Nagarjunsagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve (Timings, Entry Fee, Safari Online Booking & How to Reach)
Located at the border of the two Telugu states of Andhra Pradesh & Telangana, Nagarjunsagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve is the largest tiger reserve of India. Spread across an area of 356,000 hectares, covering five districts of the state, the reserve constitute areas of places namely Nalgonda, Mahaboobnagar, Kurnool, Prakasam and Guntur. At latitude between 16°15¢-16°45¢ in the North and longitude between 78°45¢-80°00¢ in the East, the Nagarjunsagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve not just offer exotic flora and fauna but also mesmerizing scenic beauty to spend some relaxed time along with usual excitement of a tiger reserve.
Surrounded by the Nallamalla Hills on the southern and eastern side along with River Krishna flowing through it, the reserve creates a worth capturing natural beauty.
In the year of 1973, the forest was declared as a wildlife sanctuary. Nagarjunsagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve came into being in the year 1983 under the Project Tiger of Government of India.
Apart from experiencing the rich wildlife from close, there are various other options as well for the tourists. Mannanur, situated quite close to the sanctuary is a small village with crocodile pond and an environment education centre along with well-furnished camp bungalow makes for an interesting visit. Nagarjuna Sagar has various historical monuments which have been unearthed during many excavations. If the time permits, tourists can go and visit the site.
Flora @ Nagarjunsagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve
The kind of vegetation in the reserve is mostly the tropical dry deciduous forests with scrub and bamboo thickets. Some of the rare species of plants which are found are Niebuhria apetala, Ziziphus xylopyrus, Cissus vitiginea and Pterolobium indicum, etc.
Fauna @ Nagarjunsagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve
Visitors can spot various kinds of animals here at the reserve. Some of the these , along with obvious mighty tigers, are Leopard, Sloth Bear, Wild Dog, Pangolin, Spotted Deer, Sambar, Mouse Deer, Black Buck, Striped Hyena, Chinkara, Barking Deer, Nilgai, Indian Pangolin, Indian Giant Squirrel, Common Langur Chowsinga, Mugger, Python, Cobra, Peafowl, etc.
For bird watchers, the sanctuary has avian species like large Cormorant, Eurasian Thick-knee, Yellow-wattled Lapwing, Grey Heron, Black Ibis, Stork-billed Kingfisher along with Oriental Honey-buzzard, White-eyed Buzzard, Osprey, Short-toed Snake Eagle, Common Kestrel Bonelli`s Eagle, Changeable Hawk Eagle, Crested Serpent Eagle,etc.
Best time to visit Nagarjunsagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve
The best time to visit is during the winter months which are from November to March.
Reaching Nagarjunsagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve
- By air: The nearest airport is at Hyderabad city. The airport is connected to all the important cities of the country as well as to many important international cities.
- By rail: The nearest railway station is at Srisailam. It is connected to the city of Hyderabad which in turn is connected to the rest of the country.
- By road: There are many buses available from places like Kurnool, Hyderabad, Guntur, etc. Srisailam is the main entry point to the reserve and is at a distance of 190km from Kurnool, 216km from Hyderabad and 220km from Guntur.
If you take bus from Hyderabad, it will take an approximate time of 6 hours. One can also hire taxis from these places.
Accommodation @ Nagarjunsagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve
Accommodation facilities are available in the town of Srisailam. There are cottages and guest houses near the temple inside the sanctuary. Forest rent houses are also available to choose from.