Nagarhole
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Through thick clumps of bamboo and dense forest, one spies the enormous expanse of the backwaters of the Kabini River in Nagarhole. This beautiful park is utterly serene and one of the favourite habitats for the Asiatic Elephant.
It also has a healthy tiger population and is home to another unusual resident — a ‘black panther’ which is really a melanistic leopard, who often pops his head out to greet visitors while they tour the park.
Nagarhole has an extremely healthy predator-prey ratio.
From tigers to elephants, plentiful deer, and entire clans of primates, there is never a dull moment in this gorgeous ecosystem. Birders will be amazed by the variety of waterfowl, birds of prey, and thousands of birds that never seem to stop singing.
As you make your way down to the banks of the Kabini river, you may want to keep an eye out for the wily muggers (crocodiles) that are waiting for unassuming prey on the banks!
The Kabini backwaters are a terrific breeding ground for aquatic life and several species of fish.
You’ll often find herds of elephants wallowing on the banks, taking a dip, or even swimming across the river. For those who want to observe elephants in the wild, this is one of the best places to do so.
Besides the tiger, the other key predators here are leopards, wild dogs, and mugger . It has an abundant prey base of herbivores and one finds herds of spotted deer, barking deer, sambhar, and Chausingha deer. Wild boar and primates are found in large numbers, and one can sometimes observe rare species like the Giant Flying Squirrel, Indian pangolins, Mouse Deer and the Black-Naped Hare.
There are plenty of lodges in Nagarhole that range from luxurious to rustic.
Do keep in mind that in Nagarhole, the park authorities organize game drives and guests may have to share their vehicle with other visitors to the park. In Nagarhole, one can also opt to go on a boat safari, which is a great way to observe waterfowl and animals on the riverbanks.
Nagarhole is a great jumping off spot to explore the rich biodiversity of South India. It is the former hunting grounds of the Wodeyar Maharajas of Mysore, and is a well-preserved forest.
The best times to visit are November – March, when the temperatures are comfortable, and the best time to go into the park is early in the morning or in the early evening.
Nagarhole is a wonderful wildlife escape to enjoy with your kids or with friends. Ask us today to help you plan a wonderful jungle adventure in this beautiful forest!