Location : Mysore District, Karnataka
Main species : Flying fox, Egrets, Whistling Teal
Best Season : June to October

Straddling the states of Kerala and Karnaaka Nagarahole (pronounced Naagra-holay) and Bandipur National Parks cover some of the best-preserved tracts of forests in South India. Together covering more than 1,500 km2of visually vibrant vistas all around, Nagarahole and Bandipur are visitor's delight.

Nagarahole: Nagarahole, pronounced Naagra-holay, is spread over 640 km2 and was the private hunting preserve of the princely state of Mysore. The forests are tropical mixed deciduous and semi-evergreen with scrub and grassy swamplands (haldus). The teak forests of Nagarahole include some of the oldest plantations of the country dating back to 1800s. In 1974 an irrigation dam was built across Kabini river creating a water-body that forms a natural boundary between Nagarahole and Bandipur.

Bandipur: While the jungles of Nagarahole are taller and denser, Bandipur has superb scenery of mountains, gorges and tropical mixed deciduous forest. The forests of Bandipur have been protected for over a hundred years and a small area was declared a sanctuary as long ago as 1898. Today the National Park defends 875 kms of lush countryside at the junction of the Deccan Plateau and the outer spurs of the Western Ghats.

Birds: The Nagarahole-Bandipur region is rich territory for birdwatchers and provides ample opportunity for new discoveries and adding to the current list. The Kabini river, the grasslands and the tropical forests offer unlimited hours of birdwatching, which include ospreys, vultures, falcons, eagles, buzzards, ducks, geese, partridges, fowl, bee-eaters, minivets, thrushes and trogons among others.

Mammals: Southern National Parks are ruled by the "jolly jumbos" but other animals include Barking Deer, Mouse Deer, Spotted Deer, Sambar, Wild Boar, Blacknaped Hare, Indian Porcupine, Pangolin, Giant Squirrel, Large Brown Flying Squirrel, Giant Fruit Bat, Slender Loris, Hanuman Langur, Bonnet Macaque, Sloth Bear, Wild Dog, Leopard and the Tiger. Some other animals are Striped Hyena, Jackal, Jungle Cat, Leopard Cat, Rusty spotted Cat and the Common Otter.

Reptiles: Some of the reptiles found in the area the Marsh Crocodile, Monitor Lizard, Rock Python, Rat Snake, Common Krait, Russel's Viper and Bamboo Pit Viper

Corbett Adventure Tour - ( 3 Nights / 4 Days )