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.

Rajiv Gandhi National Park

The Rajiv Gandhi National Park is popularly known as the Nagarhole National Park. The Rajiv Gandhi National Park is connected to the Bandipur National Park in the south eastern part. The Rajiv Gandhi National Park of Karnataka is spread over an area of 247 square miles and is the home to an abundance of wildlife. The Rajiv Gandhi National Park is considered to be one of the best wildlife parks of India. You will be surprised to see the large elephant and bison population in the Rajiv Gandhi National Park of Karnataka.

The landscape around the Rajiv Gandhi National Park in Karnataka is very beautiful with gentle slopes and shallow valleys. The reserve forest is scattered with the dry and mixed deciduous forest trees, grassy swamps and green grasses. The predominant vegetation of the Rajiv Gandhi National Park comprises of the following species of plants:

* Dalbergia latifolia

* Anogeissus latifolia

* Pterocarpus marsupium

* Emblica officinalis

* Lagerstroemia lanceolata

* Boambax malabaricum

* Adina cordifolia

* Gmelina arborea

* Eupatorium

* Solanum

* Helicteres

* Lantana

The Rajiv Gandhi National Park in Karnataka is the home to various species of mammals and wild animals. They are as follows:

* Tiger

* Leopard

* Elephant

* Barking deer

* Porcupine

* Gaur

* Chital

* Sambar

* Wild boar

* Jackals

* Four-horned antelope

* Leopard-cat

* Sloth bear

* Hyena

* Mongoose

* Civet

* Otter

The Rajiv Gandhi National Park at Karnataka hosts more than 250 species of birds. While strolling about in the park you will catch a view of the following birds:

* Grey jungle fowl

* Great black woodpecker

* Red spur fowl

* Malabar trogon

* Malabar pied hornbill

* Scarlet minivets

* Indian pitta

* Oospreys

* Herons

* Ducks

You will find an abundance of reptiles in the Rajiv Gandhi National Park at Karnataka. They are marsh crocodile, monitor lizard, tortoises, rattle snakes, frogs, rock python, vipers to name a few.

Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary

The Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the Mysore district of Karnataka. The Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary occupies an area of 526.96 square kilometers and set amidst the mountain valleys with the river Cauvery passing through it. The Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary of Karnataka was given the recognition of a sanctuary on 14th of January 1987.

The Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary of Karnataka has rich flora and fauna. The Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary is covered by riverine and dry deciduous forests which have patches of scrub forest also. The lush green jungle of the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka is the home to a wide varieties of wild life species. The main wildlife attractions of the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka are as follows:

* Tiger

* Leopard

* Crocodiles

* Turtles

* Elephant

* Wild boar

* Python

* Cobra

* Barking deer

* Four-horned antelope

* Green-billed malkoha

* White-browed bulbul

* Pigmy woodpecker

The Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary is famous for the endangered mahseer fish that is well kept here. It is the breeding ground to a varied avian species. The following birds are found in abundance in the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary at Karnataka:

* Sirkeer cuckoo

* Green-billed malkoha

* White-browed bulbul

* Pigmy woodpecker

The Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary at Karnataka is also the breeding ground of a number of reptilian species. They are as follows:

* Marsh crocodiles

* Turtles

* Python

* Cobra

* Russell's viper

* Banded krait

* Mahseer fish.

The best time to visit the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary is between the months of November and March. The forest authority provides a number of facilities to the wildlife enthusiast. They can trek to the hill top of the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary or raft in the rapidly flowing Cauvery river. They are allowed to indulge in game fishing in the Cauvery waters of the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary of Karnataka.

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary

The Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary is an important tourist destination of Mysore and is located about 20 kilometers from the Vrindavan gardens of Mysore, Karnataka. The Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary of Karnataka has become a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts, nature lovers and bird watchers. The Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary of Karnataka lies on the Kaveri river banks and the area has a group of six islets. These isolated islets of the Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary are a favorite boarding ground for the varied species of birds that come in this place.

The Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary in Karnataka got the status of a bird sanctuary in 1940. The officials of the Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary recorded 2,080 foreign tourists and 2, 02,417 domestic tourists that visited the sanctuary in the year 2000.

The Ranganathittu Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka receives a heavy rainfall in the monsoon months and the temperature fluctuates between the 23 to 29°C through out the year.

The Ranganathittu Wildlife Sanctuary of Karnataka is a delightful breeding ground for the migratory birds from all over the world. Here is a list of some of the avian species that reside in the Ranganathittu Wildlife Sanctuary at Karnataka :

* Spoonbills

* Snake bird

* Egret

* Heron

* White Ibis

* River tern

* Partridge

* Open bill storks

* Darters

* Peacocks

* Stone plougher

* Kingfishers

* Little cormorants

The Ranganathittu Wildlife Sanctuary spotted bird species from Siberia, Australia and even North America. These migratory birds come here in December and lay their eggs on islets in the river. Then they fly away with their little ones in the month of August.

You will get boating facilities in the Ranganathittu Wildlife Sanctuary at Karnataka and can see the trees near the river banks full of beautiful birds of myriad varieties.

Bannerghata National Park

The Bannerghata National Park is located at the southern outskirts of Bangalore city about 22 kilometers from the garden city. The Bannerghata National Park in Karnataka is spread over 25,000 acres of land and is well known for rich flora and fauna. The Bannerghata National Park comprises of dry deciduous forests, thorny shrubs as well as moist deciduous forests.

The Bannerghata National Park in Bangalore was established in 1971 with the sole aim of conserving the rare species of wildlife of the southern region of India. The Bannerghata National Park of Karnataka is a part of ten reserve forests of Anekal Range of the Bangalore Forest Division. The Bannerghata National Park at Karnataka is full of sandal, zizyphus, neem, jalari, tamarind, and chujjullu trees.

The mammal species that shelters in the Bannerghata National Park of Karnataka are as follows:

* Elephant

* Leopard

* Fox

* Gaur

* Jackal

* Hare

* Sambar

* Porcupinev

* Wild pig

* Sloth bear

* Barking deer

* Spotted deer

* Bonnet macaque

* Common langur

In the northern part of the Bannerghata National Park at Bangalore, the forest authority has organized for a tourist area. Here lion and tiger safari and herbivore safari are available. There is also a mini zoo, a reptile park, a mini aviary and a museum in this portion of the Bannerghata National Park. The Suvarnamukhi stream passes through the Bannerghata National Park. There is also a picnic corner, a serpentarium, pets corner and a crocodile farm in the park premises.

The zoo inside the Bannerghata National Park in Bangalore, Karnataka is a storehouse of amazing reptile species. You well be really amazed to see the varieties of venomous and non-venomous snakes.

Anshi National Park

The Anshi National Park of Karnataka is situated in the eco-sensitive portion of the Western Ghats in the Uttara Kannad district, India. The Anshi National Park is spread over an area of 250 square kilometers. The area receives a heavy rainfall during the monsoon months. The region around the Anshi National Park of Karnataka is composed of lateritic soil which has very less water holding capacity. Thus in the summer months, the area goes dry and the forest authority have to pump water to the man made tanks for the living creatures that shelters here. The area around the Anshi National Park in Karnataka comprises of semi-evergreen and evergreen forests

The Anshi National Park in Karnataka is rich in rare species of flora and fauna. The park is the home to a varied and rare species of mammals, reptiles and birds. The mammals that reside in their natural habitat inside the Anshi National Park at Karnataka are as follows:

* Gaur

* Tiger

* Sambar

* Wild dog

* Sloth bear

* Elephant

* Porcupine

* Mouse deer

* Wild boar

* Spotted deer

* Jungle cat

* Mongoose

* Barking deer

* Common langur

* Bonnet macaque

* Black Panther

* Malabar giant squirrel

The Anshi National Park at Karnataka is the home to numerous reptilian species including poisonous snakes. They are as follows:

* The king cobra

* Python

* Rat snake

* Viper

* Krait

The Anshi National Park of Karnataka is rich in bird life. Here is a list of a few avian species that has chosen the place as their breeding ground:

* Great pied hornbill

* Malabar hornbill

* Ceylon frogmouth

* Heron

* Water fowl

* Duck

Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary

The Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary of Karnataka is located about 485 kilometers from Bangalore and occupies an area of 5729.07 square kilometers. The Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary is set in a calm and peaceful ambiance. The Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary is well known for being the second largest wildlife sanctuary of the Karnataka state.

The Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary of Karnataka comprises of steep slopes, deep river valleys and the enchantingly rich hilly forest terrain. The forest of the Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary is a mixture of typical moist deciduous and semi evergreen forest. The riffling streams and the tributaries of the Kali, Kaneri and Nagajhari weave through the forests of Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary of Karnataka. The Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary is rich in diverse flora and fauna.

Sighting the wild animals through the dense forest of the Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka is quite difficult and considered as an element of luck. The Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary is home to a large variety of wild animals like the following:

* Deer

* Sloth bear

* Elephant

* Panther

* Tiger

* Wild dog

* Gaur

* Langur

* Bison

* Jackal

* Giant flying squirrel

You will see a number of reptilian and amphibian species in and around the Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary at Karnataka. The major wildlife attraction of the Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary at Karnataka are the crocodiles. The forest authority of the Dandeli National Park offers wildlife safaris in jeeps to the tourists visiting here. You can even walk through the undulating hills of the forest area and do various activities like bird watching through your powerful binoculars, see the crocodiles in the crystal clear water, do fishing. There are facilities for coracle boat rides and trekking in the jungles of Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary of Karnataka.

Gudavi Bird Sanctuary

The Gudavi Bird Sanctuary is the bird watcher's paradise in Karnataka. The Gudavi Bird Sanctuary is located on the Banavasi Road in Gudavi of Sorab Taluk in Shimoga District. The Gudavi Bird Sanctuary is spread over an area of 73.68 hectares. The Gudavi Bird Sanctuary of Karnataka is one of the five best bird sanctuaries of Karnataka.

In the Gudavi Bird Sanctuary in Karnataka, you will get the opportunity to see varieties of birds from the months of May till November. The Gudavi Bird Sanctuary is spread over an area of 73.68 hectares of land. According to the survey done in 1993, more than 191 different types of birds were recorded in the Gudavi Bird Sanctuary of Karnataka. A natural lake of Gudavi and the large canopy of trees serves as a shelter to the various species of birds. Here is a list of some of the important birds found in the Gudavi Bird Sanctuary of Karnataka:

* White Pebis

* Egrate

* Snake bird

* Stone Bill

* Gray heron

* Night heron

* Jungle fowl

* Pond heron

* Waterfowl

* White-headed crane

* Black-headed crane

Various avian species immigrate from across the globe to the Gudavi Bird Sanctuary at Karnataka, in different seasons for breeding. A platform is built on the Gudavi Bird Sanctuary for bird watchers to have a closer look of the birds.

Karnataka's Gudavi Bird Sanctuary is open to from 6 am to 6 pm between the months of June to November. You can have a spectacular view of this living creature in the sanctuary with a powerful binocular. When you you walk around the Gudavi Bird Sanctuary of Karnataka you will be delighted to hear the greeting of these birds and the cacophony of sounds echoing in the air giving it a serene atmosphere.

Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary

The Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary of Karnataka lies in the tropical forests of the Western Ghats in Chikmagalur district of Karnataka. The Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary is about 275 kilometers from Bangalore and occupies an area of about 492.46 square kilometers. This forest region was declared as the Jagara Valley Game Reserve by the Mysore Government in the year 1951. Later in 1974, the protected forest was rechristened as the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary. In 1998, the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary of Karnataka was announced as the 25th tiger reserve project of India.

The protected forest under the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka is the home to a large variety of flora and fauna. The sanctuary derived its name from the Bhadra river that flow by the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary.

More than 120 species of trees are spotted in the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka. They are as follows:

* Teak

* Rosewood

* Mathi

* Honne

* Nandi

* Tadasalu

* Kindal.

Some of the plants that grow here have great medicinal value. There is a big teak tree called Jagara Giant. The girth measures about 5.21 meters. This 300 years teak tree is one of the main attractions of the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary.

The Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka is rich in wildlife. The following animals are spotted inside the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary:

* Tiger

* Leopard

* Sloth bear

* Gaur

* Sambar

* Giant squirrel

* Spotted dear

* Elephant

* Barking deer

* Wild boar

* Mouse deer

* Wild dog

* Slender loris

* Bonnet macaque

* Malabar giant squirrel

More than 250 avian species are recorded in the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary at Karnataka. Such as:

* Blackwinged kite Hornbill

* Ruby-throated Bulbul

* King vulture

* Racquet-tailed drongo

* Malabar whistling thrush

* Great horned owl

* Great pied hornbill

* Indian tree pie

* Black napped flycatcher

The predominant invertebrates of the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary are as follows:

* Yamfly

* Baronet

* Blue pansy

* Crimson rose

* Southern birdwing

* Bamboo treebrown

The reptile species that stay in the reserved forest of the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary at Karnataka are:

* Flying snake

* Rock python

* Flying lizard

* Atlas moth

* Monitor lizard

* Marsh crocodile

* Common garden lizard

* Indian pond turtle

* Bronze backed tree snake

Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary

The Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary is situated in the Malenaadu region under the Shimoga district, towards Theerthahalli in Karnataka. The Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary has a spectacular collection of migratory birds. The Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary of Karnataka is well connected with other parts of Karnataka by regular state bus service. The Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary is a small and well maintained sanctuary of the Karnataka state.

The Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary of Karnataka is the natural habitat of varied species of local as well as migratory birds. The Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary is covered by a dense forest with river Tunga flowing through it. There is a beautiful island where three types of migratory birds namely median egret, darter and the cormorant nests. These avian species club around the branches of the trees which gives a spectacular sight from far.

The migratory birds come to the Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary in Karnataka mainly in the month of August. If you stroll around the place or trek you will be amazed by the chirping or cacophony of sounds by more than 5000 birds in the Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary.

With the first ray of sunlight in the dawn, the echoing sound of the birds of the Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary in Karnataka fills the air.

You can spot the different species of birds by standing on the watch tower of the Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary at Karnataka. But it is advisable to seek local help or get the guidance from the forest department to identify the bird species and explore the sanctuary. There is a dam close to the Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary at Karnataka at Gajanur where you can pay your visit during your trip to the sanctuary.

Kudremukh National Park

The Kudremukh National Park of Karnataka is located about 130 kilometers from Mangalore. The Kudremukh National Park is encircled by the Kudremukh or the Horse Face range which overlooks the Arabian Sea. The Kudremukh National Park of Karnataka comprises of a number of deep ravines as well as steep cliffs and is an ideal hub of animals and birds. The Kudremukh National Park occupies an area of 600.32 square kilometers and lies about 1,894.3 meters above sea level. The landscape around the Kudremukh National Park is very beautiful.

The best time to visit the Kudremukh National Park of Karnataka is between October and May. It is the period after monsoons and wildlife enthusiasts will enjoy the lush green jungle plenty of wild animals. The Kudremukh National Park in Karnataka is the home to a variety of flora and fauna. It is covered with lush green forests and high grasslands. The place is rich in the following species of trees:

* Eucalyptus

* Grevillea robusta

* Casuarinas

* Acacia auriculiformis

There is a trace of tea and coffee plantation. The Kudremukh National Park at Karnataka has varied species of wild life. The following animals are available in abundance in the Kudremukh National Park at Karnataka.

* Gaur

* Tiger

* Sambar

* Sloth bear

* Wild dogs

* Leopards

* Jackals

* Porcupine

* Mongoose

* Spotted bear

* Barking deer

* Lion tailed macaque

* Giant flying squirrel

* Malabar giant squirrel

Kudremukh National Park of Karnataka has more than 195 rare avian species. They include the following:

* Malabar whistling thrush

* Imperial pigeon

* Great pied hornbill

* Malabar trogon

Dubare Elephant Camp

The Dubare Elephant Camp is a famous training camp of Coorg, Mysore. The Dubare Elephant Camp of Karnataka attracts a number of tourists who come here simply to observe the various activities of this gigantic creatures. The wildlife enthusiasts and the tourists spend hours in the Dubare Elephant Camp of Karnataka by watching the habits of the elephants and participating in the daily activities of these animals like feeding and bathing.

You will find a number of trained Naturalist in the Dubare Elephant Camp in Karnataka who will tell you the diverse aspects of the history and ecology of the elephants. The Dubare Elephant Camp is an unique eco-tourism destination in South India.

The Dubare Elephant Camp in Karnataka is run by the Karnataka Forest department and is the home to more than 150 elephants. Dubare Elephant Camp in Coorg is of historical importance. In the ancient times a number of elephants were brought here for their initial training. Today the Dubare Elephant Camp at Karnataka in Coorg gives excellent accommodation services to the tourists on the banks of river Cauvery. It is really thrilling to see the elephants feeding on sugarcane, coconuts or bananas.

The trained elephants of the Dubare Elephant Camp at Karnataka are very obedient and follow every command delivered by their mahouts.

The elephants of the Dubare Elephant Camp are trained to carry heavy logs, lift them and stacking logs in a symmetrical pile. The Dubare Elephant Camp of Karnataka is a project taken in charge by forest department of the Karnataka state together with jungle lodges and resorts.