Nagarhole National Park, the enchanting 644 square-mile park in Karnataka also known as the “Rajiv Gandhi National Park” after the late Prime Minister of India. Nagarhole National park derives its name from the combination of two Kannada words. 'Nagar' meaning snake, and 'hole' (pronounced ‘holay’) meaning streams. True to its name, quite a few serpentine streams fork through the rich tropical forests of the park. Nagarhole National Park was set up in 1955. In 1975, its area was increased to include a greater expanse of forest reserve. The original forest was once an exclusive hunting ground for the erstwhile Maharajas of Mysore.

Nagarhole National Park is counted among Indias’ best wildlife parks. It has a large tiger, leopard, elephant and Gaur (Indian bison) population. It also hosts a variety of animal species along with approximately 250 species of birds. On its northern confines is the Kabini River and on its southern fringes is the Bandipur National Park. A dam on the Kabini River and its picturesque backwaters demarcate the two national parks.