Nagarahole is derived from the combination of two Kannada words-'nagar' meaning snake and 'hole' meaning streams and true to its name a number of streams snake through its rich tropical forests. It is considered to be one of India's best National Parks. Also known as Rajiv Gandhi National Park, it spreads across the districts of Kodagu and Mysore in south Karnataka and derives its name from the river Nagarahole that winds through the forests.
The enchanting 248 square-mile park in Karnataka has an astonishing abundance of wildlife including large mammals such as tiger, leopard, wild elephant, dhole (Indian wild dog), and gaur (Indian bison). Other species present are chital spotted deer, muntjac (barking deer), mouse deer, four-horned antelope, wild boar, sloth bear, hyena, mongoose, civet, otter, and more. The landscape is one of gentle slopes and shallow valleys. Dry deciduous forest trees are leafless in the summer rather than in the winter. There are grassy swamps where the soil is clayey, perennially moist, and which support a luxuriant growth of green grass all year. The change in terrain throughout the park in refreshing and the river system provides a unique wildlife viewing experience.

Nagarhole was initially established as a game sanctuary in 1955, when it covered 285 sq. kms. It was subsequently enlarged in 1975 as a national park covering 573 sq. kms. It is located in Kodagu and Mysore districts of Karnataka between latitudes 11o45' -12o15' North and longitudes 76o5' - 76o25' East. It has a core area of about 200 sq. kms. The terrain is gently undulating with a mean elevation of 800-850 metres. There are several perennial and seasonal streams and tanks all of which drain into the three major rivers - Kabini, Lakshmana Teertha and Nagarhole. The rainfall averages about 1,300 mm-1,800 mm - between June and September.

Flora
The predominant vegetation in the park is of southern tropical, moist, mixed deciduous type with a substantial eastern portion intergrading into dry deciduous type. The upper tree canpy is dominated by Terminalia tomentosa is association with Tectonia grandis, Dalbergia latifolia, Pterocarpus marsupium, Lagerstroemia lanceolata, Anogeissus latifolia, Adina cordifolia, Boambax malabaricum, Schleichera trijuga, Ficus sp. and others. The lower canopy has Kydia calycina, Emblica officinalis, Gmelina arborea etc. Several shrubs belonging to Solanum, Desmodium and Helicteres sp. etc. are abundantly found but weedy shrubs like Eupatorium and Lantana now dominate.

Fauna
The important predators and carnivora in the park are tiger, leopard, wild dog (dhole or Cuon alpinus), sloth bear and the hyena (Hyaena hyaena). The herbivores are spotted deer, sambar, barking deer, four-horned antelope (Tetracerus quadricornis), gaur (Bos gaurus), wild boar (Sus scrofa) and elephant. NNP provides an opportunity to see some of the southern population of Gaur (jungle Bison). Also, this park in Karnataka is a good place to see elephants in the luxuriant forests and bamboo thickets which they most enjoy. Their total population in southern India is now about 6500, nearly all living in the area where Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala adjoin in the shadow of the Western Ghats. Other mammalian miscallany includes the common langur (Presbytes entellus), Bonnet macaque (Macaca radiata), jungle cat, slender Loris (Loris tadigradus), leopard-cat (Felis bengalensis), civet cat (Viverricula indica and Paradoxurus hermaphroditus), mongoose (Herpestes fuscus and Herpestes vitticollis), common otter (Lutra lutra), giant flying squirrel (Petaurista petaurista), giant squirrel (Ratufa indica), porcupine, jackal, mouse-deer (Tragulus meminna), hare and pangolin (Manis crassicaudata). Over 250 species of birds are found at NNP. Besides the enormous variety of woodland birds, there are large congregations of water fowl in the Kabini river. Birds range from blue-bearded bee-eater, scarlet minivet and Malabar whistling thrush to the more common ospreys, herons and ducks.

Among reptiles, the marsh crocodile, monitor lizard, rock python and several other species are represented. Aquatic and terrestrial tortoises, frogs, toads and tree frogs and a myriad insects, including some very colourful butterflies, adorn this lovely southern jungle of India.

Season
The park is open throughout the year and the best season to visit is between October and April. The monsoon lasts from June to September; followed by a cool season till January; and then it gets progressively hotter from February to May.

Excursions:
Outings can be made to Bandipur National Park (100 km), Madikeri (93 km) and Mysore (96 km).

Access

Road: the nearest town is Kutta (7 km). Major towns that are accessible by road are Madikere (93 km), Mysore (96 km) and Bangalore (236 km).

Air: the nearest airport is Mysore. Bangalore airport is a larger airport linked to most parts of the country.