Bandipur is a perfect destination for wildlife lovers - a paradise for wildlife and bird watching. Visitors and birders can spot animals and birds either from vehicles or on elephant back.
Bandipur National Park is one of India's best known tiger sanctuaries. The park includes rocky hills and valleys drained by rivers Kabini, Nugu, Moyar and numerous small streams. The enchanting Nilgiri Mountains and their cloud-covered peaks form a picturesque backdrop for the park. Bandipur National Park is at an altitude of 680-1454 metres and is situated south of the Kabini river at the foothills of he Western Ghats.
The Park is open throughout the year but the best time to visit is during the monsoons (June – September) when wildlife is plenty and the forest is green.
A unique feature of this National Park is that it connects two other wildlife sanctuaries namely Wayanad sanctuary in Kerala and the Mudumalai wildlife sanctuary in Tamilnadu and therefore forms a continuous block that extends up to Nagarhole with the Kabini Reservoir as the boundary. It is bordered by the Nagarhole National Park in the north, the Mudumalai sanctuaryof Tamilnadu in the south, and Wayanad sanctuary of Kerala in the west. All these 4 units have since been combined to constitute India 's first Biosphere reserve called the Nilgiri biosphere reserve.
Distance from Bangalore: 220 Kms South of Bangalore.
Tourist Info
Office of the Field Director
Project Tiger, Aranya Bhavan
Ashokpuram, Mysore 570008
Phone: (0821) 2480901
The Chief Wildlife Warden
Aranya Bhavan, Bangalore
Phone: (080) 2334-1993
Bandipur Van safari:
Timings
Morning - 6:30 AM to 9:00 AM.
Evening - 3:30 PM to 6:00 PM.
Charges: Rs.75 per head for half hour round trip in a 25 seater van.
· Bandipur Jeep Safari Timings
Timings
Morning - First Trip: 6:30 AM to 8:00 AM; Second Trip: 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM.
Evening - First Trip: 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM; Second Trip: 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM.
Charges (Indians): Rs.1750 per Jeep (maximum six people allowed)
Charges for non-Indians - Rs.2000 per Jeep
· Bandipur Mudumalai Elephant Safari
It is a 10 minute elephant joy ride in Bandipur Rs.50 per person subject to availability.
In Mudumalai, half hour elephant safari has been started with bookings to be done at the Ooty forest office and 50% of tickets sold at Mudumalai Theppakadu reception center on a first come first serve basis.
Cost of ticket per person = Rs. 100
Maximum 4 people per elephant
Bandipur Mudumalai Elephant Safari
It is a 10 minute elephant joy ride in Bandipur Rs.50 per person subject to availability.
In Mudumalai, half hour elephant safari has been started with bookings to be done at the Ooty forest office and 50% of tickets sold at Mudumalai Theppakadu reception center on a first come first serve basis.
Cost of ticket per person = Rs. 100
Maximum 4 people per elephant
Photos by subbuk@gmail.com
By Road:5 hours. Route: Bangalore-Bandipur via Maddur, Mysore, Begur, Gundlupet (State Highway 17).
By Train: Mysore is nearest major railhead, at a distance of 80-kms. The nearest Railway Station to the park is located at Nanjungud (55km). Take a bus or taxi form here to reach the Bandipur park.
By Air: The nearest airport is at Bangalore which is 220 km from Bandipur. From here you will find several means of Regional state road transport and taxis to reach the Bandipur park.
Accommodation can be arranged at forest rest house, resorts, guesthouses at Hangala, Mangala
List of premium, luxury, budget hotels and resorts for your comfort accommodation.
Premium / Five Star Resorts
· Jungle Lodges and resorts, Bandipur
· Tusker Trails, Mangala
· Cicada Resorts, Bandipur
Luxury / Budget Accommodation
The government of Karnataka provides spacious and comfortable accommodation at Bandipur National Park. The rates charged are quite reasonable, but frequently all rooms are booked well in advance.