Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve is also covered in our Srisailam guide, which is the main page for it: Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve in the Srisailam guide.
The short answer
Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve: what visitors should know first
Treat it as context, not a safari plan. The reserve is vast and sightings are rare. If you want wildlife, ask the forest department what is open to visitors; do not assume a drive-in park experience from Nagarjuna Sagar town.
History and context
The story behind Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve
The reserve was established in 1983 and is managed by the forest department with oversight from the National Tiger Conservation Authority. The Telangana part is known as the Amrabad Tiger Reserve, covering parts of Nalgonda and Nagarkurnool districts.
The Andhra Pradesh part lies in Nandyal, Prakasam and Palnadu districts.
Useful facts
Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve facts at a glance
- Location
- Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, around the Krishna reservoirs
- Experience type
- Protected forest; access varies
- Area
- About 3,728 sq km, core about 1,200 sq km
- Established
- 1983
- Managed by
- State forest departments, with NTCA oversight
- Wildlife
- Tiger, leopard, sloth bear, dhole, deer, mugger crocodile
Why it matters
Why Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve is worth your time
Established in 1983, the reserve is described as the largest tiger reserve in India, with a core area of about 1,200 square kilometres. Its fauna includes tigers, leopards, sloth bears, dholes, pangolins, several deer species, mugger crocodiles and pythons.
The reserve is part of the same landscape as the dam and reservoir: the forests around Nagarjuna Sagar and Srisailam form its core. For travellers, it explains why the area feels so green and sparsely settled once you leave the township, and it is a reminder that the Krishna valley is wildlife habitat as well as irrigation infrastructure.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Scale
The reserve is described as the largest tiger reserve in India, covering about 3,700 square kilometres.
- 02
Varied wildlife
Beyond tigers, it holds leopards, sloth bears, dholes, several deer species and crocodiles.
- 03
Amrabad section
The Telangana part around Nalgonda and Nagarkurnool is the side closest to Nagarjuna Sagar town.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Be realistic about what a visit involves. The reserve covers about 3,700 square kilometres, with a core of about 1,200, and most of it is not open to casual tourists. Nagarjuna Sagar is a base for the wider landscape rather than a gate into a single safari zone.
Contact the forest department or the reserve's official website to learn which activities are currently available. Rules can change by season and by state, since the reserve spans Telangana and Andhra Pradesh and is administered in parts.
If you go, expect wildlife to be elusive. Chital, sambar and birds are likelier than tigers, and the real value is the forest itself and the reservoir landscape around it. Avoid unlicensed operators and respect all forest rules.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Ask the forest department what activities are open before planning
- Avoid unofficial operators
- Carry water and sun protection
- Do not expect tiger sightings
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Forests of Nalgonda and Nagarkurnool districts in Telangana, and neighbouring Andhra Pradesh districts
- Time needed
- Depends on the permitted activity
- Best time
- Cooler months; check forest-department rules
- Walking level
- Moderate
- Senior comfort
- Any forest visit involves long, bumpy vehicle rides and limited facilities. Older travellers should ask about vehicle type, duration and whether stops are possible.
- Tickets and access
- Entry and any safari or stay are controlled by the Telangana Forest Department. Ask them for current permitted routes, timings and booking process before travel.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
Any forest visit involves long, bumpy vehicle rides and limited facilities. Older travellers should ask about vehicle type, duration and whether stops are possible.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Can I do a safari from Nagarjuna Sagar?
Check with the Telangana Forest Department. Access is controlled and varies; do not assume a standard safari is available.
Will I see tigers?
Unlikely. Tigers are present but elusive in such a large forest; deer and birds are more usual sightings.
Which state is it in?
Both. The reserve spans Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, with the Telangana part known as Amrabad.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
