A glimpse into the
fascinating Night World
where every drop of rain writes a wild story.
Nocturnal World of Kudremukh
Camping in the wild has always thrilled me — but walking through a rainforest at night, guided by a passionate naturalist, is a whole new adventure. My journey with theXplorerguide this June to Forested India in Kudremukh is now firmly among my most unforgettable outdoor experiences.
Setting Out
On the evening of June 27th, 2025, I was busy packing my bag: five torches (yes, five!), spare batteries, power bank, sleeping bag, walking shoes, flip-flops — anything I could think of for exploring the rainforest during peak monsoon. This month’s chosen spot, Forested India, is a sanctuary for naturalists and wildlife lovers who care deeply about conservation and rainforests.
By 6:45 AM the next morning, my friend Agastya Vishwanbhara arrived at my home in North Bangalore. We left by 7:00 AM and drove for nearly eight hours to reach the designated meeting point. There we met Dhiraj, our host — a seasoned naturalist who has worked with various nature-focused organisations and now runs Forested India with one mission: conserve wildlife and restore India’s rainforests.
We parked our car 4 km away from the camp at his friend’s house and transferred ourselves and our bags into Dhiraj’s Bolero 4×4 — the only wise way to handle the last mile of off-road track. Twenty minutes later, after being rattled around and learning how tricky engaging and disengaging the gear can be on slippery tracks, we arrived.
Campsite
First Impressions
The moment I saw the campsite, I knew I’d love this place. Four cozy tents stood on a platform with a corrugated roof to keep out the relentless rain. A small dining area wrapped in tarpaulin and simple restrooms sat behind. We were warmly welcomed by four fellow guests who’d checked in the day before and Mayra — an intern and naturalist who’s been with Dhiraj since Forested India’s inception.
Lunch was simple vegetarian food — humble yet mouth-watering, prepared by a local cook who comes in only when guests arrive.
We rested a bit, and by 7:30 PM dinner was ready. The rainforest was alive with the sound of continuous rain — perfect, because the real magic of the rainforest happens after a good downpour when its nocturnal creatures come out to play.
Into the Rainforest
After dinner and a small campfire, our first creature encounter was an Indian dwarf gecko cooling off in the restroom — a gentle reminder that here, humans are guests in their world. We observed it for a while and gently left it where it belonged.
Then, flashlights in hand, we followed Dhiraj into the wet, dark rainforest. Within minutes, he spotted a Wayanad bush frog — endemic to the Western Ghats. I learned that frogs breathe through their skin — their moist, mucous-covered surface not only helps retain moisture but also fends off bacteria, fungi, and pathogens. The next time you see a frog, remember: evolution made them far more advanced than we often realise!
Climbing down the hill, we reached a small stream where we found the famous Kempholey Night Frog (Nyctibatrachus kempholeyensis) — another Western Ghats endemic now threatened due to habitat loss. The rainforest, especially during monsoon, is truly the best time to see these wonders.
Throughout the night walk, we spotted a rich variety of frogs: skittering frogs, tree frogs, bush frogs, bicoloured frogs — each perfectly adapted to the dripping, lush habitat. One highlight was the Kumbara Night Frog (Nyctibatrachus kumbara), whose name means ‘potter’ in Kannada — the male smears soil over the eggs laid by the female on wet rock surfaces to protect them. How marvellous that our Western Ghats host such unique species!
Deeper into the jungle, a Thereuopoda centipede with its long spiny legs emerged from the leaf litter, sending chills down my spine. By 11:45 PM, we finally returned to camp — along the way, we even spotted a mid-sized stick insect, blending perfectly into the night.
Of course, no monsoon rainforest walk is complete without our slimy friends — the ever-present leeches which we had to keep flicking off every few minutes. A true rainforest initiation!
A Night Without Networks
Back in our tents, I realised how much I appreciated the company of our four new friends — Umme Salma, Anshika, Aditya, and his wife — all city dwellers unaccustomed to nights without electricity and mobile phones. It’s magical how deep conversations and shared laughter flow when we’re disconnected from the world and fully connected to the moment.
Stream Walk Wonders
Morning came with strong coffee and a hearty breakfast. We were told to wear flip-flops for our next adventure — a stream walk! The sight that awaited us was nothing short of paradise: clear water flowing over smooth rocks, ferns clinging to mossy boulders, and the hush of the forest around us.
Dhiraj explained the wonders of the local flora — species of plants, trees, fungi, and lichens. We came across a cicada so still that it seemed frozen in time; fungi had completely overtaken it, a reminder that in nature, death feeds new life. We marvelled at different fungi: some with hair-like structures, others tiny and transparent. A large fishing spider sat patiently on debris in the stream, waiting to catch prey.
Further upstream, we paused at a confluence where several streams merged into one. We each found our own spot to sit silently for 15 minutes. I spent this time with a damselfly as my companion, the gurgling stream washing my thoughts away. It was one of my favourite moments of the trip.
A bit further along, we found a stunning Tamil Yeoman butterfly — its orange and brown wings adding a burst of colour to the green world. Climbing a small set of natural ‘stairs’ formed by rocks and water, we reached a waterfall that looked like a secret doorway into paradise.
Childhood Joys and Serious Conversations
Back at camp, we sketched, painted, and let our inner children run free. There’s something deeply satisfying about colouring in the middle of a rainforest with like-minded nature lovers. We talked about biodiversity hotspots and the conservation efforts needed to protect the Western Ghats — a region that’s home to so many endemic and endangered species.
That evening, our four new friends packed up to return to the concrete jungle — Bangalore — and the daily grind. Agastya and I had one more night in paradise. Dhiraj asked us to rest while he dropped the guests at Sringeri.
One Last Night Walk
At around 10:45 PM, we set out for another night walk, this time along a different route. We were shocked to find a barbed wire fence deep in the forest — a sign of encroachment. It hurt to see how even these wild places aren’t fully safe from human greed. Along the fence, we spotted frogs and lizards perched precariously on the wire — displaced but hanging on.
Under UV light, Dhiraj revealed a scorpion glowing fluorescent green — my first time seeing this amazing sight. We even found a burrow of the Karwar Large Burrowing Spider (Thrigmopoeus truculentus), an incredible species endemic to the Western Ghats and found nowhere else in the world.
By the time we made it back to camp, I was brimming with gratitude and a fierce protectiveness for this magical landscape.
A Reminder for Us All
Before we left, I recorded short interviews with Dhiraj and Mayra — hoping to share their dedication and deep love for these forests with others. Of all the trips I’ve taken, this one now stands proudly among my top five destinations worldwide.
Experiencing these living rainforests and meeting their remarkable species — from the Indian dwarf gecko to the Wayanad bush frog, Kempholey Night Frog, Kumbara Night Frog, cicada, stick insect, Thereuopoda centipede, Tamil Yeoman butterfly, large fishing spider, scorpion, and Karwar large burrowing spider — makes it clear: these ecosystems give us life. They clean our air, purify our water, and hold secrets we’ve only begun to understand.
If we fail to protect them now, what will we leave for those who come after us? Think twice — or thrice — before doing anything that harms our precious Mother Earth.
Watch the interviews
Talk with Dhiraj
Talk with Mayra
If there’s one place I’d like to go back to, it is this heavenly spot. Truly a glimpse of one of mother nature’s countless engineering marvels. I had a rich learning experience thanks to Dhiraj who is so passionate about what he’s doing and knowledgeable about rainforest habitats. And a memorable trip with my dear friend Rajaram. Let’s do it again!
Super write up..felt I was actually experiencing the walk in the forest
“Breathtakingly beautiful! Your passion for wildlife shines through every word. The photography is stunning, and the storytelling is captivating. A must-read for nature lovers!”
Would love to visit this heavenly place except that I might be concentrating more on the creepy insects crawling into me
Nice writeup Rajaram about the fauna in Kudremukh. Splendid photographs !!