Nagarhole National Park

lonelyaztec

I was not a wild life lover then. I had seen a couple of ads on TV that said ‘If the buying can stop, the killing can too’ and stuff. I had never been to a jungle to sight animals. I had trekked in the jungles, accept the occasional chirping of the mynah or the woodpecker’s peck, nothing else was heard or seen.

I was adamant that the next long weekend would be in a jungle, and that I should spot a tiger. After a lot of evaluation, we decided to go to Nagarhole National Park ( NP ) and had taken a 2N/3D package from Jungle lodges and resorts.

Nagarhole NP covers an area of 572 sq. km the altitude of the Park varies between 700-850 metres. The maximum temperature reaches 33 degrees C and the minimum is 14 degrees. The Park mainly consists of moist deciduous forest in the northern and western parts and dry deciduous forest in the south-eastern part. A unique feature of these forests is the open grassy swamps, locally called hadlus, where the grass is lush all year-round. The swamps are numerous due to the high rainfall. Plantations of teak and species of eucalyptus cover much of the park. The name Nagarhole is derived from the Kannada word `Naga' meaning `snake' and `Hole' meaning `streams'. A number of streams snake through the rich tropical forests of Nagarhole. These forests are ideal for elephants. Apart from the elephants, the principal wildlife is the tiger, panther, chital, sambar, and sloth bear. Primates include langur, bonnet macaque and slender loris. Notable carnivores are tiger (in larger numbers than in Bandipur National Park), leopard, jungle cat, jackal, wild dog and sloth bear. Herbivores include elephant, spotted deer, sambar and gaur. Over 250 species of birds are present, including the malabar trogon and malabar pied-hornbill and birds of prey such as crested hawk-eagle and crested serpent-eagle. Nagarhole is part of a protected complex that includes Bandipur, Wayanad and Mudumalai wildlife sanctuaries.

Finally the weekend arrived. We left Bangalore on a Friday morning. Kabini River Lodge is situated 5 km off the Mysore-Mananthavadi Road, in the south western part of the Nagarhole NP. This place is called so as it is on the banks of the River Kabini which is a tributary of river Cauvery. Kabini Dam on the river, forms a lake, near which the lodge is located.

The route to Kabini is Bangalore – Mysore – Mananthavadi Road…there are lot of sign boards that enable s can reach the lodge easily. It takes about 6 hrs to reach Kabini from Bangalore. The road leading to Mysore is bad, and the roads in Nagarhole towards the Lodge are equally bad.

The lodge has accommodation of 3 types – tents, cottages and rooms in a guest house. This guest house used to be thehunting bungalow of the local Raja. It accommodates guests now. The rooms are well equipped, but there is no TV or AC. Your tent / cottage / room opens to the lake or to the jungle, and the scene is treat to any nature lover. Food is served in Golghar ( round house ) which is close to the lake.

The schedule at Kabini is very tight. Most people reach the lodge at around 1 pm, and hence people have lunch on arrival. After which there is about 2 hrs for rest. People can take a walk and see the property or walk by the lake. There are 2 tree houses in front of the lake. One can climb up and have a view of the surroundings. The water of the dam has immersed several trees, and hence you will see the dead trunks of the trees jutting out of the water. There are a variety of birds perched on these branches.

Everyone is supposed to report at the Golghar at 4 pm for Chai Biskoot, after which you are assigned to a forest guide. The Chief Naturalist here is Mr. Sarath, he will tell you about the NP and its flora and fauna, the number of elephants, tigers, other wild cats, deers, and he will explain fundas like prey base, tiger census etc.

The Evening Safari lasts for about 2 – 3 hrs. You are taken in a 4 wheel drive Mahindra jeep – the best bet for the jungles. The driver and the guide know exactly where to look for animals, and they recognize all the sounds. Kabini has a large variety of animals and plants, and perhaps nowhere else can one see so much of it. Elephants, sambhar, spotted deer, gaur, wild boar, sloth bear, wild dogs are spotted regulary. You are also sight peacocks, jungle fowls, Crested serpent eagles, exotic mynahs among others.

After the safari, the Lodge screens a wild life film. I was shown a film by Natgeo, about a panther. It was too good. The film was shot in Nagarhole NP.

It was time for dinner. Kabini also has a bar, with a good choice of drinks. Dinner is served in Golghar.

The next day starts really early. A chai wala wakes you up at 5.30 am and gives you either Tea or Coffee, depending on what you ask for. At 6 am, a jeep comes to your room / tent / cottage to take you for the coricle ride. Coricle is a small flat tray shaped boat, made of bamboo bark, whose bottom is flanked with rubber. You are given life jackets for safety. You are taken on a ride in the lake for about 45 mins. I am told that the lake is about 70 ft deep in summer, and can get about 100 feet deep in winter. Am also told there are crocs in the lake, hence it is not advisable to put your hands in the water. The dead trees that stand out of the lake make a very beautiful view. There are a variety of birds in this place. After the ride, we are taken back to the lodge.

You are free for the entire day. Once can sit near the lake, or spend time on the tree house. One can get a guide and also go for trekking in the jungle. Or, you can just sleep in your tent.
In the evening, it is time again for the Safari. It is easy to spots the eleghants, deers, gaurs and langurs, but not the tiger. After the safari, we were back at the lodge. Instead of the jeep safari, one can opt of a elephant safari. Kabini has a couple of domestic elephants for this purpose.
In the evening, a different wild life film is shown. After which one can have dinner and sleep in peace.

The next morning, we opted for a safari again instead of the coricle ride. Most people opt for the Safari , just in case we get lucky and spot the tiger. But, we were not lucky. I think we have to go back to Kabini again for this.

It was about 11 am on day 3, and hence, it was time to leave Kabini and head back to Bangalore, to our homes, our office and everything else.

The trip was sooo satisfying, that I decided that I have to see a tiger asap. After Kabini trip I have developed a special love for tigers and have read up a lot of content about tigers on the net in my free time.

Getting there : Road is best. Bangalore – Mysore – Mysore Mananthavade Road – Kabini. Kabini is about 80 kms from Mysore.

Nearest railway station : Mysore, Mangalore ( 146 kms )

Nearest airports : Mangalore ( 135 kms ) and Bangalore ( 236 kms )

Where to stop : About 30 mins into driving from Bangalore towards Mysore , Kamat Hotel is on the Mysore Road. This place is the best bet for breakfast buffet. Idly, vada, sambar, chutney, masala dosa, kesari, kichadi, upma and fruit juice are on the menu. You will get the best coffee ever here, which is also in the menu.

Café Coffee day is also close by. The queue here is longer. Those who like pudding, cakes, puffs, samosas, mousse and tarts can stop here.

Best time : Summer is the best time, te water holes are dry and hence lot of animals visit the lake as this is the only water hole source available. It is not easy to sight animals in the winter – during the rainy season, as there are lots of water holes, and hence the animals can remain where they are.

Trip duration : 3 days

Where to stay :

Kabini River Lodge ( A Jungle Lodges Property )
Email : Reservation@junglelodges.con, info@junglelodges.com
Ph : 91-80 – 25597201 / 91 – 80 – 25597025 / 91 – 80 - 25597025

Jungle Inn
68 kms from Mysore, 20 kms from Hunsur. It provides tented accommodation, and provides all the activities that Kabini provides – Jeep safaris, wild life film screening, coricle ride, the extra item is the tribal dance in the eveing. They also take people to a Tibetan Monastery. Contact : Infodesk@karnatakatourism.com

Chilligere Estate
It is a homestay set amidst coffee and pepper plantations in South Coorg, is about 10 kms from Nagarhole NP and about 8 kms from Wyanad Wildlife sanctuary. They do not offer organized Safari’s and Coricle rides. Once needs to make arrangements for these separately.
P.O. Box – 167, Manchally Village & Post,
Kutta, S. Kodagu. Pin – 571 250.
Ph : 08274 – 244265. Mobile : 94485 82596.
Contact : Mr. T. T. Somaiah / Mrs. Banu.

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sirensongs

cool!
i have heard very good things about Nagarhole, better viewing than Bandipur, etc.
Thanks for the story.

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aadil

Lovely story about your jungle trip, wish you could have also seen the elusive tiger!!! Being a pretty shy animal it may have seen you but it won't let you see him!!! For that you have to go either to Bandhavgarh, Ranthambore or Corbett National Park for seeing them in the wild as they don't really bother if you come up too close to them on the elephant or the jeep. It is a real treat to watch one from up close and I was really lucky to spot quite a few (one male, one female and four of her cubs) on just a single morning session during my trip to Bandhavgarh in 2005.

Cheers,
Aadil.

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LilyB

We stayed at Jungle Inn this past New Year's Eve (they have regular rooms in addition to the tents) and were lucky enough to see a tiger.

It was the first one spotted in three days and I was the only one to get a picture of it. Our driver got a lot of mileage out of telling the story of the spotting and showing the picture to everyone he could find. I don't blame him; it was very exciting!

aadil

Great to see a tiger like that, even for a few seconds!!! I am sure it must still be fresh in your memory and remain so all the time. A tiger sighting never ceases to amaze me, no matter how many times I see one!!!

Cheers,
Aadil.

bijapuri

Nagarhole is so beautiful that tigers or no tigers, it's magic. ojur jeep was charged by a bull tusker!
next week I will be spending 3 days at Mudumalai,which means I will have seen Nagarhole, Bandipur and Mudu. can't wait!

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shahronakm

Hi fellow Imers,

I have few query on Nagahole National park, if you could try & answer then it will be of great help.

I have planned my trip during this diwali. I am travelling with my wife & 7 year old niece. My plan is as follows:-
8 th Nov. - Reach Bangalore (Yeshwantpur) 9.30 PM
(Looking for options to spend night near the
Station - Does the railway station have
attached bath room for overnight stay - Any
other option - attached bath is must)
9 th Nov. - Visit 2 - 3 prominent spots in Bangalore
Then go to Bannerghatta Nature Camp
(Stay at Jungle Lodges)
Transport options to reach there -
Public & Pvt.
10 th Nov. - By Late afternoon or late night leave
for Nagarhole
Transport options to reach Nagarhole
11 th Nov. - Reach Nagarhole
Stay options (Not Jungle Lodges Property)
Looking for a medium category option
Say Rs. 1000 per room (Only for room)
How are the Cauvery & Gangothri FRH ?
Are they inside the forest or just outside ?
Is food available over there ?
How to book jeep safari from there & at what cost ?
12 th Nov. - At Nagarhole - Jeep Safari
Visit Irpu Falls
What will taxi / rikshaw cost for going
& coming to Irpu falls (with 1 - 2 hrs halt)
13 th Nov. - Visit Dubare Elephant Camp & Nisargdham
Night stay at Coorg (Madikeri)
What will the taxi cost for this day & also
next day to be dropped at Mangalore.
14 th Nov. - Reach Mangalore Train @ 2.30 PM for Mumbai.

Thanks

Ronak.

the three b's

I also would be fascinated by the answers to many of these questions, as I'm off to Nagarhole in Feb.


' A tiger sighting never ceases to amaze me, no matter how many times I see one!!!

Cheers,'
Aadil.



Boaster! (i'm really insanely jealous )

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LilyB

Oddly, I've just received my first notification of a new post to this thread, hence the very late reply. . .nearly two years on and the memory is indeed fresh and just as exciting as ever.

Shahronakm, I wish I could answer all your questions for you. Hopefully someone will be along shortly who can. The Jungle Inn (which I think is different from Jungle Lodges properties) was all-inclusive room and meals. The room was clean but basic, with an attached bath. I don't remember the exact price (and it may have changed by now anyway) but it wasn't cheap, although it included two jeep safaris, a trip to the elephant camp and entry to the park. I do remember that there didn't seem to be as many lodging options as at Bandipur.

In Bandipur we went directly to the park offices and booked a jeep. We happened to be there at the same time as a family wanting the same, so shared the jeep and split the cost. I imagine that Nagarhole would be the same if your lodging doesn't arrange the safari for you.

Have a great trip!

shahronakm

Thanks for your reply.
A trip to the Elephant Camp - Was it Dubare Elephnat Camp or some other camp near the park ?

Ronak.

LilyB

I'm sorry, I don't remember the name, but I'm pretty sure it was inside the park. We stopped there for a visit after the morning safari. We just drove to Nagarhole hoping to find a place to stay without planning ahead, so I don't have all the names engraved on my brain like I normally would after hours of research.

Dubare looks like a fun place to stay. I would have liked to have spent more time around the elephants. I'll hope you'll post about your experiences at the park.

shahronakm

I just googled a bit for the info. Was it Murkal Elephant Camp ?

We will not be staying at Dubare but will def. go there in the morning time. Will def. post my exp. at the park.

Ronak.

Sadanand Kamath

I was planning to visit either Corbett or Bandhavgadh some time in 2008. Now I have enlarged my canvas to include Nagarhole also.

Looking forward to your experience in Nagarhole NP.

My best wishes for your journey and for tiger sighting .

Sadanand

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shahronakm

Thanks SK for your wishes.
But first I am looking forward to answers to my questions posted in my earlier post. Hope some one answers them. Lonelyaztec, where are you ? He is supposed to be the Nagarhole Mahaguru on IM.

Reg. tiger sightings in Nagarhole they are very rare. From what I have read on the net may be one sighting in 3 - 4 days. For sure shot Tiger sightings none better than Bandhavgarh, Even I am planning a trip to Bandhavgarh during Late April or First week of May. Summers are the best time to spot wild life. In case you decide to go to Corbett please stay at Dhiakala Guest house situated right inside the forest.

Ronak.

LilyB

It may have been. I tried checking the Jungle Inn website to see if they had the name posted but they don't even mention a visit being part of any packages. You could probably contact them for info about it though.

http://www.jungleinnnagarhole.com/