a good number of leopards, jackals, wild dogs and several species of ungulates that include sambars, antelopes and barking deer. Dajipur is also considered as one of the finest campsites in Maharashtra. Campers from all over the country visit the sites during the season (November to June). Nevertheless, the site on the banks of the lakes adjacent to the MTDC rest house is considered perfect for camping.

Its proximity to Ponda Ghat offers panoramic view of the nearby hills. Its location near the point where the National Highway 17 meets the State Highway 116 makes it an ideal stopover for motorists traveling to the south Konkan beaches such as Malvan and Vengurla. Goa bound tourists also make it a point to spend a night at the MTDC rest house at Dajipur.

This is a beautiful forest that you cannot afford to miss. It’s a perfect getaway for any weekend. There’s a sense of adventure at every turn, because you don’t know what to expect next in the forest. If you love a camping holiday, then Dajipur wildlife sanctuary is just the place to be. Enjoy a starlit sky, and perhaps even a barbecue dinner with wildlife all around you.

How to reach: You can take a train or flight to reach Kolhapur. Hire a taxi to reach the sanctuary. The taxi is likely to take Rs. 1500. The closest bus station is at Phonda, which is just 20 kilometers away.

There are some hotels in Dajipur, resorts in Dajipur and even home stays in Dajipur. Inside the sanctuary there is the campsite.