Nagarhole National Park

Sprawling across 247 sq km, Nagarhole National Park is an enchanting wildlife destination located in the Mysore district of Karnataka. The term Nagarhole has been derived by combining two Kannad words. ‘Nagar’ means snake and hole means streams. Aptly named, the Park boasts of lovely serpentine streams meandering through its rich tropical forests.

The Park was established in 1955 and later in the year 1975 its area was increased. Initially it was the hunting ground of the maharaja of Mysore. Now the Park has been renamed as Rajiv Gandhi National Park after the late Prime Minister of India. It is a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. It was declared a Tiger Reserve in 1999. The Park is not only known for its wildlife but sheer natural beauty also. Its geography includes waterfalls, valleys, hills, and dense forest. The rivers that flow through the Park are Kabini, Lakshmana, Teentha and Nagarhole.

Fauna
The rich wildlife of the Park include many animals like tiger, leopard, wild dog, sloth bear, hyena, spotted deer, sambar, barking deer, four-horned antelope, gaur, wild boar, elephant, jungle Bison, 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.

Around 250 species of birds are inhabitants of the Park such as blue-bearded bee-eater, scarlet minivet, Malabar whistling thrush, ospreys, herons and ducks.
The reptiles such as the marsh crocodile, monitor lizard, rock python, Aquatic and terrestrial tortoises, frogs, toads and tree frogs are found in the Park. Many insects, including bright and colourful butterflies are also spotted here.

How to Reach
The nearest airport is at Mysore which is around 96 km and the nearest railway station is also at Mysore. It is also well connected by road with the major cities of Karnataka and other major cities of the country.