Looking forward for peace in the lap of nature? Welcome to the heaven for nature lover- the Nagarhole National Park. The exclusive hunting preserve of the erstwhile rules of Mysore is today one of the best retreat for the nature lovers. There is so much more to the Nagarhole National Park besides the elephant and bison population it is famous for. The renowned wildlife park is home to a variety of animal species along with approximately 250 species of birds.

The Nagarhole National Park lies between the Kabini River and the Bandipur national park and covers an area of 644 sq. kms. The National Park was setup in the year 1955 its area was further expanded in 1975. Recently Nagarhole National Park has been renamed as Rajiv Gandhi National Park after the late Prime Minister of India. Nagarhole is an amalgamation of the Arikeri, Hatgat, Nalkeri and the adjoining Mysore reserve forests with soothing streams, wondrous valleys and fascinating waterfalls. The National Park derives its name from two words ‘Naga’ meaning snake and ‘hole’ meaning streams. With excellent wildlife watching facilities Nagarhole National Park is popular with adventure seekers and wildlife lovers alike and is perhaps one of the best wildlife preserves in India.

The visit to the Nagarhole National Park is made easy with the presence of the guides and the vehicles in the vicinity. There are elephants and jeeps as well to travel inside the park. Amongst the animals the most noteworthy are the four-horned antelope, sloth bear, jungle cat, civet, spotted deer, elephant, warblers horngbills, wild dog, flying fox, tiger, panther, gaur (Indian bison), sambhar, wild boar, black-naped hare, bonnet macaque, mouse deer, giant flying squirrel and pangolin. While in reptiles several species of lizards, Cobras, crocodiles, kraits, pythons and vipers might catch your eye.

The common babbler, bee-eater, bulbul, dove, crested serpent, hornbill, Malabar pied, alexandrine, peacock, woodpecker, warbler, great Indian reed, eagle, crested hawk, golden-back parakeet, green imperial pigeon and the southern tree pie feature in the long list of birds that may be spotted at the Nagarhole National Park. The wildlife preserve is inhabited by the humans too there are the honey-gatherers, hill tribes and the bird trappers. The heaven of flora and fauna has Rosewood, teak, sandal, silver oak trees too.

For much relief of the nature, animal and bird lovers Nagarhole is well connected with other places. The nearest airport is at Bangalore, which is at a distance of 220 kms. In terms of rail transport the Mysore station caters to the needs of the tourists. The state transport buses and taxis are freely available for road transport. Kabini River Lodge offers excellent facilities to the tourists to the Nagarhole National Park though you may pick up any lodge, private rooms and dormitories with modern amenities too. At Nagarhole you should try to maintain the ecological balance of the wildlife and not indulge in any activity that does the opposite. You may plan your visit to the Nagarhole National Park anytime between the months of September and May.

On your trip to Nagarhole National Park you may even check out the famous coffee and orange plantations of Madikere which is at a distance of 93 kms. Madhumallii, Wynad and Bandipur National Park make other interesting options from the Nagarhole National Park. The more adventurous of you may take to the Brahmagiri Mountains for trekking but with prior permission from the concerned authorities.

Nagarhole with the nature at its best beckons all you nature, animal and bird lovers along with the adventure seekers for whom the experience of the National Park will be ecstatic!