Complete Guide For Nagarhole National Park

Established in 1955 and made into a national park in 1988, Nagarhole National Park is also known as Rajiv Gandhi National Park and also as kabini wildlife sanctuary. The park stretches over 643 square kilometres between the Coorg and Mysore districts in the southern state of Karnataka and forms a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. The Park is currently being considered by UNESCO for selection as a World Heritage Site. It is also known as Nagarhole Tiger Reserve. 

Flora of Nagarhole National Park

The prominent part of Nagarhole National Park in Coorg is covered in the deciduous forest. In the southern part of the park teakwood and rosewood are in abundance and the central part is covered in a dry deciduous forest. Other famous trees found here are pala indigo, Eugenie trees, silver oak, sandalwood, teak, crocodile bark, Indian kino tree, axle wood, Kadam, cotton tree, Indian gooseberry and many more.

Fauna of Nagarhole National Park

Having a variety of flora and fauna, it is a hub for various species of plants and animals. Nagarhole National Park in Coorg is home to animals like Tiger, Gaur (Indian Bison), Porcupine Bonnet macaque Jungle cat, and Giant Squirrel; birds like Honey Buzzards, Black-headed Cuckoo Shrikes, Malabar Trogons and a variety of Woodpeckers, along with elephants and ducks found in abundance.

Area Wise Guide for Nagarhole National Park

Nagarhole National Park is divided into 4 areas and the altitude of the park changes from 680 meters to 1454 meters.

North: This part of the park is surrounded by the Kabini River which is the main source of water for the animals in the park. One can spot many wildlife animals near the shore of the river.

South East: This part of Nagarhole National Park is dry and is famous for discovering predators. The place is also visited by many migratory birds and is a famous spot for bird watchers.

Center: In this region, one can spot elephants, gaur, and deer. The place is popular for Kabini river backwaters.

West: The entire west region is dotted with mountains, waterfalls, valleys, and streams. The place is also famous for bamboo and sandalwood trees.

Location📍

In Karnataka state, 95 kilometers (60 miles) southwest of Mysore and bordering the state of Kerala. The Kabini River, the largest of the park's waterways, lies to its south and separates it from Bandipur National Park.

How to Get There ✈

The closest railway station is in Mysore, around four hours away from Nagarhole by road. Alternatively, there is an airport in Bangalore, around six hours away.

The park has three main entrance gates, where safaris start from -- 

• Veeranahosahalli (near Hunsur)
• On the northern side and Nanachi (near Kutta) 
• On the western side towards Coorg, 
• Antharasanthe (near Kabini) on the eastern side towards Mysore. It takes about an hour to drive between them.

When to Visit

The best time to view the animals is during the heat of March and April, when the waterholes are dry and the animals come out and visit the lake. However, the temperature is more pleasant from November to February. The monsoon season, from July to October, brings a lot of rain. Hence, safaris may not operate then and wildlife sighting is challenging.

Park Entry and Safaris

The roads that run through the park are open from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m., all year round. It's possible to drive along them in your own vehicle for free. However, you're not supposed to get out of your vehicle, and you can only remain inside the park for a restricted amount of time -- no speeding or stopping. Fines apply.

If you want to go deep inside the park, you'll need to go on a safari. Jeep safaris using private vehicles were banned in 2011. Now, the two options for safaris are as follows. (Do note that the Forest Department revised the rates in November 2017. And, unlike many other popular national parks in India, the safaris cannot be booked online).

Noisy 26-seater minibus (canter) safaris, operated by the Forest Department. These run twice per day -- early in the morning from 6.30 a.m to 9 a.m., and again in the afternoon from 3 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. The cost is 250 rupees per person for adults and 125 rupees for children. Tickets must be purchased in person from the Forest Department booking counters at the gates, which open about 30 minutes before the start of the safaris.

Book Your Safari To Nagarhole National Park 🚙

The park has two separate safari zones: Zone A is a wooded area and Zone B is close to the Kabini backwaters. The Jungle Lodges & Resorts jeep safaris can cover only one of the zones at a time, while the Forest Department canter safaris can enter both zones unrestricted.

In early 2017, the safari starting point at Veeranahosahalli was relocated from the park's core to the periphery. This was necessary to reduce the movement of vehicles and human disturbance inside the park, due to noisy tourists stopping their vehicles and littering the area with trash. As a result, visitors coming from Hunsur will have to travel 35 kilometers (22 miles) less to reach the safari point. 

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Our Trails Across India: 

• Nagarahole national park
• Bandipur National park
• Kaziranga National Park
• Ranthambore National park
• Thadoba Andhari tiger reserve
• Gir Forest National park
• Jim-Corbett National park
• Pench Wildlife Sanctuary
• Kanha National Park 
• African Parks& Many more