Sharavathi Valley Wildlife Sanctuary

About Sharavathi Valley Wildlife Sanctuary

☀ Flora : The sanctuary has mainly evergreen, semi-green and some moist deciduous forests. Trees in the evergreen forest include species such as Dipterocarpus indicus, Calophyllum tomentosum, Machilus macrantha, Caryota urens and Aporosa lindleyana. [8] In the semi-evergreen and moist deciduous forests, common species include Lagerstroemia lanceolata, Hopea parviflora, Dalbergia latifolia, Dillenia pentagyna, Careya arborea, Emblica officinalis, Randia sp., Terminalia sp. and Vitex altissima.[8]

☀ Fauna : The sanctuary is a refuge of the endangered Lion-tailed macaque. Other mammals include tiger, leopard (black panther), wild dog, jackal, sloth bear, spotted deer, sambar, barking deer, mouse deer, wild pig, common langur, bonnet macaque, Malabar giant squirrel, giant flying squirrel, porcupine, otter and pangolin. Reptiles include king cobra, python, rat snake, crocodile and monitor lizard.[8] Some of the avian species found in the sanctuary include three species of hornbill, paradise flycatcher, racket-tailed drongo, blue-throated barbet and Indian lories and lorikeets.

Interesting things to Visit

exploring the trail that leads to Kanur fort, through with dense evergreen forest on either side of the road. The road to Kanur is a 12 km “kuchcha” road from the main road. The western part of the forest, from Kone to Nagavalli (9 km.) is through dense impenetrable evergreen forest.

Bhimeshwar, a temple, is approximately 3 km. from Kone, is possibly the only place where one could trek a bit.

Nearest Visiting places

Honnemaradu : Honnemaradu is an island on the reservoir formed by the Linganamakki dam. It is located in the Sagara taluk of Shimoga district. This place is good for watersports and hence attracts its enthusiasts. Some of the water sports possible here are canoeing, kayaking and wind surfing. Bird-watching enthusiasts also visit this place.

Location info

• **Address:**Located in Shimoga District, Sharavathi Valley Wildlife Sanctuary spans over 431 sq km.

• **District:**Shimoga district

• Nearest City: Sagar

• Best time to visit: The best time to visit is from November to May.

Climate & weather

Temperatures range from 15° to 38 °C and mean annual rainfall is 4500 mm.

Things to do at Sharavathi Valley Wildlife Sanctuary

Sharavathi Backwater is a heaven for nature lovers. In this camping program u can do Kayaking/Coracling/Rowing raft/diving/simming with life jacket/camping in an Island. etc

How to reach Sharavathi Valley Wildlife Sanctuary

• Nearest Railway Station: Shimoga

• Nearest Airport: Bangalore

Road Transport: from Sirsi to Kargal (65 km), stopping at Jog Falls on the way. Kargal, which is on the northern border of the sanctuary, also has the office of the Karnataka Forest Service and we obtained permission for entry from the RFO (Mr T Parashuramappa). The road connecting Kargal and Bhatkal (on the Karnataka coast, approx. 70 km. from Kargal) passes through the sanctuary. Whilst Kargal is the entry point from the northern boundary of the sanctuary, Nagavalli is the exit on the coastal boundary (Kargal-Nagvalli is approx. 85 km.)
Bangalore ➜Tumkur ➜ Arasikere ➜ Shimoga ➜ Sagar ➜ Gubbagodu

Hotels & accommodation nearby

Accommodation is available in the vicinity.
Stay at the forest rest house at Mupanne, which is 12 km from Kargal. Mupanne has Forest Rest House and Tents, which are maintained by the Wildlife Division of the Karnataka Forest Service. The Rest House is on the edge of the Linganamakki reservoir, amidst semi- evergreen forest, approximately 3 km from the main road.

Tips & suggestions

Camping Sites: Gubbagodu
Trek Length: 3KM and rest is Water sports
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Things To Be Aware Of: Smoking /Alchohol/non-veg consumtion is not allowed
Approximate Cost: Rs.1800 for 2 days including travel in sleeper bus

Helpline & emergency contacts

• **Police Station:**Kargal

• **Nearest Hospital:**Kargal

• Society/Community Phone Number

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 Sharavathi Valley 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.

Things to carry

Carry drinking water, snacks, comfortable walking shoes, hat/cap, sunscreen, sunglasses, camera, power bank, and personal medications. A light jacket or umbrella is recommended during monsoon season (June-September). Binoculars (essential for wildlife viewing), wildlife guidebook, neutral-coloured clothing (avoid bright colours that disturb animals), trekking shoes if any walking is planned, insect repellent, and a wildlife identification app.

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 Sharavathi Valley Wildlife Sanctuary

Sharavathi Valley 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 Sharavathi Valley 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 Sharavathi Valley Wildlife Sanctuary

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