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Bandipur National Park

Location: Karnataka

Area: 880 square kilometers

Nearest Airport: Mysore (80 km)

Nearest Town: Gundelpet (20 km)

Nearest Railway Station: Nanjungud (55 km) and Mysore (80 km)

Safari: Elephant Safari and Jeep Safari

Entry Fee: Rs. 25 (Indian) & 150 (Foreigner)

Camera Charges: Still camera - free, Video camera - Rs. 200

Best Time to Visit: March: July and September-November

Number of Species: Approximately 230 species of birds

Wildlife: Elephant, Sambar, partridges, peafowl, quail, giant squirrel, Hornbill and barking deer.

Bandipur National Park is located in the south Indian state of Karnataka. Nestled in the foothills of the Nilgiris, Bandipur wildlife sanctuary is home to some rare species of birds and animals. Away from the din of polluted cities, Bandipur National Park is an ideal refuge for all those who love to stay in the company of wildlife. The sanctuary is located on the Mysore-Ooty Highway and falls under Chamarajanagar district of Karnataka.

The Bandipur wildlife sanctuary was declared a tiger reserve in 1973 and it was one of the 15 tiger reserves in the country. The park is an extension of the Venugopal Wildlife Park, which was established by the Maharajas of Mysore in 1931.

The park has well laid roads that make it comfortable to travel inside the park. It is a wonderful experience to watch animals grazing or simply basking in the sun. You can take a jeep safari or an elephant safari. The best way to enjoy the wildlife is to sit on the back of the elephant. Early morning, early evening or late afternoon is the best time to sight all the animals.

Note: For all safaris, you will be required to present a identity proof card at the time of entry into the national park.

Wildlife tours in the park are arranged between 6:00 am-9:00 am in the morning and 4:00 pm-6:30 pm in the evening.

There are a number of wild animals that you can see in the park. Some of the animals that you come across on wildlife tour of the Bandipur Wildlife sanctuary are elephant, sambar, partridges, peafowl, quail, giant squirrel, Hornbill and barking deer.

The rich flora of Bandipur National Park constitutes of evergreen forests, scrub and the deciduous forests. The flora of the park have a wide range of timber trees including Grewia tiliaefolia, Indian Kino Tree, Rosewood, Indian-laurel, Sandalwood and the Clumping Bamboo.

This national park features more than 200 species of birds including Brown Hawk Owl, gray-headed Fish Eagle, Bay Owl, Malabar Trogon, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Little Spider hunter and Nilgiri Flycatcher.

The Bandipur National park is home to a large variety of reptiles like Python, Adder, King Cobra, Monitor Lizard, Frog, Common Cobra, Viper, Rat Snake, Tree frog, Toad and Tortoise.

Bandipur National Park
Bandipur, Ooty road, Mysore, Pin-571121 Karnataka
India
Google Map of Bandipur National Park

The park remains open throughout the year, however the best season to visit Bandipur National Park is from March to July and September to November.

It is advisable to carry light cotton clothing for summers and light woolen garments for winters. Also don’t forget to carry raincoats during the monsoon season.

•    Carry light cotton clothing during summers.
•    Carry light woolen garments during winters.
•    Carry raincoats during the monsoon season.
 

Bandipur National Park features a moderate temperature all throughout the year. The temperature ranges from 11 degree to 40 degree Celsius.

Temperature Table of Bandipur National Park

Month	Normal Temperature	Warmest Temp	Coldest	Climate
January	11.9°C	24.7°C	10.0°C	Pleasant
February	13.7°C	30.8°C	12.0°C	Pleasant
March	22.1°C	31.3°C	17.7°C	Moderately Hot
April	27.1°C	32.3°C	19.1°C	Very Hot
May	28.8°C	38.5°C	22.7°C	Very Hot
June	28.8°C	40.3°C	22.2°C	Rainy
July	29.7°C	35.9°C	24.5°C	Rainy
August	28.4°C	33.8°C	24.9°C	Rainy
September	27.1°C	30.4°C	23.7°C	Rainy
October	25.1°C	29.6°C	20.5°C	Pleasant
November	19.8°C	27.0°C	17.5°C	Pleasant
December	15.8°C	25.8°C	13.6°C	Pleasant

•    The timings of the park are from 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM and 3.30 PM to 6.30 PM.
•    The entry fee for an adult in Rs.50
•    The cost of one elephant ride is Rs.50 per person for an hour.
•    The additional fee is charged for vehicles and camera.
•    The cost of forest department safari bus for an adult is Rs.25 and for a child is Rs. 8 per trip for an hour.
•    Tourists are required to obtain special entry permits from the forest department office at the entrance.

•    Do not litter anything in the park.
•    Avoid using transistors, radio or cassette players as this may disturb the animals.
•    Do not come out of your vehicle while watching wildlife.
•    Pets and firearms are not allowed inside the park.
•    Campfires, use of horns, consumption of alcohol and fast driving are not allowed inside the park.

The visitors can stay in various forest rest houses located at Kakanhalla, Mulehole, Gopalaswamy and Kalkere. A number of cottages outside the park are also provided by the Karnataka tourism. Country Club, Bandipur Safari Lodge, Cicada Resort and Dhole’s Den are some of the most popular wildlife resorts.

There are numerous connected tourist destinations around Bandipur National Park that one can visit. Madumalai Wildlife Sanctuary is just 19 kilometers from the park. One can also visit Mysore, which is 80 kilometers away. The tourist places to tour include Gopalaswamy Hills, which is about 20 kilometers from Bandipur and Ooty, which is the most favored hill stations of Southern India and is about 79 kilometers away.

By Air: The nearest airport is situated at a distance of 80 kilometers in Mysore for reaching Bandipur National Park.

By Rail: The nearest railhead is Nanjangud which is situated 55 kilometers away.

By Road: Many buses are plying between Mysore and Ooty that stops at Bandipur. The Bandipur National Park is 78 km from Ooty, 220 km from Bangalore and 80 from Mysore.