Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary

About Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary

The species of animals found in the sanctuary are gaur, elephant, tiger, leopard, jungle cat, leopard cat, wild dog, sloth bear, wild pig, sambar, spotted deer, lion-tailed macaque, Nilgiri langur, slender loris, bonnet macaque, common langur, barking deer, mouse deer, Malabar giant squirrel, giant flying squirrel, Nilgiri marten, common otter, brown mongoose, civets, porcupine and pangolin. It also houses a variety of snakes including python, cobra and king cobra. Avian fauna includes emerald dove, black bulbul and Malabar trogon.

The forest-clothed, cloud-kissed Kodagu district (formerly Coorg) in Karnataka is among the few that have preserved their beauty and rich wildlife. The high forest cover is represented by three wildlife sanctuaries and the world-famous Nagarahole National Park. Among them is the Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary. This sanctuary consists of low-elevation rainforests (40 m above mean sea level at Makut) in Makut wildlife range to high altitude shola-grasslands in Srimangala Wildlife Range (1607 m above MSL at Brahmagiri peak). It is the birthplace of many perennial streams. Prominent among them are the Lakshman thirtha which takes its birth in the high sholas and cascades down in the form of the 60 meter high Iruppu falls near the Iruppu Shree Rameshwara temple.

The sanctuary derives its name from the highest point, the Brahmagiri peak, which is 1607 m in height. The temperature here ranges from 5° to 32°C, and mean annual rainfall varies from 2500 to 6000 mm.

FLORA: The area has mainly evergreen and semi-evergreen Shola forest in bloomforest, and in the higher altitudes, there are grasslands with shola forest patches. Bamboos are well represented in these forests, with Bambusa bambos being dominant.The sholas are made up of dwarf evergreen trees or ‘krummholz’, stunted due to the strong winds at higher altitudes. Sholas are surrounded by grasslands.

FAUNA: Mammals in the Sanctuary include elephant, gaur, tiger, jungle cat, leopard cat, wild dog, sloth bear, wild pig, sambar, spotted deer, lion-tailed macaque, NilgiriBlack bulbuls are found in the upper reaches of the Western Ghats langur, slender loris, bonnet macaque, common langur, barking deer, mouse deer, Malabar giant squirrel, giant flying squirrel, Nilgiri marten, common otter, brown mongoose, civets, porcupine and pangolin. Python, cobra and king cobra are some of the snakes found in the Sanctuary. Interesting birds in the Sanctuary include emerald dove, black bulbul and Malabar trogon.

Interesting things to Visit

Nature camps are undertaken for school children at the Narimalai campsite. There is a trekking path from the lrpu falls, where the River Lakshmana Tirtha begins its journey, to the Narimalai camp, and further on to the Brahmagiri peak and to the Munikal caves.

Nearest Visiting places

➔ From Narimale, you can also walk through the sanctuary from east to west over the next two days. There are hardly any trails after either the Brahmagiri peak or the Pakshipatalam caves even in summer. On advice of the local forest department and led by a forest guide, our team walked along the narrow clearing that marks the boundary between Karnataka and Kerala.

Help Line/Phone Number

Deputy Conservator of Forests, Wildlife Division. Hunsur- 571105,
Mysore District. Phone: 0821 - 652 041

Location info

• Address: Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, located in Kodagu District covers an area of about 181 sq km.

• **District:**Kodagu district

• **Nearest City:**virajpet

Best time to visit: Between October and May is the best time to visit the Sanctuary. Dec-Jan is considered the best time, due to pleasant weather and added advantage of no leeches.

Climate & weather

Summers are dry and tourists are restricted during the fire season. It is not advisable to visit the park during peak summer or from July to August when the monsoons are at their fury.

Things to do at Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary

Key attractions: >Tiger, Elephant, Gaur, Chital, Sambur, Dhole, Leopard and Common Langur are found here. Once the northern limit of the endangered Nilgiri Tahr, the sanctuary today has healthy populations of endemic species such as the Nilgiri Langur and Lion Tailed Macaque. Clawless otters and rare, endemic birds, butterflies, amphibians and reptiles are also seen. >Rainforests, coffee estates and brilliant landscapes.

How to reach Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary

**Nearest Railway Station:**Mysore (140 km). By rail or road from Bangalore to Mysore (140 km), then by road to Hunsur (45 km), Gonikoppa (40 km), and on to the Sanctuary (18 km)

• **Nearest Airport:**Mysore (140 km)

**Road Transport:**Start from Bangalore by bus towards Virajpet, Coorg. Once we reached there get down at Gonikoppalu which was 16 Km earlier to virajpet. From Gonikoppalu take a private bus to Srimangala. by road from Mangalore to Madikeri (105 km), then to Virarajendrapet (30 km), then on to the Sanctuary (7 km).

Hotels & accommodation nearby

Srimangala has a forest office very close to bus stop, just ask people around to get to the office.
Narimale forest trekking shed, pitch tent, Makutta forest bungalow

Things to carry

Do carry food items & match box, you only get utensils and nothing else.
Carry enough sleeping material, you do not have bed or blankets at IB.

Tips & suggestions

To stay at Narimale Camp IB. So, we had to pay rupees 170 per head which includes charges to stay at IB and also entry fee for Brahmagiri Sanctuary. Apart from this one have to pay rupees 200 as guide charges.

Mobile network coverage

Airtel, Jio, BSNL, and Vi all provide coverage across Karnataka. 4G is reliable in Bangalore, Mysore, Mangalore, Hubli, and along highways. Coverage may be weaker in deep forest areas of Bandipur, Nagarhole, and certain Western Ghats sections. Most hotels, resorts, and cafes in tourist areas offer free Wi-Fi.

Food & restaurants nearby

Food options are available in the nearest town. Karnataka cuisine ranges from coastal seafood to Udupi vegetarian to Coorg’s pandi curry. Dosa, idli, bisi bele bath, and filter coffee are iconic.

Nearest petrol pump

Petrol pumps are available in the nearest town or on the approach road — check locally for the closest option.

Accessibility

Accessibility information is not currently available for this site. Contact the venue directly or check with your accommodation for the latest accessibility details.

Rules & restrictions

Standard visitor rules apply. Check locally for any specific restrictions at this site.

Best photography spots

The best photography spots are typically during the golden hours (early morning and late afternoon). Scout the location first to identify the best angles, and consider the direction of light at different times of day.

Best time to visit Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary

October to May is the best time for wildlife viewing. During the dry months (February to May), animals congregate around water sources, making sightings more frequent. The sanctuary is closed during the monsoon (July to September). December to February offers pleasant weather for safaris.

Timings & opening hours

Safari timings: Morning safari 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM, Evening safari 3:30 PM to 6:00 PM (timings vary by season). The sanctuary is typically closed during the monsoon season (July to September) for breeding and forest regeneration.

Entry fee & tickets

Entry fee: ₹50-₹100 for Indian nationals, ₹400-₹600 for foreign nationals. Safari vehicle charges: ₹600-₹2000 for a shared gypsy or bus safari. Guide fee may be additional. Camera fee: ₹50 for still, ₹200 for video. All fees are subject to change.

Duration needed

A typical safari lasts 2-3 hours. One safari is sufficient for a basic experience, but staying overnight and taking both morning and evening safaris increases wildlife sighting opportunities significantly.

Safety tips

Stay inside the safari vehicle at all times. Do not get out of the vehicle inside the sanctuary. Do not feed or tease animals. Maintain silence for better wildlife viewing. Wear earth-toned clothing. No smoking or littering inside the forest. Follow the guide’s instructions at all times.

Nearest airport, railway & bus

Nearest railway station varies by sanctuary location — typically Mysore, Shimoga, or Hubli. Nearest airport: Kempegowda International Airport (BLR), Mysore Airport (MYQ), or Hubli Airport (HBX). KSRTC buses connect nearby cities to the sanctuary approach road.

History of Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary

Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area in Karnataka, part of India’s network of wildlife sanctuaries and reserves. The sanctuary was established to protect the region’s rich biodiversity, including flagship species such as tigers, elephants, and leopards. The area is part of the Western Ghats or the Deccan Plateau ecosystem, supporting a wide variety of flora and fauna.

Frequently asked questions

What animals can I see? Karnataka sanctuaries are home to tigers, leopards, elephants, gaur, deer, wild boar, and numerous bird species. Sightings depend on season, time of day, and luck.

How do I book a safari? Safaris can be booked online through the Karnataka Forest Department website or at the sanctuary entrance. Advance booking is recommended during peak season.

Is the sanctuary open year-round? Most sanctuaries close during the monsoon (July-September) for breeding season. The best wildlife viewing is from October to May.

Quick facts

• Type: Tourist Attraction
• State: Karnataka
• Category: Wildlife Sanctuaries

Visitor information

Please check locally for current visitor information.

Photo gallery of Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary

Photos coming soon. In the meantime, you can find images of Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary on popular travel photography sites and social media.