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Mandagadde is situated near Agumbe in Shimoga District, Karnataka. Mandagadde is a small island on River Tunga and is part of the Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary. Though this Mandagadde in Shettihalli wildlife sanctuary is not considered biggest of the bird sanctuaries it is a habitat for a variety of birds.

Situated in Shimoga district and 30 kms from Shimoga itself towards Theerthahalli, Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary can be reached by road in state buses as well as private cars and buses. Though it is not the biggest bird sanctuary of Karnataka it houses some of the spectacular migratory birds.

One of the few bird sanctuaries in the Malenaadu region in Karnataka which may not be one of the biggest bird sanctuaries but it is a habitat of variety of birds. Mandagadde is surrounded by a dense forest and the flowing river Tunga forms a beautiful island which forms a habitat primarily for three migratory birds; the median egret, the cormorant and the darter. It is a spectacle to click these avian species perched on the leafless trunks of the trees. Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary As there are no big hotels present in the Mandagadde tentage should be carried if one is planning a overnight stay. Huge sand covered river side which is at a little distance away from the sanctuary may be used. In any case guidance from the local people/forest department is a must. Mandagadde has quite a number of small hotels, and no lodges.

En route Mandagadde you will see the Dam site at Gajanur and the elephant training camp at Sakrebyle. Early morning visits to Sakrebyle are the best.

Other places of interest nearby are Sakrebyle Elephant training camp, Gajanur. Fact File Mandagadde is a bird sanctuary in Shimoga district at about 30+kms from Shimoga itself.

August being the high season you will be greeted by a cacophony of sounds of 5000 birds in the Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary. Clad in comfortable clothes and good walking shoes you will enjoy the trek. Since not many lodges can be found in the area you can carry your tentage if you plan to stay overnight.

In JulyOctober, after the breeding season, varieties of migratory birds flock on the trees, bare at this time of the year, offering a visual treat. The birds include egret, cormorant, darter and snakebird. A high platform is built on the edge of the river for bird watching. Boats are available for a closer watch. The Gajanur Dam and the elephant training camp at Sakrebyle are nearby places of interest. Drive through a village close to the camp and catch the pachyderms bathing at the Tunga river.

Mandagadde

Though this Mandagadde in Shettihalli wildlife sanctuary is not considered biggest of the bird sanctuaries it is a habitat for a variety of birds. In the season which is from June to October one can find many Egrets, Snake birds etc.

Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary

Location details Mandagadde is 30 km from Shimoga, 140 km from Mangalore and 345 km from Bangalore. It is on the way to Theerthahalli from Shimoga. The sanctuary is well connected by road with a lot of Stateowned and private buses running in the area. However, there are no hotels here. The best bet is to stay in Shimoga.

Distance from Bangalore 300+kms. Nearest Hospital Mandagadde. Nearest food point Mandagadde.

Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary Mandagadde is 32 km from Shimoga en route Thirthahalli. Plenty of State transport corporation buses and private buses run between these places.

Other places of interest

Sakrebyle Elephant training camp, Gajanur dam

Best time to visit

July to September. During the peak season in August, it is estimated that more than 5,000 birds visit the sanctuary.

This one of the few bird sanctuaries in the Malenaadu region of the Karnataka. The island formed in the middle of the River Tunga provides the necessary shelter and food for the birds.

On the sandy bank in the middle of nowhere you will enjoy the company of birds and bask in nature’s glory having the rare opportunity to wake up with the rising sun and the call of the birds.

A watch tower has been erected in the Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary to gaze at the birds. It is must to seek local help or be guided by the forest department to explore the sanctuary. En route to Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary you can visit the Dam site at Gajanur and the elephant training camp at Sakrebyle.