Bandipur,Bandipur National Park,Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuary,Bandipur Park in Karnataka

On the Karnataka -Tamil Nadu border, along the Mysore-Ooty Highway within the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is located Bandipur National Park. Bandipur is India's best elephant zone which is also Western Ghats rich biodiversity hot spot The area was once the hunting grounds of Wodeyar royals. It was a established as a hunting ground by the Maharaja of Mysore. The reserve was expanded in 1973 to become Bandipur National Park. The flora at Bandipur is a mix of deciduous forests to tropical mixed and varied intersperse of shrubs that supports the animal kingdom here.

Wildlife Attractions in Bandipur Park

Fauna : Leopards, Slender Loris, Elephants, Gaurs, Sambar, Chital, Barking Deer, Mouse Deer, Black Napped Hare, Sloth Beer, Indian Giant Red Squirrel, Wild dog, Langur, Bonnet Macaque, 4 Horned Antelope, Porcupines,Jungle Cat, Leopard Cat, Rusty Spotted Cat, Small Indian Civet, Palm Civet, Common Otter, Wild Boar, Jackal, Mongoose, Flying Squirrels, Pangolin, Giant Fruit Bats and Striped Hyenas. Commonly sighted reptiles include Marsh Crocodiles, Monitor Lizards, Rock Pythons, Russel's Vipers, Cobras, Rat Snakes, Wolf Snakes, Vine Snakes, Common Kraits, Green Keelbacks, Bamboo Pit Vipers, Turtles and Flying Lizards.

Avifauna : Porcupines, Slender Loris,Wild Boar, Jackal, Mongoose, Flying Squirrels, Pangolin, Giant Fruit Bats and Striped Hyenas. Jungle Cat, Leopard Cat, Rusty Spotted Cat, Small Indian Civet, Palm Civet,Leopards, Elephants, Gaurs, Sambar, Chital, Barking Deer, Mouse Deer, Black Napped Hare, Sloth Beer, Wild dog, Langur, Bonnet Macaque, Indian Giant Red Squirrel, 4 Horned Antelope, Common Otter, Commonly sighted reptiles include Marsh Crocodiles, Monitor Lizards, Rock Pythons, Russel's Vipers, Cobras, Rat Snakes, Wolf Snakes, Vine Snakes, Common Kraits, Green Keelbacks, Bamboo Pit Vipers, Turtles and Flying Lizards.

Other Attractions in Bandipur

Interpretation Center
It is an excellent center located at the beginning of the park offering information on the wildlife of the region. The themes are well laid out, and there are some photographs of the wildlife hanged on the wall. The center is also a rich resource of information on animal census as well as research done in the area.

Mayor Gorge & Sigur Plateau
The Mayor Gorge or Mysore Ditch, can only be reached jeep safaris/ trekking. This is a tower built like a lighthouse. The sigur plateaus, on Tamil Nadu side , harbours extensive scrub and bamboo forests, there are some incredible views to be had at the Bison Valley Viewpoint on Mysore Ooty Road.

Trekking
Trekking inside the Park leashes out some promising feathery joints over a long trek. You can hire some guide as there are chances that you might get lost. Many would come to your help as the localities here will lead you trails unknown.

Langur, Bandipur National Park

Wildlife Safaris in Bandipur

Bandipur mini bus safari : Rs 75 per head(45 mins)
Open jeep safari Rs 1,750(1 ½ hr). Timings: 6.30-9 am, 3.30-5.30 pm
Bandipur Elephant Riding Time : 10-11 am fee Rs 50 per head
Bandipur National Park offers you private jeep safaris in collaboration with Tusker Trails, Jungle Lodges running licensed to run jeep safaris. The forest department offers hour long mini-bus safari inside the jungle. Short jungle rides (20 mins) on elephant back are available at Bandipur in the morning and evening.

How to reach Bandipur National Park

Bangalore, at a distance of 220 km, is the closest airport from Bandipur park. If you are planning a train journey, Mysore is the nearest railhead, located at a distance of 80 km from Bandipur. From the railway station, you can take buses or taxis to reach the park. Motorable roads connect Bandipur with Bangalore, Mysore and Ooty.