Nagarhole National Park

History

The Nagarhole National Park is located in Hunsur, Karnataka, in south India, attracting thousands of tourists each year, due to its intriguing biodiversity. Many decades ago, when Rajas used to rule different regions of India, the area what is know now as the Nagarhole National Park, was the royal hunting areas of kings and princes. The Wodeyar dynasty royals used to revel here, hunting wild animals in their leisure. 

In the year 1955, the Government of India declared the Park as a wildlife sanctuary. It took 33 more years for the park to be officially awarded the status of a National Park, in 1988. After a span of 11 years, in 1999, the Park became a tiger reserve, making it 37th such reserve in India. 

The authorities of the park have submitted an application to UNESCO to get the status of a World Heritage site. It might get the title, soon. 

Useful Information

Total area – 642.4 sq km

Elevation range – 687 meters to 960 meters 

Latitude –  12°15'37.69"N 

Longitude – 76°17'34.4"E 

Nearest river – Lakshmmantirtha River, Kabini River

Avg. annual rainfall – 57 inches 

Flora of Nagarhole National Park

The dominant flora in Nagarhole National Park is deciduous forest of moist nature. This is typical to North-Western Indian Ghats. The southern fringes of the park are dense with valuable teak trees. You could also see rosewood trees here. A portion of the park also has dry deciduous vegetation. Thorny wattle is quite common in these areas of the park. As a tourist, you could also observe unique trees such Pala indigo when you avail Nagarhole tour packages. Some specific portions of the park are marked with swampy forests. They have the signature Eugenia genus flora. 

Besides trees like rosewood and large teak species, the forests of the Nagarhole National Park also have commercially profitable trees like sandalwood. Silver oak trees are also in abundance in various regions within the park. You could also notice many crocodile bark and crepe myrtle plants in the park, in you Nagarhole affordable packages. The typical Indian variety of Kino tree could be spotted in the park. There are also unique flora species such as Grewia tilaefolia. As an enthusiast, when you further explore the park, you would notice axlewood trees. 

The underbrush of the park has exotic plants such as Kydia calycina and Indian gooseberry. It is also very common to notice beechwood plants here. There are several varieties of shrubs scatted in various regions of the park. You would wind horse nettles and tick clover growing in thickets. Also, noticing Helictres species is not uncommon. The invasive species lantanas, along with bonesets, are in abundance throughout the length and breadth of the park. Roaming around the park would reveal flora species such as Golden Shower and clumping bamboo. 

Fauna of Nagarhole National Park

The spectrum of faunal species present in the Nagarhole National Park is extremely exciting. The most important predator is of course the Royal Bengal Tiger. There are other big cat species in the park, too, such as leopards. The dhole is a common animal in the park. You could also notice sloth bears when you explore the forests in your Nagarhole wildlife packages. Sighting of striped hyenas is not uncommon. 

The park has various species of herbivores, especially deer. You could notice the chital and Sambhar. There are wild boars and gaurs. The mighty Indian elephant is obviously one of the main animals with habitat in the park, mainly living in bamboo thickets and dense bushes, which you could easily spot in Nagarhole safari tours. Another interesting animal you could see in your tour is the four-horned antelope.  

If you think that the list is over, then you would be surprised to know that only a miniscule number of faunal species has been mentioned. If you are fortunate, then you could notice golden jackals in the forests in while availing your Nagarhole adventure packages, as the park is an abode to this wonderful species. You could also spot grey mongoose and barking deer. 

Palm civets, mouse deer and Indian pangolins are also inhabitants of this park. The ‘Indian giant flying squirrel’ is a typical attraction here. The park is also rich in several bird species. There are 270 avian species in the Nagarhole forests. You could spot the wood-pigeon typical to Nilgiri region in this park. The ‘vulnerable’ avian species lesser adjutant is also an inhabitant here. There are birds such as darters and red-headed vultures. White-bellied treepie and Malabar grey hornbills are also some lovely bird species that could be spotted. If you have enthusiasm in birdwatching, then Nagarhole would convincingly satiate your thirst. 

Climate of Nagarhole National Park

Visiting Nagarhole National Park becomes more convenient when you have the right information about its weather conditions throughout the year. The park has a typical tropical climate. Hence, you could plan the trip at any time, in any month. The summers are usually hot, with a fair amount of humidity in atmosphere. 

The average temperature during the summer months hovers around 33 degree Celsius. It spans from April to June. The park receives a lot of rainfall. Even summer months receive a good amount of rain. December and January are the main winter months in the park. There is a significant decrease in the temperature level. The average temperature in the park during the winter months is about 14 degree Celsius. 

The middle months, from July to October, mark the monsoon. A majority of days during this period receive rainfall. The park becomes lush green, enamoring the tourists with its divine beauty. 

Best Time to Visit Nagarhole National Park

Although you could plan the itinerary of visiting the Nagarhole National Park throughout the year, but the best time to explore the biodiversity of the park is from late October to early May.  In winter months, you could spot lots of migratory birds in the forests in your Nagarhole holiday packages. When you visit in April and May, the weather conditions are warm, and there are good chances of spotting big cats near the water bodies of the park, satiating their thirst. 

The monsoon season is not the right time to plan a trip, as several regions in the park could become inaccessible due to clogged water. Traveling in the forests become difficult, and you would not enjoy the tour to the fullest extent. 

In winter months, the weather is typically marked by dryness. Whereas, when you travel during summer months, the climactic conditions could be humid. 

How to Reach Nagarhole National Park

You have the usual three types of transportation choices in reaching the Nagarhole National Park. The option you would choose depends on the budget you have planned for the tour, your location and the span of the tour. Compare features of each of the choices and then select the most suitable transport mode on a solo trip or Nagarhole family packages. 

By rail – The nearest big rail station to the Nagarhole National Park is Mysore. It is connected to all other big cities across India. You can conveniently book train tickets to the station. After reaching Mysore, you can hire a private car to the Park. Also, you can avail public bus if you are on a tight tour budget. It would take roughly 4 hours to reach the Park from Mysore. 

By road – Those among you fond of road trips can drive their own cars, or hire private vehicles from cities such as Mysore and Bangalore, and travel to the destination. Compare various rates and charges of different vehicles, and then take a final decision. On the other hand, you can also take a private or public bus from these cities, to Nagarhole. 

By flight – If you are a tourist from a distant city in India, you can very easily cut short the travel time by booking flight tickets to Mysore or Bangalore Airport. You need to have a fatter travel budget in this regard. After reaching the respective airport, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to the Park. 

Connectivity & Distances

Distance from entry gate: 12 km

Railway station: Mysore Junction

Bus Stand: HD Kote Bus Terminus

Airport: Mysore Airport

Nearest city/town: Kutta Town

Places to Visit Near Nagarhole National Park

There are numerous tourist interest spots nearby Nagarhole National Park. You can prioritize visiting those places after you have explored the major areas in the Park. Some interesting places are discussed here. 

Coffee Farms – The magnificent coffee farms are just a stone’s throw away from the Nagarhole National Park where you can very easily visit on a weekend getaway tour. You would be intrigued by the dense coffee plants and the process of coffee manufacturing by interacting with local people at the farms.

Devaragundi falls – The falls are barely located at a distance of 1 km from the Park, where you can enjoy a picturesque environment on a weekend trip. You could say that the falls are in the buffer zone of the Park. 

Sri Omkareshwara Temple – If you want to witness the top architecture of the dynastic era of the region in your Nagarhole National Park itinerary, then don’t miss visiting the marvelous Omkareshwara Temple, which is only about 6 km from the Park. You can hire a car to the temple.

Madikeri Fort – Madikeri Fort is yet another engrossing place where you can visit on your Nagarhole sightseeing packages. The intricate architectural details of the Fort are bound to intrigue you. The Fort is merely 2 km away from the Park, and located at a very convenient place.