8 Best Wildlife Sanctuaries near Mangalore

Nagarhole National Park is one of the best wildlife sanctuaries in India. Also known as Rajiv Gandhi National Park, the park is situated about 218 km from Bangalore, and is among the must include places in Karnataka Tour Packages.

Spread across Mysore and Kodagu districts of Karnataka, Nagarhole got National Park status in 1988 and declared as 37th Project Tiger Reserve in 1999. The Western Ghats Nilgiri sub-cluster of 6,000 Sq. km, including all of Nagarhole National Park, is under consideration by the UNESCO World Heritage Site status. It is one of the top attractions you must include in Coorg tour packages. It is situated to the north-west of Bandipur National Park.

The important animals in Nagarhole are tiger, leopard, wild dog, sloth bear, the hyena, spotted deer, sambar, barking deer, wild boar and elephant. Bus & Jeep Safari available in the park run by forest dept from Kutta & Dhammanakatte (kabini side). Staying at Kabini River Lodge is the best way to explore the park as their package includes Jeep Safari with experienced guides.

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At a distance of 12 km from Mallandur village, and 39 km from Chikmagalur, Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area and a tiger reserve, situated amidst the Western Ghats in Chikmagalur and Shimoga districts of Karnataka. It is one of the most popular Wildlife Sanctuaries in Karnataka, and among the must-visit places as part of Chikmagalur Tour Packages.

Spread over an area of 490 sq. km, Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary is also known as Muthodi Wildlife Sanctuary. It is one of the most popular places to visit in Chikmagalur. The region was declared as a natural reserve, known as the Jagara Valley Game Reserve, in 1951 by the Government of Mysore. In 1974, the reserve was named the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary. The Sanctuary boasts of a substantial tiger population and it was declared as the 25th Project Tiger of India in 1998.

The sanctuary is situated in the lush tropical forests of the Western Ghats and accommodates the tributaries of the Bhadra River. The sanctuary gets its name from the Bhadra River and a dam has been built on the river near Lakkavalli. The sanctuary has an elevation ranging from 750 m to 1875 m above sea level. Kallahathigiri is the highest peak in the sanctuary with a height of 1875 m. Lakkavalli village near Bhadra ...

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At a distance of 61 km from Gundlupete, 66 km from Mysore, 68 km from Kutta, 128 km from Ooty, and 209 km from Bangalore, Kabini is one of the most popular haunts for those who love to explore the wildlife sanctuaries in India and enjoy getting up close with nature. Kabini can be visited along with Mysore Tour.

Kabini is a region situated around the banks of the Kabini River. It is a part of Nagarhole National Park, famous for its spectacular wildlife and birdlife. It is the starting point of wildlife safari in the south-eastern part of Nagarhole. There is a dam built on Kabini River near Sargur which spread over an area of 55 hectares covering forests, rivers, lakes, and valleys. The backwaters of the Kabini reservoir are very rich in wildlife especially in summer when the water level recedes to form rich grassy meadows. During summer, animals in large numbers gather near the lake.

There are different kinds of accommodation facilities available near Kabini which include Orange County Resort, Kabini River Lodge, The Bison, Red Earth Resort, Waterwoods Lodge and Resorts, Kabini Lake View Resort, and The Serai. Besides accommodation, the resorts also offer several facilities to its guests like Wildlife Safari, Coracle Ride, Boat ...

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At a distance of 16 km from Shimoga, the Sakrebyle Elephant Camp is a forest camp for captive elephants in Karnataka. Situated on Shimoga - Thirthahalli Road, it is one of the top places to visit as part of Shimoga tour packages.

Set amidst the calm and peaceful lush greens, the Sakrebyle Elephant camp is regarded as one of the best camps for training elephants in the Karnataka state. Many tourists and wildlife enthusiasts come to visit to explore the lifestyles of elephants residing in the camp and enjoy their time. Located on the banks of the Tunga River, the camp houses 25 elephants including both trained and untrained. These wild elephants are brought to the camp and tamed as well as being provided with nutrition and healthcare. The camp is maintained by the Karnataka Forest Department.

The Sakrebyle Elephant Camp is one of those ecotourism centers in Karnataka that offers general people an opportunity to look at the huge tuskers from close quarters. The main attraction of the camp is the interaction session allowed between the visitors and the elephants. The baby elephants are a fascinating watch. One can go for a ride or can bathe the elephants, feed the elephants, and also can reside in the camp stay to know much about the elephants. There is also a Children's park inside the elephant camp where children can have great fun. This place is perfect for both kids and adults.

Timings: 8. 30 AM - 11 ...

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At a distance of 13 km from Shimoga, the Tyavarekoppa Lion & Tiger Safari is a safari park situated in Shimoga, Karnataka. Located on Shimoga - Sagara Road, it is one of the must-visit Shimoga tourist places, especially for wildlife enthusiasts.

Starting in 1998, the Tyavarekoppa Lion and Tiger Safari is the second safari park in Karnataka after Bannerghatta National Park. Spread across 200 hectares of land, Tyavarekoppa Safari park is the place to rehabilitate the lions and tigers that are rescued from circuses across India. It is an open zoo where wild animals can be seen roaming inside the reserve.

Despite the name, the lion and tiger are neither the only animals here, nor are they the only big cats here. Visitors can catch glimpses of leopards, sloth bears, deer, and many other species of animals. A relatively rare black panther was born here during 2012 and is available for public view as a caged animal.

The main attraction of the Tyavarekoppa Lion & Tiger Reserve is the jeep safari conducted by the forest department. The open jeep safari allows visitors to have a look at various wild animals from close quarters. One can watch a variety of rare migratory birds inside the reserve. The place also has a small zoo and a well-maintained children's park where the kids can have a nice time.

Timings: 10 AM - 1PM & 2. 15 PM - 5 PM, Closed on Tuesday & on Public Holidays

Entry: ...

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At a distance of 32 km from Shimoga, Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary is a small picturesque sanctuary on an island located in the River Tunga at Mandagadde village near Shimoga. Located on Solapur - Mangalore Highway, it is one of the few bird sanctuaries in Karnataka, and among the best places to visit near Shimoga.

Spans an area of 1.14 acres, Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary is one of the 20 important bird sanctuaries in India, and among the few bird sanctuaries in the Malnad region of Karnataka. The sanctuary is visited by migrant birds as the roaring waters of the mighty Tunga River provide ideal conditions for nesting and breeding of the lovely birds. This spot is very much adjacent to the National highway between Shimoga to Thirthalli and easily reachable.

A part of Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary, Mandagadde sanctuary is important for bird nesting with over 5,000 birds here from July to September. The three most important of these species are Darters, Median Egrets, and Cormorants. The quaint little island is also graced by the presence of various other varieties, such as the Maiden Egret, Pied Kingfisher, Wooly Neck Stalk, Night Herons, Open-billed storks, etc. The birds prefer the top branches of the trees for nesting as the island is partially submerged by the swollen river Tunga during the monsoon.

The best season to visit would be between July and October, with August being the ...

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At a distance of 21 km from Agumbe, and 47 km from Udupi, Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected wildlife sanctuary located in the Western Ghats of Karnataka. Lies in Udupi & Shivamogga districts of Karnataka, below Agumbe, it is one of the lesser-known places of wildlife in Karnataka.

Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1974 with an area of 88.40 sq. km. In 2011, the sanctuary was subsequently expanded to 314.25 sq. km by adding Balehalli Reserve Forest, Agumbe State Forest, Someshwara Reserved Forest, and Tombatlu Reserved Forest areas. The expanded sanctuary forms a contiguous stretch of protected area that includes Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary, Sharavathi Wildlife Sanctuary, and Kudremukh National Park. The sanctuary was named after the presiding deity 'Lord Someshwara' of the famed Someshwara temple located within the sanctuary. The perennial Sita River flows through the sanctuary.

The sanctuary is home to several animals including Barking Deer, Bonnet Macaque, Common Langur, Gaur, Jackal, Leopard, Lion Tailed Macaque, Sambar, Spotted Deer, Tiger, Wild Dog, and Wild Pig. There are also a few exquisite birds like Ceylon Frogmouth, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Malabar Trogon, and Malabar Whistling Thrush which can be found in the Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary. Reptiles like pythons, Monitor lizards, and King Cobras abound in the forest. The forest is also a butterfly lover's paradise.

The sanctuary ...

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At a distance of 16 km from Banavasi, and 41 km from Sirsi, Gudavi Bird Sanctuary is a protected sanctuary situated at Gudavi village in the Shimoga district of Karnataka. It is one of the lesser-known bird sanctuaries in Karnataka, and among the popular places to visit near Sirsi.

Spread over an area of 0.74 sq. km, Gudavi Bird Sanctuary is a paradise for ornithologists. It was declared as a bird sanctuary in 1986 and is now protected. The sanctuary is located on the banks of Gudavi Lake surrounded by a thick cover of green trees. The small lake is filled with water throughout the rainy season. As per a survey, there were 217 species of flora and fauna, belonging to 48 families in the bird sanctuary.

A variety of birds migrate to Gudavi for breeding in the months of monsoon, that is, from June to December, an ideal period for a visit. The trees and the natural lake give shelter to these birds. The sanctuary inhabits various species of migratory birds like white ibis, little cormorant, Indian cormorant, little grebe, and jungle fowl along with common species like heron, ibis, egrets, darter, cormorant, parrots, mynas, and kites. A special platform is built for the bird watchers to have a closer look at the birds.

The sanctuary has 2 entrances, and tickets are given at both sides. From the entrance, one has to take a vehicle some 700m, park it and then walk along the pond. Platforms are constructed for visitors to walk on, making them visitor friendly. Department ...

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