Last Updated: July 6, 2018 Tanmay Sharma
Bangalore, also known as the Silicon Valley of Asia, is a famous doorway to many national parks and bird sanctuaries. These national and sanctuaries are replete with rich flora and fauna that make them highly popular amongst the travelers. Here are the top parks and the sanctuaries around Bangalore, which are ideal destinations for the wildlife aficionados:
Kokkare Bellur
Kokkare Bellur is located in Mandya district off busy Bangalore-Mysore highway. It is one of the few nesting grounds for Painted Storks, Spot-billed Pelicans, Pond Herons, Black Ibis and Little Cormorant. It is heartening to watch the association that the villagers of Mandya share with these birds.
Distance From Bangalore: 89kms
Best time to visit: February-March
Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary
It is situated off Bangalore-Mysore highway and an abode to some of the most exotic species of birds. It is the nesting place for many rare species of the birds like Spoonbill, Painted Stork, Whistling Duck, Black Headed Ibis, egrets, kingfishers, herons, darters and cormorants.
Distance From Bangalore: 125kms
Best time to visit: February-March
Attiveri Bird Sanctuary
It is located in North Kannada District of Karnataka and a habitat to 79 bird species including migratory birds from 22 nations. The Atteveri reservoir attracted many bird species and therefore, it was developed as a bird sanctuary.
Distance From Bangalore: 400kms
Best time to visit: November-March
Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary
It is located in the Kanchipuram district of Tamil Nadu. It is one of the oldest bird sanctuaries in the country. Many migratory birds like Pintail, Gray Wagtail, Garganey, Common Sandpiper, etc. are found here. Karikili Bird Sanctuary is worth a visit for the bird watchers, which is situated at the distance of 9kms from the Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary.
Distance From Bangalore: 320kms
Best time to visit: November-March
Pulicate Lake
It is a picturesque bird sanctuary located in Nellore district of Andhra. This lake is the second largest brackish water ecosystem in India and supports a large congregation of Flamingos. Here, you can also see the bird species like Herons, Kites, Pelicans, etc.
Distance From Bangalore: 380kms
Best time to visit: November-February
Nellapattu Bird Sanctuary
Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary (NBS) is a favorite spot of migration, expecially for the Pelicans. It is located in the Nallore district of Andhra. NBS holds the various species of birds like Flamingos, Waders, Coot, Babblers, Little Cormorant, Open Billed Stork and many more.
Distance From Bangalore: 410kms
Best time to visit: November-February
Kaggaladu Bird Sanctuary
Kaggaladu Bird Sanctuary is actually a small village in Tumkur district of Karnataka. It is the second largest sanctuary for Painted Storks in South Asia. For the purpose of sheltering and nestling of the birds, the tamarind and Banyan trees have been maintained in this sanctuary.
Distance From Bangalore: 140kms
Best time to visit: February-August
Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary
This sanctuary is known for housing some of the fabulous looking birds. It is a small island on the river Tunga and a home to many migratory birds like Darter, Egret, Cormorant, etc. The place is good for tenting, trekking and staying overnight.
Distance From Bangalore: 310kms
Best time to visit: September
Gudavi Bird Sanctuary
It is one of the 5 best bird sanctuaries of Karnataka. It is situated on the Gudavi Lake amidst the Dark Malnad Forest in Sorab Taluk of the district Shimoga. Here, one can spot the birds like Herons, Egret, White Ibis, Stone Bell, etc.
Distance From Bangalore: 370kms
Best time to visit: June-November
Magadi Bird Sanctuary
This sanctuary is created in the Magadi tank located in the Magadi village of Gadag district. The sanctuary is famous for its migratory bird ‘Bar-Headed Goose’. Many bird species like Oriental Ibis, Brahmini duck, Greater Flamingo, etc., are also found here.
Distance From Bangalore: 390kms
Best time to visit: June-November
Bannerghatta National Park
The park is, famous for lion and tiger safari and located amidst quaint environment. It houses lions, elephants, panthers, crocodiles, snakes, etc. One of the key attractions of Bannerghatta is its butterfly park.
Distance From Bangalore: 21kms
Best time to visit: September-January
Anshi National Park
It is a paradise for bird and animal watchers. It boasts of about 197 endangered species of birds. It is an ideal adobe to tigers, elephants, white panthers, deers, white boars and a variety of reptiles. It is located amidst the beautiful Western Ghats.
Distance From Bangalore: 509kms
Best time to visit: October-May
Kudremukh National Park
The park is located in the districts of Udupi, Dakshin Kannada and Chikmagalur. It houses the animals like tiger, sloth bear, common langur, porcupine, leopard, etc., and the birds like Malabar tragon, great pied Hornbill, etc.
Distance From Bangalore: 350kms
Best time to visit: October-February
Nagarahole National Park
It is located in Kodagu district. One can spot tigers, wild dogs, gaur, elephants, etc. in the jungles of this park, which has now been renamed as Rajiv Gandhi National Park.
Distance From Bangalore: 218kms
Best time to visit: October-May
Bangalore is one of the most happening cities of the country. These national parks and bird sanctuaries around Bangalore give wildlife lovers an exquisite experience – certainly full of delights!
Published: 26 Sep, 2013
Tanmay Sharma is a wildlife enthusiast, who is fond of exotic fauna and flora. In the search of interesting wild beings, he has travelled every destination of India, be it the snow dressed area of Uttarakhand, deserted land of Rajasthan or central highlands of Madhya Pradesh. Besides being a true lover of wildlife, Tanmay has a creative edge in writing through which he shares his expertise and experiences with the world.