10 Famous Wildlife Safaris to Visit in Karnataka

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Wildlife safaris in Karnataka are renowned for their abundant biodiversity and cultural heritage, making it an ideal destination for animal lovers. The region is home to numerous national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and tiger reserves, creating an ideal haven for nature enthusiasts.

These reserves are located within the Western Ghats and the South Vindhya Mountains. They offer trekkers the opportunity to explore stunning trails, immerse themselves in the beauty of nature, and encounter wildlife.

Here is a list of the top 10 wildlife safaris in Karnataka which you can explore:

1. Bandipur National Park

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Bandipur National Park, a popular destination for Karnataka jungle safari, is renowned for its abundant wildlife. It is home to around 70 tigers and over 3000 Asian elephants, along with leopards, dholes, gaurs, sloth bears, Indian rock pythons, jackals and diverse birdlife.

The park is now a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and plays a crucial role in tiger conservation.

• Area Covered: 912 km2
• Best Time to Visit: March to May
• Average Time to Spend: 2-3 Days
• Operational Hours: 6:30 am to 9 am and 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm
• Distance from the Airport: 63.8 km from Mysore Airport
• Entry Fee: ₹250 per adult
• How to Reach: You can book a train to the Mysore Railway station, then take a bus or taxi to reach the Bandipur National Park.

2. Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary

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Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, also called Muthodi Wildlife Sanctuary, is named after the Bhadra River. It is not only renowned as one of the best wildlife safari destinations in Karnataka but also a designated Project Tiger reserve.

Further, the sanctuary offers excellent opportunities to observe various mammals, reptiles, and around 250 bird species unique to the Western Ghats.

• Area Covered: 892.5 km²
• Best Time to Visit: October to March
• Average Time to Spend: 1 Day
• Operational Hours: 6 am to 9 am and 3 pm to 6 pm
• Distance from the Airport: 191.2 km from Mangalore International Airport
• Entry Fee: ₹400 per adult and ₹200 per child
• How to Reach: You can go to the nearest railway station at Kadur and hire a cab to reach the sanctuary.

3. Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary

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Dandeli National Park offers an exciting nature-filled vacation with a chance to explore incredible flora and fauna. The park provides a range of thrilling activities, including jungle safaris, coracle rides, and moonlight boat rides.

Moreover, you can spot diverse wildlife, such as black panthers, crocodiles, elephants, Indian sloth bears, and various birds, along with amphibian species.

• Area Covered: 834.16 km²
• Best Time to Visit: October to May
• Average Time to Spend: 3-4 Days
• Operational Hours: 24 hours
• Distance from Airport: 72 km away from Hubli Airport
• Entry Fee: ₹40 per adult
• How to Reach: You can book a train to Dharwad, the nearest railway station, and then hire a taxi to Dandeli.

4. Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary

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Situated on the banks of the river Kaveri, it is home to around 200 bird species, including the grey-headed fish eagle and pied crested cuckoo. The sanctuary also houses various animal species, such as sambar, spotted deer, jackals, grizzled giant squirrels, leopards, and elephants. It also highlights the Mahseer, the largest freshwater sport fish.

• Area Covered: 686.40 km²
• Best Time to Visit: August to March
• Average Time to Spend: 1 Day
• Operational Hours: 10 am to 4:30 pm
• Distance from the Airport: 143 km away from Bangalore Airport
• Entry Fee: ₹150 per adult
• How to Reach: You can hit the Kanakapura Road from Bangalore to reach the place by car or taxi, which is about 87 km.

5. Nagarhole National Park

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Also known as Rajiv Gandhi National Park, Nagarhole National Park is located in the Kodagu and Mysore districts. It is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is famous for its diverse flora and fauna.

The park is home to wild gaurs, wild boars, Sambar deers, antelope, spotted deer, tigers, elephants, Indian bison, and many bird species. Moreover, you can find a diverse array of Teak Trees and Rosewood, contributing to its abundant flora.

• Area Covered: 643 km²
• Best Time to Visit: April to May and November to February
• Average Time to Spend: 1-2 Days
• Operational Hours: 6 am to 8 am and 3 pm to 5 pm
• Distance from the Airport: 81.6 km from Mysore Airport
• Entry Fee: ₹50 per adult
• How to Reach: You can get to Mysore Railway station by train, then take a taxi or cab to the park.

6. Kudremukh National Park

source: karnatakatourism

For a truly immersive experience, you should not miss Kudremukh National Park, an enthralling forest safari in Karnataka. It harbours a wide variety of wildlife, including wild dogs, sloth bears, tigers, leopards, and the magnificent Malabar giant squirrel.

If you are a bird enthusiast, you will be thrilled by the park's abundant bird population, boasting over 200 species.

• Area Covered: 600.57 km²
• Best Time to Visit: December to February
• Average Time to Spend: 3 Days
• Operational Hours: 6 am to 6 pm
• Distance from the Airport: 102.8 km from Mangalore International Airport
• Entry Fee: ₹200 per adult
• How to Reach: You can take a bus from Mangalore and then book a cab or taxi to Kudremukh.

7. Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary

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The Mookambika wildlife sanctuary can offer an enchanting experience to those on a wildlife safari in Karnataka. It is a haven for various animals, including the slender loris, deer, sambar, barking deer, otter, porcupine and leopards.

The cane turtle and lion-tailed macaque are the two endangered species you can encounter in this sanctuary.

• Area Covered: 370.4 km²
• Best Time to Visit: September to April
• Average Time to Spend: 1 Day
• Operational Hours: 6 am to 9:30 am and 3:30 pm to 6 pm
• Distance from the Airport: 138 km from Mangalore International Airport
• Entry Fee: ₹135 per adult
• How to Reach: You can visit the park via road/rail from Bangalore to Shimoga, then to Sagar by road, and at last to Kollur via the Hosanagara-Nagodi Ghat road.

8. Anshi National Park

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It is a part of the Dandeli Sanctuary, sharing borders with Goa. The park is inhabited by various animals such as bonnet macaque, elephants, deer, Indian bison, Malabar civet, Malabar giant squirrel, pangolin, sloth bear, and tigers.

Here you can explore around 200 bird species and numerous animal species. Anshi National Park also features trekking trails that lead to stunning grasslands, high-altitude areas, and breathtaking scenic viewpoints.

• Area Covered: 340 km²
• Best Time to Visit: November and May
• Average Time to Spend: 1-2 Days
• Operational Hours: 6 am to 8:30 am and 4 pm to 6 pm.
• Distance from the Airport: 110 kilometres from Hubballi Airport
• Entry Fee: Free
• How to Reach: You can reach the park via train to the nearest stations, either from  Kanwar Railway station or Londa Railway station, then book a cab to go to the park.

9. Mudumalai National Park

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Mudumalai National Park is a vital ecological system in India. Recently it has been declared a Tiger Reserve with around 103 tigers living there. Additionally, it hosts over 260 bird species, including Malabar Grey Hornbill, Indian White-Rumped Vulture and more.

You can also encounter some endangered species like the Indian Giant Squirrel, the Flying Lizard, and the Indian Leopard.

• Area Covered: 321 km²
• Best Time to Visit: October to May
• Average Time to Spend: 1-2 Days
• Operational Hours: 6 am to 8 am and 4 pm to 6 pm
• Distance from Airport: 130 km away from Coimbatore International Airport
• Entry Fee: ₹30 per adult
• How to Reach: You can book a train to Mysore and then take a cab or a bus from Mysore to Mudumalai.

10. Bannerghatta National Park

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You can experience one of the best jungle safaris in Karnataka at Bannerghatta National Park, which includes diverse attractions. The park houses around 30 lions and several sloth bears. Other wildlife species in the park include elephants, Bengal tigers, white tigers, panthers, bison, spotted deer, birds, and butterflies.

• Area Covered: 260.5 km²
• Best Time to Visit: October to June
• Average Time to Spend: 1 Day
• Operational Hours: 9:30 am to 5 pm (closed on Tuesdays)
• Distance from Airport: 54.1 km from Bengaluru International Airport
• Entry Fee: ₹100 per adult and ₹50 per child
• How to Reach: You can reach the nearest metro station of Jayaprakash Nagara or a city bus from Shivajinagar Bus Stand or Kempegowda Bus Station in 20 to 30 minutes.

Therefore, if you are planning to visit some adventurous sanctuaries and national parks, this guide on wildlife safaris in Karnataka will help you. It is advisable to check the specific timings, transportation facilities, and permits required before planning your visit to any wildlife destination in Karnataka for a smooth tour.