Wildlife & Bird Sanctuatries > Nagarhole -by Anil Benipuri

Bandipur's northern neighbour, Nagarhole ("Snake River") National Park, extends 640 sqkm north from the Kabini River, dammed in 1974 to form a picturesque artificial lake. During the dry season (Feb-June), this perennial water source attracts large numbers of animals, making it a potentially prime spot for sighting wildlife. The forest here is of the moist deciduous type - thick jungle with a thirty-metre-high canopy - and more impressive than Bandipur's drier scrub.

Nagarhole is best visited at the height of the dry season, when its muddy river banks and grassy swamps, or hadlus, offer better chances of sighting gaur (Indian bison), elephant, dhole (wild dog), deer, boar, and even the odd tiger or leopard, than any of the neighbouring sanctuaries.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

Best time to visit: October to May.

Nearest Town: Mysore (80 km).

HOW TO GET THERE:

By Rail: The nearest railhead is at Mysore.

By Air: The closest airport is Bangalore (210 km).

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