Overview of the destinationThe Nagarhole national park, a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere, is where the Nagarhole River meets the Kabini river and creates a lake right in the midst of the park, after a Dam was built on the Kabini river. This lake splits the Nagarhole National Park from Bandipur Tiger Reserve and the famous Mudumalai national park of Tamil Nadu. To the south-east of the park lies the famed Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary of Kerala, while to the west, coffee plantations separate the park from Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary. In short, Nagarhole is the heart of the wildlife belt of South India.
The exclusive hunting ground of the Maharajas of Mysore of the yester years, Nagarhole National Park was created in 1955. The Nagarhole National Park derives its name from two words ?Naga? meaning snake and ?hole? meaning streams.
Food, sight-seeing and shopping
Food, as with any of the Mysorian towns is an experience in itself. The traditional dishes of the Kadukurumba tribes, the original inhabitants of this area, are a must taste, while here. Having said that, the eateries are mostly the restaurants of the various resorts lining the country side here, of different sizes and shapes to suit one's budget. If you are a bit adventurous, especially with your stomach, you could possibly stop of one of the village hotels to have an authentic taste.
Apart from wildlife, there is very little in terms of other sight seeing options. However, a drive to Coorg, Medikeri, Tibetan Settlement etc, all within a 100 KM's periphery are other attractions
Activities & things to do
The Nagarhole National Park mainly consists of moist deciduous forest in the northern and western parts and dry deciduous forest in the south-eastern part. An important feature of these forests is the open grassy swamps, where the grass is lush all year-round. Nagarhole is rich with wildlife, and dawn and dusk jeep & boat tours are likely to ensure spotting of huge congregation of elephants, sounders of wild boar, herds of deer and antelope, troupes of monkeys, wild dogs, gaur (the Indian bison), jackals and, possibly, the elusive tiger or the shy leopard.
This place also has a sizeable population of birds and is a great place for people who enjoy bird-watching. Among the 250 bird species found in the park, the most common are the common around the swamp are the bulbul, babbler, bee-eater, dove, hornbill, woodpecker, Malabar pied, warbler, great Indian reed, golden-back parakeet, southern tree pie, swallows and swifts. The banks of the river are home to the larger avian kind, the Grey herons, painted storks, crested serpent eagle, Brahmini kites, Spot billed ducks, Black Ibis, Egrets, moor hens and a whole array of water fowls line the banks of the lakes.
Travel tips, How to reach, travel warnings etc.
Altitude : 177 Meters above Sea Level
Temperature : Summer - Max 33 & Min 20 Degrees Celsius
Monsoon : June to September
Summer : March to May
Winter : December to February
Clothes : Cottons throughout the year
Nearest Airport : Bangalore ? 235 KM
Nearest Rail head : Mysore - 95 KM
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