Nagarhole National Park Tourist Guide - India's Famous Dense Tropical Forest

Nagarhole National Park Tourist Guide: Overview

Nagarhole National Park is a national park located in Kodagu district and Mysore district in state of Karnataka India.  It was originally constituted into a sanctuary in the year 1955 covering an area of 258 sq. Kms and subsequently enlarged to include the adjoining areas of Mysore district and now extends over an area of 643.39 sq. kms which was given the status of a National Park in 1983. 

The enchanting 247 square-mile park in Karnataka has an astonishing abundance of wildlife including maintains conservation of animals like 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. Cobras, crocodiles, kraits, pythons, vipers, and several species of lizards are also found here. It has also a large population of elephants and bysons.

What is unique in Nagarhole National Park and Why?

Nagarhole National Park is counted among the well maintained national parks in India. It is an ethereal wild haven that is home to wild elephants, wild dogs, gaur and tigers. The park has rich forest cover, small streams, hills, valleys and waterfalls. The park has a healthy predator-prey ratio, with many tigers, Indian bison and elephants.

Why you must visit Nagarhole National Park?

• Nagarhole (Or Rajiv Gandhi National Park) is one of the best-managed parks in the Country offering a very good park experience.

• Guests at Nagarhole enjoy game drivers (Jeep Safaris), birding, coracle ride, boat ride and elephant ride at the Elephant training camp.

• Nagarhole Park is open throughout the year and offers extensive sighting for Wild Elephants, Gaur, Bison, Wild Dogs, Deers, Fox and crocodiles. Tigers and Leopards are more elusive and not spotted as often.

• Kabini area is scenic due to a dam built on the Kabini has created a splendid lake to the south of the park, which separates it from Bandipur Tiger Reserve. To the south – east lies the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary while to the west, coffee plantations separate the park from Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary.

About Nagarhole National Park

Nagarhole National Park is counted among India’s one of the best wildlife parks due to the large elephant and bison population. The park has been recently renamed as Rajiv Gandhi National Park after the late Prime Minister of India. It also hosts a variety of animal species along with approximately 250 species of birds. On its northern confines is the Kabini River and on its southern fringes is the Bandipur national park. The park has rich forest cover, small streams, hills, valleys and waterfalls. The park has a healthy predator-prey ratio, with many tigers, Indian bison and elephants.

Flora & Fauna of Nagarhole National Park

The predominant vegetation in the Nagarhole National Park is of southern tropical, moist, mixed deciduous type with a substantial eastern portion intergrading into dry deciduous type. There are Central Deccan Plateau dry deciduous forests with Pala indigo and thorny wattle towards the east. There are some sub montane valley swamp forests with several species of the Eugenia genus.

The main trees found here are the commercially important rosewood, teak, sandalwood and silver oak. Species of trees of the dry deciduous forest include crocodile bark, Lagerstroemia lanceolata (crepe myrtle), Indian kino tree, Grewia tilaefolia, rosewood and axlewood. The main trees found here are the commercially important rosewood, teak, sandalwood and silver oak. Species of trees of the dry deciduous forest include crocodile bark, Lagerstroemia lanceolata (Crepe myrtle),Grewiatilaefolia, Indian Kino Tree, rosewood and axlewood. Other tree species that are seen in the forests are Lagerstroemia microcarpa , Schleicheratrijuga, Kadam, cotton tree and some species of Ficus.

Fauna: The important predators and carnivora in the Nagarhole National Park are tiger, leopard, wild dog (dhole or Cuon alpinus), sloth bear and the hyena (Hyaena hyaena). The herbivores are spotted deer, sambar deer, barking deer, four-horned antelope (Tetracerus quadricornis), gaur (Bos gaurus), wild boar (Sus scrofa) and elephant. major attractions of this park. Presence of grassy swamps is ideal for inhibiting snakes as well.

Wildlife Destinations in India offering best Park Experience

Nagarhole National Park (or popularly known as Kabini) is the best park in South India renowned for its birdlife and rich wildlife experience. Nagarhole / Kabini has been attracting Wildlife Photographers since early 1990s and continues to be one of the best managed parks in India.

Most Popular Wildlife Destinations in India

Nagarhole (Kabini) (230 kms from Bangalore and 80 kms Mysore) is a wildlife destination and a hugely popular nature centric getaway. Travellers to Kabini enjoy the riverside / lakeside experience offered by lodges and resorts around Kabini reservoir and enjoy nature walks, bird watching, jeep safaris. While Kabini is not the park to visit for Tiger sightings, it certainly is one for bird watching, Leopard sighting and overall park experience. Proximity of Kabini from other popular destinations

Destinations for the Holiday Traveller to Karnataka, North Kerala and Nilgiris

Nagarhole or Kabini (80 kms from Mysore and 120 kms from Madikeri) as its popularly known is a prime wildlife destination in India and renowned Holiday destination for guests to Karnataka, Wayanad and Nilgiris itinerary. Kabini is very popular with all travellers even though it has fewer and higher priced stays.

Destinations renowned for Wildlife and Bird watching in Karnataka

Nagarhole - Rajiv Gandhi National Park (Generically known as Kabini) is situated at 200/220 kms from Bangalore and 60-80 kms from Mysore. Nagarhole (popularly known as 'Kabini") represents one of the best park experiences in India and is one of the most sought and premier Wildlife destinations of Karnataka offering the best Wildlife and Bird watching experience to experience Wildlife travellers / bird watchers, getaway seekers and nature travellers.

Destinations to Visit for Leopard Sightings in India

Kabini (Nagarhole) is one of the best wildlife experiences in India and are home to some of the boldest leopard population, who offer photographers some of the most stunning photos during both morning and afternoon safaris.