Radhanagari Wildlife Sanctuary is the first wildlife sanctuary in Maharashtra established in 1958 as Dajipur Wildlife Sanctuary. It is in Kolhapur district. It was the private shooting area of the erstwhile Maharaja of the princely state of Kolhapur. It’s also known as Bison Sanctuary, as Indian bison alias Gaur (Bos gaurus) numbering around 1091 were seen here as per the 2014 count.

Malabar Grey Hornbill at the Wildlife Sanctuary

Bison Sanctuary is at the southern end of the Sahyadri hills, the Western Ghats. It’s a natural World Heritage Site notified by UNESCO as the Sahyadri sub-cluster of Western Ghats, for categories ix and x.

Tributaries of the Krishna River, the Bhogavati River, the Dirba River, the Dudhganga River, the Kallamma River, and the Tulshi River, flow through this wildlife sanctuary. Maharastra State Highway number 116 passes through the center of this wildlife sanctuary. This wildlife park is spread over an area of 351.16 square kilometers.

Trekking is very popular in this sanctuary.

Dajipur Wildlife Sanctuary has backwaters with side roads, where one can ride bikes. Rautwadi waterfalls are situated around 55 kilometers from Kolhapur.

Other nearby Tourist Places

Radhanagari Dam over the Bhogawati River is situated in this sanctuary. This dam is also known as Dajipur Dam. It was built in 1907 and is one of the oldest dams in India. Kaolhapur Maharaja (King) Shanu built the Radhanagari dam. Dajipur dam is rich in flora and fauna, spread over 11000 hectares of forest area. The dam is in a picturesque location with beautiful panoramic views.

Rankala Lake is another nearby tourist destination around 51 kilometers from the dam. Shalini palace is situated very close to the Rankala lake, at a distance of less than a kilometer.

Panhala Fort at an altitude of 940 meters is 70 kilometers from the wildlife sanctuary and 71.5 kilometers from the dam. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj conquered the Panhala Fort in 1659 AD. Panhala is a popular hill station.

Gaganbawda is another nearby hill station located 40 kilometers from the Radhanagari Dam. Ghangad Fort is situated here. 11 kilometer long Karul ghat road towards Sindhudurg district, starts at a distance of around one kilometer from the Gaganbawada bus stand.

Pandav Cave alias Ramling is at a distance of around eight kilometers from Gagagnbawad.

Bhui Bawada Ghat Road is another road in the Sindhudurg district.

Lakhmapur Dam is situated on the Morjai – Gaganbawad road.

How Do I Go to Radhanagari Wildlife Sanctuary?

Radhanagari Sanctuary is situated around 55 kilometers from Kolhapur railway station. There are regular buses from Kolhapur to the wildlife sanctuary. Kolhapur Town is the district headquarters and is famous for the Kolhapur sandals and Kolhapur bed sheets.

The nearest airport to the wildlife sanctuary is situated at Pune. The distance is around 250 kilometers.

Accommodation Near Dajipur Wildlife Sanctuary

The Forest Department maintains a rest house called “Dak Bungalow”. The state forest department also owns a dormitory here.