Home to around 1,000 Asian elephants, other animals found at Nagarhole include chital (spotted deer), Indian mouse deer, gaur, stripe-necked and ruddy mongooses, grey langur, bonnet macaque, Asian wild dog, leopard, tiger and - though more elusive - sloth bear.
The park is a mixture of tropical deciduous forests and lovely open grassland at the edge of the dammed Kabini River. Nagarhole was a former hunting area for the Maharajas of Mysore, the British Viceroys and their officials. Today, however, it is dedicated to protecting wildlife and is without doubt one of the best places in India to see Asian elephant in the wild where, in the hot summer months, they congregate in large herds along the banks of the River Kabini.
Additionally, over 200 species of birds have been recorded here, including grey-headed fishing eagle, crested hawk eagle, crested serpent eagle, oriental honey buzzard and red-headed vulture. Malabar pied hornbill, white-bellied woodpecker, Malabar parakeet, southern coucal, coppersmith and white-cheeked barbets, oriental paradise flycatcher, green imperial pigeon, yellow-footed green-pigeon, and white-bellied, ashy and greater racket-tailed drongos are all often seen.
Due to the large number of elephants in the park, game-viewing and birdwatching are by jeep, though the number of vehicles entering is very strictly controlled. To relieve demand for jeep drives, park regulations require all visitors to take at least one boat safari on the Kabini River dam during their stay. This is a superb experience on which herds of elephants, perched ospreys and grey-headed fish-eagles and clouds of river terns and small pratincoles are likely to be seen. Smooth-coated otters are commonly seen from the boats too.
Nagarhole National Park lies 94 kilometres from the city of Mysore in Karnataka State, in South India.
With 15 species across its spectacular diversity of landscapes – more than any other country – India is the undisputed home of cats. This unique tour builds on Wildlife Worldwide’s decades of success tracking big cats in India, taking you in search of snow leopard, Asiatic lion, leopard and tiger.
Find out more about India’s Big Cats
India’s south is often overlooked in favour of the centre. However, it boasts fine reserves, beautiful scenery and key species including tiger, leopard, Asian wild dog, sloth bear, Asian elephant and gaur. Our tour visits three exceptional reserves, and also offers a chance to see rainforest endemics.
Find out more about India’s Wild South
Discover India’s unspoilt south: explore the backwaters of Kerala by houseboat, view elephants at Nagarhole National Park and enjoy guided walks, game drives and boat tours in Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary. Covering six very different national parks and reserves, this trip is a complete wildlife immersion!
Find out more about Jungle Trails of Southern India
Explore one of southern India’s finest wildlife locations on this dedicated wildlife photography tour to Nagarhole National Park where we hope to photograph the stunning variety of species including tiger, dhole and even the beautiful melanistic leopard if we are lucky.
Find out more about Nagarhole Photo Safari
Discover India’s unspoilt south with our small group tour spending seven nights in Nagarhole National Park. A gem when it comes to wildlife, this park offers a tantalising variety of iconic mammals such as tigers, wild dogs, leopards, and elephants – alongside a supporting cast of chital, gaur and giant flying squirrels.
Find out more about Nagarhole’s Tigers, Wild Dogs & Leopards
With some of India’s least spoiled and most serene protected areas, and all of the country’s best-loved wildlife, including tiger, leopard, Asian wild dog and Asian elephant, the southern state of Karnataka is a little-known gem. This small group tour visits its finest protected areas.
Find out more about Wild Karnataka
Combine two excellent national parks across two adjacent countries to see tiger, leopard, wild dog, elephant and sloth bear! From the biodiverse forests of Nagarhole in India, journey across the ocean divide on a 1.5 hour flight to explore the lowland forests of Wilpattu in Sri Lanka.
Find out more about Wildlife of India & Sri Lanka
Destination: India, Sri Lanka
Price
(inc. flights): 14 days
from £4,995
Trip type:
Tailor-made Holiday
When to go:
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Suggested accommodation options are shown below.
Please
contact us
for further recommendations.
Kaav Safari Lodge is a small, luxury accommodation situated on the edge of Nagarhole National Park - known for its large population of Asiatic elephant. It has just six well-appointed rooms/tents and boasts picturesque views of the jungle, where over 300 bird species have been recorded.
Find Out More about Kaav Safari Lodge
This is a typical Indian safari lodge, formerly the hunting lodge of the Maharaja of Mysore. It accommodates up to 50 guests in spacious rooms or cottages, and a wealth of wildlife can be found in nearby Nagarhole National Park, such as elephant, sambar, gaur and even sloth bear.
Find Out More about Kabini River Lodge
This upmarket eco-friendly resort gives you a magnificent wildlife experience from two sides of the Kabini River. Accommodation consists of a series of bungalows with private pools or spa baths, and facilities at the resort include an infinity pool, a restaurant offering a fine dining experience, and an Ayurvedic spa.
Find Out More about Orange County Resort
