Often referred to as ‘The Scotland of India’, Coorg is a breathtaking hill station snuggled amid the lush green mountains and gorgeous valleys in the South India state of Karnataka. Its stunning landscapes, covered with sprawling coffee plantations, evergreen forests, alluring peaks, and an unending stretch of tranquillity make this hilly abode one of the most popular hill stations in South India, and among the must-include places in Karnataka tour packages. The evergreen forests of this pristine hill station are home to several wildlife sanctuaries and national parks that boast some exotic wildlife in India. These wildlife habitats offer a lifetime opportunity to be with nature. However, if you are interested primarily in the flora and fauna of Coorg, this blog would surely help you to spot the best wildlife places in Coorg to explore.
Brahmagiri Wildife Sanctuary
About 85 km from Madikeri, Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary is a popular wildlife sanctuary situated on the border of Wayanad district of Kerala and Kodagu district of Karnataka. It is one of the famous sites for trekking in Karnataka and among the must visit places as part of Coorg tour packages. Spread across an area of 181 Sq. km, the sanctuary was established in 1974 and derives its name from the highest point, the Brahmagiri Peak. The sanctuary is home to varied wildlife which include elephant, gaur, tiger, jungle cat, leopard cat, wild dog, sloth bear, wild pig, sambar, spotted deer, Nilgiri langur, Malabar giant squirrel etc. Birds in the sanctuary include emerald dove, black bulbul and Malabar trogon.
Also Read : Popular Places of Trekking in Karnataka
Nagarhole National Park
Spread across Mysore and Kodagu districts, Nagarhole National Park, a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, is one of the best wildlife sanctuaries in Karnataka, and among the top places to visit as part of Coorg tour. Originally, the place was the private hunting ground for the Maharajas of Mysore and was later declared as National Park in 1988. Also called Rajiv Gandhi National Park, the park is surrounded by thick forest, small streams, hills, slopes, and valleys. It is one of the popular places to experience Karnataka Tourism for environmentalists and nature enthusiasts due to its rich population of animals including Sloth Bear, Barking Deer, Bengal Tiger, Jungle Cat, and over 250 species of birds. The various safaris running in the park during morning and evening hours can be your best options to explore the flora and fauna of the region. Staying at the Kabini River Lodge operated by JLR is the best way to explore Nagarhole Park as they organize guided Jeep safari into the park.
Book Here : Nagarhole Tour Packages
Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary
Located in the Western Ghats of Karnataka, the Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the must-visit nature reserves in the state of Karnataka. Pushpagiri is the highest peak in the sanctuary at an altitude of 5626 feet. It is one of the best places to visit in Coorg, especially for wildlife buffs. Spread across an area of 102 sq. km, the sanctuary is renowned for its birdlife as the area is covered with lush green forests, valleys, and hills. One can spot the birds such as Orange and black flycatcher, Grey-breasted laughing thrush, Nilgiri Flycatcher, Nilgiri wood pigeon, Malabar grey hornbill, grey-headed bulbul, blue-winged parakeet, white-bellied blue flycatcher, and small sunbird. Besides birds, one can also find spotted deer, otter, wild pig, Stripe-necked Mongoose, and Travancore flying squirrel.
Also Read : Best Wildlife Sanctuaries in Karnataka
Dubare
Known for its elephant camp, Dubare is one of the best places to see the wildlife in Coorg, one of the top hill stations in Karnataka. It is located between Kushalnagara and Coorg on the banks of River Cauvery. Dubare Elephant Camp is a project undertaken by the forest department and jungle lodges & resorts. This camp has plenty of elephants that are trained under naturalists. The elephants used for Mysore Dussehra are trained at this camp. The trainers explain the various aspects of elephant history, ecology, and biology. Visitors can also participate in various activities involving elephants like feeding the elephants with ragi, jaggery, sugarcane, banana, and coconuts. Tourists can also watch elephants being given a scrub-bath in the river and also watch how oil is applied on their forehead, tusks, etc.
Must Read : Top Places to visit near Bangalore
Talakaveri Wildlife Sanctuary
Talakaveri Wildlife Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary located in the Kodagu district of Karnataka. The sanctuary is named after Talakaveri, the origin of the Cauvery River which lies on the eastern edge of the sanctuary. Covered with tropical evergreen forests, it was declared as a Wildlife sanctuary in 1987. Spread over an area of 105 sq. km, the sanctuary is home to mammals like Elephant, Tiger, Jackal, Gaur, Wild pig, Sloth bear, Lion-tailed Macaque, Leopard, Leopard cat, Wild dog, Nilgiri Marten, Common Palm Civet, Brown Palm Civet, Bonnet Macaque, Common Langur, Sambar, Spotted Deer, Malabar Giant Squirrel, Giant Flying Squirrel, Barking Deer, Mouse Deer, Common Mongoose, and Porcupine. One can also spot various birds like the Great pied hornbill, Malabar trogon, fairy bluebird, broad-billed roller, and black eagle in Talakaveri sanctuary of Coorg, among the top hill stations near Bangalore.
Must Visit : Temples in Coorg