Nagarhole National Park – Kerala Travel Guide
A scenic wildlife protected area that flaunts its fascinating beauty across Mysore and Kodagu districts in Karnataka’s, this park is a remarkable Tiger Reserve in India. Located only 62km away from Kerala’s Wayanad, this portion of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is often included in the list of popular tourist destinations in and around Kerala.
A soon to be UNESCO World Heritage Site, Nagarhole National Park spreads across 6,000sqkm in the Western Ghats, and houses numerous mammals, predators, birds, reptiles, insets, floral species, and more. Bengal Tiger, Indian Leopard, Sloth Bear, Indian Elephant, Wild Boar, and Four-horned Antelope are some of the major attractions of this national park.
How to Reach Nagarhole National Park
1By Road:
Both Kodagu and Mysore district are very well-connected with the nearby cities and towns. As Bangalore serves as the nearest metropolis to the park, both these destinations can also be reached from across different places in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Mumbai, Pune, and others.
2By Train:
Mysore Junction Railway Station and Bangalore City Railway Station are the two nearest railway stations to reach Nagarhole National Park by train. From both the stations, visitors can board either government or private-run buses to reach the national park; local or private cabs are also available.
3By Air:
The Kempegowda International Airport and Mysore Airport are two of the nearest airport to reach Nagarhole National Park by air. Even though Mysore Airport is nearer, it allows landing for smaller aircrafts only, and hence, might not be an ideal choice. On the other hand, Kempegowda International Airport has regular flights flying in and to several other national and international destinations. From the airport, one can opt for the roadway communication in order to reach Nagarhole Airport.
Best Time to Visit Nagarhole National Park:
Winter (November – January) Best Time :As temperature starts falling around the park, the vicinity gets milder with a crispiness in the climate. Mists and fresh dew drops creates a captivating spell across the park. Wildlife spotting reaches the peak during this season. Winter also serves as the most befitting time for the birdwatchers.
Summer (March – May) Good Time : Overall temperature starts rising by the early part of March and continues till the last of May. Within this period, the temperature can rise up to a maximum of 30-32 degrees. Though the ambience remains quite hot, the jungle members could be seen roaming freely across the thickets very easily.
Monsoon (June – September) – Not So Good Time: Nagarhole receives decent amount of rainfall. Due to this, the locale gets slippery and sticky as well. Thus, it is recommended not to visit the national park during monsoon time.
Safari Timings in Parambikulam Tiger Reserve:
Coracle Ride: 09:00-11:00AM, 05:00-06:00PM
Bus Safari: 06:00 – 09:ooPM, 03:00-05:00
Jeep Safari: 05:30-10:00AM, 03:00-07:00PM
Safari Timings in Parambikulam Tiger Reserve:
Indian Nationals: INR 250
Foreign Nationals: INR 1,500
Camera Fees: INR 200 (up to 70mm lens), INR 400 (between 70-200mm lens), INR 1000 (above 20mm lens)
Hotels in Nagarhole National Park
Nagarhole National Park has an ample of stay options in and around. While most of these options are resorts, one can also find luxury or budget hotels around this scenic park.
