Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary is a small protected grassland in Nandyal district, Andhra Pradesh, set up chiefly to save the great Indian bustard. It is one of the few places in southern India where you can read a dry-grassland ecosystem at a glance: open plains, scattered thorn trees, grazing blackbuck and harriers quartering low over the grass. This guide covers the sanctuary’s ecology, the hard truth about its bustards, how and when to visit, and what to see nearby.
Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary, in Midthur mandal of Nandyal district, Andhra Pradesh, is a 6.14 sq km grassland reserve notified in 1988 for the critically endangered great Indian bustard. It is open 7 am to 6 pm, best in winter, and reached from Kurnool or Nandyal, roughly 40 to 45 km away.
Key takeaways
- Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary covers about 6.14 sq km (614 hectares) in Nandyal district, Andhra Pradesh, and was notified in 1988, per the Andhra Pradesh Forest Department.
- It was created for the great Indian bustard, which the IUCN and BirdLife International (2024) list as Critically Endangered; most survivors now live in Rajasthan’s Thar, not here.
- The bustard is now very rarely recorded at Rollapadu. Down To Earth reported that counts fell to roughly 50 to 75 birds by 2016, and recent summaries (2024) describe it as at risk of local extinction, so do not travel expecting to see one.
- Blackbuck remain the star sighting, with roughly 800 reported in field studies; wolves, foxes, jackals and winter raptors such as harriers are also present.
- Best visited November to February; the gate hours are 7 am to 6 pm and there are two watchtowers over the plains.
- Nearest airport is Hyderabad (about 210 km); nearest railheads are Kurnool City and Nandyal, each roughly 40 to 45 km from the sanctuary.
About Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary and its grassland
Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary is a grassland reserve of about 6.14 sq km (614 hectares) in Midthur mandal, Nandyal district, Andhra Pradesh, according to the Andhra Pradesh Forest Department. It sits in the dry country between the Nallamalai and Erramala (Yerramalai) hill ranges of the Eastern Ghats, near the Karnataka border. The Forest Department records its legal notification as a sanctuary in 1988.
The reserve exists because of one bird. The great Indian bustard was found breeding in these grasslands in 1982, and on the recommendation of the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) Endangered Species Project, the Andhra Pradesh Forest Department acquired land and declared the sanctuary. Note that district boundaries were redrawn in 2022, so older sources and the Incredible India portal still file Rollapadu under Kurnool district; it now lies within Nandyal district.
This is a semi-arid grassland, not a forest. A 2005 field study by Rao and Javed in the Zoos’ Print Journal records an average elevation of about 290 m (950 ft) and erratic annual rainfall of roughly 450 mm. In the monsoon the grass can reach a metre; by late summer the plains look bare and scorched. That open, treeless character is the whole point of the place, and it is exactly what makes it fragile.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Midthur mandal, Nandyal district, Andhra Pradesh |
| Area | About 6.14 sq km (614 hectares) |
| Notified | 1988 (AP Forest Department) |
| Ecosystem | Semi-arid grassland, Eastern Ghats |
| Elevation | About 290 m (950 ft) |
| Annual rainfall | About 450 mm (erratic) |
| Flagship species | Great Indian bustard (critically endangered) |
| Gate timings | 7 am to 6 pm |
The great Indian bustard: decline and sightings
The great Indian bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps) is very rarely recorded at Rollapadu today, so visit for the grassland and the blackbuck rather than in the hope of seeing one. The bird is listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN, and BirdLife International’s 2024 assessment estimates only about 50 to 249 mature individuals worldwide, most of them in Rajasthan’s Thar Desert. It is protected under Schedule I of India’s Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, and listed on CITES Appendix I.
At Rollapadu the decline has been steep and well documented. Down To Earth, in its report “Exodus at Rollapadu,” noted that the bustard once visited the sanctuary in large numbers but that recorded counts had fallen to roughly 50 to 75 birds by 2016, with forest staff seeing them only once or twice a year. More recent current-affairs summaries (2024) describe the species as not reliably recorded here for some years and at risk of local extinction. Treat these figures as attributed and dated, and reconfirm the current position with the Forest Department before you travel.
Why the collapse? Researchers point to grasslands around the sanctuary being ploughed into farmland, which fragmented the habitat, and to disturbance and food-chain changes within the reserve itself. Nationally, BNHS and the Wildlife Institute of India also flag collisions with overhead power lines as a leading cause of death. The honest takeaway: Rollapadu’s grassland story is a conservation cautionary tale, and the sanctuary is worth visiting partly to understand what is at stake.
Blackbuck, wolves and the birdlife
Blackbuck are the most reliable large-animal sighting at Rollapadu, with roughly 800 reported in field studies by Rao and Javed (2005) and Mathew (2007). Herds of these antelope graze the open plains and are usually visible from the approach road and watchtowers. The grassland also holds Indian wolf, golden jackal, Indian fox, bonnet macaque, jungle cat and chinkara, though the carnivores are shy and seen far less often.
Birdlife is the real draw outside the breeding season. Counts vary by source and survey year, so treat the numbers as approximate. The reptile list includes Russell’s viper, saw-scaled viper, Indian cobra and the Bengal monitor lizard.
Winter brings migratory raptors that hunt the grass, including Montagu’s harrier and pallid harrier, short-toed snake eagle and visiting falcons. Demoiselle cranes and larks are also recorded. A grassland like this rewards slow, patient watching from a fixed point rather than walking, which also keeps disturbance down.
| Group | Notable species | Reported count |
|---|---|---|
| Mammals | Blackbuck, Indian wolf, jackal, fox, chinkara, jungle cat | About 21 mammal species; roughly 800 blackbuck |
| Birds | Great Indian bustard (very rare now), harriers, snake eagle, demoiselle crane | 124 to 202 species reported across surveys |
| Reptiles | Russell’s viper, saw-scaled viper, cobra, monitor lizard | About 19 to 27 species |
| Other | Butterflies and dragonflies | About 62 butterflies, 8 dragonflies (ETV Bharat, Jan 2026) |
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary is the cool, dry window from November to February, when the weather is comfortable and migratory raptors and other winter birds are present. Local reporting notes that migratory species stay until about February and leave before March, so plan for winter if birds are your priority. Summers (April to June) are harsh, with daytime highs near 44 degrees C recorded in May, and the plains turn bare and dusty.
Mornings and late afternoons give the best wildlife activity and light. Mid-January, around the Sankranti period, is a popular window locally, so expect more visitors then.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Winter (best) | November to February | Pleasant days (lows around 15 degrees C); winter raptors and migrants present; green-to-golden grass |
| Summer | March to June | Hot and dry, highs near 44 degrees C in May; bare plains; migrants gone |
| Monsoon | July to September | Grass grows tall (up to a metre); patchy rain; fewer facilities, muddy tracks |
| Post-monsoon | October | Greenery returns; a reasonable shoulder month as the season opens |
How to reach Rollapadu
Rollapadu is reached by road from Kurnool or Nandyal, each roughly 40 to 45 km away, with Hyderabad the nearest major airport about 210 km to the north. There is no public transport to the gate itself, so most visitors drive or hire a taxi for the final leg.
By air: The nearest major airport is Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (HYD), Hyderabad. Kurnool (Orvakal) airport is closer but has limited scheduled flights; check current schedules before relying on it.
By rail: The nearest railheads are Kurnool City (station code KRNT) and Nandyal. Kurnool City lies on the Secunderabad to Dhone line in the South Central Railway’s Hyderabad Division and has direct DEMU services to Nandyal. Train numbers and timings change, so check live schedules on IRCTC or the National Train Enquiry System (NTES) before booking; this guide does not list specific train numbers because aggregator timetables conflicted at the time of writing.
By road: From either Kurnool or Nandyal, hire a taxi or self-drive. The sanctuary is off the Kurnool to Nandyal corridor; the last stretch is a rural road, so allow extra time. For a wider route plan, see our Andhra Pradesh travel guide.
| From | Approx. distance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Nandyal | About 40 km | Nearest town and railhead in the same district |
| Kurnool City | About 45 km | Nearest city; railhead KRNT |
| Hyderabad | About 210 km | Nearest major airport |
Visiting, permits, timings and the watchtower
Rollapadu is open from 7 am to 6 pm, and no special inner-line or protected-area permit is needed for Indian or foreign visitors to enter this sanctuary, unlike the north-eastern states. You pay an entry and vehicle or safari charge at the sanctuary, and bookings for rooms and guided safaris are handled through the Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve portal (nstr.co.in), which manages the area.
The sanctuary has two watchtowers that give long views over the plains, plus an interpretation or knowledge centre and a board where you can hear recorded bird calls. A guided grassland safari by vehicle is the usual way to cover ground; walking off marked paths is discouraged because it disturbs ground-nesting birds.
On costs, ETV Bharat reported in January 2026 that a safari was about ₹1,000 for two people, with ₹300 per additional person, and a group vehicle (around 15 people) about ₹1,000, with discounts Monday to Thursday. Treat these as indicative planning estimates to reconfirm, and date-check them, as fees change. Carry photo ID. If you want a naturalist or forest guide, request one when you book.
Where to stay and budget
The simplest base is the sanctuary’s own accommodation, with budget hotels in Kurnool and Nandyal as fallbacks. Local reporting (ETV Bharat, January 2026) describes four rooms and a dormitory at Rollapadu that can be booked online through the nstr.co.in portal, with packages that bundle meals and a safari; book well ahead in peak winter, as capacity is small.
In the towns, Kurnool has the widest choice, including the Andhra Pradesh Tourism (APTDC) Haritha property and private hotels; Nandyal has simpler mid-range options and is closer to Belum and Mahanandi. For a city base and onward travel, it pairs naturally with a wider state itinerary from our Andhra Pradesh travel coverage.
| Style | Stay (per night) | Rough per-person day cost |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | ₹800 to ₹1,500 (town lodge / dormitory) | ₹1,500 to ₹2,500 |
| Mid-range | ₹1,500 to ₹3,500 (town hotel / sanctuary rooms) | ₹2,500 to ₹4,500 |
| Comfort | ₹3,500 and up (better Kurnool hotels) | ₹4,500 to ₹7,000 |
Assumptions: two people sharing, one safari, local vegetarian meals, and a taxi for the sanctuary leg. Costs rise if you hire a car from Hyderabad or add a naturalist. Carry cash; UPI and card acceptance is patchy near the sanctuary, and ATMs are in Kurnool and Nandyal, not at the gate.
Rules and responsible visiting
The single most important rule at Rollapadu is to protect the grassland itself, because the open, undisturbed plain is the habitat, not a backdrop. Stay on marked tracks and at the watchtowers, keep to your vehicle on safari unless a guide says otherwise, and never walk into the grass to approach animals or nests.
- Keep noise down and do not play bird calls to draw birds; it stresses them.
- Carry out all plastic and litter; grassland fires and waste are serious threats here.
- Do not drive off-track or chase blackbuck or raptors for photos.
- Drones are generally restricted over sanctuaries; seek written forest-department permission before flying, and assume no by default.
- Follow the guide’s instructions and respect any area closed for breeding or restoration.
Practical safety: the terrain is open and hot by day, so carry water, sun protection and a hat, and watch for snakes on paths. The nearest full hospitals are in Kurnool and Nandyal. Mobile network can be weak at the gate. Solo women travellers generally find Kurnool and Nandyal straightforward, but as anywhere, time the final rural leg for daylight and keep someone informed of your plan.
Nearby places
Rollapadu pairs well with the temple towns and cave country of Nandyal district, which lie along the route back toward the hills. The distances below are from Nandyal town, per the Nandyal district tourism pages, and are a good anchor for planning.
| Place | Distance from Nandyal | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Mahanandi | About 14 km | Ancient Shiva temple with clear spring-fed tanks (kundams) |
| Yaganti | About 74 km | Rock-cut Uma Maheswara temple and caves near Banaganapalle |
| Belum Caves | About 79 km | Among India’s longest cave systems, with lit chambers |
| Srisailam | About 165 km | Hill temple town inside a tiger reserve; see our Srisailam guide |
If you are building a longer loop, Srisailam combines a major Jyotirlinga temple with the Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve, and our Srisailam travel guide covers permits, darshan and the dam. Belum and Yaganti together make a comfortable full day from Nandyal.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary located?
Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary is in Midthur mandal, Nandyal district, Andhra Pradesh, in the dry grasslands of the Eastern Ghats near the Karnataka border. It is roughly 40 km from Nandyal town and about 45 km from Kurnool city. District boundaries changed in 2022, so older sources list it under Kurnool district.
Can you still see the great Indian bustard at Rollapadu?
Realistically, no. The great Indian bustard is now very rarely recorded at Rollapadu; Down To Earth reported counts of only about 50 to 75 birds by 2016, and 2024 summaries call it at risk of local extinction here. The species is Critically Endangered, with most survivors in Rajasthan’s Thar Desert, per BirdLife International (2024).
What is the best time to visit Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary?
Visit between November and February. Winter brings pleasant weather and migratory raptors and other birds, which local reports say stay until about February and leave before March. Summers are harsh, with highs near 44 degrees C in May, and the grassland turns bare, so winter is clearly the better window for wildlife.
Do you need a permit to visit Rollapadu?
No special inner-line or protected-area permit is required to enter Rollapadu; it is an ordinary wildlife sanctuary, not a restricted border zone. You pay entry and safari charges on site, and book rooms and guided safaris through the Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve portal. Carry photo ID, and seek forest-department permission for any drone use.
How do you reach Rollapadu from Kurnool or Nandyal?
Drive or hire a taxi. Rollapadu is about 45 km from Kurnool and 40 km from Nandyal; there is no direct public transport to the gate. The nearest railheads are Kurnool City (KRNT) and Nandyal, and the nearest major airport is Hyderabad, roughly 210 km away. Check train times on IRCTC or NTES.
What animals can you see at Rollapadu?
Blackbuck are the most reliable sighting, with roughly 800 reported in field studies, grazing the open plains. You may also see Indian wolf, jackal, fox and chinkara, plus winter raptors such as harriers and snake eagles. The great Indian bustard, the sanctuary’s namesake, is now almost never seen.
Last updated and sources
Go to Rollapadu if you want to understand a southern Indian grassland and see blackbuck and winter raptors, rather than to tick off the bustard, which is now almost gone from here. Visit on a cool, clear morning between November and February.
Last updated: 13 October 2026. Fees, timings and permits change; reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: Andhra Pradesh Forest Department, Rollapadu; Incredible India, Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary; Nandyal district administration, places of interest; Down To Earth, “Exodus at Rollapadu”; BirdLife International species factsheet (2024), great Indian bustard; ETV Bharat (12 Jan 2026); Rao & Javed (2005), Zoos’ Print Journal; Kurnool City railway station (for rail division/line). Accessed September 2026.
