Name: Dubare
Rating: 4.1

Nisargadhama, Dubare Overview

Nisargadhama is a breathtaking and beautiful island that is located 2 km from Kushalnagar and around 30 km from Madikeri. This fantastic island is formed by the river Kaveri and spreads over 64 acres. The picturesque picnic spot is adorned with lush foliage of thick bamboo groves, teak trees and sandalwood, with lovely riverside cottages. Elephant rides and boating are some of the other popular attractions here. Nisargadhama also has a forest department run guest house and treetop bamboo cottages.

The island needs to be accessed through a hanging rope bridge. A myriad of animals, including deer, rabbits and peacocks dwell here. Nisargadhama also houses a children's playground as well as an orchidarium. An ecological park, which is equally enjoyed by people of all ages, can also be found here. In addition, the place also has a small snack house and a deer park. Tourists are even allowed to get into the water at a few shallow and safe points along the river.

Attractions of Nisargadhama

There are multiple activities that you can choose from in Nisargadhama to enjoy yourself. To begin with, the island is perfect for a fun picnic with the children. There is a Rabbit Park inside the sanctuary, which is a favourite spot amongst families. There is also a Deer Park that provides splendid views of the herds of deer. There are rabbits, deer and peacocks playing around here.

Children can also enjoy themselves in a playground that has been built exclusively for them. You can also visit the mini zoo or take a boat ride. The place is also an excellent site for seeing parakeets, bee-eaters, woodpeckers and a variety of butterflies. Plants of essential and crucial medicinal value are also found here.

Boating at Nisargadhama

A good option is to go for boating in the River Kaveri while at Nisargadhama. At places, the river is a little shallow too, and people are allowed to enter into the river at a few safe points. It is not uncommon to find people enjoying themselves in the river or walking through the shallow portions. Even though the old hanging bridge is not functional anymore, it continues to stand there as a major tourist attraction. In place of the old bridge, a new hanging bridge is now used to cross the river.

Elephant Ride at Nisardagham

Apart from the above-listed attractions and activities at the Nisargadhama, there is an elephant ride available for the adventurous ones too. One of the less known attractions is the Dubare Elephant Camp which is a project undertaken by the forest department in association with the jungle lodges and resorts. The camp is located at the edge of Dubare forest and houses an incredible number of trained elephants.

Nisargadhama Resorts

There are excellent accommodation options available within Nisargadhama. In fact, it is a good idea to stay at Nisargadhama itself so that you can relish the beauty and serenity of the surroundings all day. There are several treetop bamboo cottages and forest-run department guest houses where tourists can enjoy their stay.

The picturesque island is adorned with lovely riverside cottages. The deluxe cottage on stilts, with the Kaveri River flowing around it, can accommodate five people. The tariff for these cottages ranges from INR 600 to INR 1,000. You can also choose to spend the night at the tree house facilities that are available with the restaurant. All of these lodges are incredibly comfortable, and provide excellent services with friendly staff, to ensure that you have a pleasant stay here.

Best Time To Visit Nisargadhama

The best time to visit Nisargadhama is in the months of November and December, just after the monsoon season ends. The scenic beauty and tranquillity of the place are best enjoyed at this time.

Tips For Visiting Nisargadhama

1. Since a typical visit to Nisargadhama lasts only for about 3 hours or so, it is advisable to combine the tour with a short trip to other attractions located nearby.
2. The Golden Temple is about 7 kilometres away from Cauvery Nisargadhama, and the two places can be visited together.
3. The Harangi Dam, located approximately 8.5 kilometres away from Cauvery Nisargadhama, is also a must visit tourist spot.
4. Nisargadhama is also a fantastic place to enjoy car rides.

How To Reach Nisargadhama

Nisargadhama is located close to Kushalnagara, just 4 kilometres away from it. Situated just beside the Mysore-Madikeri Highway towards Madikeri, the place is easily accessible via cabs or buses.