Bandipur National Park: A Wildlife Lover’s Paradise

Bandipur National Park

📍 Bandipur National Park, KarnatakaView map ›

🗓 Best Time To Visit:October to May

⏰ Open Hours:6:30 AM to 8:30 AM, 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM

🎒 Things To Do:Wildlife Safari, Nature Walks, Bird Watching, Visit to the Tribal Village

💰 Budget:INR 300 for Indians, INR 1,100 for Foreign Nationals (Safari Charges)

🧳 Traveller Types:Nature Lovers, Wildlife Enthusiasts, Photographers

🏆 Known For:Diverse Flora and Fauna, Tiger Reserve, Home to endangered Indian elephants

📍 Distances:80 km from Mysore, 220 km from Bangalore, 70 km from Ooty

🦁 Unique Wildlife:Tigers, Leopards, Indian Elephants, Four-Horned Antelope

🌳 Vegetation:Dry Deciduous Forests, Scrublands

📝 Tips:Carry water bottles, wear comfortable clothing, adhere to park rules

📷 Photography:Allowed with extra charge of INR 200 for camera and INR 1,000 for video camera

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Are you looking for a place to explore the rich biodiversity and natural beauty of India? Do you want to experience the thrill of wildlife safari, bird watching, trekking and camping in a serene and scenic environment? If yes, then Bandipur National Park is the perfect destination for you.

Bandipur National Park is one of the most popular and well-known national parks in India. It is located in the Nilgiri Hills of Tamil Nadu, about 160 km from Mysore. It covers an area of 1,057 sq km and is home to a variety of flora and fauna, including tigers, leopards, elephants, deer, monkeys, peacocks, hornbills and many more.

In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about Bandipur National Park as a tourist destination. We will help you plan your trip according to your preferences and budget. We will also provide you with some tips and tricks on how to make the most of your visit. So, let’s get started!

Things to Do in Bandipur National Park

Bandipur National Park offers a range of activities that cater to different interests and tastes. Whether you are an adventure seeker or a nature lover, you will find something to suit your mood and style in this park.

Safari Rides

One of the most popular activities in Bandipur National Park is safari rides. You can enjoy a thrilling ride through the dense forests and grasslands on an open jeep or a four-wheeler vehicle. You can spot various animals like tigers, leopards, elephants, deer, monkeys and more along the way. You can also learn about the park’s history and culture from the local guides who accompany you.

Safari rides are available throughout the year but are more frequent during the dry season from October to May. The best time to visit for safari rides is early morning or late evening when the animals are more active and visible.

Bird Watching

Another activity that you can enjoy in Bandipur National Park is bird watching. The park is home to over 400 species of birds belonging to 80 families. Some of the rare and endangered birds that you can spot here are peacocks, hornbills, kingfishers, parakeets and more.

You can use binoculars or telescopes to identify the birds from their calls or movements. You can also join a guided bird walk or a birding tour that will take you to different spots where you can see more birds.

Trekking

If you are looking for some physical challenge and adventure in Bandipur National Park, then trekking is the activity for you. The park has several trails that offer scenic views of the hills, valleys and waterfalls.

Some of the popular treks that you can do here are Gopalaswamy Hill Trek (3 km), Kudremukh Peak Trek (6 km), Nallamala Hills Trek (10 km) etc.

Trekking is suitable for all levels of fitness but requires proper planning and preparation. You should carry enough water, snacks, clothes and equipment for your trek. You should also follow the safety guidelines and rules given by the park authorities.

Camping

If you want to experience camping in Bandipur National Park, then it is one of the best options for you. The park has several campsites where you can pitch your tent or stay in huts or cottages. The campsites are well-equipped with basic facilities like toilets, drinking water etc.

Camping is a great way to connect with nature and enjoy its beauty at night. You can also witness some amazing wildlife sightings like fireflies or stars from your campsite.

Hotels in Bandipur National Park

If you want to stay overnight in Bandipur National Park or nearby areas before or after your safari ride or trekking activity etc., then hotels are an ideal choice for you.

There are many hotels that offer comfortable accommodation options for visitors in this park. Some of the hotels that we recommend are:

1. Dhole's Den Bandipur

Nestled in nature, Dhole's Den Bandipur operates a 24-hour front desk and offers free Wi-Fi throughout the property.

The property is situated in the buffer zone from the declared Tiger Reserve, the Mudumalai National Reserve. The nearest airport is the Kempegowda International Airport, which is 250 km from the property.

The Mysore Junction Railway Station is 90 km, while Bandipur Forest Department Bus Station is 7 km.The property is 7 km from the Forest Reception Office

To book a stay at this resort click here.

2. The Windflower Jungle Resort & Spa, Bandipur

Providing free transfers to and from Bandipur Police Check Post, The Windflower Resort & Spa in Bandipur. Located witin Bandipur National Park, this 5-star nature resort offers an outdoor pool, pampering spa treatments and an outdoor barbecue lounge.

To book a stay at this resort click here.

3. The Serai Bandipur

The Serai is built amidst a large open space overlooking the Nilgiris Mountain. It houses a spa, gym and an outdoor pool. A restaurant is also available.

Situated 3 km from Bandipur National Park, the property is 80 km from Mysore Railway Station.

Featuring wooden flooring, a personal safe and a wardrobe, each contemporary air-conditioned room offers mountain views and a private bathroom with hot/cold showers and a hairdryer. Tea/coffee making facilities and a minibar are included.

To book a stay at this resort click here.

These hotels are ideal for those who want to stay close to the park and enjoy the convenience and comfort of the city. They also offer discounts and packages for longer stays or group bookings.

Best Time to Visit Bandipur National Park

The best time to visit Bandipur National Park is from October to May when the weather is ideal and the wildlife is active. The park receives heavy rainfall from June to September which makes it difficult to access and enjoy the activities.

During this time period, you can witness some amazing events like flowering of orchids and butterflies in March-April, migration of birds in November-December, mating of tigers in January-February etc. You can also avoid the crowds and enjoy a peaceful and serene experience.

However, you should also be prepared for some challenges like road closures due to landslides or floods, power cuts due to heavy rains etc. You should also carry enough water, snacks, clothes and equipment for your trip.

You may also like to check out: Explore “Bandipur — Tiger Reserve” with Joshua

Bandipur National Park is a wildlife lover’s paradise that offers a range of activities that cater to different interests and tastes. You can enjoy safari rides, bird watching, trekking and camping in this park. You can also stay overnight in comfortable hotels near the park entrance points.

Also check out: Manu's Big Budget trip to Bandipur!!

If you are looking for a place to explore the rich biodiversity and natural beauty of India, then Bandipur National Park is the perfect destination for you. So, what are you waiting for? Book your tickets now and get ready for an unforgettable adventure in Bandipur National Park!

Bandipur National Park Reviews

Sourav Halder

89 Followers

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It's still dark outside we are waiting in the lobby of our hotel fully prepared for our next journey to Ooty. We have booked a car for the trip but unluckily get cancelled so we had to arrange a new one a 13 sitter force traveler. Which schedule to pick us up at 5 am but here we are waiting and waiting in the lobby no sign of it. The owner of the car told us that we have to start early then only we are able to see the wild elephant crossing the road and we don't want to miss that. The time was running out and we are getting out of patience when at 6.30 am the car reached at our hotel. A thin dark man with mustache like that of Birappan came to greet us. We are in a hurry I think the elephant card is not in our table now. At about 9.15 am we reach the first check point of Bandipur tiger reserve which is very famous for its cheetahs. We started to spot various birds , group of monkeys , herd of deer from our car windows.

Vivek S

205 Followers

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After a while, the roads started to bend a lot and soon I was at the Bandipur National Park checkpost. The guard asked to carry on while he focused onto the SUV that was behind me. Just a few minutes after crossing the checkpost, it started to rain heavily. So I stopped immediately and put on the rain cover for the bag. A group of bikers passed me hooting and shouting. I wait for sometime for them to pass and then started my course through the forest roads. Their noise was marring the beautiful place that surrounded me. I saw lots of peacocks with their feathers spread open. After riding for a while I came across the bandipur resort. Lot of cars and bikes hustled about the place and I made a mental note to plan a stay there later. I rode on and a group of bullets thumped their way as they overtook me. I wondered whether I need to join a biker club, wasn't sure if I would enjoy riding as a group.

Saurabh Patni

59 Followers

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Day 1 at Bandipur, I was dreaming about getting the glimpses of a lot of tigers and I still have that dream after the end of day 1. The Bandipur forest is dry dedicious forest and during this time of the year i.e. March, most of the forest looks golden brown with the beautiful Taremara and yellow shower trees lurking here and there. The sighting of the wildlife is somewhat rare. The elephants have already migrated to the Kabini river forest and those lazyass tigers are in no mood to show up. Although we managed to see a lot of other members of the jungle community and 10s of unknown to me species of birds. I still hope to see one of those Bengali beauties on day 2. More photos from Day 1

Rimjhim Mukherjee

189 Followers

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I woke up the next morning to a weird combination of artificial bird call alarm and actual birds singing outside. Soon, we entered the park for the morning safari. Still pretty contented with yesterday's sighting, I was watching out for birds mainly. The canter stopped few times with the guide pointing out a wild boar family that had wandered along our way and few sambar deer here and there. We were circling the circuit when a strong rotten smell almost made us vomit. Suddenly the driver pulled over near a bush. I was cursing the nauseating smell when a glimpse of yellow stripes was visible. It was too good to be true but eventually I saw what it was- a tiger with a kill.

Swetashree Mohapatra

96 Followers

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While coming back, we paid a visit to Bandipura National park. One can see a lot of deer and elephants and if you are lucky, you can see tigers too. Our wayanad trip ended here. We came back in the evening. Again, the road journeys are the best. I wished the roads to never end. The weather and the nature around us was so nice that I wished to last forever. But journeys are meant to end and so did ours. But it was a memorable one. I would recommend everyone to visit this place once. I am sure you would love the beauty and warmth of this place.