Karnataka is one of the best states in India to explore wildlife. It exhibits India’s biodiversity at its finest. There are over 20 wildlife sanctuaries in the state, protecting some endangered species and many other common species. These national parks draw wildlife enthusiasts from all over the world. The wildlife reserves are between the Western Ghats and the South Vindhya Mountains, so you can see nature’s beauty and spot wildlife.
The national parks and bird sanctuaries in Karnataka are great places to go on safari and see wildlife and plants. The national parks also offer guided hiking and trekking tours to help you learn more about their ecology.
List of Main National Parks in Karnataka
Nagarhole National Park
The Nagarhole National Park in Karnataka is a sanctuary for animals, with dense forest cover, streams, hills, valleys, and waterfalls. Tigers and gaur are among the park’s fauna. There are also Indian leopards, sloth bears, deer, and other animals.
One of the best places to visit, which has a perfect ratio of prey and predator. You can see animals hunting and walking around freely there.
Bandipur National Park
Bandipur National Park and Tiger Reserve were constructed in 1974 as part of Project Tiger, and they were included in the park. It is thought to be an important habitat for wild elephants in India and the nearby reserve forests.
Bandipur National Park is Karnataka’s biggest national park in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. It stretches over 874 square miles. A national park called Nagarhole is to its north, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is to its west and Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary is to its south.
Anshi National Park
When Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary was cut down in 1987, the Anshi National Park came in its place. Anshi National Park and the Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary, which is located next to it, were added to Project Tiger in 2007.
The Anshi Dandeli Tiger Reserve, located in the Uttara Kannada district, spreads over 1300 square miles. Its name was changed to Kali Tiger Reserve in 2015, after the river Kali, which runs through the jungle.
Apart from tigers, the park also has leopards, sloth bears, and dhole. The only black panther in Asia also lives here.
The park also has hiking, safaris, coracle boat rides, mountain biking and eco-tours.
Bannerghatta National Park
Bannerghatta National Park is a popular national park located near Bangalore, at the foothills of the Anekal ranges. This park is home to a wide variety of animals, including Bengal tigers, white tigers, spotted deer, zebras, and various other animals.
The park also has a corridor for elephants, where visitors can watch them up close. It also has a butterfly park with a butterfly conservatory and an audiovisual area.
Kudremukh National Park
Many people like Kudremukh National Park in Karnataka because it has a lot of different kinds of animals. There are lion-tailed macaques and tigers and leopards, wild dogs and sloth bears, and many other animals.
If you go to the national park, you can go on many fun hiking and trekking trails that let you see the area’s natural beauty and animals in their natural habitat. Kudremukh is a Hindi word that means “horse’s face.” Visitors to the Kudremukh National Park may capture beautiful images of nature and animals in the park’s tea and coffee farms. They can also go hiking and see the animals.
Mudumalai National Park
Mudumalai National Park is one of Karnataka’s most fascinating national parks. It borders Kerala and Tamil Nadu. It is home to a good population of elephants and tigers. The Mudumalai National Park covers around 321 square miles.
Different bird species can be found here, including some endangered ones. There are also pythons and the flying lizard.
Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary
Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary houses several luxury resorts, which surround the Kabini River and Nagarhole National Park. It is a popular weekend getaway destination for residents of Bengaluru, Mysore, and Mangalore.
The best thing to do at Kabini is to go on a boat safari or jeep safari to spot animals like tigers, leopards, elephants, and many others. Kabini is also known as the best place to take pictures of leopards as they can be spotted close to the safari routes.
Conclusion
One of Karnataka’s most popular tourist attractions is its national parks. These parks are home to a wide range of animals because of the state’s location in the Western Ghats. Which is one of the most diverse region in the world.