Rainforest Exploration Camp – Family Special (Madhapur, Coorg)

CAMP OVERVIEW

Nestled in the heart of what is often called the ‘Scotland of India’, Coorg or Kodagu (which means ‘dense forest on steep hills’) our Rainforest Exploration Camp hosts a wide array of exciting and adventurous activities for avid young naturalists, wildlife enthusiasts & macro photographers.

Situated in an area that receives a high amount of rainfall, the environment around boasts a wide variety of life, especially numerous species of amphibians & reptiles, some being endemic to the area and found nowhere else on Earth. The area is also amazingly rich in bird life, that boasts over 300 species including the beautiful Malabar trogon, orange minivet, hill myna, Asian fairy bluebird and various species of woodpeckers, flycatchers and raptors. Mammals found in the area include leopards, barking deer, and wild boar and an amazing array of nocturnal life such as mouse deer, various species of lesser cats, flying squirrels and porcupines.

We will be staying at the absolutely beautiful homestay, situated on the fringe of a protected forest and surrounded by verdant aromatic coffee estates, and the musical babbling of sparkling brooks and streams that flow through this amazing property.

What’s better, The Outback Experience team members Phillip Ross and Samantha Ross, will guide you and your child into the forests, explaining the unique biodiversity of the area and teach you about how important these creatures are the the ecosystem, while also helping you understand animal behaviour.

Come and see Coorg like never before and enrol yourself and your child for this one-of-a-kind Rainforest Exploration Camp with The Outback Experience!

CAMP ITINERARY

Dates: 1st to 3rd September, 2023 (CAMP FULL – ADD TO WAITLIST)

DAY 1:

Arrive at our lovely and luxurious homestay, and be greeted by tour leaders, Phillip & Samantha Ross. After check-in and a scrumptious lunch, the tour leaders will introduce all participants to the estate with a brief on the wildlife found in the area, and the plan for the next 3 days.

Participants will then be guided on a fantastic birding trail and will spend the entire evening documenting the amazing bird life on the property. We return to the property for some refreshing beverages and snacks before the participants are introduces to the wonderful world of the rainforest. We then prepare to set out for the much awaited late evening walk where Phillip & Sam will lead all participants to a brook and begin exploring various macro subjects. We have a great chance to come across various bush frogs such as Raorchestes luteolus, R. glandulosus, R. akroparallagi and the tiny R. tuberohumerus, besides the amazing gliding frogs, Rhacophorus malabaricus and Rhacophorus lateralis. We will also keep our eyes peeled for some of the amazing snakes found in this region, like the prized Malabar pit viper or Bedomme’s cat snake apart from coming across various lizards, spiders, caecilians, beetles, centipedes and an array of insect life.

On the way back to the campsite, we will also learn how to set up and deploy a camera trap in order for us to capture some of the Coorg’s nocturnal wonders.

Later that evening, we’ll gather around a campfire (weather permitting) for a presentation on life in the rainforest and we end the night with a delicious dinner.

DAY 2:

We awake to the sweet calls of the birds found within the campsite and after a hot cup of coffee or tea, prepare to depart for the morning birding walk. We’ll keep our eyes peeled and hope to sight some of the amazing birds that this part of Coorg has to offer. We return to the campsite for breakfast and now proceed on a gorgeous stream walk, and spend the entire morning looking for various subjects including insects, wild flowers, many species of mushroom and fungi, snails, crabs apart from doing some great birding too.

We return to the campsite for a delicious lunch followed by some well earned rest.

After a refreshing cup of tea or coffee, we head out birding once again, and hope to tick off all the targeted species. It is likely to be dark by the time we return, which is a great time for frog encounters and hope to come across some more cool endemic species.

We end the night with a celebratory dinner.

DAY 3:

On the final morning, we wake up early and head out for the final birding session. We also return to the camera trap location to retrieve the camera and check what cool stuff we managed to capture over the two days.

We return for breakfast and gather for a final rendezvous before checking out at 11:00 a.m. and driving back to our homes to share some fascinating tales.

Inclusions

• 1 family per room in comfortable “deluxe” rooms
• All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and hot beverages (coffee and tea)
• All entrance fees

Exclusions

• 5% GST
• Any extra meals and beverages ordered
• Tips & gratuities
• Road transfers from Bangalore, to and from the destination. We will assist you with carpooling or booking a cab.
• Airfare, if applicable
• Anything that is not expressly mentioned in the inclusions list

Payment Terms

100% payment in advance for confirmation of booking.

Payment can be made via bank transfer to our account. Please inform us of the reference number once the payment is made.

Cancellation Fees

• 10% outside 30 days before the camp
• 25% between 29 and 22 days before the camp
• 50% between 21 and 15 days before the camp
• 75% between 14 and 8 days before the camp
• 100% within 7 days before the camp