Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary is nestled along the Western Ghats on the border of Karnataka and Kerala. It was declared as a wildlife sanctuary in the year 1974. The sanctuary is about 60 km away from Coorg and comprises two reserve forests – Urty and Brahmagiri.

Flora
Vegetation type: evergreen and semi-evergreen forest, eucalyptus, and patches of grasslands with shola forest (higher altitudes).
Major tree species: Bamboo, Axle wood, Saj, Ceylon oak, Indian gooseberry, Arjuna, etc

Fauna
Tiger, mouse deer, leopard cat, barking deer, elephants, giant flying squirrel, brown mongoose, Malabar giant squirrel, python, etc

Avian Fauna
Malabar trogon, emerald dove, black bulbul, etc

Getting There
The closest railhead is at Mysore city and the nearest airport is at Mangalore. Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary is well linked with Karnataka and Kerala with good network of roadways. Road route from Bangalore: Bangalore-Mysore (140km)-Hunsur (45km)-Gonikoppal (40km)-Brahmagiri Sanctuary (18km). Road route from Mangalore: Mangalore-Madikeri (105km)-Virarajendrapet (30km)-Brahmagiri Sanctuary (7km).

Tourist Information
Forest guest house at Thirunelli (Kerala) offers quality accommodation with prior reservations. Different budget hotels, guest houses, resorts and other staying options are available at Mananthavady in Kerala. In Karnataka, different accommodation facilities at different budget are available at Gonikoppal. Brahmagiri Sanctuary is a trekkers’ paradise. Brahmagiri peak is the highest peak in the sanctuary, about 1607m in height. The trek to Brahmagiri peak from Karnataka side initiates from Iruppu falls and the trek from the Kerala side starts at Thirunelli. Special permission for trekking is required from the Forest Range Officer, Thirunelli, Kerala or Forest Range Officer, Srimangala, Karnataka.
Pakshipathalam Bird Sanctuary and Thirunelli temple in Kerala and Iruppu falls and Nagarhole National Park in Karnataka are nearby place of interest for the tourists. Nature camps can also be organized with permission from the forest officials in the respective states. The trekking excursions have to be accompanied by experienced guides.

Additional Information
Location: Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, Near Coorg, Karnataka
Contact: Forest Range Officer, Srimangala, Karnataka
Area: 181 sq. km. approx. / Ideal visiting season: October and May
Timings: 7:30 am to 6:00 pm (daily)
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