Wildlife in and Around Bangalore

Bangalore is a favoured tourist destination for many reasons, including its famed pubs, the great weather, etc, but not many realise that the city is also a great base if you are interested in wildlife tourism.

Bangalore’s proximity to Mysore, and the many forested regions along the Cauvery makes it a much sought-after destination.

• Bheemeshwari, Muthathi:Very close to Bangalore are two well-known spots, Muthathi and Bheemeshwari fishing camp, where there is a thick forest in the vicinity and the Cauvery running through it. The Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected forest area that covers Ramanagar, Chamarajanagar and Mandya districts. The sanctuary is a mere 100 km away from the city. The waters of the Cauvery here are home to the famed Mahseer, the mighty fish.

• Closer home, Bannerghatta: Closer to Bangalore, or rather in the city itself is the well-known Bannerghatta National Park. There is a nice safari in the park, apart from a nature camp. The forest is a crucial corridor for pachyderms, and links Sathyamangalam and B R Hills area.

• Worth every buck: Also in the vicinity of Bangalore is the Jayamangali Reserve, famous for conservation of black bucks. The reserve is located in the district of Tumkur, easily accessible to Bangalore, over 135 km from the city.

Jayamangali Blackbuck Reserve (Photo Courtesy: http://www.jlrexplore.com)

• Nagarhole, the tiger haunt: Ask anyone in the Bangalore-Mysore region about wildlife tourism, and they are bound to tell you about Nagarhole. Over 200 km from the city, the Nagarhole National Park is the perfect place to go to if you are interested in spotting a tiger or two! You can go on safaris organised by the government staff. The National Park is spread over 640 sq km, and has a good population of elephants, langurs, and birds of over 250 species. 

Nagarhole National Park (Photo Courtesy: http:// www.walkthewilderness.net)

Tiger Safari at Nagarhole National Park (Photo Courtesy: https://www.tourmyindia.com)

• Bandipur beckons: You can’t talk of Nagarhole and miss out on Bandipur. The National Park is also a tiger reserve, and your best chances of spotting the tiger in Karnataka are here. Bigger than Nagarhole, Bandipur is spread over 874 sq km, and adjoins the Mudumalai, Wayanad and Nagarhole parks. Together, these forested regions are categorised under the Nilgiri Reserve (biosphere). 

• Make it to Masinagudi: You can easily plan a trip to Masinagudi, which is at the foothills of Mudumalai (about a five-hour drive from Bangalore). Masinagudi has thick forests, and lakes, and is a great place for birding. There is also a government-organised safari here, and you can spot elephants on the journey.

Bird Watching at Masinagudi (Photo Courtesy: http://www.lakshmisharath.com)

• Elephant spotting at Dubare: Talking of elephants, you should also not miss the exclusive camp for elephants at Dubare near Kushalnagar, Kodagu district. A four-and-a-half-hour drive from Bangalore will take you there. If you have kids accompanying you, they will love the camp at Dubare. You can trek, indulge in some fishing or go on an elephant ride here. All the activities are organised by the Forest Department of Karnataka.

Dubare Elephant Camp (Photo Courtesy: http://www.birdofparadise.in)

You can make Bangalore your base and take up any of these tours over a weekend. There are plenty of hotels in Bangalore to choose from. So, book yourself in one of the Bangalore hotels and go wild!