'''Nagarhole National Park''' is in the Cauvery Basin.

History

Nagarhole National Park (Kannada ???????? ????????? ????????)(also known as 'Rajiv Gandhi National Park') is located 94 km away from Mysore. It is spread between Kodagu and Mysore districts. The national park has rich forest cover, little streams, valleys and waterfalls.

The place derives its name from Kannada - Naga meaning snake and hole referring to streams.

The area was an exclusive hunting reserve of the former rulers of Mysore.

It was set up in 1955 and is one of the best-managed parks in the country. This park is located to the northwest of Bandipur National Park. In 1975 its area stretched to 575 km2. Kabini reservoir separates this park from Bandipur National Park. The climate is tropical; summer is hot and winter is pleasant. The park boasts a healthy Tiger-predator ratio. Tiger, Bison and Elephant are much denser here than in Bandipur.

The office of the Deputy Conservator of Forests is situated in Hunsur, about 47 km away from Nagarhole.

Terrain

Mostly moist mixed deciduous forest (Tectona grandis, Dalbergia latifolia) in the Southern parts, Dry tropical forest (Wrightia tinctoria, Acacia) towards east, i.e. Bandipur and Sub mountain hill valley swamp forest (Eugenia).

Flora and fauna

  • Mammals: Elephant, Jackal, Tiger, Panther, Gaur, Muntjac, Sambar, Spotted deer, Elephant, Mongoose, Civet cat, Hyena, and Bison.
  • Reptiles: King Cobra, Krait, Python, Viper, Tortoise, Monitor Lizard ,Toads etc.
  • The main trees found are Rosewood, Teak, Sandalwood and Silver oak.
  • Climate

    Temperature during summer would be around 32__C. Winter is brief from November to January and has the temperature dipping to 12 __C and rains from June to October.

    Get in

    Fees/Permits

    Entry to the National Park is free & does not require any permits. You have to enter few details such as name, vehicle registration number, and number of visitors at the gate. The road from hunsur to nagarhole is restricted only from 6am to 6pm.

    Get around

    See

    Do

    Buy

    Eat

    Drink

    Sleep

    Lodging

    No private lodging or accommodation is available. However, you can stay in '''Nagarhole Forest Guest house''' with prior booking from Wildlife department either in Bangalore or Mysore. A number of private resorts & Guest houses are available at Kutta just outside the park on the way to Irrupu Falls. You can also stay at Murkal which is situated within the Nagarhole Park.

    Camping

    Camping is not allowed inside the park since it has fairly good number of tigers and other such wild animals.

    Backcountry

    Stay safe

    Get out