Bandipur National Park and Tiger Reserve is a premier wildlife sanctuary in India and an eminent unit of Project Tiger. Home to diverse flora and fauna like the Royal Bengal Tiger, Bandipur is the biggest park of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve in South India!
Bandipur National Park is located in Karnataka. Other than a wide variety of animals, birds, and plant species, it beckons wanderers with activities like safari, tiger sighting, guided trekking, and cottage stays, as well as its radiant landscapes of hills, waterfalls, and forests.
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In this blog, you’ll find information on Bandipur safari, the best time to visit, fee structure, stay options, activities, and how to reach Bandipur National Park, Karnataka.
Spanning over an area of 912 sq km, the Bandipur forest in Karnataka is a protected ecological reserve under Project Tiger in 1973 and one of the best tiger reserves in India where you can spot the mighty beast in its natural habitat.
Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuary shares its borders with the Nagarhole National Park of Karnataka in the north, the Mudumalai National Park of Tamil Nadu in the south, and the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary of Kerala in the west.
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What once served as a private hunting ground for the Maharajas of Mysore is now an integral part of the vast Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve where unethical activities like poaching, hunting, and deforestation are strictly forbidden.
Best time to visit Bandipur National Park
Winter: October to February is the ideal time to explore Bandipur Tiger Reserve weather-wise but the chances of spotting animals in this season are low.
While the weather is pleasant with warm afternoons, cool nights, and a temperature ranging between 10°C-30°C, many animals and birds are less active in this cool weather.
Summer: March to May is the hottest and most humid time to visit Bandipur forest when the temperature reaches a whopping 36°C.
However, this is the best time to visit Bandipur National Park for wildlife sightings as the hot weather forces animals out of hiding and near the open water sources in the park.
Monsoon: June to September brings heavy rains to Bandipur forest, leaving it inaccessible to tourists but revitalizing the park’s greenery!
The park is closed to visitors in the monsoon.
Bandipur National Park Map
Bandipur National Park Safari
You can opt for multiple types of safari depending on your budget and number of travelers:
Bandipur gypsy safari
Though pricey, a guided Bandipur Jeep safari or gypsy safari lets you traverse tough terrain and cover large grounds in a short period. They allow for a more private and easy-going safari experience wherein you can ride and observe animals at your own pace.
Maximum capacity: 5 persons
Route flexibility: High
Bandipur bus safari
This is an informative safari experience where your local guide will tell you all about the forest’s flora and fauna. He will also take you on a nature walk through remote areas to let you see the park’s tranquility and ecological significance.
Maximum capacity: 20 persons
Route flexibility: Low
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Bandipur canter safari
This large, open-air safari vehicle facilitates excellent visibility and makes it easier for people to spot and photograph the wildlife and panoramic views of the park on specifically designated routes.
Maximum capacity: 18 persons
Route flexibility: Low
Bandipur camper safari
The tall campers of Bandipur National Park are designed to move slowly and quietly through the wilderness to allow travelers to get a closer look at animals and birds from a height without startling them. These unique vehicles are perfect for tiger sighting and observing birds perched high up in the trees.
Maximum capacity: 8 persons
Route flexibility: Medium
Safari timings and cost have been indicated under Entry Fee & Timings.
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Bandipur National Park entry fee and timings
Find here all the Bandipur National Park details about entry fees, safari costs, park opening hours, and safari schedule.
Bandipur National Park timings: 6 AM – 6 PM
Bandipur National Park safari timings:
- Bus safari: 6:15 AM – 7:45 AM; 7:45 AM – 9:30 AM; 2:30 PM – 4 PM; 4 PM – 5:30 PM, 5 PM – 6:30 PM
- Canter safari: 6 AM – 9 AM; 3 PM – 6 PM
Bandipur National Park entry fee:
- Indian nationals: INR 250/- (INR 100/- for kids below 12)
- Indian nationals: INR 600/- (INR 200/- for kids below 12)
Bandipur park safari charges*:
| Safari type | Charges for Indian nationals | Charges for foreign nationals |
|---|---|---|
| Bus safari | INR 850/- | INR 2,500/- |
| Canter safari | INR 3,500/- | INR 4,700/- |
| Jeep/gypsy safari | INR 3,000/- | Same |
| Camper safari | INR 7,500/- | Same |
DSLR camera charges: Starting at INR 400/-
Tickets are available at the Bandipur National Park ticket counter on a first come first serve basis or can be purchased online directly. Jeep safari booking needs to be done online in advance due to low availability.
Safari charges may vary with season.
Bandipur National Park Safari and Tourism Activities
Bandipur forest in Karnataka has something for all types of travelers when it comes to fun and adventure!
Some of its best activities include:
Wildlife safari
A visit to Bandipur National Park, Bandipur, Karnataka, isn’t complete without an adventurous safari through its jungles and valleys.
You can explore the whole forest with a jungle safari and spot a plethora of animals like elephants, bison, monkeys, deer, and even tigers if luck favors you.
Opt for an early morning safari instead of an evening safari for a chance to spot a maximum number of birds and animals.
You can opt for a Jeep safari, bus safari, canter safari, or camper safari.
Trekking
One of the best things to do in Bandipur National Park is trekking and hiking!
There are various zones designated for guided trekking tours inside the park that you can traverse in the company of a certified guide after obtaining a permit from the Forest Department.
Trekking and hiking inside Bandipur will take you through lush sunlit forests, crystal clear lakes, azure waterfalls, and the Kabini River where you may be able to spot a tiger or two sipping water!
It allows a deeper insight into the forest and its resources and lets you get up close and personal with nature.
The Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta trek and the Brahmagiri trek are among the most famous treks in Bandipur Nature Park.
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Camping
Many trekking tours inside Bandipur Wildlife Reserve come with the added advantage of jungle camping!
There are various camping sites in Bandipur where you can spend the night in semi-luxury and luxury tents and enjoy a bonfire under the stars with a hearty meal.
These camping sites in Bandipur might also allow you to witness herds of deer, elephants, and bison passing by!
Bird watching
Over 250 species of resident and migratory birds can be spotted in Bandipur National Park in the winter months of January and February.
Different varieties of kingfishers, eagles, peacocks, ducks, and water birds like herons, darters, and cormorants can be seen here in large numbers during this time.
Visit Himavad Betta, Bandipur’s highest point
A historic Hindu temple sits humbly on the highest point of Bandipur hills – Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta, that you can reach via an easy trek.
The revered temple offers stunning panoramic views of the whole park and is a great location for photography!
Picnic by the Nagu Dam
The picturesque Nagu Dam that sits on the Nagu River, a tributary of Kabini, amid scenic landscapes of hills and forests offers the perfect location for a fun picnic with family or a couple’s photoshoot!
If you’re looking for a serene spot to relax in the park, this is it!
Photography safaris and tours
Opt for a guided photography safari tour and make the most of Bandipur’s boundless natural beauty and undulating landscapes by capturing them with your camera!
Bandipur National Park wildlife photography appeals to photographers and filmmakers around the globe and brings them here in large numbers year-round!
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Flora and fauna of Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuary
Bandipur National Park animals include tigers, elephants, jackals, panthers, wild boars, wild dogs sloth bears, porcupines, monitor lizards, Indian rock pythons, vipers, cobras, black-knapped hares, flowerpeckers, Malabar flying squirrels, langurs, leopards, dholes, chitals, sambar deer, and the rare flying lizard.
Bandipur has over 250 species of endemic and migratory birds including brown fish owls, bee-eaters, Indian rollers, kingfishers, woodpeckers, cuckoos, shrikes, lapwings, jungle fowl, green pigeons, red-headed vultures, eagles, and a variety of waterbirds.
The flora of the park comprises dry deciduous forests, moist deciduous forests, shrubberies, and grasslands. You’ll find teak, sandalwood, rosewood, Indian kino, clumping bamboo, burflower, gooseberry, satinwood, black clutch, golden shower, and flame of the forest!
How to reach Bandipur National Park
Though it’s fairly easy to get to Bandipur forest in Karnataka, many struggle to find the best way to reach it.
Here are some convenient modes of transport you can use to get to Bandipur comfortably.
By air
Nearest airport to Bandipur National Park: Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru
Distance: 261 km
Travel time: 4.5 hours
Though Mysore Airport is the nearest airport to Bandipur distance-wise, it’s a domestic airport and not connected to all major cities in India.
Besides, it’s just as easy to reach Bandipur National Park from Bangalore as it is from Mysore courtesy of several taxi services, cab rental services, private buses, and public bus services plying to Bandipur from both these cities.
By train:
Nearest railway station to Bandipur National Park: Mysuru Junction in Mysore
Distance: 75 km
Travel time: 1.5 hours
Mysore Junction Railway Station is well-connected to major metropolitans and towns across India including Bangalore, Chennai, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Mangalore, Delhi, Kochi, and Trivandrum.
Taxi services, private Volvos, and public bus services are also available here to help you get to Bandipur with ease.
The Mysore KSRTC Bus Stand is located 1.3 km away (15 minutes by road) from the railway station and can be reached via a cab or tuk-tuk. Both public KSRTC buses and private buses ply from there.
By road
Reaching Bandipur National Park by road is easy as it’s connected to most major cities in South India via a well-maintained road network.
You can reach Bandipur National Park from Bangalore by car or bus via the Bengaluru-Mysore highway which takes you through an assortment of scenic views!
See other major cities near Bandipur and its distance from them.
| City | Distance | Travel time* |
|---|---|---|
| Bangalore | 218 km | 4 hours |
| Mysore | 72.5 km | 1.5 hours |
| Ooty | 40 km | 1 hour 10 mins |
| Coimbatore | 125 km | 4 hours 15 mins |
| Kozhikode | 118 km | 3.5 hours |
| Kochi | 263 km | 7 hours |
| Mangalore | 330 km | 7.5 hours |
*The travel time indicated depends on real-time traffic scenarios and may vary slightly during the actual journey.
If you’re not comfortable driving, you can hire a taxi from any of the online AC cab services in Bangalore, Mysore, or other nearby metros to reach Bandipur at reasonable rates.
You can also book seats in a private chartered bus, Volvo, or Tempo online, or opt to travel in a public KSRTC bus at nominal rates from Bangalore or Mysore.
You can purchase KSRTC bus tickets from their official website or at a KSRTC bus terminal in either of these cities.
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Bandipur National Park hotels & lodging
For an enriching experience of living in the Bandipur forest in Karnataka, you can choose to stay at resorts and government lodges located inside the forest area.
We have listed two of them to help you decide.
Bandipur Safari Lodge
These modest cottages located inside the buffer regions of Bandipur sanctuary have been established to preserve the ecological integrity of the reserve.
A stay in Bandipur Safari Lodge cottages includes accommodation on a twin-sharing basis, all meals, tea/coffee with snacks, Bandipur Tiger Reserve Jeep safari, a wildlife documentary screening, bonfire, forest entry fee, and 18% GST.
Guests can also opt for guided trekking tours, bullock cart rides, sundowners, picnic lunches and bush dinners inside the forest, and night walking tours at additional cost.
Location: Angala Post, Gundlupet Taluk, Chamarajanagar District, Melukamanahalli, Mysore-Ooty Rd, Gundlepete, Karnataka 571126
Room tariff Starting at INR 6,520/-
Dhole’s Den
Situated in the buffer zone of Bandipur Tiger Reserve, Dhole’s Den offers a close interaction with nature in the virgin tracts of Bandipur forest!
Other than gorgeous views of the hills of Western Ghats, this property offers a 24/7 front desk, free WiFi, free parking, a library, a travel desk, luggage storage, a safety deposit box, and an in-house restaurant serving local and continental cuisine.
The spacious rooms have semi-luxury furnishings with a balcony, seating area, attached bathroom, and work desk.
The property is located just 7 km away from the Bandipur Forest Reception office.
Location: Dhole’s Den Bandipur, Kaniyanapura Village, Gundlupet Taluk, Mangala, Karnataka 571126
Room tariff Starting at INR 8,000/-
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Bandipur National Park Travel Tips
- Book your tickets and safari online to avoid last-minute rush, especially Jeep safari.
- Carry your ID card with you.
- Foreign nationals need to carry their passports for verification during entry and safari lodge booking.
- The Bandipur Tiger Reserve issues safari permits on a first come first serve basis subject to availability.
- The park remains closed during the monsoon season from June to September.
- Arrive at the ticket counter 30 minutes before the scheduled safari time.
- Wear light cotton or linen clothes that cover your legs entirely to avoid insect bites.
- Wear sturdy (preferably waterproof) hiking shoes and socks.
- Carry sunscreen, hats, shades, and insect repellent.
- Do not forget to carry a pair of binoculars.
- Always listen to your guide and follow his instructions carefully.
- Do not deboard your vehicle unless your guide instructs you to.
- Stay quiet and patient to avoid startling animals or provoking them to attack you.
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What are you waiting for? Book your Bandipur National Park tickets right away and embark on the most thrilling jungle safari experience of your life! Happy tripping!
