The wild life in the Nagarhole national Park is found in abundance. Many mammals including tigers, wild elephants, leopards, Indian wild dog or dhole, Gaur or Indian Bison are found here. The species of deer like chital or spotted deer, barking deer(Muntjac), mouse deer. Wild beer, four horned antelope, hyena, sloth bear, civet, otter mongoose etc are found here.

The terrain of the place is shallow valley and gentle slopes. The vegetation comprises of drydeciduous tree. These trees are without leaves in summers rather than in winter season. The grassy swamps are found at the places where the soil is perennially moist and clayey. This type of soil is very good for the growth of lush green grass all the year round.  The terrain of the park is different all over the place. The river flowing provide the freshness to the environment.

The name of the park has been derived from two kannada words. Nagar means hole snakes and hole means stream. The name has been given to the park as many snake shaped streams flow through the park. The maharajas of Mysore used the original forest as their hunting ground once. Recently the park was given the name Rajiv Gandhi National Park on the name of the late Indian Prime minister.

The arks offer a lot for the tourists including small streams, rich forest cover, beautiful hills, waterfalls and valleys.

General Information

History

In the year 1955, this place was setup as the wild life sanctuary. Later the total area was stretched upto 643.3 kilometer. In the year 1988 the region was upgraded as a national park and declared as a tiger reserve in the year 1999. The name of the park has been derived from two kannada words. Nagar means hole snakes and hole means stream. The name has been given to the park as many snake shaped streams flow through the park. The maharajas of Mysore( Wodeyar Dynasty) used the original forest as their hunting ground once. Recently the park was given the name Rajiv Gandhi National Park on the name of the late Indian Prime minister.

Best Time To Visit

The park is open throughout the year. The weather is hot during the summer season. The temperature drops down to 14 degree C during the winter season. The rainfall in the park is moderate and occurs during the monsoon season only. One should avoid visiting the park during the rainy season. The best time to visit the park is from the month of October to February. The animals can be viewed during the months of march and April when animals come to visit the lake for water.

Distance From –Nagarhole National Park

How To Get There

By Air

The Mysore airport is the nearest airport located near the park which is 96 kilometres away from the park. The Bengaluru airport is 236 kilometre from the park.

By Rail

The nearest rail head is the Mysore railway station located at a distance of 96 kilometre from Nagarhole national park.

By Road

Kutta is the nearest park to the park located at a distance of seven kilometers from the park. Madikeri is 93 kilometres away and Mysore is 80 kilometers away from the park. The distance of Bengaluru from Nagrahole is around 236 kilometers.  All these places are well connected by road. The nearest bus stand is one kilometer away from the Kabini river lodge.

Things To Do In Nagarhole National Park

Jeep safari and elephant safari is available for jungle tour. The forest department also provides a guide to the visitors. One can experience the adventure of trekking on Brahmagiri Mountains near the sanctuary.  Observation towers have been made in the park from where the visitors can get the spectacular view of the wild animals moving around the green foliage. The best time to visit these towers is from 6:00 A.M. to 9 A.M. in the morning and 4 to 7 P.M in the late afternoon.

Permits and Reservations forNagarhole National Park

There is no fee for entering the park and no permit is required.

Timings

6:00 am to 6:00 pm

Fees for Nagarhole National Park

Indians: Rs 50

Foreigners: Rs 150

Camera: Rs. 15

Video Camera: Rs. 200

Guide Fee: Rs. 150

Elephant Ride: Rs 50 per person

Jeep Safari: Rs 75 per person

Private Jeep Entry Fee: Rs 400 (per day)

Location Map

Accommodation

Jungle Inn
VeeranaHosahalli, Hunsur-Murkal-Nagarhole Road,
HunsurTaluk, Mysore District, Karnataka.
Phone (Resort): +91-8222-246022, 246160,
Reservations: +91-99023 63906/+91-9448208687
e-mail: jungle.inn@hotmail.com

The Forest Rest houses are located at Kalhalla,Tithimathi, Murkal and Nagarahole.  The tariff for dormitories is around Rs 600 to Rs 1000. For suites the tarrif is around Rs 2000.

Fourteen well maintained rooms. Six cottages and tented accommodation is available at the Kabini River Lodge. It provides jungle plan to all the clients including boarding, lodging andalso two safari drives including coracle ride and elephant ride.

Contact

Assistant Conservator of Forests,
Wildlife Sub-division,
Vani Vilas Road,
Mysore- 570 002,
Ph: + 91 821 211559.

Deputy Conservator of Forests,
Wildlife Division,
AranyaBhavan, Ashokpuram,
Mysore 570 008.

Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife)
2nd Floor,
AranyaBhavan,
18th Cross, Malleswaram,
Bangalore 560 003.
Ph : + 91 80 3341993/3345192.

Weather

The weather is hot during the summer season. The temperature drops down to 14 degree C during the winter season which lasts from the month of January to November. The rainfall in the park is moderate and occurs during the monsoon season only that is from June to September. One should avoid visiting the park during the rainy season. The best time to visit the park is from the month of October to February. Summers last from the month of March to April and the average temperature during the summers is 33°C.

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