Ranibennur Blackbuck Sanctuary is located in the Haveri district of Karnataka. It is about 8km away from the Ranebennur town. The sanctuary comprises two unconnected zones, a western and an eastern bit.

Notification: Wildlife sanctuary on 17th of June 1974.

Flora
Vegetation Type: eucalyptus plantations and scrub forest.
Flora species: Neem, Acacia, Prosopis juliflora, Bamboo, Carissa auriculata, Albizzia amara, Holoptelia integrifolia, Subabul, etc.

Fauna
Flagship species: wolf and blackbuck (approximately 6,000 blackbucks as per the last count). Other species: wild pig, porcupine, jackal, fox, hyena, pangolin and hare.

Avian Fauna
Great Indian bustard, large grey babbler, peafowl, bay backed shrike, black drongo, sirkeer cuckoo and so on.

Getting there
The nearest railway station and major bus terminal to Ranibennur Blackbuck Sanctuary are situated at Ranebennur. The closest airport is located at Bangalore, which is nearly 300km away.

Tourist Information
Tourists can avail accommodation at the forest rest house situated at Gangajala on the sanctuary border. This rest house is equipped with single, double and dormitory facilities. Alternatively one can opt to stay in the lodges and hotels at Ranebennur town.
The best place to spot the hyenas is at the Harinigudda area of Ranibennur sanctuary. Tourists are allowed to venture only in the buffer zone of the forest which is about 104.13 sq km.

Additional Information
Location: Ranibennur Blackbuck Sanctuary, Rahutana Katti, Karnataka-581211.
Area: 119 sq km approximately
Ideal visiting season:
October and March (for Blackbuck); February to June (for Great Indian Bustard)
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