- Best time
- October to February
- Distance from Mancherial
- About 50 km
- Nearest railway station
- Mancherial
- Stay
- Forest rest houses at Mancherial and Eklaspur
What you can see
The main draw is the mugger crocodile, a freshwater species that lives in rivers, lakes and marshes and often hauls itself out onto dry land to warm up. On a calm morning you may find several lying motionless on the banks of the Godavari.
The forest itself is mixed deciduous woodland with trees such as terminalia, and it shelters a wider cast of animals. Sloth bears, rhesus macaques, spotted deer (chital) and sambar live here, and tigers have been recorded in the area, though sightings are rare. Birdlife is rich along the river.
- Mugger crocodiles on the riverbanks
- Chital and sambar deer
- Sloth bears and rhesus macaques
- Riverside birds at dawn
Best time to visit
The sanctuary can be visited through the year, but October to February is the most comfortable period, with cool mornings and good light for wildlife watching. Early morning is the best time of day: mist often hangs over the river, the forest is at its most active and the crocodiles come out to bask as the sun rises.
Where to stay and how to reach
Mancherial, roughly 50 km away, is the usual base and is served by trains on the Kazipet–Balharshah line. The forest department maintains rest houses at Mancherial and at Eklaspur near Manthani, the latter only about 10 km from the sanctuary. Rooms are limited, so book ahead through the forest office. We can arrange a car from Mancherial or include Sivaram in a longer Telangana itinerary.
Tips for your visit
Carry binoculars and a camera with a zoom lens, as much of the wildlife keeps to thick cover or the far bank of the river. Wear muted colours, keep voices low and stay well back from the water's edge. A local guide who knows where the crocodiles gather will make a big difference to what you see. There are few shops or eateries inside or near the forest, so take drinking water and snacks with you.
Also nearby
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