Kakanakote, Wildlife park in Karnataka, India
Kakanakote is a wildlife park in Karnataka that covers 643 square kilometers of deciduous forests, evergreen forests, and grasslands located within the Nagarahole Tiger Reserve. The park protects diverse animal populations in their natural environment across these varied habitat types.
The area once served as a private hunting ground for the Mysore Maharajas before becoming a wildlife sanctuary in 1955 and later a national park in 1988. This transformation reflected the shift from royal hunting reserve to protected natural space.
The forest takes its name from Kaka Nayaka, a leader of the local Kuruba community whom the Maharaja of Mysore recognized for his leadership. This connection to the land and its people remains part of how visitors understand the region today.
The park is only open to visitors during the dry months from October through May, and access is exclusively through organized safari tours. Advance online booking is required, and entry is prohibited between 6 PM and 6 AM.
The area is crisscrossed by numerous waterways, including the Kabini River, which forms a natural boundary between this park and the neighboring Bandipur National Park. These water sources are essential to the survival of wildlife throughout the landscape.
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