| Address: | Behind Ranganathaswamy Temple, Bhadra Project, Lakkavalli, Around Chikmagalur - 577 115 Karnataka, India |
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| How to go: | By Road:
The resort is about 283 km from Bangalore and 255 km from Mysuru. By Rail: The nearest railway station is at Tarikere and Shimoga, which connects Bangalore and other major cities. By Air: The nearest airport is the Shivamogga domestic airport which is around 24 Km away from the resort. |
| Pros: | Easily accessible by road from Mysuru or Bengaluru. They have Wi-Fi facilities on the campus. The facilities and amenities of this property are on the next level. |
| Cons: | I did not find any. But we need to understand one thing. This is a Karnataka JLR property that is mostly famous for big cat sightings. It attracts many kinds of tourists from across the country as well as from outside India. During both the jungle safari and the boat safari, the main focus is on animals, especially big cats. If you are a hardcore bird watcher and expect them to focus on birds, you will be highly disappointed at Bhadra. In both safaris, birds are secondary, even though they do show you some birds as well. So I cannot exactly put this into the cons list, but we need to understand that the primary attraction of River Tern Lodge is big cat sightings. |
| What to visit ? | Bhadra tiger reserve and River tern lodge |
| Company: | Nature lover, family, bird watcher |
| Minimum day/time to visit: | Minimum 2 full days (4 safari) |
| Locality: | It is located on a hillock on the edge of the Bhadra reservoir, near Lakkavalli. |
| Expenses: | At River Tern Lodge, the Loghut Package (Nature’s Nest style) starts from ₹ 7,380 per person on weekdays (Monday–Thursday) and rises to ₹ 8,680 per person on weekends, based on twin sharing. The Deluxe Cottage Package begins at ₹ 7,930 per person on weekdays, going up to ₹ 9,330 per person during weekends, also on a twin-sharing basis. If you book through Jungle Lodges & Resorts, their starting tariff for the lodge is ₹ 6,799 per person, all inclusive with safari. Jungle Lodges. On the Karnataka Tourism site, the rates are listed slightly differently: Log Hut is ₹ 6,800 on weekdays and ₹ 8,000 on weekends, whereas Cottage is ₹ 7,650 on weekdays and ₹ 9,000 on weekends. |
| More Information: | River Tern Lodge is a beautiful nature stay in the Western Ghats of Karnataka. It is located beside the calm and wide Bhadra Reservoir, which is formed by the Bhadra Dam. The lodge gets its name from the many river terns, a kind of white bird, that visit this place during the breeding season. The area is full of hills, forests, water, and peaceful silence, making it a perfect escape from busy city life. The beauty of River Tern Lodge is seen the moment you arrive. The Bhadra Reservoir looks like a large mirror, reflecting the blue sky, green hills, and flying birds. The colours of the water change throughout the day. Morning light makes it golden, afternoons look peaceful and bright, and evenings glow with orange and red as the sun sets. Just sitting near the water feels calm and refreshing. The accommodation at River Tern Lodge is simple, comfortable, and very close to nature. The cottages and log huts are built on small hills that face the reservoir. Every room has a balcony where you can sit and enjoy wide, beautiful views of the water and forests. The rooms have good facilities, but they still keep a natural look. Waking up to bird sounds and cool fresh air is one of the best parts of staying here. River Tern Lodge is also next to the Bhadra Tiger Reserve, which is a very rich wildlife area. The reserve has tigers, leopards, elephants, wild dogs, gaurs, deer, and many colourful birds. Guests can go on guided jeep safaris inside the forest. Every ride feels exciting because you may see animals at any moment. The forest air, the tall trees, and the sounds of nature make the safari a special experience. v The Bhadra Reservoir is another highlight. The lodge offers boat rides on the calm water. Sometimes you can see crocodiles resting on rocks, otters playing near the shore, or birds flying low over the water. During some months, river terns gather in large numbers on the small islands formed by the reservoir. This is a wonderful sight for bird lovers and photographers. River Tern Lodge is a perfect place for people who love nature, wildlife, or simply want quiet time. With beautiful water views, peaceful forests, and exciting safaris, it offers something for everyone. A visit here feels slow, pure, and refreshing—something you will remember long after you leave. Note: I was trying to understand why the tariff at this property feels high, and a few points became clear. River Tern Lodge is a large property with more than 30 cottages, and it requires a significant workforce to operate smoothly around the clock. Along with accommodation, the package includes both jeep safaris and boat safaris, which add to the overall operational cost. Maintaining such a vast campus, providing high-quality meals, and ensuring top-class facilities all demand substantial resources. When you consider everything together, the pricing actually feels justified. |
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