Nugu Wildlife Sanctuary

About Nugu Wildlife Sanctuary

Nugu reservoir ocuupies the northern part of the Nugu Wildlife Sanctuary. It is built across the Nugu River, a tributary of the Cauvery. The catchment area is 984 sq km. The Nugu Wildlife Sanctuary lies to the north of Bandipur National Park. Nugu Reservoir is in Beerwal of H D Kote taluk. The dam site is only 16 km from Sargur Town on the Mysore- Mananthavady road.

The sanctuary lies between the longitudes 11o52’49.3“E to 11o56’51.76”E and latitudes 76o25’49.62“N to 76o28’37.24”N. Elevation ranges from 719-790 m with an annual rainfall of 856 mm. The reservoir of Nugu dam, two seasonal lakes and three tanks form the water resources for this sanctuary.

Most of the vegetation in the forests is dry, deciduous interspersed with patches of plantations. Common species of trees found in this sanctuary are Anogeissus latifolia, Tectonia grandis and Terminalia tomentosa. Other species of trees that are dominant in this forest canopy include medicinal and commercially important tree species like Emblica officinalis, Santalum album, Albizia spp. and Dendrocalamus strictus (Pascal et al. 1982).

Many of the large and medium sized mammals found in the other protected areas of the Western Ghats are resident here too. These include jungle cats (Felix chaus), leopard (Panthera pardus) and deer species like spotted deer or chital (Axis axis), sambar (Cervus unicolor), barking deer (Muntiacus muntjak) and mouse deer (Moschiola meminna). Other small mammals like the grey mongoose (Herpestes edwardsi), small Indian civet (Viverricula indica), common palm civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus) and jackals (Canis aureus) are quite common in this sanctuary (Lal et al. 1994).

Some of the birds seen in this sanctuary include, grey headed fishing eagles (Icthyophaga icthyaetus), grey junglefowl (Gallus sonneratii), hoopoe (Upupa epops), Brahminy kite (Haliastur indus), Indian robins (Saxicoloides fulicata), common teals (Anas crecca), lesser yellownape woodpeckers (Picus chlorophus) and black drongo (Dicrurus macrocercus). All four species of egrets i.e. cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis), great egret (Casmerodius albus), little egret (Egretta garzetta) and intermediate egret (Mesophoyx intermedia) can be easily spotted here (Lal et al. 1994).

Among the reptiles, marsh crocodiles (Crocodylus palustris) can be spotted in the rivers (Lal et al. 1994). Fires are a major threat to this sanctuary. Since the sanctuary is not open for tourists, it is not yet affected by the threat of commercial tourism. A serious threat to the forests of this protected area comes from the farmers and livestock in the neighboring villages, who venture inside the forest, whenever there are poor rains and water scarcity. The Nugu dam within the sanctuary then serves as a watering station for both, the villagers and the cattle (Lal et al. 1994).

Help Line/Phone Number

Lal, R., Kothari, A., Pande, P and Singh, S (eds). 1994. Nugu Wildlife Sanctuary. In: Directory of national parks and sanctuaries in Karnataka: Management status and profiles .Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi, India. pp 127-130. /td>

Location info

• **Address:**Nugu Wildlife Sanctuary is situated north of Bandipur National Park in Mysore District, Karnataka.

• **District:**Mysore district

• Nearest City: Nanjangud

• Best time to visit: October to April is ideal to visit the sanctuary.

Things to do at Nugu Wildlife Sanctuary

This place is beautiful for picnic lovers and great for bird photographers.

Things to visit & highlights

After reaching the dam, take left turn to proceed near the back water catchment area. This place is beautiful for picnic lovers and great for bird photographers.Additional places of interest for tourist which can be visited in this area include, Bandipur Wildlife sanctuary, kabini reservoirs, Hulugana Maradi, Goddess Sri Chikkamma Devi temple and Gopalaswamy Betta near Gundlupet.

How to reach Nugu Wildlife Sanctuary

• **Nearest Railway Station:**Nearest railway station is Nanjangud.

• **Nearest Airport:**Mysore

Road Transport: By road, from Mysore to HD Kote, about 50 km away, and on to Nugu (16 km) via Sargur.
Tourists travelling from Bangalore, have to reach Mysore and proceed towards Nanjangud which is at South side. Nanjangud is only 22Kms from Mysore, trains available upto Nanjangud. From Nanjangud, continue journey towards Hura, Hullahalli which are at West side to Nanjangud.

Hotels & accommodation nearby

No food is available at this place. There are no accomodation available either to stay. One can plan to stay at resorts available near Kabini reservoir by booking those in advance.

Nearest visiting places

• Mudukuthore Temples

Mudukuthore is located at a distance of 60 km from Mysore, 25 km from Somnathapur, 5 km from T.Narsipur and is close to Talakad. The place is known for the temple of Lord Mallikarjuna. During January-February, every year, a big festival fair is organized for a week where cattle and agricultural items are traded

• Nanjanagudu Temples

Located near the city of Mysore, the town of Nanjanagudu (a.k.a. Nanjangud) is a traditional and historical place known for the temple of Lord Shiva, and a variety of flavorful bananas that are grown in the region, called Rasabale

• T.Narasipura Temples

Tirumakudalu-Narasipura (Kannada: ) , officially known as T.Narasipura [1],is a panchayat town in Mysore district in the Indian state of Karnataka. The first letter “T” of the name (T.Narasipura) refers to Tirumakudalu,the peninsular town (Trimakuta in Sanskrit) at the confluence of the Kaveri, Kabini and Spatika Sarovar (a hidden mythical lake or spring, also named Gupta Gamini)

• Talakadu Temples

Talakad is a scenic and spiritual pilgrimage center located in near T. Narasipura, Mysore district. Talakad is also know as Talakadu in Kannada, state language of Karnataka. Talakad is situated on the banks of the Kapila Cauvery River. Talakad is about 130 Kms from Bangalore and 50 Kms from Mysore. River Cauvery makes a sharp turn here

• Mysore Historical

140 Kms from Bangalore lies the abode of untold grandeur and glory. Mysore,the capital city of the Wodeyars has always enchanted its admirers with its quaint charm,rich heritage, magnificent palaces,beautifully laid-out gardens, imposing buildings,broad shady avenues and sacred temples

• Arabithittu Wildlife Sanctuary

Spread across 14 sq km, Arabithittu Wildlife Sanctuary, established in 1985, is situated in Mysore District of Karnataka. The area has scrub forests and plantations and is surrounded by agricultural fields

• Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary

Holidaying in Karnataka has its advantages. Apart from the ancient and world heritage temples depicting artistic expertise of the dynasties that ruled here, Karnataka offers you a fabulous opportunity to enjoy its majestic natural beauty

• Nagarhole National Park

Nagarhole National Park also known as ‘Rajiv Gandhi National Park’ is located 94 km away from Mysore. It is spread between Kodagu and Mysore districts. The national park has rich forest cover, little streams, valleys and waterfalls

• Mysore Archeology

This was the capital of Mysore during British times. It was highly developed city with a population of 700,000. Chamaraja established it in 1640. Between 1760 and 1799 the Muslim Hyderali and Tippu Sultan, father and son duo, gained control and shifted the capital to Srirangapatnam in the north

• Somanathapur Archeology

“There is a stillness and everlastingness about the past, it changes not and has a touch of eternity,” wrote Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru in his “Discovery of India.” These words somehow hold true when one arrives at Somnathpur, a tiny village on the banks of the Kaveri, 140 kms, south-west of Bangalore

• Balamuri Falls

On the way to K.R.S. from Mysore, 3 Km away from the main road, there are two beautiful small waterfalls, which is the hot spot for students and nature lovers. You also come across an ancient Ganesh temple in the vicinity

• Chunchanakatte Falls

Chunchanakatte Falls is a waterfall on the Kaveri River, near the village of Chunchanakatte in Mysore district, Karnataka, India. Water cascades from a height of about 20 meters.It is in the Western Ghats. Here the river falls in two small cascades before joining again to flow as one

• Kabini River

The Kabini is a river of southern India. It originates in Wayanad District of Kerala state, south India from the confluence of the Panamaram River and Mananthavady River, and flows eastward to join the Kaveri River at Tirumakudal Narasipur in Karnataka, which empties into the Bay of Bengal

• Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, in the southern Indian state of Karnataka, is an important tourist destination from Mysore city orthe adjoining Vrindavan gardens, both of which are barely 20 km away

• Gundal Reservoir

This place is located in Western Ghats hill range starting from Kerala and ending in Tamilnadu. MM Hills also extends beyond B.R.Hills.In between these two hills there is a dam called Gundal dam constructed between two hills,is a picnic spot. In B.R. Hills and attracts lot of devotees from South India

Things to carry

Carry water and food/snacks along with you.

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.

Climate & weather

Karnataka has a varied climate from the humid coast to the dry Deccan plateau and cool Western Ghats. The best time to visit is October to March, with temperatures ranging from 15°C to 30°C depending on region. April–May is hot across most of the state (up to 38°C). The southwest monsoon (June–September) brings heavy rain to the coast and ghats but transforms the landscape — this is the best time for Jog Falls and Coorg’s lush greenery. Hill stations (Coorg, Chikmagalur) remain pleasant year-round. Bangalore has a moderate climate throughout.

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 Nugu Wildlife Sanctuary

October to May is the best time for wildlife sightings. October-February offers pleasant weather and good animal activity near water sources. March-May is dry season — excellent sightings as animals gather at remaining waterholes. June-September (monsoon) most sanctuaries remain closed or have limited access.

Timings & opening hours

Safari timings: Morning 6:00-9:00 AM, Evening 3:30-5:30 PM (timings vary by season). Sanctuary office open 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Night stays require prior booking.

Entry fee & tickets

Entry fee: INR 50-200 per person for Indian nationals, INR 300-600 for foreign nationals. Vehicle entry: INR 200-500. Jeep safari charges: INR 1,000-2,500 per person. Guide fee included in safari packages. Camera fee: INR 50-200 (professional cameras extra).

Duration needed

Half day for a single safari (3-4 hours). Full day recommended for 2 safaris (morning + evening). Overnight stay required for the complete wildlife experience.

Safety tips

Stay inside the vehicle during safaris — do not get out unless instructed by your guide. Do not feed or provoke wild animals. Maintain silence for better wildlife sightings. Follow all forest department instructions. No smoking or open flames in forest areas.

Nearest airport, railway & bus

Nearest railway station serves the district. Nearest airport: typically Hubli Airport, Mangalore International, or Kempegowda International Airport Bangalore. KSRTC buses to the nearest town, then local transport to sanctuary gate.

History of Nugu Wildlife Sanctuary

Nugu Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected wildlife area in Karnataka, part of the state’s extensive network of 30+ wildlife sanctuaries and 5 national parks. Karnataka leads India in elephant and tiger conservation under Project Elephant and Project Tiger. These sanctuaries are vital corridors connecting the Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats ecosystems, supporting incredible biodiversity including over 500 bird species.

Frequently asked questions

Q: What animals can I see at Nugu Wildlife Sanctuary? A: The sanctuary is home to a variety of wildlife including deer species, primates, birds, and possibly elephants, leopards, and gaur. Sightings depend on season and time of day. Q: Do I need to book a safari in advance? A: Advance booking is recommended, especially during peak season. Q: What is the best time for safaris? A: Early morning (6-9 AM) offers the best wildlife viewing opportunities.

Quick facts

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

Visitor information

Please check locally for current visitor information.

Photo gallery of Nugu Wildlife Sanctuary

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