About Nagarhole National Park

Country: India | State: Karnataka

Ideal Trip Duration: 4 Hours/Half Day

Nearest City to Nagarhole National Park: Mysore (88 Kms)

Best Time to Visit Nagarhole National Park: March to June

Peak Season: October & December to January & May to June

At a distance of 10 km from Kutta, 20 km from Iruppu Falls, 62 km from Kalpetta, 88 km from Mysore, 88 km from Madikeri, and 218 km from Bangalore, Nagarhole National Park is one of the best wildlife sanctuaries in India and among the must include places in Karnataka Tour Packages. Also known as Rajiv Gandhi National Park, it is spread across Mysore and Kodagu districts in Karnataka.

Nagarhole National Park is one of the top attractions you must include in Coorg tour packages. Originally the forest area was the private hunting ground for the Maharajas of Mysore. It was converted into a sanctuary in the year 1955 covering an area of 258 sq. km and subsequently enlarged to include the adjoining areas of Mysore district and now extends over an area of 643 sq. km. Nagarhole got National Park status in 1988 and declared as 37th Project Tiger Reserve in 1999. It is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. The Western Ghats Nilgiri sub-cluster of 6,000 Sq. km, including all of Nagarhole National Park, is under consideration by the UNESCO World Heritage for World Heritage Site status.

Nagarhole is among the most popular places to visit near Bangalore, especially for wildlife buffs. This national park gets its name from two Kannada words Naga means snake and Hole means stream. Many serpentine streams flow through the rich tropical forests of the park, which has now been renamed as the Rajiv Gandhi National Park, after the late prime minister of India, Rajiv Gandhi. Nagarhole is situated to the north-west of Bandipur National Park which are separated by Kabini reservoir. The park has rich forest cover, small streams, hills, valleys, and waterfalls. Inside the park, coracle riding facility is available in Kabini River.

The important animals in Nagarhole National Park are tiger, leopard, wild dog, sloth bear, hyena, spotted deer, sambar, barking deer, four-horned antelope, gaur, wild boar, and elephant. Among reptiles, the marsh crocodile, monitor lizard, rock python, and several other species are represented. Other mammals include the common langur, bonnet macaque, jungle cat, slender loris, leopard-cat, civet cat, mongoose, common otter, giant flying squirrel, giant squirrel, porcupine, jackal, mouse-deer, hare, and pangolin. Over 250 species of birds are found at Nagarhole National Park. It can also be visited along with Mysore tour packages.

The park is usually closed for safaris during peak monsoon. Traffic movement is restricted from 6 pm to 6 am every day and the gates are closed on either side of the entry into the forest. Two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and goods vehicles are not permitted inside the park. Safaris are organized in the forest department vans during the morning and evening. Government-run 4WD safaris and boat trips are conducted from Kabini River Lodge, which are good options to explore the animals. The best time to visit Nagarhole is Nov-May, especially Apr-May.
Hotels & Homestays are available near Kutta, Srimangala, Gonikoppal, Hunsur & Kabini.

Safari is available at 3 entry points of the park, 1) Nanachi Gate near Kutta 2) Kakanakote Gate near Kabini 3) Veeranahosahalli close to Hunsur. For visitors coming from Madikeri, Kushalnagar & Virajpet, a safari at the Kutta entry point is more convenient. For visitors from Mysore & Kabini, the Kananakote gate is better for Safari. Staying at the Jungle Lodges Resorts by JLR is the best way to explore the Nagarhole park as their package includes Jeep Safari into the park with experienced guides. JLR operates JLR Kings Sanctuary at the entrance of park near Veeranahosahalli village.

Park Timings: 6 AM - 6 PM

Safari Timings: 6 AM - 9 AM and 2.30 PM - 5.30 PM

Bus/Canter Safari: Rs. 450 for Indians, Rs. 750 for Foreigners (as of Jan 2023)

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Other Info
Internet Availability: Internet Not Available
STD Code: 08228
Languages Spoken: Kannada, Hindi, English
Major Festivals: Details Not Available
Notes/Tips:
None

How to Reach Nagarhole National Park

By Air

Nearest Airport: Kozhikode - Kozhikode International Airport (146 Kms)

By Train

Nearest Train Station: Mysore Junction (88 Kms)

By Bus

Nearest Bus Station: Kutta (10 Kms)

Top 10 Places to Visit in Nagarhole National Park

Waterfall

#1 of 7 Places to Visit in Nagarhole National Park

At a distance of 248 km from Bangalore, 110 km from Mysore, 75 km from Madikeri, 48 km from Virajpet, 32 km from Gonikoppal, 20 km from Nagarhole National Park, 10 km from Kutta & 10 km from Srimangala, Iruppu Falls is a magnificent waterfalls situated in Brahmagiri Hills between Srimangala & Kutta in Coorg district of Karnataka State, bordering the Wayanad district of Kerala. It is one of the best waterfalls in Karnataka and also one of the well-known Coorg tourist places. It can be visited as part of 2 day trip from Bangalore.

Also known as Lakshmana Tirtha Falls locally, Irupu Falls or Iruppu Falls is another popular attraction not to .....

Distance (From Nagarhole National Park): 20 Kms
Trip Duration (From Nagarhole National Park - Including Travel): 2-3 Hours
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Hill Station

#2 of 7 Places to Visit in Nagarhole National Park

At a distance of 265 km from Bangalore, 117 km from Mysore, 132 km from Mangalore, 322 km from Coimbatore & 362 km from Kochi, Coorg or Kodagu is a district in Karnataka and Madikeri is the district headquarters. Coorg is one of the top places to visit in Karnataka, and among the must include places in honeymoon tour packages.

At an altitude of 1525 meters on the Western Ghats, Coorg is often called the Scotland of India. Talacauvery, Abbey Falls and Dubare are some of the best places to visit as part of Coorg Tour Packages. According to Puranas, Kodava is the redefined name of Krodhadesa meaning Land of Anger, said to have been inhabited by the Kodava tribe. Some historians believe that it is named after the River Cauvery. Coorg was under the Gangas rule during the 9th and 10th centuries and Cholas in the 11th century followed by .....

Distance (From Nagarhole National Park): 88 Kms
Trip Duration (From Nagarhole National Park - Including Travel): Full Day
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Hill Station

#3 of 7 Places to Visit in Nagarhole National Park

At a distance of 73 km from Kozhikode, 118 km from Ooty, 141 km from Mysore, 168 km from Palakkad, 180 km from Thrissur, 246 km from Kochi, 299 km from Bangalore, and 442 km from Trivandrum, Wayanad is a hill district in Kerala. It is one of the popular hill stations near Bangalore, and among the must include places in Kerala tour packages.

Wayanad district was formed in 1980 by carving out areas from Kozhikode and Kannur districts. Kalpetta is the headquarters of the Wayanad district. The name Wayanad is derived from Vayal Nadu which means the land of paddy fields. Banasura Sagar Dam, Edakkal Caves, and Soochipara Waterfalls are among the must include places in your Wayanad Tour Packages.

It is a picturesque plateau situated at an altitude ranging between 700 to 2100 meters nestled among the mountains of .....

Distance (From Nagarhole National Park): 62 Kms
Trip Duration (From Nagarhole National Park - Including Travel): Full Day
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Wildlife

#4 of 7 Places to Visit in Nagarhole National Park

At a distance of 12 km from Nagarhole National Park, 12 km from Irupu Falls, and 39 km from Kalpetta, Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuary, also known as Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, is a sanctuary and Elephant Reserve in the Wayanad district of Kerala. It is one of the must include places in India wildlife tours and among the best Wayanad tourist places.

Established in 1973, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary was brought under the Project Elephant in the year 1991-92. The sanctuary is bordered with Nagarhole WLS & Bandipur WLS in Karnataka and Mudumalai WLS in Tamilnadu. Occupying an area of 345 sq. km, Wayanad WLS is the second largest WLS in Kerala and is now an integral part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. The sanctuary was set up with an objective of conserving the biological heritage of the region .....

Distance (From Nagarhole National Park): 12 Kms
Trip Duration (From Nagarhole National Park - Including Travel): 4 Hours/Half Day
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Wildlife

#5 of 7 Places to Visit in Nagarhole National Park

Bus Safari from Nanachi Gate near Kutta is the best way to enjoy the wilderness of the Nagarhole National Park. It is an ideal choice for travelers to spot many large and small herbivores in their natural habitat.

The forest department organizes the bus safari in Nagarhole starting from the reception center at Nanachi. The duration of the bus safari is about 90 minutes and there are two slots for the safari - one in the morning and the other in the evening. Morning safari offers better chances of sighting animals. Although Nagarhole National Park is home to a large number of tigers, the sighting of the tiger is purely luck.

Safari slots are often limited and advance booking is recommended. The bus safaris are crowded during weekends & holiday seasons. Apart from bus safari arranged by the forest department, Jungle Lodges by JLR is the only third party authorized to offer jeep safari in Nagarhole. The JLR Kings Sanctuary is located at the entrance of the park near Veeranahosahalli .....

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Wildlife

#6 of 7 Places to Visit in Nagarhole National Park

Bus Safari from Veeranahosahalli Gate near Hunsur (30 km from Nanchi gate of Nagarhole) is the best way to enjoy the wilderness of the Nagarhole National Park. It is an ideal choice for travelers to spot many large and small herbivores in their natural habitat.

The forest department runs mini-bus safaris (90 minutes) in the park in the mornings and evenings. Safaris start from the Range Office at the entry point, 25km inside the park from the Veeranahosahalli checkpost. Although Nagarhole National Park is home to a large number of tigers, the sighting of the tiger is purely luck.

Safari slots are often limited and advance booking is recommended. The bus safaris are crowded during weekends & holiday seasons. Apart from bus safari arranged by the forest department, Jungle Lodges by JLR is the only third party authorized to offer jeep safari in Nagarhole. Staying at the Jungle Lodges Resorts by JLR is the best way to explore the Nagarhole as their package includes Jeep Safari .....

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Heritage | City

#7 of 7 Places to Visit in Nagarhole National Park

At a distance of 128 km from Ooty, 139 km from Bangalore, 203 km from Coimbatore, 247 km from Mangalore, & 476 km from Chennai, Mysore is the 2nd biggest city in Karnataka. It is one of the top places to visit near Bangalore, and among the must include places in Karnataka Tour Packages.

Mysore is the erstwhile capital of the Mysore Maharajas, who ruled the Mysore State between 1399 & 1947. Mysore is also the stopover for Coorg Tour Packages. Mysore still retains its old-world charm with its palaces, heritage buildings, traditions, and temples. At an altitude of 763 meters surrounded by hill ranges from north to south, it is known as the City of Palaces. Mysore Palace is among the must include place in your Mysore Tour Packages.

According to this story .....

Distance (From Nagarhole National Park): 88 Kms
Trip Duration (From Nagarhole National Park - Including Travel): 1-2 Days
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Top 3 Nagarhole National Park Packages