India Wildlife Resorts

Nagarhole National Park, Karnataka

Area : Nagarhole National Park 64,330 hectares.

Established: Nagarhole, 1955 as a sanctuary, 1975 as a national park.

About Nagarhole National Park:

Nagarhole National Park,Nagarhole Wildlife Sanctuary, Karnataka Nagarhole National Park Tour,Wildlife Tour Nagarhole national park (NNP), the enchanting 247 square-mile park in Karnataka has an astonishing abundance of wildlife including large mammals such as tiger, leopard, wild elephant, dhole (Indian wild dog), and gaur (Indian bison).

Other species present are chital spotted deer, muntjac (barking deer), mouse deer, four-horned antelope, wild boar, sloth bear, hyena, mongoose, civet, otter, and more. The landscape is one of gentle slopes and shallow valleys. Dry deciduous forest trees are leafless in the summer rather than in the winter. There are grassy swamps where the soil is clayey, perennially moist, and which support a luxuriant growth of green grass all year. The change in terrain throughout the park in refreshing and the river system provides a unique wildlife viewing experience.

Nagarhole National Park derives its name from the combination of two Kannada words. 'Nagar,' meaning snake, and 'hole,' meaning streams. True to its name, quite a few serpentine streams fork through the rich tropical forests of the park. Nagarhole Park was set up in 1955. In 1975, its area was increased to include a greater expanse of forest reserve. The original forest was once an exclusive hunting ground for the erstwhile Maharajas of Mysore. The park has been recently renamed as Rajiv Gandhi NationalPark after the late Prime Minister of India.

Nagarhole National Park is counted among India. s best wildlife parks. It has a large elephant and bison population. It also hosts a variety of animal species along with approximately 250 species of birds. On its northern confines is the Kabini River and on its southern fringes is the Bandipur national park. A dam on the Kabini River and its picturesque reservoir demarcates the two national parks. During the dry season (February. June), this artificial lake attracts a large number of animals, making it an ideal spot for sighting wildlife.

Climate in Nagarhole National Park:

The summer (March. May) temperature does not cross the 33°C mark. The brief winter, which lasts from November to January, has temperature plummeting to 14°C. Monsoon is erratic, but it generally rains from June to September.

Flora in Nagarhole National Park:

The predominant vegetation in the Nagarhole National Park is of southern tropical, moist, mixed deciduous type with a substantial eastern portion intergrading into dry deciduous type. The upper tree canpy is dominated by Terminalia tomentosa is association with Tectonia grandis, Dalbergia latifolia, Pterocarpus marsupium, Lagerstroemia lanceolata, Anogeissus latifolia, Adina cordifolia, Boambax malabaricum, Schleichera trijuga, Ficus sp. and others. The lower canopy has Kydia calycina, Emblica officinalis, Gmelina arborea etc. Several shrubs belonging to Solanum, Desmodium and Helicteres sp. etc. are abundantly found but weedy shrubs like Eupatorium and Lantana now dominate.

Hotels & Resorts in Nagarhole National Park

Icons Summary Restaurant Internet Service Tea/Coffe Machine Business Centre Swimming pool Travel Desk Doctor on Call Baby Sitting Health club Bar Safe Deposit Amphitheatre Library Std/Isd Money Exchange

Kabini River Lodge
	The Tatlers Travel Guide, a prestigious British travel magazine, has rated this resort destination as among the top 5 wildlife resorts in the world.

Jungle Inn Resort
	Jungle Inn is located in Veeranahosahalli, Karnataka on the northern fringe of the Nagarhole National Park. This park, also known as the Rajiv Gandhi National Park admeasures 643 sq. kms.

Water Woods Resort
	Water Woods Resort.is Nestled on the banks of the Kabini River and sandwiched between two of southern India's famous National Parks - Nagarhole and Bandipur.

Kings Sanctuary Resort
	The Kings Sanctuary is a 5 Star Deluxe jungle resort, located at the northern fringe of the Rajiv Gandhi National Park, Nagaraholae just 200 Km from Bangalore, South India.

Cicada Resort Kapila

Wild Animals in Nagarhole National Park

Fauna in Nagarhole National Park:

The important predators and carnivora in the Nagarhole National Park are tiger, leopard, wild dog (dhole or Cuon alpinus), sloth bear and the hyena (Hyaena hyaena). The herbivores are spotted deer, sambar, barking deer, four-horned antelope (Tetracerus quadricornis), gaur (Bos gaurus), wild boar (Sus scrofa) and elephant. Nagarhole National Park provides an opportunity to see some of the southern population of Gaur (jungle Bison). Also, this park in Karnataka is a good place to see elephants in the luxuriant forests and bamboo thickets which they most enjoy. Their total population in southern India is now about 6500,nearly all living in the area where Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala adjoin in the shadow of the Western Ghats.

Nagarhole National Park Travel Information

General Information

Location : Mysore, Karnataka, India.

Area : 64,300 Hectares.

Established : Nagarhole, 1955 as a sanctuary, 1975 as a national park.

Nearest City : Mysore.

Language : Kannada, Hindi, English

Time to Visit : Open year round, the best period October-May, especially April-May.

Climate : In summer the temperature is usually around 33 °C. Winter lasts from November to January and has the temperature dipping to 14 °C. Generally, it rains from June to September.

Travel Tips : One must arrive at the park gates well before dusk, for the road through the park that leads to the lodges is prone to elephant blocks and closes at 6 pm. Those interested in trekking should avoid visiting the park during monsoons as floods wash out most of its dirt tracks and leeches render trekking impossible.

How to Reach Nagarhole National Park

By Road : Nagarhole National Park is well connected by road with the major towns like Madikeri (93 km), Mysore (96 km) and Bangalore (236 km). The tourists can board a flight or catch a train from these towns and cities.

By Rail : The nearest railhead is at Mysore (96km) which is connected to Bangalore.

By Air : The nearest airports are Mysore and Bangalore. From these two airports, the tourists can board a flight to their desired destination. The Bangalore airport is well connected with all the major cities in India.