Wildlife of Karnataka

Karnataka's wildlife reserves and lush green forests are included in its rich heritage and legacy. The State is dotted with some of the biggest jungle tracts expended in south of the Vindhyas. The forest reserves are home to diverse variety of wild habitat and varied flora extended over to Western Ghats.

The exotic wildlife of Karnataka includes crocodiles basking under the sun, kingfishers waiting for their catch, peacocks dancing over the lush green patches, deer just leaping across the wild. The wildlife doesn't ends here there are voluminous wild habitats all waiting to be discovered. Make a tour to the great wilds of Karnataka experience its magic, feel its profusion and cherish its beauty.


¤ Dandeli Kali Wildlife Sanctuary

Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the largest wildlife sanctuaries in Karnataka. Housing some very rare species of wilds still to be explored. Main attractions of the forest are sloth bear, bush grail, deer, elephant, sambar, tiger, gaur, panther and partridge.

The jungles of Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary offers wildlife jeep safari, bird watching, crocodile sighting trips fishing, coracle boat rides and trekking in its great wilds.
Take a boat cruise across the river Kali, the amazing sites of crocodiles relaxing under the sun and drove of exquisite water birds flapping their wings in the tranquil waters of the river will leave you absolutely mesmerized. Best Season: November to March.


¤ Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary

Located in the districts of Mysore, Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary nestles amidst the mountain valleys where tranquil river menders its way through the lush green jungles. The reserve makes a perfect getaway to the panoramic splendor of the wild. Its main wildlife attractions are - tiger, leopard, elephant, wild boar, barking deer, four-horned antelope, crocodiles, turtles, python, cobra, green-billed malkoha, white-browed bulbul and the pigmy woodpecker. The sanctuary is also famed for the endangered mahseer fish.

A wildlife enthusiast has much options here, one can trek to the top of the hill to get a spectacular view of the Cauvery flowing through the picturesque valley below or raft down the rapids of the Cauvery or can indulge in game fishing. There are also attractions of the majestic carved Shiva temple near by. Best Season: November to March.



¤ Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuary

Bandipur Wild life Sacntuary offers a rich and varied wildlife habitat. It is a part of a larger national park, which also includes the neighboring wildlife sanctuaries, of Mudumalaiin Tamil Nadu and Wynad in Kerala. This sanctuary comes under Project Tiger, a scheme launched in 1973, by the World Wildlife Fund for Nature, to save the tiger and its habitat. Since then it is successfully handling the hurdles coming all its way in preserving and recreating the endangered species.


¤ Bannerghatta Wildlife Sanctuary

Bannerghatta National Park extends over the vast green patch of Karnataka and lies at a distance of 22 km. from Bangalore. The Park was established in 1971 housing exotic species of wildlife. The park also treasures startling variety of flora and fauna like sandal trees, jalari, chujjullu, neem, tamarind and zizyphus. Extending over 104 sq km, the park includes ten reserve forests of Anekal Range of the Bangalore Forest Division.

Besides its wildlife attractions the park also embellished with ample scenic splendor, panoramic hilly terrain along with many ancient temples perched on them.


¤ Nagarhole National Park

Nagarahole National Park is situated in the scenic town of Kodagu and Mysore in southern Karnataka. In 1975 the Park area was increased to include a greater expanse of forest reserve. Nagarahole got the name from Kannada word-'nagar' meaning snake and 'hole' meaning streams, that very well goes with its name as the wild has ample amount of streams and snakes due to its rich tropical forests. Main wildlife attractions are four horned antelope, panther, warblers, panther, and giant flying squirrel. Other attractions of the town reserve are the honey - gatherers, the hill tribes and the bird trappers inhabiting the park and can be often seen indulging in their activities.

Best Time: Best time to visit the park is during the month of June- October.

¤ Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary is just an ideal spot for the bird lovers. On a tour to Ranganthittu one's eyes get a ravishing treat of wildlife and some most rare bird species. Just glance around and you'll find a host of surprises. Crocodiles basking under the sun, otters running free, flocks of birds gathered on tiny islands, all these make Ranganthittu a visual delight. The thrill keeps going on as one keeps on encountering the rare exotic birds.

The main charm of the sanctuary is its guest birds, that come all the way from Siberia, Australia and even North America. One have fare chances to meet these birds while on a cruise where the folk of bird is always ready to greet its visitors. It could be the open-bill stork, the white ibis, partridge or even the cormorant trying to say hello. Best time to visit the sanctuary is June -October.


¤ Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary

Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary is located at Chikmagalur in Shimoga Districts. The sanctuary is also known as Muthodi Wildlife Sanctuary housing some of the great wildlife reserve like the most endangered species- the tiger. The sight of ferocious tiger, the Indian bison, the strange sounds of the striped hyena and the rare flying lizard slides amidst the tall lush trees will leave its visitors absolutely awe- inspiring.

The sanctuary also has the attraction of its aerial population. More than 250 variety of bird life is spotted on the Western Ghats. Best Season to visit the wildlife is during October to February.