Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary (Muthodi)
A tiger reserve in the coffee hills
The Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, entered from the Muthodi range, is a Project Tiger reserve of moist forest and bamboo along the Bhadra river. Besides tigers it shelters elephants, leopards, gaur, sambar and more than 250 bird species. Forest-department jeep safaris run in the early morning and late afternoon, and the trip is as much about the drive through deep jungle as any single sighting.
What to do here
- Book a morning or evening forest jeep safari
- Watch for elephants and gaur along the Bhadra
- Stay near Muthodi for the early start
- Bird-watch — over 250 species recorded
The district's flagship wildlife experience.
History
Declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1974 and brought under Project Tiger in 1998, Bhadra was also the site of one of India's most successful voluntary village relocations, which restored a large block of the forest.
Travel tips
The Muthodi range is the nearest gate of Bhadra Tiger Reserve to Chikmagalur town, about 38 km. Safaris are run by the forest department in morning and evening slots and must be booked — vehicle numbers are capped. Forest department accommodation exists inside; book well ahead.
Please note
Do: book the safari through the forest department and arrive on time. Do: wear muted colours and stay in the vehicle throughout. Do: keep silent at sightings. Don't: use flash, play music, or eat in the vehicle. Don't: expect a tiger — the forest is the point, and the reserve does not guarantee sightings. Don't: enter the forest roads on your own; they close at dusk.
Stay nearby
Places to stay around Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary (Muthodi)
PremiumTC Resort TRV, Chikmagalur
Mullayanagiri · 12.5 km from town
PremiumTC Resort SLV, Chikmagalur
Chikmagalur Town · 9.9 km from town
PremiumTC Resort GLV, Chikmagalur
Chikmagalur Town · 4.4 km from town
PremiumTC Resort BND, Chikmagalur
Chikmagalur Town · 11.2 km from town
Combine your trip
Places near Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary (Muthodi)
Seethalayyanagiri
The green shoulder below Mullayanagiri, with a Shiva shrine and a view over both valleys.
WaterfallJhari Falls (Buttermilk Falls)
A white sheet of water off a granite face
LakeHirekolale Lake
A mirror for the Mullayanagiri range
Kavikal Gandi Viewpoint
The horseshoe gorge on the Mullayanagiri–Baba Budangiri road — fifty steps up, and the whole range in front of you.