Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary

About Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary

Machilus Macrantha, Lophopetalum wightanium and Artocarpus hirsuta are some of the species of flora found in this sanctuary.

Mammals in the Someshwara Wildlife sanctuary include Tiger, Leopard, Wild Pig, Sambar, Spotted Deer, Wild Dog, Jackal, Gaur, Barking Deer, Lion Tailed Macaque, Bonnet Macaque and Common Langur.

Reptiles are represented by King Cobra, Python and Monitor lizard.

Someshwara Wildlife sanctuary also houses some interesting birds like Malabar trogon, Ceylon frogmouth, Malabar pied hornbill and Malabar whistling thrush.

The sanctuary is secluded and does not attract many tourists. It is surrounded by paddy fields, areca and coconut plantations. Some people depend on employment provided by the neighboring cashewnut factories and rice mills and there are 13 villages inside the sanctuary. Commercial plantations of Ailanthus malabarica, Tectonia grandis and eucalyptus in the foothills and the plains of this sanctuary have caused clearing of large areas of forest land. Other important threats include poaching, cattle grazing in the absence of Forest Department prohibitions and risk from forest fires caused by both natural and man-made causes (Lal et al. 1994, Shivanand and IBA 2004).

Location info

• Address: Located in the Western Ghats, Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary in Udupi District of Karnataka.

• **District:**Udupi district

• **Nearest City:**Agumbe

• Best time to visit: Entry is open to visitors between 06:00 and 18:00 hrs. The best time to visit is between November and April.

Things to visit & highlights

Nearby tourist attractions include the Onakabbi Falls, Agumbe Sunset Point and Jamblu Tirtha.

How to reach Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary

• **Nearest Railway Station:**Udupi, Shimoga

• **Nearest Airport:**Mangalore

Road Transport: Someshwara Wildlife sanctuary is well connected by road network. One can reach this sanctuary from Shimoga, drive via Thirthahalli and Agumbe to the sanctuary (95 km). From Mangalore, Moodabidri (38 km) via Karkala (15 km) to Hebri (70 km).

Hotels & accommodation nearby

One can find good accommodetion in Udupi district.

Nearest visiting places

• St. Mary’s Island

Located 58 km north of Mangalore, the St. Mary’s Island beach is special for the unique formation of basalt rocks which have crystallized into columns and split into vertical hexagonal blocks. This group of islands is accessible by ferry from Malpe which is a major fishing harbor

• Kollur Temples

Kollur Mookambika Temple, an important seat of Shakti worship is located in very picturesque surroundings at the foot of the Western Ghats in Kundapur taluk of Udupi district. This sacred place is situated on the banks of river sauparnika and surrounded by thickly wooded hills and has a natural formation resembling the Sri Chakra. Kollur is one of the seven mukti places which were created by Parashurama

• Udupi Temples

Udupi, the Kokani city is the headquarters of the Udupi District, Karnataka State, India. When one hears the name “Udupi” either “Udupi Krishna” or “Udupi Masala Dosa” comes to the mind. Of course the famous, Krishna temple is located in this city. The temple is famous for a unique statue of Lord Krishna

• Kollur Forest

Kollur is a tiny hamlet situated 40km Kundapur Town, about 140 km away from Mangalore City in Karnataka state in Southern part of India. This village lies at the foot of the Western Ghats, and is famous for the Mookambika temple, a Hindu pilgrim center

• Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary

Located in Udupi District, Karnataka, Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary spans over 247 sq km and is thick with evergreen, semi-evergreen and moist deciduous forests of the Western Ghats, and small patches of teak plantations. It is contiguous with the Sharavathi Valley Wildlife Sanctuary

• Karkala

Karkala is a town and also the headquarters of Karkala Taluk in Udupi district of Karnataka, India, and is located about 300 km from Bangalore. It lies near the Western Ghats. The first name of this town was Pandya Nagari during the Jain regime but afterwards it was changed to Karikallu because of black stones

• Koosalli Falls

The fabulous picnic spot, Koosalli waterfalls is located near Koosalli village in Kundapura. A series of six falls, one above the other, in splendid surroundings makes it one of the best waterfalls in the state. The combined height of all six falls is about 380 ft

• Gurupura or Phalguni River

Gurupura river flows through Gurupura, Mangalore, Tannirubhavi. It joins the Arabian sea near Tannir bhavi. is the chief port city of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bounded by the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghat mountain ranges, Mangalore is the administrative headquarters of the Dakshina Kannada (formerly South Canara) district in southwestern Karnataka

• Kedaka River

The Kedaka River is a river flowing through Kundapur and Gungulli in western India. It joins with the Souparnika River, Varahi River, Chakra River, and Kubja River and merges into the Arabian Sea

• Pangala River

Pangala is a village situated in Udupi taluk of Udupi district, Karnataka. India’s National Highway number 17 (NH-17) road connecting Mangalore (Kudla or Mangaluru) to Mumbai (Bombay) passes through this village.The village is on the north banks of Pangala river

• Souparnika River

Souparnika River is a river flowing through Kundapur and Gangolli in western India. It joins with the Varahi River, Kedaka River, Chakra River, and Kubja River and merges into the Arabian Sea.Sauparnika is a sacred river which emerges from a verdant mountain near Maravanthe in Udupi District of Karnataka

• Udyavara River

Udyavara is a village on the outskirts of the town of Udupi, Karnataka, India. It is located to south of Udupi, and to the north of the Udyavara river. Udyavara was formerly called Udayapura. It was the capital of the Alupas

• Kaup Beach

Kaup Beach is located 12 km south of Udupi. It is situated on the coastal belt. The Kaup beach is one of the most beautiful beaches. Its placement is perfect. The beach with the 100 ft high lighthouse on the rocks is a photographer’s paradise

• Malpe Beach

About 6 kms from Udupi, in South Canara is Malpe, an ideal picnic spot with its virgin beach. The endless stretch of golden sand, graciously swaying palm trees, the clear blue sky and the gurgle of the sea all set a perfect mood for an unforgettable holiday here

• Trasi Beach

Trasi is a beautiful place on the west coast of India, 100 km from Mangalore, 900 km from Mumbai and 12 km north from Kundapur.Here you can see a unique scene where a National highway separates the Arabian sea from the Sauparnika river

Things to carry

Some amount of snacks and water should be with you.

Helpline & emergency contacts

• **Police Station:**Agumbe

• **Nearest Hospital:**Agumbe

• 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.

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 Someshwara 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 Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary

Someshwara 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.

Things to do at Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary

Jeep safaris, birdwatching, nature walks (with guide), wildlife photography, visiting interpretation centres, and learning about conservation efforts. Some sanctuaries offer night safaris and trekking.

Frequently asked questions

Q: What animals can I see at Someshwara 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 Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary

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