Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary
Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary - Travel Guide & Activities
Nestled in Karnataka's rugged, boulder-strewn terrain, the Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary
It is a unique haven dedicated exclusively, being India's first reliable sloth bear sightings from a watchtower to see from the 'Karadikallu Gudda' hillock to feed on honey/jaggery paste and fruits placed on the rocks located near the UNESCO World Heritage site of Hampi.
This expansive scrub forest provides a rare opportunity to observe them in the wild, with Jeep Safaris, Bird Watching, Nature Walks, and Photography.
Book your unforgettable wildlife and heritage adventure today with Cholan Tours!
About Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary
A wildlife reserve in the Ballari district of Karnataka, it is Asia's first and only sanctuary created exclusively for sloth bears. Forest officials often put out honey or jaggery to encourage the bears to come out of their caves and feed on the opposite hillock, called "Karadikallu Gudda," around late afternoon. The sanctuary is a convenient half-day trip from Hampi, allowing you to combine a wildlife experience, a Jeep safari, Birdwatching, and Photography with the region's rich historical monuments. Secure your opportunity to observe wild sloth bears up close from a watchtower at the Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary near Hampi with “Cholan tours”!
Attractions of Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary
Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary Watchtower
This watchtower is the main attraction of the sanctuary and offers a unique wildlife-viewing experience. Located on a hillock, the tower is the designated spot for observing the sanctuary's resident sloth bears in their natural habitat. Forest officials put out food to attract the nocturnal bears in the evening, observing wild sloth bears from a safe vantage point.
Birdwatching
The sanctuary's dry deciduous scrub forest and rocky terrain make it a notable area for avian species. The sanctuary and surrounding areas are home to a diverse population of over 70 bird species, including endemic birds. The watchtower offers excellent photographic opportunities for bird enthusiasts. Rare and endemic birds like the painted spurfowl, yellow-throated bulbul, and peafowl. Late afternoon during the cooler months (October to March).
Other wildlife viewing
Beyond the sloth bears, the park is home to a variety of other fauna.
The scrub jungle is inhabited by several species, and observant visitors might catch a glimpse of spotted animals like leopards, hyenas, jackals, pangolins, and mongoose.
Nearby Attraction: Hampi
A UNESCO World Heritage site and a convenient trip from the sanctuary, featuring the ancient ruins of the Vijayanagara Empire. A vast open-air museum of magnificent temple and palace ruins spread across a stunning, boulder-strewn landscape.
Key sites include the Virupaksha Temple, Vijaya Vitthala Temple, and Lotus Palace.
It's breathtaking and historically significant ruins of the Vijayanagara Empire.
All year, but the cooler months from October to February are most pleasant for exploration.
Best seen during the cooler months of October to March, late afternoon to evening, when animals are most active.
Entry fees: INR 50 for Indian nationals and INR 300 for foreigners. Costs apply for specific activities, such as a guided tour for INR 400 per person or a private safari jeep for INR 2,500 to INR 5,000, depending on the specific tour.
Best Time to Visit Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary
The best time to visit Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary is between August and April, with the ideal visiting time being late afternoon from 2 PM to 6 PM when the sanctuary is open and the bears are most active, especially around 5 PM.
Plan your visit for a late afternoon safari to a watchtower to observe the bears, and consider visiting during the cooler winter months (December to March) for more pleasant weather.
The Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary timings are from 6 AM to 6 PM on all days of the week.
Season: (October to February) is ideal due to the pleasant weather in the sanctuary during winter, particularly early morning, as sloth bears are active during this time and the wealth
The summer months (April to July) are very hot. Late afternoon is the best time to visit.
Afternoon: Arrive at the sanctuary in the late afternoon, ideally around 3 PM or 4 PM.
Late Afternoon: Wait for the honey-pouring session, which attracts the bears. The best spotting time is around 5 PM.
Evening: Continue to observe from the watchtowers as bears become more active before the sanctuary closes at 6 PM.
Tourism Tips for your visit
Plan to arrive in the late afternoon to coincide with the honey-pouring and peak bear activity.
Hire a local guide to help you spot the bears and other wildlife.
Carry binoculars and a camera for closer views.
Wear dark-coloured clothing to blend in with the natural surroundings.
Do not walk inside the sanctuary; all viewing is done from designated spots or watchtowers.
Activities in Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary
Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary is open daily from 2 PM to 6 PM.
The main attraction is watching the sloth bears, especially in the late afternoons around 3:00PM, to feed on jaggery and honey.
Visitors can drive their own vehicles or take a guided jeep safari along the designated 8 km route through the scrub forest to the watchtower, offering opportunities to spot various wildlife animals like leopards, hyenas, jackals, wild boars, pangolins, porcupines, and black-naped hares and sanctuary is home to over 90 species of birds like painted spurfowl, yellow-throated bulbul, sand grouse, quails, sirkeer malkohas, stone-curlews, and numerous peacocks and appreciate the unique boulder-strewn landscape.
Nearby, explore Hampi’s UNESCO World Heritage ruins, including Virupaksha Temple, Vittala Temple, Matanga Hill, the Tungabhadra coracle rides, and the Kamalapura Archaeological Museum.
How to Reach Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary
The nearest airport is Bellary Airport, located approximately 15 km from the sanctuary. Other major airports are Hubli and Bengaluru, which are further away.
The nearest railway station is in Hospet, which is about 15 km from the sanctuary.
Take a bus to Ballari, which is approximately 50 km from the sanctuary.
You can also take a bus to Hospet or directly to Hampi.
Take the National Highway (NH 13) to Ballari, then follow the signs to Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary. Or, if coming from Hampi, take the Hampi–Hospet–Daroji road.