Best Wildlife Sanctuaries in Karnataka for the Wildlife Enthusiasts

The Karnataka Tourism Board promotes the tagline – ‘One state many worlds’. Indeed, Karnataka encompasses a diverse range of landscapes, from low-altitude oceans to high-altitude mountains, as well as world heritage sites, not to mention its lush forests. This state is cherished by people worldwide. Karnataka stands out as one of the most magnificent and significant wildlife sanctuaries on the planet, with over 20% of its area covered by forests, totaling 38,270 square kilometers, which host more than 20 renowned wildlife sanctuaries. The Western Ghats, recognized for their biodiversity, also extend into the western part of this state. Whether you seek an extended adventure or a peaceful retreat into nature, the wildlife sanctuaries in Karnataka provide unforgettable experiences as part of the Karnataka tour packages.

Here is the list of top wildlife sanctuaries in Karnataka for wildlife enthusiasts.

Nagarhole National Park

Situated in the Mysore district of Karnataka, Nagarhole National Park, also referred to as Rajiv Gandhi National Park, is one of the most renowned wildlife sanctuaries in India and among the must-included places in Coorg tour packages. Achieving national park status in 1988, it was designated as the 37th Project Tiger Reserve in 1999. This park is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and is enriched with an abundance of wildlife, dense forest cover, flowing streams, gentle slopes, and shallow valleys. As one of the top destinations included in Mysore wildlife tour packages, Nagarahole National Park hosts a diverse range of species, including Elephants, Jackals, Tigers, Panthers, Gaurs, Sambars, Spotted Deers, Mongoose, Civet cats, Hyenas, and Sloth Bears, along with 250 different species of birds. The optimal time to visit Nagarhole National Park is from November to May, particularly in April and May.

                        Book Here: Nagarhole tour packages

---

Bandipur National Park

Situated along the Mysore-Ooty highway in the Western Ghats, Bandipur National Park stands as Karnataka’s most renowned wildlife sanctuary and is also recognized as one of the best-preserved national parks in India. Once serving as the hunting grounds for the Maharaja of Mysore, it was designated as a national park in 1974. This park is part of the ‘Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve,’ which includes the Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu, the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala, and Nagarhole National Park, among the notable places to visit near Bangalore. Covering an area of 874 square kilometers, it is home to approximately 70 tigers and over 3000 Asian elephants, along with other wildlife such as leopards, dhole, gaur, sloth bears, and a diverse range of bird species. The park’s highest point, Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta, offers a breathtaking view. The Kabini reservoir separates Nagarhole and Bandipur National Park. It is considered one of the premier destinations to explore as part of Ooty Tour Packages.

                         Book Here: Bandipur tour packages

---

Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary

Spread over an area of 490 sq. km, Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area and a tiger reserve in the Chikmagalur and Shimoga districts of Karnataka. The region was declared as a natural reserve, known as the Jagara Valley Game Reserve, in 1951 by the Government of Mysore. In 1974, the reserve was named the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary and was declared as the 25th Project Tiger of India in 1998 due to a substantial tiger population. The highest peak in this sanctuary is Kallahathigiri located at the height of 1875 m. Also known as Muthodi Wildlife Sanctuary, the park is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts as it is home to diverse varieties of flora and fauna. One can spot some of the endangered species over here like Malabar giant squirrel and orangutan as part of Chikmagalur 3 day tour. The sanctuary is also a habitat for reptiles like king cobra and Indian rock python. Jagara, the giant teak tree is the main attraction of this sanctuary which is sought to be around 300 years old.  Apart, tourists can also enjoy various activities such as jeep safari, trekking, bird watching, rock climbing, and water sports at river Bhadra as part of Chikmagalur Tour Packages. October – February is the best time to visit this sanctuary.

Watch Video – Weekend Getaways near Bangalore

---

Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary

Located in the Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka, Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1956. It was declared as a tiger reserve in the year 2007 and notified as an Elephant Reserve under Project Elephant in 2015. It is the second-largest sanctuary in Karnataka and among the must-include places in Dandeli Tour Packages. Covering an area of 866 square kilometers, the region has breathtaking scenic valleys and rivers with moist deciduous and semi-evergreen forests crisscrossed by the meandering streams of River Kaneri and River Nagzari, tributaries of River Kali. Dandeli is a natural habitat for several wildlife animals like tigers, leopards, black panthers, elephants, gaur, deer, antelopes, crocodiles, and various kinds of snakes. This sanctuary is also a birdwatcher’s paradise, housing nearly 200 species of Birds. Besides, wildlife lovers can enjoy jungle safaris and boat safaris in the area of Dandeli. White water rafting, kayaking, canoeing, and mountain biking are the other activities in Dandeli, among the most scenic places to visit near Mysore.

                      Also Visit : Tourist Places near Hubli

---

Kudremukh National Park

Surrounded by steep cliffs, deep ravines, and a chain of mountains, Kudremukh National Park is a designated national park situated near Sringeri, among the places to visit in Karnataka. The 600 sq. km wildlife protected area of Kudremukh is the second-largest belonging to a tropical wet evergreen forest in the zone of the Western Ghats. Literally means “horse-face”, the park is jeweled with natural beauty, high rising peaks studded with a plethora of flora and fauna to picturesque trekking routes overseeing verdant grasslands. One can see leopards, tigers, jackals, wild dogs, langurs, macaques, barking deer, Malabar giant squirrels, and chitals here as part of Sringeri Tour Packages. Besides, Kudremukh is one of the best trekking destinations in Karnataka, and among the best places to visit near Mangalore. The best time to visit this national park is in December and February.

                         Book Here : Chikmagalur tours

---

*Featured Source