Explore the Bird Sanctuaries
Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary
Declared a sanctuary in 1940 at the behest of the famous ornithologist Dr. Salim Ali, the Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary is a paradise for bird watchers and nature lovers. The sanctuary is spread over an area of 0.67 sq km and located on the banks of River Cauvery. This bird paradise is the preferred nesting ground for several species of resident birds. Go boating on the river, get a fascinating view of the various species of birds, and catch a glimpse of the marsh crocodiles in the waters.
Explore the National Parks
Atal Bihari Vajpayee Zoological Park
Atal Bihari Vajpayee Zoological Park is the State’s Third Tiger and Lion Safari at the Ballari District. The park was launched in November 2017 and is 10 Kms from the UNESCO World Heritage Hampi. Spread across an area of 141 hectares, the park boasts of Tiger, Lion, Spotter Deer, Sambar, Barking Deer and others. Several animals like crocs, hyenas, leopard, bear, turtle, fox and langur have been shifted to the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Zoological Park from Bellary Mini Zoo.
Bandipur National Park
Bandipur National Park is regarded as one of the most beautiful and better-managed national parks of India. Located amidst the picturesque surroundings of the towering Western Ghats on the Mysore-Ooty highway in Karnataka, it is an important part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve that constitutes Karnataka’s Rajiv Gandhi National Park (Nagarahole) to its Northwest, Tamil Nadu’s Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary to its South, and Kerala’s Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary to its Southwest.
Bannerghatta National Park
Spanning an area of 260.51 sq km., the Bannerghatta National Park boasts of a Lion and Tiger Safari, with enclosures that recreate their natural habitat. From here, you can watch the giant cats in close quarters. Besides, there is a snake park, a butterfly park, a zoo, and a nature camp for children. Adjacent to it is Bannerghatta Nature Camp, a property of Jungle Lodges & Resorts which has tented cottages, log-huts, and dormitory facilities. For more information, visit Jungle Lodges
Kudremukh National Park
The Kudremukh (literally meaning Horse Face) Range gets its name from the unique shape of its main peak. The broad hills overlook the Arabian Sea and are chained to one another by deep valleys and steep precipices. It is believed that Kudremukh served as a landmark for sailors on the western coast for over 2000 years.
Explore the Wildlife Sanctuaries
Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary
Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Khanapur taluk, Karnataka-Goa border in Belagavi district, and is spread over an area of around 190 sq km. This sanctuary is known for the Barapede caves, the only known breeding area of the Wroughton’s Free-tailed Bat, a threatened species on the verge of extinction.
BR Tiger Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary
Biligiri Ranganatha Swamy Temple (BRT) Wildlife Sanctuary takes its name from the ancient Ranganatha Swamy Temple that sits at the edge of a precipice and has an extent of 539.52 sq km. The Biligirirangana Betta (hill) is at a height of 5,091 feet above the sea level and stretches from north to south for about 16 km.
Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary
Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary is the first Sloth Bear Sanctuary in India and Asia, declared exclusively for the protection and conservation of the Sloth Bear. Daroji Bear Sanctuary is spread over 82.7 square km. Sightings from machans are normally organized in the evenings as these bears are mostly nocturnal.
