<p>Our journey to a wilderness camp nestled within the B R Tiger Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary was thrilling. It was filled with anticipation and excitement. We embarked on a train from Bengaluru to Chamarajanagar, a ride that set the stage for the adventure.</p>.<p>Upon arrival, we eagerly hopped into a taxi for an hour’s drive through the hills to our destination. The camp we were headed to was in the Biligiriranga Hills (B R Hills), where the Western and Eastern Ghats converge. </p>.<p>One of the most intriguing aspects of our stay was the rare opportunity to engage with the Soliga community. Ramegowda, a member of the community who worked at the wilderness camp, shared captivating tales of the jungle, including stories of Veerappan, who once roamed these lands.</p>.<p>He recounted the hardships faced by the Soligas during this era, as they found themselves caught in the middle of the conflict. Their trauma persisted for years, and it took them quite a while to recover.</p>.<p>Equipped with their forest knowledge and skills, the Soligas thrive in this environment. Their primary food sources include tubers, forest fruits and leafy greens. Besides, they possess expertise in collecting wild forest honey, a vital component of their diet.</p>.<p>The community is also well-versed in its knowledge of diverse medicinal herbs, which they employ to treat various ailments. </p>.<p>Ramegowda and his family live in the Soliga settlement, created as a housing project for tribal community by the government. Soliga children have access to a government school until Class five, but must commute 40 km to Chamarajanagar for further studies. This enriching cultural exchange was a highlight of our trip, fostering a sense of connection and curiosity.</p>.<p>The BRT Wildlife Sanctuary, a haven for nature enthusiasts, showcases diverse flora and fauna, creating a captivating ambience.</p>.<p><strong>Memorable sightings</strong></p>.<p>During the safari, our guide and naturalist Narayan introduced us to the fascinating world of spiders. These included the wood spiders, tent spiders (named for their tent-shaped webs), signature spiders and social spiders. The web of the social spider is so resilient that even a sunbird trapped in it cannot escape. It showcases the remarkable ingenuity of nature. This rich biodiversity and the stunning natural landscapes made our visit to the sanctuary a memorable experience. The camp was magical in the daytime, with the sweet melodies of various birds echoing through the air. As darkness descended, the jungle transformed into a captivating orchestra of sounds — buzzing insects, the startled calls of chital and sambar deer, and the sporadic roars of predators. </p>.<p>Spotted deer, wild boars and langurs are among the animals that roam unrestricted within the camp. However, a safari is the only chance to see other animals in the wild. We spotted a leopard kill near a waterhole during the first day of our safari. </p>.<p>Our jungle safaris were a treasure trove of heart-pounding moments and unique wildlife encounters. We also had the privilege of spotting sloth bears, barking deer, sambar, Malabar giant squirrels, packs of dhole and exotic bird species. The big cats — the tigers and leopards — however, remained elusive.</p>.<p>Besides, we came across other fascinating sights like a tree trunk with territory marks made by a tiger, tree branches adorned with giant anthills, colourful mushrooms and tall tree trunks displaying claw marks from a sloth bear.</p>.<p>According to the guide, the sloth bear can scramble up a tall tree to fetch honeycombs, but struggles to descend. As it loses traction and glides downward, it leaves distinct scratches on the trunk. </p>.<p>The safari sessions and the short wildlife films screened every evening at the camp were informative, educative and enlightening.</p>
<p>Our journey to a wilderness camp nestled within the B R Tiger Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary was thrilling. It was filled with anticipation and excitement. We embarked on a train from Bengaluru to Chamarajanagar, a ride that set the stage for the adventure.</p>.<p>Upon arrival, we eagerly hopped into a taxi for an hour’s drive through the hills to our destination. The camp we were headed to was in the Biligiriranga Hills (B R Hills), where the Western and Eastern Ghats converge. </p>.<p>One of the most intriguing aspects of our stay was the rare opportunity to engage with the Soliga community. Ramegowda, a member of the community who worked at the wilderness camp, shared captivating tales of the jungle, including stories of Veerappan, who once roamed these lands.</p>.<p>He recounted the hardships faced by the Soligas during this era, as they found themselves caught in the middle of the conflict. Their trauma persisted for years, and it took them quite a while to recover.</p>.<p>Equipped with their forest knowledge and skills, the Soligas thrive in this environment. Their primary food sources include tubers, forest fruits and leafy greens. Besides, they possess expertise in collecting wild forest honey, a vital component of their diet.</p>.<p>The community is also well-versed in its knowledge of diverse medicinal herbs, which they employ to treat various ailments. </p>.<p>Ramegowda and his family live in the Soliga settlement, created as a housing project for tribal community by the government. Soliga children have access to a government school until Class five, but must commute 40 km to Chamarajanagar for further studies. This enriching cultural exchange was a highlight of our trip, fostering a sense of connection and curiosity.</p>.<p>The BRT Wildlife Sanctuary, a haven for nature enthusiasts, showcases diverse flora and fauna, creating a captivating ambience.</p>.<p><strong>Memorable sightings</strong></p>.<p>During the safari, our guide and naturalist Narayan introduced us to the fascinating world of spiders. These included the wood spiders, tent spiders (named for their tent-shaped webs), signature spiders and social spiders. The web of the social spider is so resilient that even a sunbird trapped in it cannot escape. It showcases the remarkable ingenuity of nature. This rich biodiversity and the stunning natural landscapes made our visit to the sanctuary a memorable experience. The camp was magical in the daytime, with the sweet melodies of various birds echoing through the air. As darkness descended, the jungle transformed into a captivating orchestra of sounds — buzzing insects, the startled calls of chital and sambar deer, and the sporadic roars of predators. </p>.<p>Spotted deer, wild boars and langurs are among the animals that roam unrestricted within the camp. However, a safari is the only chance to see other animals in the wild. We spotted a leopard kill near a waterhole during the first day of our safari. </p>.<p>Our jungle safaris were a treasure trove of heart-pounding moments and unique wildlife encounters. We also had the privilege of spotting sloth bears, barking deer, sambar, Malabar giant squirrels, packs of dhole and exotic bird species. The big cats — the tigers and leopards — however, remained elusive.</p>.<p>Besides, we came across other fascinating sights like a tree trunk with territory marks made by a tiger, tree branches adorned with giant anthills, colourful mushrooms and tall tree trunks displaying claw marks from a sloth bear.</p>.<p>According to the guide, the sloth bear can scramble up a tall tree to fetch honeycombs, but struggles to descend. As it loses traction and glides downward, it leaves distinct scratches on the trunk. </p>.<p>The safari sessions and the short wildlife films screened every evening at the camp were informative, educative and enlightening.</p>
