India has been known for its wildlife since times immemorial. However, this wildlife has been fast disappearing due to encroaching concrete jungles, scared villagers and greedy poachers.

Wildlife has been fighting for survival and screaming for help. Off late, conservation efforts are being carried out on a large scale, with social awareness rising. More people with greater social awareness are emerging. Coorg too has one such conservation effort to celebrate. Besides being known for its abundant wildlife and nature, Coorg is also known for the renowned Nagarhole National Park.

The Nagarhole National Park is also known as the Rajiv Gandhi National Park or the Nagarhole Game Sanctuary. Coorg can truly be proud of it as it’s among the most well maintained game parks in India. Nagarhole literally translates to ‘snake stream’ and derives its name from the serpentine river that meanders through the park.

The River Meandering through the Nagarhole National Park

Nagarhole is extremely beautiful and is an abode of wildlife. It is a thrilling place for kids to spend a day and they get to see different animal species here.

A Tiger Spotted at Nagarhole

The park provides visitors with safari vehicles and forest guards to take them around. However, the best way to see the park is on the back of one of its own inhabitants! Yes, I’m talking of the elephant! This is the most exciting and fascinating way to see the park!

These elephant rides are provided early in the morning and during the evenings. These elephants are trained to carry passengers carefully to the spot where they can see other animals. The elephants are accompanied by their keepers and forest guards. Being a part of the park’s wildlife, they prove to be very efficient and truly help complete the experience.

Visitors to the park are also allowed to view the park in their own vehicle if they so desire. This provides them ample choice regarding how they wish to see the park. The more energetic and adventurous have the option to trek through the park! Thus all wildlife enthusiasts and tourists are given innumerable choices. Nagarhole could indeed be a real treat!

Nagarhole is full of wildlife, comprising elephants, deer, tigers, leopards, and most species of animals found in Southern India. The park is also a storehouse of 250 species of birds! Reptiles are also a common sight here.

Nagarhole is ideal for families with kids, looking for a safe yet adventurous holiday. It also invites all adventure lovers, wildlife enthusiasts and photographers to come over and celebrate wildlife at its best!

Bavna Achayya

Bavna Achayya is a B.Com student at Mount Carmel College, Bangalore. She is the daughter of a coffee planter from Coorg and is greatly interested in plantations herself. She is passionate about writing and photography and calls the environment her main inspiration.