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The
Nagarhaole National Park in Karnataka shares its
boundaries with the famous Bandipur National Park in
Karanataka, which together form a part of the Mudumalai
Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu and the Wayanad Reserve in
Kerala. About 643 kms in area, Nagarhole Wildlife
Sanctuary is home to the tiger along with the other wild
life species and around 250 bird species. Located aside
the river Kabini, the dam and the reservoir of this
mighty Kabini river acts as a natural barrier separating
the two wildlife sanctuaries - Bandipur and Nagarhole -
in Karnataka.
The Nagarhole national park lies at a distance of 96 kms
from Mysore. This protected territory is the habitat of
several endangered species. Nagarhole derives its name
from the root word `Naga' from Kannada language, which
means `snake' and `Hole' that means `streams'. Thus the
term as a whole point towards the numerous streams that
leaps through the rich tropical forests of Nagarhole
like a snake.
Also bordering the state of Kerala, the Nagarhole
National Park was designated as a game sanctuary in
1955. In 1974, it was extended to its present size
combining the Mysore forests within the Nagarhole
Wildlife Sanctuary. The deep valleys and the mesmerising
landscapes in the sanctuary make it a picture perfect
destination in every manner. Apart from the largest
Kabini river that drains the Nagarhole national park,
the other three important rivers include Lakshmana,
Teentha and Nagarhole. Several perennial and seasonal
streams also merge into the four rivers.
Wildlife in Nagarhole National
Park
The 643 square kilometer Nagarhole National Park in
Karnataka, India offers a natural habitat to a hoard of
wildlife such as tigers, leopards, elephants, gaur,
muntjac, bonnet macaques, langurs and other animals.
The Nagarhole national Park is an integral part of the
Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Nagarhole supports a variety
of wildlife such as the Nilgiri tahr, bison, Nilgiri
langur, wild boar, deer, Asian elephant, dholes,
porcupines, slender Loris, common otter, pangolin,
mouse-deer, giant flying squirrel, marsh crocodile, rock
python, monitor lizard, frogs, aquatic and terrestrial
tortoises, tree frogs and other animals.
The ideal time to go on wildlife tours to Nagarhole in
Karnataka, India is during the summer months as you are
likely to get a glimpse of rare wildlife that gather
near the water holes to beat the intense heat. Though
the Nagarhole National Park is out of bounds to visitors
during the monsoon months as the trails in the forests
get submerged in rainwater and leeches grow in profusion
all over the dense undergrowth.
Also spot rare insects and birds while on wildlife tours
to the Nagarhole National Park in Karnataka, India.
Vegetation in Nagarhole
National Park
Typical Nilgiri type vegetation greets you as you go on
wildlife tours to the Nagarhole National Park in
Karnataka, India. The lush green and thick leafy
vegetation that carpets the hills and the deep valleys
with the Kabini River snaking its way around the
wildlife sanctuary create picturesque visions.
Marsh areas and dense moist deciduous vegetation offer
the ideal habitat for the varied wildlife that
flourishes at the Nagarhole National Park.
In fact the predominant vegetation at the Nagarhole
National Park in Karnataka, India is that of southern
tropical forests that are interspersed with mixed
deciduous type vegetation, moist deciduous vegetation
and a substantial growth of dry deciduous vegetation.
Several shrubs and weeds grow in abundant profusion all
over the Nagarhole forests. Popularly identified shrub
vegetation at the Nagarhole National Park includes
Lantana, Eupatorium and other shrubs that belong to the
Desmodium, Helicteres and Solanum families.
Tours invites you to avail of its exotic wildlife
packages that take you to a natural haven rich in flora
and fauna at the Nagarhole National Park in Karnataka,
India.
Birds in Nagarhole National
Park
The Nagarhole National Park has now been renamed as the
Rajiv Gandhi National Park and offers a sanctuary to a
large variety of birds.
Some of the commonly sighted birds at the Nagarhole
National Park in Karnataka, India are the blue-bearded
bee-eater, Malabar trogon, Malabar whistling thrush,
crested serpent-eagle, crested hawk-eagle, Malabar
pied-hornbill, Common Hawk Cuckoo, Changeable Hawk
Eagle, Indian Roller, Indian reed, Woodpeckers,
Warblers, Grey jungle fowl, water fowl, scarlet minivet,
ospreys, ducks, herons, red vented bulbul, ring dove,
common babbler, scinaitar babbler, loriekeet, red
whiskered bulbul, biyth's myna and other birds.
Feast your eyes on the riot of colors of the feathered
species and enjoy the natural songs as the birds
twitter, play and go about their daily jungle activities
while on your wildlife tours to the Nagarhole National
Park in Karnataka, India.
In fact that there are about 250 species of birds that
stay at the Nagarhole National Park in Karnataka, India.
So go on exclusive bird watching wildlife tours to
Nagarhole and identify the different species of its
feathered inhabitants and enjoy yourself thoroughly.
Flora in the Nagarhole National
Park
Due to the high rainfall in the region, the National
Park consists of numerous open grassy swamps known as
the 'hadlus' in the local language, which remain green
perennially. The dry as well as the moist deciduous
forests cover the whole area mainly consisting of the
floral species like teak and eucalyptus. Wildlife at
Nagarhole National Park
The animals that are commonly seen in the national park
are: tiger, leopard, panther, sloth bear, gaur,
elephant, sambhar, chital and other mammals like muntjac,
the tiny mouse deer, giant squirrel, slender loris,
langurs, wild boar, pangolin and macaques. The Park has
about 250 bird species like Malabar trogan, the Indian
Pitta, green imperial pigeon the Malabar pied hornbill
and the great black woodpecker. The jungle cat, leopard
cat and rusty spotted cat are also the other wildlife
species within the national park.
When to Visit Nagarhole
National Park
Though the park is open all through the year, the best
time to visit the national park is from October to
April. The monsoon season is from June to September;
followed by winters till January; and then summer from
February to May.
How To Reach Nagarhole National
Park
By Road: Nagarhole National Park is well
connected by road with the major towns like Madikeri (93
km), Mysore (96 km) and Bangalore (236 km). The tourists
can board a flight or catch a train from these towns and
cities.
By Air: The nearest airports are Mysore and
Bangalore. From these two airports, the tourists can
board a flight to their desired destination. The
Bangalore airport is well connected with all the major
cities in India.
General Information
The tourists have to move in the jeeps or vans run by
the forest department within the Nagarhole National
Park, as the local transport is not available in the
park. The visitors have to compulsorily take the veteran
guides along with them while their park tour. The
observation towers offer a panoramic view of the
greenery in the park and also a close view of the
wildlife in the park. The best time to use the
watchtowers is during the early hours (6-9 AM) and late
afternoon (4-7 PM). The nearest and short excursions to
be enjoyed by the tourists in the park are: Bandipur
National Park (100 km), Madikeri (93 km) and Mysore (96
km). |