Dandeli in March is the soft-landing month with peak wildlife concentration. Daytime 21-34C, nights 19C, humidity climbing to 70 percent in the last fortnight, rainfall under 30mm. The Kali River rafting continues — grade II-III rapids through the Sambrani-Kulgi stretch — but flow eases through the month as monsoon spillover from the Supa Dam reservoir ends. Operators (Bison River Resort, Kali Adventure Camp, Old Magazine Camp JLR) at ₹1,500-2,500 per person, 7am and 2pm trips. The 7am slot is the smart-traveller choice — afternoon slot becomes hot on the unshaded river stretches. The Kali Tiger Reserve (Karnataka's 5th tiger reserve, 834 sq km Western Ghats wet zone — Anshi NP plus Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary merged 2007) at year-peak wildlife sighting probability — as the 50-plus jungle water-sources dry through the dry season, the documented black panther population, the 3-6 estimated tigers, the 200-plus leopards, the gaur and sambar all concentrate at the remaining river-and-reservoir water. Jeep safari ₹800-1,500 per person, dawn and afternoon slots, advance booking via Range Forest Office.

Why March scores 8.0/10