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Nagarhole Wildlife Sanctuary
Location: Karnataka
Area: 664 sq. km
Major Wildlife Attractions: Elephant, Bison
Best time to visit: September to May
Places to Stay: Rest Houses, Kabini River Lodge
About Nagarhole Wildlife Sanctuary
One of the prominent wildlife parks
in the country, Nagarhole Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the south
Indian state of Karnataka. A former hunting reserve for the maharajas
of Mysore, the park was set up in 1955 with the prime objective of
providing a protective habitat to the wild animals of the area.
The major wildlife attractions of the sanctuary include the gigantic
Indian Elephant and the mighty Indian Bison along with a variety of
other animals. Over 250 species of beautiful avians also adorn the
park with their chirpings. River Kabini, which flows along the
southern fringes of the park seperates it from the Bandipur National
Park.
The climate of the area generally remains equable with temperatures
hovering around 33 degrees during the summers and 20 degrees during
the winters. The monsoon season which lasts from June to September is
a period when the heavens open and the area is lashed by heavy rains.
The sanctuary is worth a visit during the dry months when animals come
out in large numbers near whatever water is left in the water bodies.
The forest department offers mini bus safaris into the park. Jeep
safaris are allowed if you can take in your own jeep with the
permission of the forest department. However, it is mandatory to take
along a guide on a jeep safari. Safaris begin from the range office
inside the park, 45 km from Hunsur via Veeranahosahalli. Elephant
rides lasting for 30 minutes are also organised by the forest
department. The joyride comprises of tourists being taken around on an
elephant around the park.
Wildlife Attractions in
Nagarhole Wildlife Sanctuary
The topography of the park is extremely varied which makes it an
ideal habitat for the wild animals. The flora consists mainly of moist
deciduous thick forests that rise up to the skies allowing very little
sunlight to penetrate through. The lush tropical forests, swamps and
numerous water bodies make it one of the most attractive national
parks in the country.
A number of rare animals inhabit the picturesque wildlife sanctuary,
prominent among those are the four-horned antelope, sloth bear, jungle
cat, civet, spotted deer, elephant, wild dog, flying fox, tiger,
panther, gaur (Indian bison), sambhar, wild boar, black-naped hare,
bonnet macaque, and pangolin. The crawlers include cobras, crocodiles,
kraits, pythons, vipers and several species of lizards.
More than 250 species of birds are among the registered residents of
the park, the prominent ones being common babbler, bee-eater, bulbul,
dove, crested serpent, hornbill, Malabar pied, alexandrine, peacock,
woodpecker, warbler, great Indian reed, eagle, crested hawk,
golden-back parakeet and the southern tree pie.
Best Time to Visit Nagarhole Wildlife Sanctuary
The best visiting season of Nagarhole Wildlife Sanctuary is from
September to May.
How to Get there
Air: Bangalore is the nearest airport, connected by daily
Indian Airlines flight from Delhi (6:15, 16:30 & 19:55) from
Mumbai (6:15, 9:30, 13:30, 17:30 & 20:45) from Kolkata (19:55) and
from Chennai (7:00)
Rail: Mysore is the nearest railhead. It is connected to Delhi
through the Swarna Jayanti Exp. (6:00, Mon), Mumbai is connected
through the Sharavathi Exp. (21:30, Tue). Bangalore is well connected
through a number of daily trains including Mysore Pass (23:55), Mysore
Exp.(4:10), Mysore Exp. (6:13) & Mysore Pass (6:30) while Chennai
is connected through the Mysore Exp. (21:45).
Road: To reach by road from Bangalore, take the state highway
17 to Shrirangapatna via Maddur, bypass to Coorg via Ranganathittu.
From there take SH88 to Hunsur and state roads to Nagarhole via
Veeranahosahalli and Murkal. Regular buses are available from all the
major cities. State transport buses from Mysore charge a fair of
around Rs. 50-60/head. |
