Located
96 kms from Mysore in Karnataka, Nagarhole National Park is a part of the
Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and shares its boundary with the Bandipur National
Park in Karanataka, the Mudumalai Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu and the Wayanad
Reserve in Kerala; making it one of the largest wildlife sanctuaries in
India. The Kabini river creates a natural barrier between the Bandipur
Wildlife Sanctuary and the Nagarhole Wildlife Sanctuary. Established in 1955
as a wildlife sanctuary, Nagarhole was designated a national park in 1975.
The park derived its name from two Kannada words 'Naga', which means snake
and 'Hole, which means streams. The term indicates towards the natural
rivulets, which meander across the tropical forests of Nagarhole, just like
a snake. The other three important rivers that drain the Nagarhole National
Park include Lakshmana, Teentha and Nagarhole. The park is home to diverse
flora and fauna is counted among India’s best wildlife parks.
Best time to visit :
The best time to visit Nagarhole National Park is between October to May.
In summer (March-May), the temperature is around 33°C, while in winter
(November-January) temperature drops to 14°C.
Nagarhole can be visited all through winter and through the pre-monsoon
half of the summer. The winter months from November-February are especially
pleasant, and are the best time. The summer, on the other hand, is a great
time to see wildlife, including the tiger. The dry and hot season is the
time when the animals gather at the lake. The monsoons (June-September)
should be best avoided.
How to get there ?
» By Air - The nearest airports from the national
park are Mysore (96 kms) and Bangalore (236 kms). The tourists can board a
flight to their desired destination from these airports.
» By Rail - Mysore (96 kms) is the nearest railhead.
» By Road - Nagarhole National Park is well
connected with other parts of the state like Madikeri (93 kms), Mysore (96
kms) and Bangalore (236 kms) by road.
Travelling
within the park : The best way to explore Nagarhole National Park is
through an elephant safari. Tourists can also opt for a jeep safari or
wildlife safari in the vans operated by the forest department within the
Nagarhole National Park. The veteran guides have to accompany the visitors
compulsorily while their park tour. Tourists can also have a close view of
the wildlife from the observation towers in the park.
Major Attractions of Nagarhole National Park :
» Flora - The main vegetation in the Nagarhole
National Park is of southern tropical, moist, mixed deciduous type with a
substantial eastern portion intergrading into dry deciduous type. Terminalia
tomentosa, Tectonia grandis, Dalbergia latifolia, Pterocarpus marsupium,
Lagerstroemia lanceolata, Anogeissus latifolia, Adina cordifolia, Boambax
malabaricum, Schleichera trijuga, Ficus, and others dominate the upper tree
canopy. The lower canopy has Kydia calycina, Emblica officinalis, Gmelina
arborea etc. Several shrubs belonging to Solanum, Desmodium and Helicteres
etc. are abundantly found but weedy shrubs like Eupatorium and Lantana now
dominate.
» Fauna - The important predators and carnivores in
the Nagarhole National Park are tiger, leopard, wild dog (dhole or Cuon
alpinus), sloth bear and the Hyena. The herbivores spotted are deer, sambar,
barking deer, four-horned antelope (Tetracerus quadricornis), gaur (Bos
gaurus), wild boar (Sus scrofa) and elephant. Moreover, southern population
of Gaur (jungle Bison) can also be spotted. This park is also a good place
to see elephants in the luxuriant forests and bamboo thickets. About 250
species of birds are present in the Nagarhole National Park. Some of the
birds that you may come across are Malabar trogon, crested hawk-eagle,
crested serpent-eagle and Malabar pied-hornbill. Cobras, crocodiles, kraits,
pythons, vipers, and various other species of lizards are also found here.
Accommodation :
There are a number of lodges and rest houses in the vicinity of the park.
The forest department runs two rest houses that can be booked in advance.
State-owned forest rest houses, private lodges and cottages are among the
accommodation options in Nagarhole. There is also a posh river lodge
(state-run) at the Kabini River, which, though it comes for a high-end
price, also offers a great experience. Similarly priced accommodation
options exist in towns just outside the Park, at Veerana Hosahalli and at
Siddapura in Coorg.
Neraby Cities :
Mysore (90 kms), Banglore (236 kms) and Madikeri (93 kms)
»
»
