Rollapadu sanctuary,Andhra Pradesh,India

Rollapadu Bird Sanctuary, located in Andhra Pradesh, is well known for its exquisite flora and fauna. This sanctuary is located at a distance of about 60 km from Kurnool, near Nandikotukoru, and covers an area of about 614 sq km.

Rollapadu Bird Sanctuary is the only habitat in Andhra Pradesh for the rare and endangered Great Indian Bustard. The sanctuary is vegetated by dry thorny forests interspersed with dry cereal crops, cotton, groundnut and castor.

The landscape at the sanctuary is covered with thorny bushes as well as open grasslands which provide the ideal habitat for the animals and birds. There are also regular buses from Kurnool and Nandikotkuru to the sanctuary.

                                    

There is a forest rest house at Kurnool or you can stay in the inspection bungalow at Nandikotkuru and spend a pleasant time watching exotic birds at Rollapadu Bird Sanctuary. 

Rollapadu sanctuary is home to variety of species with large number of deer's and black bucks. Other wildlife includes Foxes, jackals, bonnet macaques, jungle cats and sloth bears have been reported at the sanctuary. It also houses 132 bird species with the Alaganuru reservoir near the sanctuary being a haunt for migratory species. Some of the bird species spotted at Rollapadu besides the bustard and the florican include Indian rollers, mynas, eagles and migratory species such as barheaded geese, Demoiselle Cranes and Greater Flamingos.

Monsoon and post-monsoon is the best season (Oct to Dec) to visit this place when the migratory birds inhabit the place. It usually takes about two hours two visit the main sanctuary and bird sanctuary. There is a small bird museum, a watch tower and guest house near the sanctuary.

How to Reach

By Air: Hyderabad Airport is the nearest airport, 60 kms away from the town, states buses, taxies and cabs are available from there to Kurnool.

By Rail: The nearest railway station in Kurnool is 45kms away from the sanctuary and is well connected to the major stations in the state of Andhra Pradesh and major cities of the country. Shared cabs, taxies and buses are available to cover the rest of the journey.

By Road: APSRTC runs buses from the major cities connecting Rollapadu. The nearest major city closest to Rollapadu is Kurnool which is 43kms away from the sanctuary. Kurnool is linked by road to the major cities of the state of Andhra Pradesh like Vishakhapatnam, Hyderabad, Bangalore.