About 22% of Karnataka’s land area is covered with lush forests – from evergreen forests of the Western Ghats to the scrub jungles of the plains. This area is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. In fact, the highest density of tigers in the country can be found here, as are a quarter of the world’s population of Asiatic elephants. Welcomes to Karnataka. Welcome to the world of wildlife.
BANDIPUR NATIONAL PARK
Tread the path of the erstwhile Maharaja of Mysore with a visit to Bandipur, about 80 km south of Mysore on the Mysore – Ooty Road . The reserve is playground for wildlife, with elephants taking the lead role. Be prepared for an unforgettable experience!
You might see a tiger prowling amidst the miss of deciduous, evergreen forest and scrub land vegetation. Set against the picturesque backdrop of the enchanting mist – covered Niligiri Mountains , Bandipur once the Mysore Maharaja’s private hunting ground, was brought under Project Tiger in 1973.
This is one of the best game sanctuaries in India to observe and photograph wildlife in close proximity. A temple perched atop the Himad Gopalaswamy Hill, the highest peak in the Bandipur range, is worth a visit.
Flora & Fauna : Deciduous, evergreen and scrub land vegetation.
Reptiles : Common rate snake, Russell’s viper, common krait, Indian python, flying snake and cobra
Birds : Over 230 species of birds including heron, stork, egret, eagle, falcon, peafowl, lapwing, sandpiper, wood pecker, drongo and warbler.
Getting There : Mysore – 80 km; Ooty – 80 km; Bangalore – 220 km.Nearest railway station and airport are at Mysore & Bangalore respectively.
Hotels : Bush Betta Holiday Wildlife Adventure Resort, Forest Department Cottages, KSTDC Mayura Prakruti.
RAJIV GANDHI NATIONAL PARK (NAGARHOLE)
Nagarhole has an astonishing abundance of wildlife, especially the Asiatic elephants. The backdrop of the distant misty blue Brahmagiri Mountains , the natural sounds of the jungle, the gurgling of streams and rivers, and the twittering of the birds, make Nagarhole a memorable experience.
Best Season : May to October
Flora & Fauna : Covered mainly by moist and dry deciduous forests and dominated by teak and rosewood in the eastern limits of the park.
Mammals : Tiger, leopard, elephant, gaur, sloth bear, Asiatic wild dog, wild boar, Indian bison, striped hyena, sambar, spotted deer, barking deer, mouse deer, slender Loris, black – napped hare,jackal,langur,wild pig,porcupine,Malabar squirrel, and the four – horned antelope.
Birds :Herons, storks, egrets, ducks, kites, eagles, falcons, partridges, peafowl, lapwings, sndpipers, woodpecker, sun – birds,wagtails,warblers,babblers,shrikes and owls.
Reptiles : Marsh crocodile, star tortoise, common Indian monitor lizard, chameleon, rat snake, Russell’s viper, common krait and Indian python.
Getting There : Mysore – 94 km; Bangalore – 234 km. Nearest railway station and airport are at Mysore & Bangalore respectively.
Hotels : Kabini River Lodge, Jungle Inn, Forest Department Cottages.
KABINI
Kabini is a tributary of the River Cauvery located at Karapur near Nagarahole Wildlife National Park . Its main attraction is the convergence of spectacular wildlife and birdlife on the banks of River Kabini in summer. Rated among the top 5 wildlife resorts in the world by the British magazine Tatlers, Kabini River Lodge originally belonged to the Maharaja of Mysore. It is very close to Nagarhole National Park and is a paradise on the banks of the river Kabini. Elephant, Monkey, Bison, Panther, Sambar, Sloth Bear, Crocodile, Goldenbacked Woodpecker, Osprey and the White Necked Stork are to be found in abundance here.
Getting There : Mysore – 94 km; Bangalore – 234 km. nearest railway station and airport are at Mysore & Bangalore respectively.
Hotels : Kabini River Lodge, Jungle Inn, Forest Department Cottages.
CAUVERY WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Tucked away amidst mountains, valleys, a mighty river, jungle sounds, and lush greenery, the sanctuary is an idyllic getaway where anglers and nature enthusiasts can get a whiff of raw adventure and a view of the majestic River Cauvery as it bounces over jagged rockes.Here, you can trek to the top of the hill to get a panoramic view of the river flowing through the picturesque valley below. You could also visit the ruins of the magnificent sculpted Shiva Temple ,a place of worship for the
local Soliga tribes, raft down the rapids of the River Cauvery, or even indulge in game fishing.
Best Season : November to March. .
Flora & Fauna : Riverine and dry deciduous forests with some patches of scrub forest.
Mammals : Tiger, leopard, elephant, wild boar, sambar, spotted deer, barking deer, Malabar giant squirrel, grizzled giant squirrel, common otter, hare and the four – horned antelope.
Birds : Sirkeer cuckoo, green – billed malkoha, white – browed bulbul and pigmy woodpecker.
Getting There : Bangalore 100 km.Nearest railway station and airport is at Bangalore .
Hotels : - Log Huts and tented accommodation at Cauvery Fishing Camp.
B.R HILLS SANCTUARY
This place has a hill resort and a wildlife sanctuary. There are many trekking trails here, including one that leads up to Honnamati, the highest point of the range.
Best Season : September to May.
Flora & Fauna : The vegetation ranges from dray scrub jungle to evergreen forests and high – altitude shoal grassland habitat.
Mammals : Tiger, leopard, elephant, wild dog, jungle cat, sloth bear,civet,mongoose,porcupine,common langur,bonnet macaque, wild pig, gaur, sambar, spotted deer, Malabar giant squirrel, and the four – horned antelope.
Birds : Malabar whistling thrush, yellow – throated bulbul, paradise flycatcher, racquet tailed drongo, and the crested hawk eagle. There is also an amazing variety of exotic butterflies.
Getting There : Mysore – 110 km; Bangalore – 250 km. Nearest railway station and airport are at Mysore & Bangalore respectively.
Hotels : - B R Hills Wildlife Adventure Resort & Forest Department Guest Houses.
RANGANATHITTU BIRD SANCTUARY
Just outside Srirangapatna, near Mysore , River Cauvery meanders around a string of tiny islets, which together form a splendid nesting site for waterfowl. Experience the excitement of a boat ride that takes you within touching distance of the birds as marsh crocodiles bask in the sun. Delight yourself in watching the winged visitors making happy forays into the water.
Best Season : June to November
Flora & Fauna : Riverside forests as well as some deciduous forests, bamboo, eucalyptus, figs, jamun and acacia.
Mammals & Reptiles : Flying fox, bonnet macaque, common otter, common mongoose, palm civet, marsh crocodile.
Birds : Little cormorant, large cormorant,shag,darter,white ibis,spoonbill,open – billed stork, painted stork,egret,heron,river tern, great stone plover,kingfisher,Indian cliff swallow and the lesser whistling teal.
Getting There : Mysore – 19 km; Bangalore – 128 km. Nearest railway station and airport are at Mysore & Bangalore respectively.
Hotels : Amblee Holiday Resort, Fort View Resort, Balaji Garden Resort, KSTDC Mayura River View.
KOKKREBELLUR PELICANRY
Every year hundred of winged visitors come together to set up a unique orchestra at Kokkrebellur with their shrill cries and cacophonous calls. You can watch the performances of painted storks and pelicans resplendent in their breeding plumage, with the seemingly frail but gregarious fledglings perched atop the tamarind, peepul and Portia trees dotting the village.
Best Season : December to April.
Getting There : Maddur – 13 km; Mandya – 40 km; Bangalore – 80 km. Nearest railway station and airport are at Maddur & Bangalore respectively.
Hotels : Hari Priya Hotel.
KAGGALADU HERONRY
A nondescript village in Tumkur district wakes up each year to the raucous cries and colorful plumage of painted storks and grey herons as they nest on old tamarind trees amidst the houses.
Best Season : December to May.
Getting There : Sira – 9 km; Tumkur – 64 km; Bangalore – 129 km. Nearest railway station and airport are at Tumkur & Bangalore respectively.
Accommodation : No accommodation is available here; nearby Tumkur is the best place to camp for night.
BENNERGHATTA NATIONAL PARK
Bannerghatta National Park is home to panthers, lions, tigers and a large variety of birds. Here, you can indulge your sense of adventure with a lion and tiger safari. The tourist area in the north of the park has a lion and tiger safari, a herbivore safari, a mini zoo, a reptile park, a mini aviary and a museum.
Best Season : Year – round
Flora & Fauna : Dry deciduous forests and thorny scrub, with patches of moist deciduous forests along the streams.
Mammals : L eopard, elephant, jackal, fox wild pig, gaur, sloth bear, sambar, spotted deeer, barking deer, common langur, bonnet, macaque, porcupine, and the hare.
Getting There : Bangalore – 25 km. Nearest railway station and airport are at Bangalore .
Accommodation : Bannerghatta Nature Camp.
DANDELI WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Undulating streams, whispering bamboo, diverse wildlife and in numbering trekking trails make Dandeli a dreams destination. River Kali and its tributaries, Kaneri and Nagajhari, meander through the moist deciduous and semi – evergreen forests.
The Dandeli forests also play host to the graceful Virnoli Rapids, the magnificent Supa Dam, the sinister Syntheri Roacks, Nagajhari View point, the Kulgi Nature Education Camp, the Kavla Caves with their Shivling – like stalagmites, and Sykes Point, which offers a stunning view of the Kalinadi Valley .
Best Season : October to March
Flora & Fauna : Moist deciduous and semi evergreen forests. The area is also rich in bamboo.
Mammals : Elephant,gaur,tiger,pather,sambar,spotted deer, mouse deer, barking deer, sloth bear, wild boar, wild dog,mongoose,porcupine,jackal,,and the common langur.
Birds : Golden – backed woodpecker, crested serpent eagle, white breasted kingfisher, grey hornbill, great pied hornbill, Malabar pied hornbill.
Reptiles : Crocodiles and various kinds of snakes.
Getting There : Dharwad – 57 km; Hubli – 72 km; Belgaum – 109 km; Bangalore – 480 km.Nearest railheads are Londa (25 km),Dharwad (57 km) and Hubli (72 km).Nearest airport is at Dabolim (Goa) around 145 km away.
Accommodation : Kali Wilderness and Adventure Camp, Bison River Resort, State Lodge
GADAVI BIRD SANCTUARY
An obscure village in Sorab Taluk of Shimoga District comes alive in June as the energetic chirping of birds fills the air.
Best Season : June to October.
Flora & Fauna : Surrounded by agricultural fields on the west and north and by most deciduous forest on the east and south, 191 species of flora and fauna has been identifies.
Birds : Grey heron, night heron, little cormorant, jungle fowl, waterfowl, white - headed crane, pond heron and the black - headed crane.
Getting There : Soraba – 12 km; Sagar – 42 km; Shimoga – 112 km; Bangalore – 377 km.Nearest railheads are Dhimoga (112 km) and Mangalore (272 km).Nearest airport is at Mangalore (272 km).
Birds : Grey heron, night heron, little cormorant, jungle fowl, waterfowl, white - headed crane, pond heron and the black - headed crane. 112 km)
Accommodation : As accommodation is not available at Gudavi Bird Sanctuary, you will need to stay at Shimoga.
BHADRA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Popularly known as Muthodi Wildlife Sanctuary, after the village on its periphery, the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary is a great place to sight the ferocious tigher, the Indian bison and hear the eerie calls of the striped hyena.
Best Season : October to February.
Flora & Fauna : Moist and dry deciduous forests with patched of shoal – grassland habitats are found at the higher altitudes.
Mammals : Tiger,leopard,wild dog,,jackal,elephant,gaur,sloth bear,sambar,spotted deer, barking deer, mouse deer, wild boar, common langur,bonnet macaque, slender loris, and the Malabar giant squirrel.
Reptiles : Marsh crocodile, flying lizard, monitor lizard and different kinds of snakes.
Getting There : Chikmagalur – 30 km; Bangalore – 265 km.Nearest railheads are Kadur (40 km) and Mangalore (180 km).Nearest airport is at Bangalore (265 km).
Hotels : As accommodation is not available at Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, you will need to stay at Chikmagalur.The hotels at Chikmagalur are Taj Garden Retreat, The Planters Court, Hotel Mount Palace , Hotel Malnad Paradise, Muthodi Nature Camp, Hotel Rajmahal, Woodlands, Giri Lodge, Soundarya Residency, Hotel G T K Towers, J P Lodge and Restaurant, Hotel President’s Palace, Padmashree Lodage, Asha Hotel.
KUDREMUKH NATIONAL PARK
As yet undiscovered by tourist, Kudremukh is a trekker’s paradise. Let the wonderland of lush green forests interspersed with rivers, grassy slopes, captivating cascades, rare orchids,caves,ruins and traces of old civilizations amaze you as you trek your way across.
Best Season : October to May, immediately after the monsoon when everything is lush green and the rivers, streams
Flora & Fauna : Mostly evergreen and semi - evergreen forests with shoal grassland habitat at elevations above 1400m
Mammals : Tiger,leopard,wild dog,jackal,lion – tailed macaque, common langur,sloth bear,gaur,sambar,spotted deeer,barking deer, Malabar giant squirrel, giant flying squirrel, porcupine and the mongoose.
Reptiles : Snakes and tortoises.
Birds : Malabar trogon, great pied hornbill, Malabar whistling thrush and the imperial pigeon.
Getting There : Kalasa – 20 km; Karkala – 50 km; Mudigere – 75 km; Mangalore – 130km; Bangalore – 350 km.Nearest railway station and airport is at Mangalore.
Hotels : Silent Valley Corporate Resorts.Seethanadi Nature Camp and Hotel Chandan.
VALNUR FISHING CAMP
Located near Kushalnagar on the banks of the River Cauvery is the Valnur Fishing Camp, where avid fishing enthusiasts can indulge in the luxury of angling for mahsee.Valnur is also a haven for birdwatchers, with innumerable avian species to be spotted and identifies.
Accommodation: As accommodation is not available at Valnur, you will need to stay at Madikeri.Orange County Resort, Hotel Coorg Internatioanl, Capitol Village , Hotel Rajdarshan, Hotel Sangam & Brahmagiri Comfort Deluxe Lodge, Hill Town Hotel, KSTDC Mayura Valley View, and Hotel Cauvery.
ANSHI NATIONAL PARK
Located in an eco-sensitive part of the Western Ghats , Anshi is rich in rare species of flora and fauna. About 197 species of birds have been spotted here. If you can brave the torrential rains and leeches, you can feast your eyes on the variety of flowers in bloom in August and September, while enjoying the many small brooks, springs, and cascades.
Best Season : November to June.
Flora & Fauna : Semi-evergreen and evergreen forests
Reptiles : The king cobra, python, rat snake, viper, and the krait can be found here.
Birds : They include the great pied hornbill, Malabar hornbill and the Ceylon frogmouth.
Getting There : Bangalore – 580 km.Nearest railheads are Dharwas (100 km) and Belgaum (110 km).Nearest airport is at Dabolim ( Goa ) – 150 km
Hotels : Accommodation is not available in the park. You could stay at Dandeli or Dharwad.
MANDAGADDE BIRD SANCTUARY
This is one of the few bird sanctuaries in the Malnad region of the Karnataka. Mandagadde is surrounded by dense forest. A small island is formed by the flowing river Tunga and every year, three species of migratory birds take shelter on the leafless trees found here: the median egret, the little cormorant and the darter. During the peak season in August, the total number of birds in the sanctuary is estimated at 5000. A watchtower has been erected for viewing these winged visitors. Boating arrangements for closer viewing of the nesting birds have also been made by the Forest Department.
Best Season : July to September
Getting There : Shimoga – 30 km; Bangalore – 345 km.Nearest airport is t Mangalore (140 km).
