Nagarhole National Park (Karnataka)

Nagarhole National Park used to be the private hunting grounds of the Maharaja of Mysore and was converted to a 285 sq kms. wildlife sanctuary in 1955. It was expanded and achieved National Park status in 1983. The average elevation is between 800m and 850m with the highest point being Masalbetta Peak at 957m and the lowest being on the banks of the Kabini River at 701m. The forest cover is primarily tropical moist deciduous, dry deciduous and tropical semi evergreen with scrub brush and grassy swamplands. Teak trees and rosewood trees are abundant here. The forest around the northern part of the park where Jungle Inn is located is moist deciduous due to the higher rainfall in this area. The trees are tall and the forest is dense with the occasional open grassy swamps, locally known as hadlus. Nagarhole, meaning cobra river, is watered by several perennial and seasonal rivers including the Kabini River, a tributary of the Cauvery River, the Nagarhole River from which it derives its name, the Taraka River, the Lakshmanateertha River, the Hebballa River and the Sarathi River

Wildlife abounds in this national park. Scientific research discovered that ungulates and primates attain a density of 91 animals per sq kms. in this park Among the favourite sightings are those of wild Asian elephants, Gaur (Indian bison) - the largest wild oxen in the world, spotted deer, barking deer, mouse deer, Sambar, sloth-bears, marsh crocodiles, otters, dhole or Indian wild dogs, leopards and tigers. Interestingly, the mouse deer, found only in Sri Lanka and South India, is a solitary nocturnal animal that kills and eats other small animals. A 1997 census reported that approximately 60 tigers and 80 leopards reside here. The somewhat rare Malabar Squirrel also resides here and is relatively easy to spot in the park. The flying lizard, once thought to have gone the way of the dinosaur, is still alive and active in Nagarhole as is its wingless reptilian companion the flying snake and it is possible to spot them gliding from tree to tree. The Slender Loris, a shy primate also called the Ghost Walker of the jungle, is restricted to India and Sri Lanka and is a denizen of this park. 

Nagarhole is one of the finest habitats for the Royal Bengal Tiger and some experts also believe that it is the best place in India to see the leopard. Leopard sightings are reported on a fairly regular basis. 
With the onset of the pre-monsoon showers ,the grandeur of Nagarhole begins to unfold. Most of the resident birds commence their breeding activities. The air is rent with melodious calls of birds. Sprouting grass in the meadows and view lines attract elephants and the majestic Gaur in large numbers. For the tourists who come to watch the larger mammals in their natural surroundings, Nagarahole is a paradise from September to May. As the backwaters of the kabini Reservoir in the southeastern portion of the Park recede, and fresh grass appears, the stage is set for huge congregation of large mammals, especially the elephant. This unique feature makes a breathtaking spectacle, and is almost the only one of its kind in Asia. 
Nagarhole is home to four different tribes, the Jenu Kurubas (honey gatherers), the Betta Kurubas (hill tribes), the Hakki Pikki (bird trappers) and the Yeravas. These hunter-gatherers depend on the natural resources of this forest to survive and some of them have not changed their lifestyles over the generations and are now coming into conflict with the authorities. 

Different species of Birds are also found in Nagarhole forests and the adjoining Kabini river. Nagarhole is also home to over 300 species of birds including the elusive Malabar trogon, the great black woodpecker, the Malabar pied hornbill, the fishing eagle Spotter Dove, Indian Roller, Grey Shrike, Blackheaded Myna, Indian Tree Pie, Scarlet Minivet, Jungle Babbler and the crescent serpent eagle are few among the birds found here.

Reaching there : 

      
From Bangalore : Bangalore-Ramnagara-Mandya-Srirangapatna-Take a right to Hunsur after Srirangapatna-Hunsur Town-Take the first left after Bus Stand. Our sign board will guide you from there to your friendly resort. (19 Kms from Hunsur Town).
    
From Mysore : Mysore - Mysore Hunsur Road - Hunsur Town - Take the first left after Bus Stand. Our sign board will guide you from there to your friendly resort. (19 Kms from Hunsur Town).
   
From Ooty/Coonor : Coonor-Ooty-Bandipur-Gundelpet-Nanjangud-Mysore-Follow the route from Mysore as shown above.
   
From Cochin : Cochin-Trichur-Calicut-Wayanad-Mananthavadi-Kutta-Nagarhole-Take the Nagarholoe-Murkkal-Hunsur Road and cross the forest to reach the resort. (The park is closed for traffic from 1800 Hrs to 0600 Hrs)
  
Alternatively from Wayanad Go to Sultan Battery-Muthanga-Gundelpet-Nanjangud-Mysore-Follow the route from Mysore as shown above.
   
From Coorg (Madikere) : Madekere-Madikere-Hunsur road- Hunsur town- Take the first right before Bus Stand. Our sign board will guide you from there to your friendly resort. (19 Kms from Hunsur Town).