Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary

Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary, located in the Udupi and Shivamogga districts of Karnataka, is a protected area in the Western Ghats renowned for its lush tropical wet evergreen, semi-evergreen, and moist deciduous forests.

Named after the Lord Someshwara temple within its bounds, the sanctuary spans about 314 square kilometers after its expansion in 2011, connecting with other protected areas like Mookambika, Sharavathi Wildlife Sanctuaries, and Kudremukh National Park. It hosts a rich variety of wildlife including Bengal tigers, Indian leopards, elephants, dhole (wild dogs), gaur (Indian bison), lion-tailed macaques (endemic and endangered), king cobras, and many other mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects.

The Sita River flows through the sanctuary, adding to its biodiversity and offering natural bathing spots. The area also receives very high rainfall, comparable to the famous Cherrapunji, contributing to its dense forest cover. Visitors can explore natural attractions such as Agumbe Sunset Point, Barkana Falls, Onake Abbi Falls, and Jogigundi Falls nearby.

The sanctuary is managed by the Karnataka Forest Department and includes facilities like the Sitanadi Nature Camp, which supports guided trekking and wildlife watching. Due to the dense forest and wildlife, travel without guides is not advised, and there are no jeep safaris. The best visiting season is from October to April to avoid the heavy monsoon rains. The nearest towns for accommodation and transit are Hebri and Udupi, with connections to Mangalore airport and railway.