Sunday Funday

CAMP OVERVIEW

The Outback Experience presents the perfect opportunity for budding naturalists and wildlife photographers. This specially crafted day-long camp is a perfect opportunity for families and young children to experience the best that nature and wildlife has on offer.

We will spend a full day at The Outback Farm & Homestay, our own property on the banks of a gleaming lake, which is the perfect gateway to experiencing the joys of birding, wildlife tracking, angling and wildlife photography.  What’s better, with award-winning wildlife photographer Phillip Ross as your camp leader, your child is sure to have a fun-filled time while exploring areas of Bannerghatta seldom visited by tourists.

The campsite is situated right on the fringes of the Bannerghatta National Park. This unique park, home to wild Asiatic elephants, boasts of being the world’s closest wilderness to a metropolis. The park is richly diverse and is also home to tigers, leopards, wild dogs, sloth bears and an array of nocturnal wanderers including the rare honey badger or ratel in addition to more commonly sighted animals such as gaur, wild boar and various species of deer. The park is also a birdwatcher’s paradise, with over 150 species of bird, including the yellow-throated bulbul and rufous-bellied eagle. Be assured to sight at least 30 species within the property.

Come join us and enrol your child for this day-long one-of-a-kind camping experience!

CAMP ITINERARY

17th September 2023, Sunday

Arrive at the gorgeous Outback farm set by a lake in the forests in Bannerghatta at 9 a.m, and once all the participants have assembled, we’ll check-in, and Phillip will introduce the property while you enjoy a refreshing welcome drink.

Phillip will introduce the world of birdwatching and ornithology and lead the group around the beautiful property to explore its avian wonders. We should come across at least 30 species over the hour we spend birding.

It’s now time to grab the fishing rods and bait, and head down to the water’s edge. Phillip will introduce everyone to the art of angling, and your child will learn about various angling methods, types of tackle, the species of fish found in the lake, and how to cast, set the hook and carefully retrieve the catch without hurting the fish. Please remember that all fish caught will be released back into the lake.

After working up an appetite catching some of the monsters in the lake, we’ll give in to the enticing smells coming in from the kitchen. Yes, lunch time has arrived and the chef reveals the delicacies prepared. After a delicious lunch, we’ll return to the lake to continue practicing what we learnt earlier in the day about angling and give ourselves another chance to catch some fish.

After the angling session, we’ll embark on an exciting trek to a nearby hill and birdwatching trail from where we are treated to a panoramic view of the forests of Bannerghatta. From here, you and your child can witness an amazing sunset, click stunning landscape images and, if lucky, sight some of Bannerghatta’s wildlife in the valleys below. It’s a great place to spend the evening and a great opportunity for the children to learn how to identify and study the diverse birdlife and how to approach birds without disturbing them. We return to the campsite for a steaming hot beverage and some refreshments while Phillip helps put together the bird checklist and talk about wildlife conservation and the steps we can take in order to make a change.

Finally, since all good things come to an end, we bid farewell to beautiful Bannerghatta. On the way back, we reminisce about all the highlights of the day-long camp and return to the city with the memory of a leisurely day well spent.