Rajiv Gandhi National Park

Rajiv Gandhi National Park was earlier known as ‘The Nagarhole National Park’ which is located around 94kms from Mysore. The name Nagarhole derives its name from ‘Snake’ for Nagar and ‘Stream’ for hole in Kannada. Rajiv Gandhi National Park is a famous wildlife park in India and has a large population of elephants, bison and around 250 species of birds.

Rajiv Gandhi Park is located around beautiful slopes and valleys of Karnataka. The Park is connected in south-east to Bandipur National Park and to Wynad Sanctuary in Kerala to its south-west. National Park is covering an area of 600kms and spread across two districts Mysore and Kodagu of Karnataka State.

This Park was originally a private hunting sanctuary of the Mysore Royals and was declared as National Park in the year 1974. You can also enjoy the Park with a safari ride which is available at an extra cost during morning between 06 am to 09 pm and in the evening between 03pm to 05 pm.

Attractions: 

Animals / Mammals

Tiger, Leopard, Elephant, Barking Deer, Porcupine, Gaur, Chital, Sambar, Wild Boar, Jackals, Sloth Bear, Hyena, Mongoose, Civet, Otter, Langoor, Giant Squirrels, Spotted Deer, Royal Bengal Tiger, Slender Loris, Four Horned Antelope, Panther,  Pangolin.

Birds         

Grey jungle fowl, Great Black Woodpecker, Red Spur Fowl, Malabar Trogon, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Scarlet Minivets, Indian Pitta, Oospreys, Herons, Ducks, Peafowl, Reed Warbler, Bea Eater, Brown Dove, Bulbul, Ring Necked Dove, Spotted Dove, Eagle, Blyth Myna, Lorikeets.

Reptiles

Crocodiles, Monitor Lizards, Tortoises, Rattle Snakes, Frogs, Rock Python, Viper, King Cobra, Spectacled Cobra, Banded Krait, Bamboo Viper, Pit Viper, Russell’s Viper.

Things to do:

Bird safari, Jungle safari, Elephant Safari, Jeep safari and Trekking

Best Time to visit:

October to May is most pleasant but it’s open through the year for Wildlife lovers.

How to Get There:

Nearest Airport – Mysore Airport or Bengaluru Airport

Nearest Railway Station – Mysore or Bengaluru

By Road – Through Bengaluru – Mysore- Hunsur-Nagarhole.