Bandipur National Park during the early years was marked as one of the most important forest areas for hunting done by the King of Mysore Kingdom. The Park came into existence as a National Park after the establishment of forest tiger reserve under the name of the project, Project Tiger in the year 1974. Since then, Bandipur became one of the most famous national parks in the state of Karnataka. The park is known for its vast array of wildlife habitation along with a plethora of plant species located in the dry deciduous woodland. Wildlife experts are of the opinion that it is one of those national parks which has the best management team taking care of the natural beauty of the forest.
Bandipur National Park is regarded as one of the most beautiful and better-managed national parks of India. Located amidst the picturesque surroundings of the towering Western Ghats on the Mysore-Ooty highway in Karnataka, it is an important part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve that constitutes Karnataka’s Rajiv Gandhi National Park (Nagarahole) to its Northwest, Tamil Nadu’s Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary to its South, and Kerala’s Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary to its Southwest. The total extent of Bandipur National Park is 872.24 sq km. It is located partly in Gundlupet taluk of Chamarajanagar District and partly in H.D.Kote and Nanjangud taluks of Mysuru District.
Bandipur National Park
The parks cover a stretch of 874 sq km with the primary goal to save and preserve the threatened species of animals like elephants and tigers within the forested campus by checking the act of poaching. Also, the forest strictly restricts the action of over using sandalwood trees in this area.
The Bandipur National Park came into existence with the help of the King or the Maharaja of the Mysore Kingdom in 1931. During that era around 90sq km of the area was used which quite less as compared to the immediate vicinity and was given the name Venugopala Wildlife Park. After that, time passed, and during the year 1973 a chunk of land was added to Venugopala, and thereby we got Bandipur Tiger Reserve under the supervision of the project tiger.
Wildlife at Bandipur National Park
Bandipur National Park is such a region which is brimming with a rich and a plethora of wild animals some of which are endangered as well. These animals include Bonner Macaque Nilgiri Langur, Smooth-coated Otter, Wild Boar, Liontail Macaque, Sloth Bear, Indian Spotted Chevrotain, Nilgiri Tahr, Bengal Fox, Cat Leopard, Indian Muntjac, Indian Giant Squirrel, Indian Pangolin, Indian Hare Red, Mongoose, Otter Small Indian Civet, Four-horned Antelope, Ruddy, Indian Grey Mongoose, Indian Palm, Indian Grey Mongoose, Golden Jackal, Grizzled Indian Squirrel, Rusty-spotted Cat, Stripe-necked Mongoose, Dhole, Jungle Cat and the list continues.
Flora at Bandipur National park
Apart from the huge collection of wildlife that we just saw above (and something which is quite impossible to list completely), Bandipur National Park will welcome you with greenery in every corner of the vicinity. The area is nicely settled with some timber trees Sandalwood, Teak, Indian Kino Tree, Rosewood, Indian Laurel, Grewia tibiae folia, and Giant Clumping Bamboo.
There are also shrubs, flower and fruiting trees like Indian Gooseberry, Crape myrtle, Black Myrobalan, Satinwood, Shorea Talura, Golden Shower Tree, Indigo Berry, Black Cutch, Kadam Tree and so on.
Bandipur National Park Safari Timings
Morning: 6.30 a.m to 8.30 a.m.
Evening: 3.30 p.m to 5.30 p.m.
Bandipur National Park Safari Charges
Indian Nationals or Domestic People – Rs. 300/- per person
Foreign Nationals or People from the Abroad: Rs.1100/- per person
Tourist Places Near Bandipur National Park
Bnadipur National Park is amidst some of the most beautiful places in Karnatak that will allow you to have a great time outside the national park as well. The places surrounding the national park are picturesque which includes great stretches of lush green forests, beautiful hills and wonderful scenic beauty leaving memories to cherish for the rest of the life. Such places include:
Coorg, Wayanad, Chennai, Nagarhole, Bangalore, Ooty, Kabini, Mysore, Thekkady
How to Reach Bandipur National Park
By Air: If you are planning to go to Bandipur by air, the nearest one will be the Bangalore Airport which is 220km away from the national park.
By Train: When it comes to reach Bandipur National Park by rail, Mysore is the nearest railway station with a distance of 80km away from the reserve.
By Road: There are three routes which you can avail for reaching the reserve. From Bangalore, the distance comes to 220 km; from Mysore the distance comes to 80km; from Ooty the distance comes to 80km.
Bandipur National Park Accommodation
In Bandipur National Park, there are quite a few hotels and resorts which have been established in the lap of Mother Nature to make your trip more exotic and luxurious so as to bring out the best of the place. The administration is coming up with more hotels, resorts and restrooms to make your journey exciting as well as relaxing under one roof.
Bandipur National Park Resorts
The Windflower Resort And Spa Bandipur – 14,500 (Basic Package)
Hotel Bandipur Plaza – 1,500 (1 Room, 2 Adults)
Tiger Ranch – 2,700 (1 Room, 2 Adults)
MC Resort – 6,700 (1 Room, 2 Adults)
Country Club Wildlife Resort – 9,600 (1 Room, 2 Adults)
The Serai Bandipur – 18,700 (Basic Package)
