Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary

Name: Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary

State: Maharashtra

Location: 70 km from Satara

Total Area: 423 sq. km

Best Known For: Home to Tigers and other wildlife

Serves as: Picnic Spot, Monsoon escapade, Weekend getaway, Animal Safari

About Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary

An epitome of wilderness, the Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary is located 70 km from Satara. Nestling within the Western Ghats, this protected forest zone is home to many wild animals including tiger, gaur, barking deer, leopards, sambhar, mouse deer, python, flying fox, brown capped woodpecker and many more. This sanctuary was established as a part of Project Tiger which aimed at protecting tigers in India. The Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary is bordered by Shivsagar Lake and Chandoli National Park. The Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary is a serene place popular among nature lovers and bird watchers.

The Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary encompasses lush green valleys, water holes and dense forests. A perfect place for jungle walks and nature trails, the Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary is favoured by nature enthusiasts.

Entry Fee for Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary is minimum.

Timings for Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary: 6:00 am TO 6:00 pm

Hotels Near  Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary

Camp Koyna Riverside Eco-Resort 

Motel Swagath Plaza (130 km from Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary)

Best Time to Visit Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary

Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary can be visited throughout the year, though it can be very hot and humid during summers from early April to late May. Visiting during monsoons can be perfect time as the temperature is tolerable and greenery is dense. Though heavy showers are expected and predictable. The best time however to visit Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary is  during early October to late February or early March when the climate is at it's best.

How to Reach Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary

Reaching Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary by Road: Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary is easily accessible by motor-able roads via Satara, Pune and Kolhapur. From Satara, you can reach Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary via Tapola.

 If you are trying to reach Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary from Pune, travel further towards Kothrud to Wai to Mahabaleshwar and then via Tapola reach Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary.

 If you are trying to reach Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary from Kolhapur, drive towards Satara to Mahabaleshwar and then via Tapola reach Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary.

If you are trying to reach Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary from Mumbai, drive through Mumbai - Roha - Mangaon - Poladpur - Mahabaleshwar - Tapola - Koyna Wildlife Santuary. Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary is approximately 2 hours from Mahabaleshwar and 1 hour from Tapola.

Reaching Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary by Train: The nearest railway station to Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary is Satara Railway Station. Satara Railway Station is well connected to cities like Mumbai, Pune, Kolhapur by means of trains that run on regular basis. From Satara Railway Station, regular or private buses ply regularly to Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary. From Pune Railway Station Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary is four hours approximately by bus.

Places of Interest near Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary

One can visit Kaas Pathar  which is just 67 km from Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary. There are many temples, forts, caves, lakes and waterfalls in the vicinity of Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary. One can also visit Vajrai Waterfall, Mahabaleshwar, Thoseghar Waterfalls  and Sajjangad Fort.