Counted as one of the well-kept national parks of India, Nagarhole is a delight for lovers of Indian Tigers and Asiatic Elephants.
Nagarhole National Park, also known as Rajiv Gandhi National Park is the enchanting 247 square-mile long wild reserve located in Kodagu and Mysore district of Karnataka. Adorned with rich forest cover at the west of the Kabini River, the Nagarhole National Park is celebrated as one of the best wildlife parks as well as the Bandipur bird sanctuary.
Nagarhole name has been derived from two Kannada name, Nagar means "snake" and hole meaning streams. Genuinely, the name strikes the true meaning to this national park where few serpentine streams fork through the rich tropical forests running eastwards through its center. The birth of Nagarhole National Parkcan be traced by the stretching area of 258 sq km when it was a hunting reserve for the Maharajas of Mysore.
The park was declared as a tiger reserve in the year 1999 to exemplify rich forest cover, small streams, hills, valleys and waterfalls. The park has a healthy tiger-predator ratio, with many tigers, Indian bison and elephants.
Nagarhole dominated by its splendid display of nature's offerings can provide you with a complete tourist experience coming full circle with a number of temples and other elements of culture. When you are not busy spotting Asiatic elephants, Indian Bisons or beautiful birds around the place, you can witness your breath being taken away by the waterfalls in the area.
The vegetation in this park predominantly comprises of moist, tropical and mixed deciduous forest, with some portions being the dry deciduous type. Rosewood, Sandalwood, Teakwood and Silver Oak are some of the more commercially important and easily available trees in this area.
Nagarhole aims to bring the most wildering effect on wildlife lovers and hence loves flourishing carnivorous and predators. Visitors can spot Wild Dogs, Hyena, Wild Bears, Leopards and Tigers in huge numbers here.
The park is also full of herbivorous animals like Spotted Deer, Barking Deer, Four-Horned Antelope, Sambar, Elephant, Gaur and Wild Boar. Bamboo thickets and luxurious forests provide the perfect backdrop to watch elephants happily roaming in their natural surroundings.
Over 250 species of birds can also be located in the vicinity of this park. Visitors can spot large groups waterfowls in River Kabini and a huge variety of woodland birds all around the park. Scarlet minivet, blue-bearded bee-eater, ospreys, ducks, Malabar whistling thrush, Racket Tailed Drongo, Ibis, Honey Buzzards, a variety of Woodpeckers, Painted Stork, Pied and the Common Kingfisher are just a few of the many species of birds found here.
Climate
The best time to visit is from October to May. During this period, spotting animals and birds is easy. Travel within the park is also easier. It is better to avoid monsoon season. During heavy rain, the park might be closed for visitors.
- October - May
