Nagarhole gains its name from the snake like river that winds its way through it. The park is a place of unspoilt wilderness, with serene forest, bubbling streams, and a tranquil lake. It’s also officially known as Rajiv Gandhi National Park.
Nagarhole teems with over 250 types of birds, elephants, sloth bear, bison, tiger, leopards, deer, and wild boars.
Nagarhole Location:
In Karnataka state, 95 kilometers (60 miles) south west of Mysore and bordering the state of Kerala. The Kabini River, the largest of the park's waterways, lies to its south.
How to Get to Nagarhole:
The closest railway station is in Mysore, around four hours away from Nagarhole by road. Alternatively, there is an airport in Bangalore, around six hours away. Most tourists arrive at the park from Hunsur, 45 kilometers north of the park. The park's main entrance is at Veeranahosahalli. Another gate, Murkal, is around 10 kilometers inside the park, followed by the Nagarhole Forest Department office almost 20 kilometers further on.
When to Visit Nagarhole:
The best time to view the animals is during the heat of March and April, when the waterholes are dry and the animals come out and visit the lake. However, the weather is more pleasant from November to February.
Nagarhole Opening Hours:
The park is open daily, from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m., all year round. Safaris take place in the early morning from 6 a.m to 9 a.m., and again in the afternoon from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Nagarhole Cost:
NOTE: The Forest Department increased fees in early 2011. Revised fees are reported now as follows. Entry fee for Indian adults, 200 rupees/children 150 rupees. Entry fee for foreigners 1,000 rupees. One hour minibus safari, run by the forest department, 100 rupees. Handicam, 1,000 rupees. Large video camera, 1,000 rupees.
Nagarhole Travel Tips:
The Forest Department doesn’t offer jeep safaris but allows private jeep safaris, for which it grants permission. A Forest Department guide must accompany all jeep safaris. You can either go on a jeep safari arranged by your hotel (the more expensive option) or hire a jeep yourself (cost around 1,000 rupees a day from the Forest Department, or head to nearby town Kutta for a better deal) and pay the park entry cost (around 500 rupees per jeep) and the cost of a guide. The park offers the opportunity to see elephants close up in their natural habitat, and it’s not unusual to see herds of elephants on the river bank. However, the likelihood of seeing a tiger here is rare compared to parks such as Bandhavgarh in the north. A good thing about Nagarhole is that the main forest reserve office (where the safaris start from) is located deep inside the park. This means that visitors can pass through quite a bit of the park area on their own. It's possible to go trekking inside the park if you're accompanied by a forest guide.
Nagarhole Hotels:
Kabini River Lodge, located on the river near the southern edge of the park, is a popular choice and they offer packages including boating, jeep safaris, and elephant rides. The Jungle Inn, near the main Veeranahosahalli entrance to the park, provides more basic accommodations. Kings Sanctuary, set in 34 acres of mango orchards near the northern edge of the park, is a good luxury option. It's also possible to stay in Nagarhole at a Forest Department guesthouse, however you'll need to book well in advance. Alternatively, Kutta has reasonably priced accommodations including homestays, as well as jeep hire. Spice Garden is a popular homestay in Kutta.
