Blessed with 38,720 square kilometers of forests, Karnataka is home to more than 20 wildlife sanctuaries that spread across the lush Western Ghats, and the scrubbed forests of the plains around them. Karnataka is one of the top wildlife destinations in India that reflects a pleasant face of Indian biodiversity. Home to a large variety of fauna, the wildlife sanctuaries in Karnataka also offer exciting adventure activities such as trekking, camping, safaris making it a delight for wildlife enthusiasts, and photographers. Visiting these wildlife sanctuaries Karnataka Tour Packages can be a good idea if you are looking for an exhilarating and unique vacation in 2021.
Here is the list of top wildlife sanctuaries in Karnataka for wildlife enthusiasts.
Nagarhole National Park
Located in the Mysore district of Karnataka, Nagarhole National Park, also known as Rajiv Gandhi National Park, is one of the popular wildlife sanctuaries in India and also one of the top attractions in Karnataka that you can visit as part of Coorg tour packages. Having received the status of a national park in 1988, it was declared as the 37th Project Tiger Reserve in 1999. It is a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and is bestowed with the best of wildlife, forest cover, gushing streams, gentle slopes, and shallow valleys.
A paradise for nature lovers and wildlife buffs, Nagarahole National Park is home to a variety of species such as Elephants, Jackals, Tigers, Panthers, Gaurs, Sambars, Spotted Deers, Mongoose, Civet cats, Hyenas, Sloth Bears along with 250 species of birds. Besides, the national park also houses stunning vegetation and plantation along with verdant tropical and deciduous forests having trees like sandalwood, silver oak, rosewood, and teak. The best time to visit Nagarhole National Park is Nov-May, especially Apr-May.
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Bandipur National Park
Located on the Mysore-Ooty highway in the Western Ghats, Bandipur national park is Karnataka’s most popular wildlife sanctuary and also one of the well-preserved national parks in India. Once the hunting grounds of the Maharaja of Mysore, it was established as a national park in 1974. It is a part of India’s biggest biosphere reserve called the ‘Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve’ together with Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala, and Nagarhole National Park, among the popular Places to visit near Bangalore.
Spread across 874 sq. km, it is home to around 70 tigers, and over 3000 Asian elephants, as well as other animals like leopards, dhole, gaur, sloth bears, and a variety of birdlife. The highest point of the park is Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta from where one can get a splendid view. Nagarhole and Bandipur National Park are separated by Kabini reservoir. It is one of the top attractions you can visit as part of Ooty Tour Packages.
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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. 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.
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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.
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.
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