Kambalakonda Eco Park is a wildlife sanctuary that appeals to your sense of thrill and adventure with its extensive wildlife population in the folds of greenery that truly makes it an Eco-park. Characterized by a dense green evergreen forest and home to one of its key attractions, the leopard, Kambalakonda Eco Park is one of the top eco-parks of Andhra Pradesh. It is also one of the top tourist places to visit in Vizag.
The park has been managed by the Andhra Pradesh Forest Department since 1970. Before that, the land of the sanctuary was under the Maharaja of Vizianagaram. Kambalakonda Eco-Tourism Park got its name from a hillock of the same name in the area.
Landscape of the park
There are four mountainous terrains in the park and all of them are equally magnificent and enthralling. Spread over an area of approximately 70.70 square km, the land of the sanctuary is dotted with meadows, scrubs, steep slopes, and hilly terrains.
Fauna at the park
The park is home to several species of animals and birds that will make you capture their beauty in your DSLRs. Jackals, leopards, Indian pangolin, chital, cobras, Russell’s viper, and Indian muntjac are some of the commonly sighted animals and reptiles. The park is also home to several birds like partridges, Asian paradise-flycatcher, treepies, quails, blue-tailed bee-eater, hoopoes and spot-billed duck.
Things to do in Kambalakonda Eco Park
Visitors to the sanctuary can take the help of local guides to cover the entire forest area and spot wildlife since these guides are familiarized with the behavior patterns of the animals. There is also a canteen in the park where you can get snacks and beverages.
Trekking
There are ten different trekking terrains at the park. The trekking starts around 6 AM and completing one terrain takes 3 hours to return. Trekkers can take the services of a guide if they want but prior intimation needs to be made at the reception to make the necessary arrangement for it.
Jungle Walk
During winters an activity that is quite popular among the locals is Jungle Walk where visitors walk through the jungle and spend time inside the forest on sunny days.
Boating
There is a small water storage facility at the park in the form of a lake and a boating facility is also available here.
Adventure Sports at Kambalakonda Eco-Tourism Park in Vizag
The whole point of eco-tourism in Andhra Pradesh is to promote tourism which does not disturb the wildlife or marine life while tourists can enjoy to the fullest. Adventure sports at the sanctuary are organized in an eco-friendly manner without using any motorized equipment. Ticket prices for each adventure sports activity are different.
Burma Bridge
70 meters above the ground, the Burma Bridge looks inviting with its multicolored ropes and wires but once you get on it you realize that it is not as easy as it looks.
Zip Lining
After the Burma Bridge is the zip lining activity which you can do wearing the protective gear to ensure your safety.
Goat walking
A bridge suspended 20 meters above the ground with round wooden logs to step on, this activity is super fun with your friends cheering you and booing at you for falling.
Rope Walking
This activity involves the participants being tied to a rope while they try to cross the bridge which is 50 meters above the ground. Since it is a strenuous activity where you need to pull yourself forward, you need to wear protective gloves while doing it.
Tire walking
Walk on tires joined together and suspended 20 meters above the ground in this fun but difficult to complete the activity.
Kayaking
Kayaking on a canoe in the beautiful lake is not just an adventure sport but a peaceful activity too.
Timings of Kambalakonda Eco-Tourism Park
Kambalakonda Eco Park is open from 9:00 AM to 4.30 PM on all days of the week.
Entry Fee for Kambalakonda Eco Park Vizag
The entry fee to visit Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary is Rs. 10 for adults and Rs.5 for children. The charge for vehicle entry is Rs. 200 which includes entry fee for five members.
Cottages are charged at Rs.250 and Trekking charges are Rs.150 for a group of 10 members.
Location of Kambalakonda Eco Park in Vizag
The park is located on the Vijayanagaram-Srikakulam route which is 5km from Vizag city. It is situated by the side of National Highway 5 and easy to locate.
Places to see near Kambalakonda Eco Park
Indira Gandhi Zoological Park is opposite Kambalakonda Eco Park and can be clubbed with the eco park.