Karnataka is a state this is known for being one of the country’s richest states in terms of wildlife. Having a forest region of almost 38,720 square kilometers, more than 20 percent of Karnataka is under forest cover. Karnataka is famous for its top most famous national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. Owing to its fair share of lush greens and thick jungles with ample amounts of water resources, it is home to dense and breathtaking national parks in Karnataka. The Wildlife Sanctuaries in Karnataka are home to a large variety of animals, just like the elephant, sloth bears, tigers, jackals, the gaur, and so many more. Top 10 Famous National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries in Karnataka
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Here are the Top 10 Famous National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries in Karnataka:
Nagarhole National Park
Nagarahole National Park is one of the top 10 national parks in Karnataka. It is situated between the Mysuru plateau in Karnataka and the Nilgiri Mountains of Tamil Nadu, it’s far a 640 sq. km. sanctuary this is home to an abundant variety of flora and fauna. Bestowed with great wildlife, forest cover, and varied topography, this area gives gushing streams, mild slopes, and shallow valleys.
The place is a paradise for nature lovers and those seeking solitude. A sort of species such as Elephants, Jackals, Tigers, Panthers, Gaurs, Sambars, Spotted Deers, Mongoose, Civet cats, Hyenas, Sloth Bears and over 250 species of birds name this place their home.
The park is bounded by Kabini River on the north while Bandipur National park forms its southern boundaries. A dam of the Kabini River along with its reservoir demarcates the two national parks and is a sight to behold.
Other than that, the park also houses stunning vegetation and plantation together with verdant tropical and deciduous forest land. With innumerable activities available at Nagarhole National Park, you can keep yourself engaged during the time. Apart from the safari rides, tourists can go trekking, bird watching, or simply sit back to spot the wildlife animals.
In addition to these, trees such as sandalwood, silver oak, rosewood, and teak are found in abundance here. Winter season which starts in November and continues until February is also considered a great time to pave your way toward this park. No wonder it is one of the top 10 national parks in Karnataka.
Kudremukh National Park
Located amidst mountains, Kudremukh National Park is one of the top 10 national parks in Karnataka. It is famous for its scenic beauty. Designated the status of a national park in the year 1987, the 600-kilometer square area is one of the most well-preserved national parks in the state. The wildlife-protected area is the second-biggest belonging to a tropical moist evergreen forest in the quarter of the Western Ghats.
It rises to a top of 1,894 meters (6,214 feet) and is the second-highest top in Karnataka. The area is the habitat of many endangered and endemic species of plants and animals, with mammals such as tigers, leopards, and wild dogs as the number one predators of the region.
Kudremukh and its lush green environment are a nature and wildlife lover’s paradise, serving you the best of the Western Ghats in great detail. Moreover it is one of the top national parks in Karnataka.
Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary
The Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the top 10 famous wildlife sanctuaries in Karnataka. It is located in Kodagu District, Karnataka State, India, in the Western Ghats, and about 250 km from Bangalore.
Offering a wonderful destination as a weekend gateway, Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary is the host of exotic evergreen and semi-green forests and a wide variety of exquisite wildlife. Bamboo plants are widespread.
The Park derives its call from the famous Brahmagiri top 1607 m, which is located in its vicinity. Spread over a vast area of 181 kilometers, the Sanctuary house a huge number of species such as Elephant, Guar, Tiger, Leopard, Wild Pig, Spotted deer, Nilgiri Langur, Giant Flying, King Cobra, Slender Loris, Common Otter, Civets, and Bonnet Macaque, etc.
Pythons, cobras, king cobras, and Malabar pit vipers are also found in the sanctuary, as are birds such as emerald doves, black bulbuls, and Malabar trogons. Treat your eyes to some amazing views and enjoy a great holiday here.
October to February is the ideal time to head toward the Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary during winters, the days are warm with an average temperature range between 20 levels Celsius to 29 degrees Celsius, making it appropriate for tourists to soak in its scenic beauty and have a memorable time. That’s why it is one of the top wildlife sanctuary in Karnataka.
Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary
Called a haven for anglers, the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the best wildlife sanctuaries in Karnataka. It is a protected area placed in the Mandya, Chamarajanagar, and Ramanagar districts of Karnataka, India.
The Cauvery River passes through its midst. An area of 197.11 sq mi. Located on the banks of the Kaveri River, the Sanctuary boasts nearly 200 different species of birds.
The sanctuary is also home to dry deciduous and riverine forests. In addition to this, there are some other super varieties of animals such as spotted dear, jackals, elephants, Sāmbhar, and grizzled large squirrels as well as elephants and leopards.
Owing to cool and pleasant weather, the great time to go to Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary is between September and February. Besides, one can also enjoy different exciting sports like hiking and camping in the midst of the great verdant views of the park. Overall it is one of the best wildlife sanctuaries in Karnataka.
Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary
Mookambika is one of the top 10 famous wildlife sanctuaries in Karnataka. It is located close to Kollur in the Udupi district. This Karnataka wildlife sanctuary is named after Goddess Moolambika, the leader idol of the well-known Mookambika Temple at Kollur, Udupi.
It spans over a place of 370.37 sq. km and is snuggled with thick evergreen, semi-evergreen, and wet deciduous Western Ghats forests and has blotches of teak plantations all over.
The Wildlife Sanctuary houses wild dogs, wild boards, jackals, deer, sloth bears, and tigers. This Sanctuary supports several species of butterflies and plant variants in diversity. This place is also home to reptiles like Pythons, King Cobras, and others.
If you are a bird watcher, the sight of Myna, Drongo, Hornbill, Bulbul, Kingfishers, and Purple Sunbirds will leave you enchanted. Calophyllum Tomentosum, Machilus Macrantha, and Elaeocarpus are the important species of medicinal plants you will find in the sanctuary. Moreover it is one of the top wildlife sanctuaries in Karnataka.
Bannerghatta National Park
Situated at a distance of 23 KMS from Bangalore City Railway Station, Bannerghatta National Park is one of the top 10 most famous national parks in Karnataka. The overall beauty of the park gets a boost from the Suvarnamukhi stream, originating in the Suvarnamukhi hills and running through the park. Bamboos are pretty common in the park with Dendrocalamus strictus being the most commonly found species.
Spread across an area of 25,000 acres, the park consists of the main nature reserve, a zoo, a children’s park, an aquarium, a crocodile park, a museum, a butterfly park, a snake park, and a safari park. One of the main attractions of this park is the Grand Safari.
The one-hour-long safari offers the opportunity to spot leopards, white tigers, Bengal tigers, and lions. The National Park is a Butterfly Park too. Being the first of its kind in India, Butterfly Park is one of the major attractions. The park is spread across a place of 7.5 acres and has a butterfly conservatory, a museum, and an audio-visual room.
Although the city of Bangalore and its nearby regions have a moderate climate and generally range from 15°C to 35°C, the great time to visit the park is during the months from November – June. No wonder it is called one of the top most famous national parks in Karnataka.
Anshi National Park
Anshi National Park is one of the top 10 most famous national parks in Karnataka. Located amid the majestic Western Ghats, it has well-acclaimed flora and fauna.
Spread across an area of 340 square kilometers, Anshi National Park was earlier part of the Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary. The park is encompassed by meandering rivers, deep valleys, and pristine mountains.
Offering a rich variety of flora and fauna, this park is home to Bonnet Macaque, Malabar Giant Squirrel, Indian Bison, and sloth bears. One of the main attractions in the park is the rare Black Panther. The park hosts dense deciduous forests and evergreen rainforests.
Housing over 197 species of birds, this park is also a wonderful place for bird watching. The best time to go to Anshi National Park is between November and May when the weather is great and comfortable. Moreover it is one of the best famous national parks in Karnataka.
Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary
Deriving its name from the Bhimgad Fort built and commanded by Shivaji in the 17th century, the Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the top 10 most famous wildlife sanctuary in Karnataka. It is a protected area in the Western Ghats. Spread over a place of 190. 42 sq.km.
It is well-known for being domestic to the Barapede Caves and for being the only breeding area of Wroughton’s free-tailed bat, a threatened species on the verge of extinction.
The sanctuary has tigers, leopards, gaur, sloth bears, sambar, spotted deer, chitals, foxes, wild dogs, king cobras, elephants, and other threatened species of mammals, birds, and reptiles.
One can also enjoy birdwatching and find birds like the Velvet-fronted Nuthatch, Malabar Grey Hornbill, Imperial Pigeon, Emerald Dove, and even the elusive Malabar Trogon. It also has many rivers and perennial streams and is a picturesque area to visit. Overall it is one of the top famous wildlife sanctuaries in Karnataka.
Bandipur National Park
Bandipur national park is one of the top 10 most famous national parks in Karnataka. The National Park is located in Gundulpet taluk, Chamarajanagar district. It is a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve making it the largest protected area in Southern India and the largest habitat of Wild Elephants in South Asia.
Spread across a place of 874 square km, this national park is home to around 70 tigers, and over 3000 Asian elephants, as well as different animals like leopards, dhole, gaur, sloth bears, and a variety of birdlife.
Bandipur additionally helps a wide range of wooden trees such as teak, rosewood, sandalwood, Indian-laurel, Indian Kino tree, large clumping bamboo, etc. The entry point and interpretation center of the park are located in Bandipur village at the highway after Melkamanahalli Village.
You can also take elephant safaris. Since this reserve is located on the foothills of Nilgiris, you have abundant spots for adventure activities like trekking, camping, and mountaineering. August to November is the best time to go to the reserve as the climate is cool. Undoubtedly it is one of the best national parks in Karnataka.
Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary
Pushpagiri wildlife sanctuary is one of the top 10 most famous national parks in Karnataka. It is located in the State of Karnataka. The sanctuary is in the Kogadu district in Somwarpet taluk. With over 70% of the area covered with lush forests and semi-green vegetation, the natural beauty is beyond one’s imagination.
The sanctuary is covered by steep terrains and waterfalls beside many mountain streams. It has a rich diversity of birds, such as endangered species like gray-breasted laughing thrush, orange flycatcher, and Nilgiri flycatcher. You can also spot the Grey-headed bulbul, Malabar gray hornbill, and the white-belied blue flycatcher.
Animal species like Indian wild dog, brown palm civet, Indian Hare, Spotted Deer, mouse deer, and Asian elephant also live here. The great time to go to the sanctuary is from November to March. Therefore it is top famous wildlife sanctuary in Karnataka.
FAQ related to top national parks & wildlife sanctuaries in Karnataka:
How many National Parks and wildlife sanctuaries are in Karnataka?
Karnataka state has 5 Tiger Reserves, 30 wildlife sanctuaries and 15 conservation reserves.
Which are the top National Parks of Karnataka?
- Bannerghatta National Park
- Bandipur National Park
- Nagarhole National Park
Which is the most famous wildlife sanctuary in Karnataka?
Bandipur national park
Which is the first wildlife sanctuary in Karnataka?
Yadahalli Chinkara Wildlife Sanctuary
Which is the first national park in Karnataka?
Bandipur National Park
What are the 5 tiger reserves in Karnataka?
Bandipur, Bhadra, Nagarahole, Dandeli-Anshi and BRT Tiger Reserves.
Which is the biggest park in Karnataka?
Bandipur National Park
Which place is known as heaven of Karnataka?
Kaadumakki
Which is the biggest forest in Karnataka?
Bandipur National Park
Conclusion
As for the conclusion these are some of the top 10 national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in Karnataka. These parks and sanctuaries are home to thousands of amazing creatures different species of animals and birds. The parks and sanctuaries are enriches with greenery represents the beauty.
