Wildlife

Bandipur National Park

The best season is October to May, preferrable in the early morning. Cottages and rooms are available for night stay. Gundulpet and Gudallur provides budget accommodation (20 km away). The 689 sq km wildlife sanctuary is 80 km from Mysore on the Ooty highway. Trekking in the forest to Gopalswamy betta (peak) to watch elephant herds at close quarters can be arranged. The region gets its supply of water from the Moyar River.

Wildlife : Indian porcupine, Gaur, mouse deer, black naped hare, four horned antelope, sambar, chital, bisons, spotted deers, langoors, leopards and of course the Asian elephant. Common birds are the Peafowl, Cormorants, barbets, herons, hawk eagle, parakeets, drongos, hornbills, warblers and minivets.

Nagarhole wildlife sanctuary

The sanctuary is at 780 m with an area of 180 sq km. Wildlife includes elephants, bisons, tigers, panthers etc. Watch tower gives a close up view of the animals. Forest lodges are for stay. Jeeps are available from Manathawady, Kerala via Tholpetty, Kutta. The best season is October to May, preferable in the early morning. It is 90 km from Mysore.