September-end is nearing, and with that, another long weekend is on its way. Wondering where to go to this time? Karnataka is known for its exotic wildlife; many wildlife sanctuaries, national parks, and birding sanctuaries are right around the corner, just short drives away from Bangalore. These places are perfect for one day trip from Bangalore, for the routes are picturesque and the drives would never make weary for the holiday. So go ahead, make full use of the long break; watch the tigers roar and colourful birds fly folks!
Bandipur National Park
Located at a distance of 215 km from Bangalore, the Bandipur National Park is one of the most famous and diverse National Parks of India. Spread across 874 Sq.Km, Bandipur, that lies on the fringes of Karnataka is home to elephants, gaurs, tigers, sloth bears, muggers, Indian rock pythons, four-horned antelopes, and jackals.Here, you can enjoy activities like jeep safaris, elephant safaris, and birding tours, and tiger sighting is common here. Bandipur boasts of some exotic resorts too.
Nagarhole National Park
A weekend plan to Nagarhole National Park comes with an amazing bonus – a holiday in Coorg, the adventure capital of India. Located at 218 km from Bangalore, the Nagarhole National Park is a habitat to Bengal tiger, gaur, Indian elephants, jackals, grey mongoose, sloth bears, striped hyena and many other mammals. The avifauna includes around 270 species of exotic birds and reptiles like mugger, bamboo pit viper, and rat snake are common here.
Bannerghatta National Park
Yes, there is a National Park right in Bangalore, and we know you never had the time to visit it! So do it this weekend, especially if you have a family with children. The Bannerghatta National Park is known as a habitat for more than a 100 species of birds, wild flora and myriad animals. But the fun part is the safari excursion that takes you through the fenced forested parks of tigers, lions, elephants, deer, and crocodiles. The place also has a zoo, a pet corner, an animal rescue centre, a butterfly enclosure, an aquarium and a snake house.
Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary
At a distance of 79 km from Chikmagalur, the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary is a must visit destination in Karnataka, more so because it would come with a short holiday in Chikmagalur. Nestled amid the lush tropical forests of the Western Ghats, Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary is known for its varied plant species, majestic tigers and other mammals like elephant, gaur, sloth bear, wild boar, black leopard, jungle cat, and jackal. Crisscrossed by the tributaries of the Bhadra River all through, Bhadra is located near Shimoga and is the 25th Project Tiger Tiger Reserve of India.
Kokkare Bellur Bird Sanctuary
A birder and shutterbug’s delight, Kokkare Bellur Bird Sanctuary is nestled in between the cities of Mysore and Bangalore. Kokkare Bellur is not essentially a reserved forest sanctuary, but it is a small village where the storks and pelicans exist in harmony, in tamarind trees and paddy fields. It is known for painted storks (Ibis leucocephalus), the beautiful yellow beaked bird that has been listed under the “near threatened category” of birds.
This apart, little cormorant, black ibis, grey heron (Ardea cinerea), black-crowned night heron and Indian pond heron are the other birds found here. The villagers consider the storks as harbingers of good luck and prosperity and have adopted them as their heritage bird. In fact, Kokkare Bellur, in Kannada means the ‘stork village’. 71 km from Mysore and 85 km from Bangalore, this Kokkare Bellur, definitely makes for an interesting destination.
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