Karnataka is a state that boasts of rich biodiversity and natural landscapes. You will be amazed by the exotic species of animals, birds, and plants that thrive in the verdant forests and grasslands.
One of the best ways to explore the diverse flora and fauna of this state is to visit its wildlife sanctuaries. These places will give you the experience of some of the best safaris you could have ever asked for.
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In this article, you will get to know about the following wildlife sanctuaries to visit in Karnataka,
- Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary
- Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary
- Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary
- Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary
- Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary
- Talakaveri Wildlife Sanctuary
Let’s see each of these places in detail.
1. Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary
| District | Mandya, Chamarajanagar, and Ramanagar |
| Area | 1027 km2 |
This sanctuary is located in the districts of Mandya, Chamarajanagar, and Ramanagar. It covers an area of 1027.54 sq. kilometers and is a protected area. The sanctuary has a semi-arid climate that supports a variety of exotic flora and fauna. The river Cauvery flows through it and is bordered by dense woodlands.
The sanctuary has three main types of vegetation: Xeric shrubland, dry deciduous forest, and Riparian forest. The dominant trees are Albizia amara and Hardwickiabinata. You can also find other trees such as jambul, Terminalia arjuna, Ficus, Mangifera indica, etc.
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The sanctuary is home to diverse fauna, including the Bengal Tiger, Indian Leopard, Sambar, Barking Deer, Indian Elephants, and more. Some of the endangered animals that live here are Grizzled Gaint Squirrels and Indian vultures. You can also spot various reptiles such as the Indian cobra, Russell’s Viper, Mugger crocodile, etc.
You will also get to see a number of exotic avifauna, as the sanctuary is also rich in birdlife, with many rare and vulnerable species such as white-rumped vultures, greater spotted eagles, yellow-throated bulbul, etc. The sanctuary has taken several conservation measures to protect the habitat of these diverse creatures.
Inside, you will also visit the Hogenakal Falls and the Muthathi Anjaniya Temple, which is a significant religious site.
2. Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary
| District | Chikkamagaluru |
| Area | 893 km2 |
Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary is also a tiger reserve and spans an area of 893 sq. kilometers. It is in the Chikkamagaluru district of Karnataka and is part of the Western Ghats. The temperature of the sanctuary ranges from 10-35°C.
Inside, you will find picturesque hills and hilly terrains, Manikyadhara Falls, and Hebbe Falls. The river Bhadra gushes through the western part of the sanctuary. Due to this diversity in landscape, you will find different types of biomes in the area.
The sanctuary has three main types of vegetation: Moist deciduous forests, wet deciduous forests, and evergreen forests. At higher altitudes, you can also see mountain grasslands.
While on your safari here, notice the large number of different types of plant species in the area. 120 species and more types of plants are seen here including, teak, fig trees, rosewood, indigo, Ceylon Oak, etc.
Moving further inside the sanctuary, you will come across leopards, tigers, mouse deer, bonnet macaque, flying squirrels, and many more. Here you will find a good number of birds, reptiles, and butterflies. Don’t miss the Mullayanagiri Peak and the sunset viewpoint for some stunning views.
3. Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary
| District | Kodagu |
| Area | 181 km2 |
This is yet another wildlife sanctuary solely for the ones who love to be and look into the untamed wilderness. It is located in the Kodagu district and is named after the highest peak, Brahmagiri. The sanctuary covers an area of 181 sq. kilometers and has a lot to offer to visitors.
Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary has dense evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, as well as the unique Shola forest that consists of bamboo and grasslands. The climate is pleasant and ranges from 5-30 ̊C.
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The sanctuary has a rich diversity of fauna. You can spot animals such as tigers, sloth bears, Nilgiri black bulbuls, spotted deer, king cobras, pythons, civets, pangolins, Malabar trogons, and many others.
The landscape around the sanctuary is mesmerizing. You can explore the coffee estates and the rainforests that contribute to the region’s beauty. You can also visit the spectacular Iruppu Falls and the Brahmagiri Peak. Near the sanctuary, there are trekking trails that take you through nature to the top of Brahmagiri.
4. Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary
| District | Ballari |
| Area | 83 km2 |
As the name suggests, the Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary is dedicated to protecting sloth bears. It is the first of its kind in the entire Asia. This sanctuary is situated in the Ballari district and covers an area of 83 sq. kilometers.
Because of its location on the Deccan plateau, the temperature goes up to 40 ̊C, and along with this, the monsoon brings about the needed amount of rain. The landscape surrounding the place was mostly dry deciduous shrubs and southern thorn woodlands. Later on, a large area was transformed into a rich green forest.
Apart from the sloth bears, the sanctuary is also the habitat of other animals, such as Mongoose, Black-naped hares, Porcupines, Leopards, Pangolines, etc. There are also 27 species of butterflies and 90 species of birds that you can see flying around.
There are watch towers for bird watching and for observing the bears coming down from the hills at dusk. The sanctuary also has a mythological significance related to the Ramayana. You can learn more about it when you visit the place and explore it.
5. Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary
| District | Uduppi |
| Area | 371 km2 |
This sanctuary is named after Goddess Mookambika, whose temple is located within the sanctuary area. It covers an area of 371 sq. kilometers and is crossed by the rivers Sowparnika and Chakra.
Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the Uduppi district and has a variety of vegetation types, such as mixed moist deciduous forests, evergreen, semi-evergreen woodlands, and teak plantations. The terrain features waterfalls, rolling hills, and a beautiful landscape filled with greenery.
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During your safari inside, you can see many wild animals, such as tigers, jackals, wild boars, sambars, gaurs, lion-tailed macaques, pythons, king cobras, etc. You can also spot many birds, like red-vented bulbuls, peafowls, little cormorants, great Indian hornbills, ashy swallow shrikes, purple sunbirds, and more. It is a paradise for bird watchers.
You can also visit the temple of Goddess Mookambika and seek her blessings. Enjoy your trip to this wild and wonderful place.
6. Talakaveri Wildlife Sanctuary
| District | Kodagu |
| Area | 105 km2 |
This sanctuary is located in the district of Kodagu and is part of the Western Ghats. It spans an area of 105 sq. kilometers and is named after the river Kaveri that flows through its eastern part.
The sanctuary has a tropical evergreen forest biome and some plantations of cardamom and coffee. It has a rich diversity of flora and fauna that add to its beauty and uniqueness.
The sanctuary has many plant species such as Hopea parviflora, Artocarpus lakoocha, Dipterocarpus indicus, Pallaquin ellipticum, etc. You can find many animals in the sanctuary, such as wild cats, common palm civets, barking deer, elephants, clawless otters, ruddy mongooses, common langurs, etc. roaming around. Various snakes such as rat snakes, cobras, pythons, etc. slither around in the natural space. You will be amazed by the variety of birds such as fairy bluebirds, black eagles, great pied hornbills, broad-billed rollers, and more.
The place is truly enchanting and intriguing. You can also go trekking through some of the trails to explore the mountain ranges and be mesmerized by the surrounding scenic landscapes and greenery.
These are some of the best wildlife sanctuaries to visit in Karnataka that you must visit on your next trip to the state. If you are a nature enthusiast, you can visit them and witness the wild creatures in their natural habitat.
The real mystical nature enfolds itself in its raw form at these sanctuaries. Explore in the carefree and fresh ambiance and have a memorable experience.
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