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Home Jungle Lodges & Resorts River Tern Lodge
Jungle Lodges & Resorts · Wildlife & Nature

River Tern Lodge

Bhadra Reservoir, Lakkavalli, Chikmagalur District · 275 km from Bengaluru
🐶 250+ Bird Species ⛵ Bhadra Backwaters 🐇 Wildlife Safaris 🌎 Suspension Bridge 🏖 Western Ghats
275 km
From Bengaluru
2 Packages
Log Hut & Cottage
Year-round
Open season
From ₹7,099
Per person
🌎

Bhadra Reservoir
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Bhadra backwaters at dawn
🐶

River Terns
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River Tern breeding island
🌎

Suspension Bridge
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Suspension bridge to cottages
🔍

Jeep Safari
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Safari into Bhadra Tiger Reserve
🌟

Gol Ghar
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Gol Ghar dining overlooking reservoir
Property at a glance
Operated by
Jungle Lodges & Resorts
Govt. of Karnataka
Distance
275 km Bengaluru
38 km Shimoga
Nearest Railway
Tarikere Station
~20 km away
Nearest Airport
Shimoga Airport
~50 km away
Check-in / out
12 noon / 11 AM
Season
Year-round
Jan–Jun: Bird season
Starts from
₹7,099
Per person, twin sharing
Single supplement
30% extra
Above twin rate

Our Perspective

Our perspective on this property

River Tern Lodge is one of JLR’s most distinctive properties — and it earns that distinction not through luxury but through its extraordinarily beautiful setting. Perched on a hillock on the edge of the Bhadra Reservoir, surrounded by the Western Ghats and the Bababudanagiri ranges, the view from your cottage veranda does more for you than any resort amenity could.

The name tells the story — a nearby island in the reservoir hosts hundreds of River Terns during breeding season, and watching over a thousand of these birds wheel over the backwaters at sunrise is an experience you simply cannot have anywhere else in Karnataka.

The guests who love River Tern Lodge most are those who come for the complete forest experience — the birds, the reservoir, the gaur and the green solitude. If your group includes bird watchers or nature photographers, this is their paradise.

Our advice: 2 nights minimum. And if you are choosing between Log Hut and Cottage — Log Huts are closer to dining and better for senior guests, while Cottages across the suspension bridge offer more privacy and slightly better views. Call us and we will help you choose.

⛵

Boat safari on Bhadra backwaters
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Boat safari — Bhadra Tiger Reserve
🐇

Wildlife sightings
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Gaur — Bhadra’s pride animal
🐶

River Tern spectacle
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River Tern breeding island — Jan–Jun

📷 Boat safari · Wildlife sightings · River Tern spectacle

Packages & Accommodation

Closer to dining
Log Hut Package (LH)
From ₹7,099 per person · subject to change
Twin bed · 31 sq m · Deewan sofa · Private balcony · Backwater view · Attached bathroom
  • One Jeep Safari into Bhadra Tiger Reserve
  • One Boat Safari into Bhadra Tiger Reserve
  • Food — Lunch, Evening Tea/Coffee & Snacks, Dinner, Breakfast
  • Wildlife Film Show
  • Campfire
  • Forest Entry Charges
  • GST 18% included
Log huts are closer to the Gol Ghar dining area — ideal for senior travellers and families. Every room has a private balcony with backwater views.
Suspension bridge access
Cottage Package (CT)
From ₹7,949 per person · subject to change
Twin bed · 34 sq m · Deewan sofa · Private balcony · Backwater view · Attached bathroom · Individual rooms
  • One Jeep Safari into Bhadra Tiger Reserve
  • One Boat Safari into Bhadra Tiger Reserve
  • Food — Lunch, Evening Tea/Coffee & Snacks, Dinner, Breakfast
  • Wildlife Film Show
  • Campfire
  • Forest Entry Charges
  • GST 18% included
Cottages sit on a separate hillock accessed by suspension bridge. Named after bird species. More privacy, slightly larger at 34 sq m. Note: involves steps and bridge walk — not suited for mobility-limited guests.
  • Tariff is per person per night on twin-sharing basis
  • Single occupancy: 30% extra above twin-sharing rate
  • Children below 5 years: complimentary  |  Children 5–12 years: 50% of adult tariff
  • 21st to 31st December: supplement charges applicable
  • Camera & lens entry fees charged separately by Forest Department
  • Transfers to and from resort are not included in tariff
Tariff is dynamic and subject to change without prior notice. Call Padaki Travel Desk at +91 97315 56663 for current rates before booking.
🌘

Cottage with backwater view
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Cottage Package — private balcony overlooking reservoir
🌙

Campfire evening
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Campfire at Gol Ghar — evenings at River Tern Lodge

🏠 Cottage views · 🌙 Gol Ghar evenings

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Best Time to Visit

🐶
January – June
Bird Watching Season

River Tern breeding spectacle — 1,000+ birds on the reservoir island. February to June is peak. Pleasant cool weather January to March. April to May warmer but excellent wildlife visibility.

Best for bird watchers
🏖
October – December
Post-Monsoon Season

Lush green forest, pleasant weather. Good wildlife sightings — gaur, elephants, leopards. December: festival season. Supplement charges 21st–31st December.

Best for wildlife
🌧️
June – September
Monsoon Season

Forest is stunningly lush. Good bird watching. Boat safari subject to weather. Wildlife sightings spread out. Lower tariff. Beautiful scenery.

Nature & photography

Who Should Book This

Bird Watchers & Photographers

250+ species in Bhadra Sanctuary. The River Tern breeding spectacle January–June is unmatched. Bring a long lens.

Western Ghats Nature Lovers

Bababudanagiri ranges, Bhadra Reservoir, lush forest — a complete Western Ghats immersion unlike any other JLR property.

Families

Both jeep and boat safaris included. Log Huts recommended for families. Children below 5 complimentary. 2 nights ideal.

Couples Seeking Solitude

Well-spaced cottages, suspension bridge, moonlit reservoir views, no TV — genuine disconnection in a beautiful setting.

Chikmagalur Visitors

70 km from Chikmagalur town. Natural anchor for a Chikmagalur region trip combining coffee estates, Bababudanagiri and wildlife.

🌎

Bhadra reservoir landscape
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Bhadra reservoir — Western Ghats backdrop
🌿

Forest trail
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Nature walk — Bhadra forest

🏖 Bhadra backwaters · 🌿 Forest nature walk

Combine with These JLR Properties

🏔 Hill Station · Chikmagalur
Kemmannugundi Hill Resort
Chikmagalur · ~60 km from River Tern Lodge
🌎 River · Western Ghats
Sharavathi Adventure Camp
Sharavathi Valley · ~80 km from River Tern Lodge

Frequently Asked Questions

What is River Tern Lodge?
River Tern Lodge is a wildlife eco-resort operated by Jungle Lodges & Resorts Ltd, Government of Karnataka, on the edge of Bhadra Reservoir in Lakkavalli, Chikmagalur. It offers Log Hut Package and Cottage Package, both including jeep safari, boat safari, all meals and forest entry charges. Price starts from Rs 7,099 per person, subject to change.
What are the two packages at River Tern Lodge?
Log Hut Package (LH): 31 sq m twin bed room with Deewan sofa, private balcony with backwater view, attached bathroom — closer to dining area. Cottage Package (CT): 34 sq m, similar amenities but located on a separate hillock accessed via suspension bridge — more private and individual. Both packages include jeep safari, boat safari, all meals, wildlife film show, campfire and forest entry charges. GST 18% included.
What is the suspension bridge at River Tern Lodge?
The Cottage Package rooms are on a separate hillock from the main dining and activity area. To reach them, guests cross a suspension bridge over a forest gorge — a unique feature found at no other JLR property. The experience is memorable and adventurous. However, the cottages involve approximately 100 steps in addition to the bridge. Senior citizens and guests with mobility limitations are advised to choose the Log Hut Package instead.
What is the River Tern spectacle?
A nearby island in the Bhadra Reservoir hosts hundreds to over 1,000 River Terns during breeding season from January to June. The boat safari passes this island and the sight of thousands of birds is considered extraordinary by wildlife enthusiasts and photographers. This spectacle is the reason the lodge was named River Tern Lodge, and it has no equivalent at any other JLR property.
How far is River Tern Lodge from Bangalore?
Approximately 275 km — about 5.5 to 6 hours. Route: Bengaluru via Tumkur, then Gubbi, Tiptur, Arsikere, Kadur, Birur, Tarikere. After Tarikere, take the Kuvempu University direction road for 14 km to Lakkavalli. The lodge is 4 km from Lakkavalli. It is 38 km from Shimoga. Nearest railway station is Tarikere, approximately 20 km away.
What wildlife can be seen at River Tern Lodge?
Bhadra Tiger Reserve is home to tigers, leopards including black panther sightings, Indian gaur (Bhadra’s pride animal, very commonly sighted), Asian elephants, wild dogs, sloth bears, spotted deer, sambar, barking deer, monitor lizards, marsh crocodiles and smooth Indian otters. Over 250 bird species. January to June: the River Tern breeding spectacle on the reservoir island.
What is the best time to visit River Tern Lodge?
Year-round. January to June: River Tern breeding spectacle and pleasant weather — best overall. February to June: peak River Tern season with 1,000+ birds on the island. October to December: post-monsoon green forest, excellent wildlife sightings. June to September: monsoon — lush and beautiful, lower tariff, but big cat sightings harder.
Is River Tern Lodge suitable for senior citizens?
The Log Hut Package is recommended for senior citizens — log huts are near the main dining area with fewer steps. The Cottage Package involves crossing a suspension bridge and approximately 100 steps, which may be challenging. Both jeep and boat safaris are included — no walking inside the forest required for safari. Staff are described as very helpful and attentive to all guests.
How many nights should I stay at River Tern Lodge?
Minimum 2 nights strongly recommended. The lodge is 275 km from Bengaluru — the journey alone warrants at least 2 nights. A 2-night stay gives 2 jeep safaris and 2 boat safaris, full time at the reservoir, bird watching at dawn and dusk, Gol Ghar dining and the campfire experience.
How do I book River Tern Lodge?
Call or WhatsApp Padaki Travel Desk at +91 97315 56663 or email muralidhar@karnatakatravelguide.in. We book at official JLR rates. Advance booking of 3 to 4 weeks is recommended. For the River Tern breeding season (February to June), book 4 to 6 weeks ahead.

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Address
No. 81, 6th Main, 18th Cross,
Malleswaram, Bangalore — 560055
Phone
+91 97315 56661
+91 97315 56663
Email
muralidhar@karnatakatravelguide.in
+91 97315 56663

Any content mismatch on this page is purely accidental and not intentional. Rates and details are subject to change and will be confirmed at the time of booking.

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