How to Plan Your Sanctuary Journey Right
Eturnagaram is one of Telangana’s oldest and most celebrated wildlife sanctuaries, located in the Mulugu district near the banks of the Godavari River. Known for its rich biodiversity, this protected forest is home to species like deer, sloth bears, leopards, and various birds. It’s a part of the Dandakaranya forests and holds cultural importance with tribal settlements in nearby areas. Adventure seekers, wildlife enthusiasts, and weekend travelers often find themselves drawn to this lesser-known natural treasure.
On weekends and holidays, the sanctuary attracts thousands of nature lovers, leading to a steady rise in both footfall and vehicle count. With an estimated 800 to 1,200 vehicles entering on peak days, managing traffic has become essential. Congestion at checkposts used to be a common issue, especially during safari hours. Hence, there are developments made to enhance convenience and also protect the delicate forest ecosystem from the impacts of unmanaged vehicular movement.
Getting to the Sanctuary with Ease
1. Best Highways to Reach Entunagaram Sanctuary
Getting to Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary is easier than most people expect. Located in Telangana’s Mulugu district, it’s well-connected by road from every major direction. You can plan your journey based on where you’re coming from, and there are clear highways leading right up to the forest checkpost.
- From Hyderabad, one can take NH163 via Warangal and reach Eturnagaram in about 6.5 to 7 hours by car.
- If you’re driving from the east like Odisha, NH53 merges into NH363 near Bhopalpatnam, offering a smooth route to the sanctuary.
- Coming from southern parts like Andhra Pradesh or Tamil Nadu, NH44 up to Khammam and then SH7 to Mulugu makes the most sense.
2. ValetEZ FASTag Entry at Eturnagaram
Eturnagaram has moved toward a faster, more efficient forest entry system thanks to FASTag services enabled by ValetEZ. With toll booths now digitally equipped at the entry points, you can drive through without halting for cash transactions.
- The system relies on RFID technology that detects your FASTag as soon as your vehicle approaches the scanner at the checkpost.
- Once scanned, the entry fee gets automatically deducted from your FASTag wallet, allowing a smooth pass-through without manual payment.
- This setup helps eliminate traffic build-up at entry points by reducing wait times of the visitors.
Vehicle-Type | Charges (₹) |
Car | 50 |
Minibus, TT(Tempo Traveller), LCV, Tractor | 100 |
Bus, HCV, MAV | 200 |
3. Parking Facility at the Wildlife Sanctuary
Once you arrive at the forest entry, parking your vehicle is a stress-free experience. There’s a designated parking area managed close to the main checkpost, with clear demarcations for both private and tourist vehicles. It’s convenient and located just a short walk from where forest permissions are checked.
- You can find basic security arrangements in place, especially during early hours and peak weekends.
- One can park two-wheelers, hatchbacks, and SUVs without any issues, but it’s better to avoid very large vehicles or buses.
- The area is not shaded, so carrying a foldable sunshade or covering for your car might be a good idea in hotter months.
4. Parking and Driving Mistakes to Avoid
While the forest is fairly accessible, there are a few things you should be mindful of when it comes to parking and driving around Eturnagaram. Paying attention to small signs and forest boundary markers can go a long way in avoiding fines or vehicle issues.
- You should avoid parking along the roadside near the checkpost, especially during early mornings, as it disrupts local traffic and wildlife movement.
- One should not drive too close to forest perimeters or deviate onto unmapped trails, these zones are often protected and patrolled.
- There are no designated parking spots inside the sanctuary, and driving beyond the marked entry zone can disturb wildlife, especially in areas where animals frequently cross or rest.
5. Best Time to Visit the Sanctuary
Planning your visit around the right season can really shape your experience at Eturnagaram. While the sanctuary is open year-round, the dry months are usually better for spotting wildlife and exploring comfortably. A few quick adjustments in timing and behavior can help you make the most of your safari.
- You can plan your trip between October and April, when the forest is drier, making animal sightings more likely near water bodies.
- One should avoid visiting during peak monsoons, especially July and August, as vehicle movement is restricted and visibility drops due to thick foliage.
- Early morning safaris are the most rewarding here, it’s cooler, quieter, and you stand a better chance of spotting deer, bison, and even sloth bears if you’re lucky.
Conclusion - What to Remember Before You Go
ValetEZ’s FASTag-enabled access at Eturnagaram has added a much-needed layer of convenience for today’s visitors. With smoother check-ins and contactless payments, your journey now begins without the usual bottlenecks or delays at the gates.
For nature lovers and wildlife explorers alike, this means more time soaking in the sights and less time waiting in queues. From better parking facilities to well-managed entry zones, your trip feels less rushed and more rewarding. Eturnagaram welcomes you with calm trails, wild charm, and the promise of peace, just the way a sanctuary should.