FAQs
How do I get to Nagarhole?
By car: The drive to Nagarhole is a comfortable 4 hour drive from Bangalore via NH275. You will drive past towns and cities like Ramanagara, Channapatna, Maddur, Mandya, Srirangapatna, Mysore, and Hunsur. This is the most popular choice among visitors.
By train: The closest railway station to Nagarhole is in Mysore. You can travel from Bangalore to Mysore by train. You can then either hire a taxi or rent a car and drive to Nagarhole from Mysore. Both, the train journey as well as the drive, are very comfortable and scenic.
By bus: The closest bus stop to Nagarhole is in Hunsur. You can take a KSRTC bus or a private bus from Bangalore to Hunsur, and then hire a taxi to Nagarhole. Another option is to take buses going from Mysore to H.D. Kote, which is located 30 km before the park. In Mysore, you could also board buses going towards Mananthavady, Bavali, Kattikulam (towns of Kerala) which pass through Nagarahole national park. However, timings may vary depending on the entry timings of the park.
By air: For visitors coming from outside Karnataka, the closest airport to Nagarhole is in Bangalore. Other airports are in Calicut in Kerala, and Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu, from where you can take buses, or hire taxis or cars to reach Nagarhole.
How far are Nagarhole and Kabini from each other?
Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary is surrounded by many other national parks, including Nagarhole National Park. This popular destination is about 2 hours away from Nagarhole. The Kabini Dam and the region surrounding it attracts most visitors to see the beautiful scenery and wildlife around the reservoir.
How do I get around Nagarhole?
If you don't have your own 2-wheeler, car, or a rental, you can hire private cars from Hunsur or Mysore and use them to get around Nagarhole. Since there is no facility to fill petrol or diesel in the national park, it is a good idea to do so in Hunsur, H. D. Kote, or in Ponnampet, Kodagu.
You could also make use of the interstate KSRTC buses going through the national park to Mananthavady, Bavali, and Kattikulam in Kerala.
When is the best time to visit?
The best time to visit Nagarhole is from September to May. The summer months reach 30 degrees centigrade, but the wildlife viewing is much easier as they visit watering holes more often. Unless you are an avid naturalist, it is best to avoid visiting here in the monsoon months because the roads get mushy and you'd spend most of your trip indoors.
What are the main attractions and things to do?
Wildlife safaris are a must! The forest department organises wildlife safaris in the morning and evening. If you're the adventurous kind, head out on a trek! Take permission from forest officials, and always take a guide along with you.
Visit Kutta - a neighbouring town, and Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary and the Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary which are close by.
Drive to the neighbouring town of Kodagu and drink some freshly brewed Coorg Coffee.
Resorts and guesthouses also offer activities like boating and coracle rides, which are a fun experience!
What do I eat and where?
Ballele oota, which is food served on a banana leaf, is available in all the local restaurants. You can ask for vegetarian or non-vegetarian food. Most restaurants serve authentic Kodava cuisine too.
You can even eat traditional south Indian food like dosa, bisi bele bath, akki rotti, idli, vada, sambar, and more!
Don't forget to drink a cup of the famous Coorg coffee!
What kind of wildlife can I spot?
Nagarhole National Park is home to Elephants, Jackals, Tigers, Panthers, Gaur, Muntjac, Sambar, Spotted deer, Mongoose, Civet cats, Hyenas, and Sloth Bears. Reptiles include King Cobra, Krait, Python, Viper, Tortoise, Monitor Lizard ,Toads and more!
Fees, permits, timings
There are no special permits required to enter Nagarhole, and entry is free. You will have to enter details like names, vehicle registration, number of visitors, etc. The road from Hunsur to Nagarhole is restricted, and only open from 6 A.M. to 6 P.M.
Miscellaneous
- Do not feed the wildlife
- Do not litter
- Do not smoke, or consume alcohol within the premises
- Camping in the national park is not allowed because wild animals roam freely and there are chances of forest fires from a stray ember of a campfire.
- Do not make any kind of noise once you are in the national park premises
- There are no medical facilities available inside the national park
- Gate timings- 6:00 AM- 6:00 PM
- Other points of interests around Nagarhole - Bandipur National Park, Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary and Talacauvery Sanctuary, Irrupu Falls, Rameshwara Temple, Namdroling Monastery, Talacauvery.
- Remember that you might not always be lucky enough to spot animals during the safari. Nevertheless, you must remain calm, quiet,and seated unless the guide tells you otherwise.
