A Holy Trinity for the nature lover: Bandipur, Nagarhole and Kabini!

The state of Karnataka is blessed with an abundance of dense forests and grasslands making way for flora and fauna to thrive. These expansive stretches of greenery have evolved into wildlife sanctuaries and national parks, housing a variety of species of wild animals, exotic birds, reptiles, medicinal plants, and herbs. In these parks, you might also find a range of live reptile food, which is vital for sustaining the diverse reptile species by providing essential nutrients and supporting their natural behaviors. Perfect for a nature lover or an adventure-seeker, the national parks of Karnataka are indeed a treasure trove of natural wonders. Of all, three such sanctuaries deserve special mention- Bandipur, Nagarhole, and Kabini, each known for their unique wildlife population and landscape.

Reaching the parks

The highlight of these three national parks is that travel route wise they form a triad, and can be easily accessed from the nearest city of Mysore. If you are traveling through Bangalore, you can take one of the airport cabs in Bangalore and drive down. The best time to explore any of these national parks is between the months of October and April when the weather is pleasant and there are higher chances of spotting wildlife.

Bandipur National Park – 72.7 Km from Mysore

One of the most famous natural sanctuaries of Karnataka, Bandipur National Park defines the spread of greenery of Karnataka. Spanning a wide area of 874.20 sq. km, this park is home to some of India’s rarest species of wild animals, like the Royal Bengal Tiger. It is also recognized as a National Tiger Reserve and attracts tourists from all over India and other countries. The entire park area once used to be the private hunting grounds of the Maharaja of Mysore, when it was a princely state, and later in 1974, the state government declared the zone as a ‘National Park’. Bandipur is home to Indian elephants, gaurs, sloth bears, muggers, Indian rock pythons, four-horned antelopes, jackals etc. along with clusters of rosewood, sandalwood, teakwood, and bamboo trees, among many others.

If you are traveling from Bengaluru by car, then you can the NH212 ahead of Mysore from Gundulpet and head towards Bandipur. If you are travelling from Mysore, you can opt for car rentals in Mysore and reach Bandipur within 1.5 hours.

Nagarhole National Park – 89.9 Km from Mysore

The second largest natural reserve of the state, Nagarhole along with Bandipur form a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. It was also named the Rajiv Gandhi National Park after it gained its relevant status in 1988. Packed with thick forests of rosewood, teakwood, silver oak, and sandalwood, the wilderness of Nagarhole is home to exotic wildlife like leopards, different families of deer and monkeys, hornbills, ibis, eagles and more. The park is dotted with natural water-bodies where the wild animals come for respite and that gives you an opportunity to spot them from a safe distance. You can take a jungle safari or a guided trek to explore the forests.

Kabini National Park – 220 Km from Mysore

Like Bandipur, the forests of Kabini were also a hunting reserve for the kings of Mysore Kingdom and became a ‘National Park’ much later after independence. The park area spans more than 55 acres and is a part of the Nagarhole National Park, housing tigers, Asian elephants, leopard, Sambar deer, spotted deer, panther, and 250 species of known and exotic birds. The entire area of Kabini is packed with thick forests of various deciduous trees and dotted with steep valleys and gurgling streams. The famous Irupu falls lies here and cascades down a mound of tree-lined rocks.

The best way to explore any or all of these national parks is to opt for a jungle safari conducted by an expert guide, or even take a trek through the forests and explore on foot. Or best, you can stay at one of the jungle resorts and experience the wilderness in its true essence.