Every year thousands of visitors from many parts of India and abroad visit the Rajiv Gandhi National Park also called the Nagarhole National Park, to see its diverse flora and fauna. It is a popular Tiger reserve situated in the state of Karnataka, India. It is also recognized as a World Heritage site by UNESCO. There are many categories of hotels and resorts located in the vicinity of the park for accommodation. From luxury hotels to eco-friendly resorts, from rustic homestays to idyllic tents, there are many options available in the area. Among all the options in Nagarhole, Sundara Vana Farm is one such homestay facility which offers a perfect mix of budget, leisure and comfort.
Location
Sundara Vana Farm is located about 6 kms after Hunsur town on the Hunsur – Murkal – Nagarhole road. It is around 180 kms from Bangalore and 55 kms from Mysore. Both Bangalore and Mysore are well connected with buses, trains and flights from all major cities of India. The farm is easily accessible by road. The path leading up to the entrance of the property from main road is unpaved. The Nagarhole Forest Checkpost is around 15 kms from the farm. The route options to Sundara Vana on Google Maps are accurate.
Rooms and accommodation
The property is nestled amongst the teak, mango, rosewood and papaya trees. It has two blocks for accommodation of tourists. In the first block couple of two-bedded and four-bedded rooms are available. The other block has one eight-bedded cottage with two attached bathrooms. The property is managed by Jungle Inn Management.
Food options
The farm serves simple homely meals. The menus don’t have an extensive spread. The breakfast menu usually comprises of dosa, idly, sambar, chutney, bread and omelete. In lunch, generally South Indian meals are served which consists of both veg and non-veg cuisines. Dinner menu consists of rice, chapathi, daal, veg curry, chicken curry, pappad and curd. All the meals are served in the common restaurant area in the farm.
Activities
1. The farm can arrange private safari based on visitors request. But such safari trips are restricted to the paved road within the Nagarhole forest. Those willing to take a detour from the main road and venture inside the forest, will have to book the tickets for the jungle safari organized by the forest department. Tickets are usually issued on first come first serve basis. For booking the jungle safari tickets, one has to travel all the way to the forest office which is around 35 kms from Sundara Vana farm. While driving up to the forest office , there are good chances of wildlife sightings on the road.
2. The farm organizes bonfire in the evening for a duration of 30 minutes. Music systems and loud speakers are not allowed in the farm.
Room Reservation
The room reservation can be done by directly contacting the Jungle Inn office on the phone numbers or email id listed on their official website. Alternatively, the reservation can also be done through the popular travel booking websites.
Note : The Jungle Inn Management operates two resorts in Nagarhole – one is the Jungle Inn Resort which is right on the fringes of Nagarhole Forest and the other one is Sundara Vana Farm. While booking through the office directly, it is recommended to specify the facility name to avoid confusion later.
Tips
1. Sundara Vana farm is a no frills facility. If you are looking for a luxury accommodation, then this place will not fit the bill at all. The rustic style of the property may appear dated to some tourists. However, if you are looking for a peaceful, calm and serene homestay which is within budget and suited for families or large group, then you can definitely consider this place.
2. There are frequent power cuts in the area. The farmhouse has power back up in form of generator and UPS. However, they don’t use it for long duration. Hence, it is recommended to carry torch lights or emergency lights with you.
3. There are mosquitoes and other insects which you will encounter during your stay. Therefore it is advisable to carry insect repellents.