Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary situated in the midst of Western Ghats in Chikmagalur and shivamoga districts of Karnataka. It is about 275 kms from Bangalore and 38 kms from Chikmagalur town and covers an area of 492.46 Kms. The Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary boasts of a substantial tiger population It was declared as the 25th Project Tiger of India in 1998. Kallahathigiri is the higest peak in the sanctuary with a height of 1,875 Mts. Kemmannugundi and Bababuden Hills, are within the sanctuary.
The lush green vegetation and lofty hill ranges are a beautiful and spectacular. The wildlife sanctuary is called so after the Bhadra River which flows through the lush forests. The lush green vegetation of the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary consists of mostly moist and dry deciduous forests. More than 120 species of trees grow here, which include Teak, Rosewood, Mathi, Honne, Nandi, Tadasalu and Kindal. Bhadra is popularly known as Muthodi Wildlife Sanctuary, after the village on its fringes.
Mammala found here are Tiger, leopard, wild dog, jackal, elephant, gaur, sloth bear, sambar, and spotted dear, barking deer, mouse deer, wild boar, common langur, bonnet macaque, slender loris and the malabar giant squirrel.
More than 250 species of bird life many of which are endemic to the Western Ghats, are spotted here. Birds found here are the Peacock, Parrot, Partridge, Pigeon, Munia Bee eaters, grey junglefowl, red spurfowl, painted bush quail, emerald dove, southern green imperial pigeon, great black woodpecker, malabar parakeet and hill myna, the ruby-throated bulbul, shama, malabar whistling thrush, four species of hornbill, racquet-tailed drongo, blackwinged kite, king vulture, great horned owl, great pied hornbill, Indian tree pie, black napped flycatcher and the open billed stork.
Reptiles found here are common vine snake, king cobra, common cobra, Russell’s viper, bamboo pit viper, rat snake, olive keelback , common wolf snake, common Indian monitor, draco or gliding lizards and marsh crocodiles. The sanctuary is also home to exotic butterflies which include blue pansy butterfly, yamfly, baronet, crimson rose, southern birdwing, tailed jay, great orange tip, bamboo treebrown.
Best Time to Visit: October to February How To Reach The Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary By Air: The closest airports are at Mangalore (185 km) and Bangalore (275 km). You can take a KSRTC bus or a taxi to reach the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary .
By Rail: The nearest railway station is at Kadur, 40 km away from the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary. Chikmagalur does not have a railhead.
By Road: Bangalore – Kunigal – Channarayapattana – Hassan – Belur – Chikmagalur – Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, via NH 75. This takes 5 h 22 min to reach and is 295 km from Bangalore.