A wildlife sanctuary inside the city — forest trails, birdlife, misty overlooks and calm backwaters you can kayak.
Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary is Vizag's green lung, and we've built three ways into it: a gentle 3 km beginner trail for custom dates, our regular 7 km hike that ends at the Eastern Ghats Biodiversity Centre, and a trail-plus-kayak morning that ends on the sanctuary's calm backwaters. All three start at the Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary gate at 6 am, with parking right at the gate, when the forest is at its most alive — perfect for beginners, nature lovers and anyone easing into the outdoors. Deep inside lives the Nokadora community at Shambhavani Palem, the only tribal village in Visakhapatnam, so we walk quietly and leave nothing behind.
The journey
Beginner Trail — 3 kmAbout 3 hours · custom dates for beginner groups of 6 or more
Parking at the gate
Shaded forest trail, birdlife waking up
~200 m up — forest and city in one view
Explorer Trail — 7 kmAbout 4½ hours · sanctuary gate to the Biodiversity Centre
Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary. Park right at the gate
A steep start, then an easier trail with time to look and listen
Halfway point
The first viewpoint
The second viewpoint
The hike ends here. An auto takes the group back to the gate
About 10:15, or 10:45 if you kayak. Strong sun can shift it a little
Trail + KayakEither trail, then calm-water kayaking
Choose the 3 km or the 7 km loop
Run by another organisation. Life jackets provided, no experience needed
Inside the sanctuary, no swimming needed. Disperse about 10:45
*Timings are approximate and may vary with weather and trail conditions.
Moments from this trail
What your contribution holds
Everything that's taken care of
An EcoHikes lead with the group throughout
Kit carried by the lead
Permissions and coordination
- Personal expenses
- Transport to the Biodiversity Centre
- Anything not mentioned above
What to carry
- Water bottle
- Cap & sunglasses
- Comfortable shoes
- A light backpack
- A change of clothes if you're kayaking
Trip essentials
Tap a card for the full details.
Questions, answered
Which trail should I pick?
The 7 km is our regular hike and earns the best viewpoints. The 3 km beginner trail runs on custom dates for beginner groups of 6 or more.
Do I need kayaking experience?
None. Kayaking is run by another organisation inside the sanctuary, life jackets are provided, and the water is shallow, so you don't need to swim. The briefing covers everything.
Can children join?
Yes, from age 6 — the beginner trail was made for families.
What wildlife might we see?
Birdlife above all — early morning is the sanctuary's rush hour. Butterflies, wildflowers, and if you're lucky, larger residents at a distance.
What people say
“Incredibly friendly guides — knowledgeable, always ready to help, and they made the journey fun and safe. They took time to explain things and made the trek enjoyable for everyone.”
“What makes Eco Hikes special is the authenticity — no rush, no commercial vibe, just genuine people helping you connect deeply with nature.”
“Ravi, Naveen and Manohar take care of the people and make every trek safe and memorable. My 3rd time trekking with Ecohikes and many more to come.”
Similar experiences
How joining works
Fill the short form or write to us — we reply within a day.
A quick call or WhatsApp — group size and where to meet.
We hold your spot — groups are capped at 15.
Your confirmation arrives by mail — and you join the batch WhatsApp circle.