Technically it is Rajiv Gandhi National Park, but the old name is still used more often than not. About 90 km West of Mysore, Nagarhole National Park was once the hunting grounds of the Mysore Maharajas and is part of the 6000 sq km Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve. It is spread over nearly 650 sq km and is among the best managed in the country. It has among the densest vegetation and wildlife population and is known for its tiger sightings. The forest itself is quite picturesque with hills, valleys and streams, and is also home to elephants and gaur apart from leopards, sambar and other mammals, birds and reptiles. The park can be visited throughout the year but sightings are good between May and October.