Nagarjunsagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve

Nagarjunsagar- Srisailam Tiger Reserve proudly holds the title of the largest Tiger Reserve in India spread over an area of 3568 sq km and encompassing five different districts of Andhra Pradesh namely Nalgonda, Mahbubnagar, Kurnool, Prakasam and Guntur. Initially maintained as a hunting reserve for the royal families of Hyderabad and their guests, the reserve is a picturesque and breathtaking experience for its natural beauty and exotic wildlife.

Lying in the lap

of the scenic Nallamalai Hills, the Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve echoes the vibrancyof the flora and fauna amidst undulating terrain, steep cliffs and subterranean valleys. The reserve is so huge that it is practically not possible to visit and cover the entire reserve at one go. At the same time, once visited, you would crave to re-visit the Nagarjunsagar- Srisailam Tiger Reserve for gaining a closer look into the forest which was not there until a few years back.

Location of Nagarjunsagar srisailam tiger reserve

The Nagarjunsagar- Srisailam Tiger Reserve is spread over five districts of Andhra Pradesh in the catchment area of the Krishna River covering a total of 3,728 sq km with a core area of 1200 sq km. The elevation of the area varies from 330 ft to 3009 ft above sea level. The area is mainly surrounded by the Nallamala Hills and Krishna River, but does include cliffs and plains too with features like high hills, deep valleys and gorges adding to the beautification of the nature.

Climatic conditions

It is typically dry and hot during summers and pleasantly cool during the winters and monsoons here in Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam, with temperate ranging between a maximum of 45 degrees in summer and a minimum of 8 degrees in winters. The region experiences around 700-900 mm of annual rainfall, when the monsoon arrives between June to September (South West Monsoons) and again from October to January (North East Monsoons).

Best time to visitNagarjunsagar srisailam tiger reserve

The climate is pleasant and the weather is perfect to travel between October and March. Post April till October, it is too hot and dry to explore outdoors, so it is best to avoid the summer here.

Animals that inhabit the sanctuary

The Nagarjunsagar- Srisailam Tiger Reserve is one of the prime seats of Project Tiger, with a striking hike of tiger population by 130% during 1983-1989. While watching the royal Bengal tiger at the closest range makes the trip to the reserve a thrilling experience, the fauna is enriched with animals like Indian leopard, sloth bear, Ussuri dhole, Indian pangolin, chital, sambar deer, chevrotain, blackbuck, chinkara and chowsingha along with other animals like mugger crocodile, Indian python, Najanaja, Ptyas mucosa, Bengal monitor, Indian Star tortoise and Indian peafowl.

The major attractions of the place are the prevalent reptiles like Ashwamedh writhing skink, Sharma's mabuya lizards and Nagarjunsagar racer snake.

The flora around the reserve is typically southern tropical dry mixed deciduous forest, Hardwickia forest and Deccan thorn scrub forests with species like axlewood, odcha, anjan tree, teak and Indian frankincensegrowing in abundance.

Distance of Nagarjunsagar srisailam tiger reserve from major cities:

Hyderabad ,216 km
Kurnool,190 km
Guntur ,220 km

How to reach the National park ?

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Airways

The nearest airport is Hyderabad which is well connected with different cities of India as well as abroad.
At a distance of 216 km from the Tiger Reserve, it takes 6 hours to travel from Hyderabad to Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve on road.

Railways

Macherla is the nearest railway station from the Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve.
One can avail bus or public transport, or hire a cab or rented car to reach the tiger reserve.

Roadways

The Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve can be reached via roadways from Kurnool which is 190 km from the reserve.
The reserve is 220 km from Guntur, 470 km from Chennai and 85 km from Mannanur.

Accommodation facilities

There are good and comfortable facilities of guesthouses and cottages located in the NagarjunsagarSrisailam Tiger Reserve, inside the sanctuary itself. There are forest rest houses, PWD guesthouse and hotels in and near the reserve - ranging in budget, luxury and requirements.

Things to do

Up, close and personal with bengal tigers and others

Get close with nature and watch the grandeur of the Royal Bengal Tiger at a close range which is a thrilling experience by itself. To accompany the tiger and to perk up your experience, spot the blackbucks, chinkara, chowsingha, king cobra, sambar deer, giant squirrel and Indian python, to name a few. Forest department doesn't provide any vehicles for forest tours, though jeeps can be hired from commercial centers at affordable rates. No night safaris are allowed inside the reserve.

Visit the pilgrim towns

Srisailam town is a popular pilgrimage with temples dedicated to Lord Mallikarjuna and Goddess Bhramaramba. The town of Srisailam is divided into three zones with marketplace and several lodges are built alongside the temple quadrangle. The region holds ecological as well as religious significance.

Nallamalai hills and its flora and fauna

Nallamalai Hill range is an offshoot of the Eastern Ghats and is bejeweled with cliffs, gorges, ridges and plateaus ornamented with a variety of flora and fauna.

Spot blackbucks in the rollapadu grasslands

The Rollapadu grasslands spread a little over 6 sq km are swarmed with dry, thorny bushes and is inhabited by over hundred blackbucks that are sure to turn heads for good.

Experience authentic andhra cuisine

Srisailam serves authentic Andhra cuisines, though it is a strictly vegetarian town.

Cave temples

The region has some popular cave temples - DattatreyaBhilam, Kadalivanam, AkkaMahadeviBhilam, Palankasari, UmaaMaheswaram are few of them.

Conclusion

NagarjunsagarSrisailam Tiger Reserve, lying in the lap of Nallamalai Hills, flawlessly reflects the exclusive wildlife as well as nature at its best to make it a breathtaking and adventurous experience.