Bandipur National Park

Tread the path of the erstwhile Maharaja of Mysore with a visit to Bandipur, about 80 kms south of Mysore on the Mysore-Ooty Road. The reserve is a playground for wildlife, with elephants taking the lead role. Be prepared for an unforgettable experience - you might see a tiger prowling amidst the mix of deciduous, evergreen forest and scrubland vegetation. Set against the picturesque backdrop of the enchanting Niligiri mountains with its mist-covered peaks, Bandipur was once the Mysore Maharaja’s private hunting ground. It was brought under Project Tiger in 1973. This is one of the best game sanctuaries in India to observe and photograph wildlife in close proximity. A temple perched atop Himavad Gopalaswamy Hill, the highest peak in the Bandipur range, is worth a visit.

Best Season:

June to October

Location and Area:

Chamarajanagar District; 874.2 sq. kms. Bandipur is flanked by Karnataka’s Rajiv Gandhi National Park (Nagarhole) to its northwest, Tamil Nadu’s Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary to its south and Kerala’s Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary to its southwest. Together, these constitute the Niligiri Biosphere Reserve.

Flora and Fauna:

Deciduous, evergreen and scrubland vegetation.

Mammals:

They include the Indian tiger, the elusive leopard or the panther, Indian wild elephant, gaur, sloth bear, Asiatic wild dog, striped hyena, sambar, spotted deer, barking deer, mouse deer, mongoose and the slender loris.

Reptiles:

The common rat snake, Russell’s viper, common krait, Indian python, flying snake and the cobra can be seen.

Birds:

Over 230 species of birds have been identified. Some of the most notable ones are the heron, stork, egret, kite, eagle, falcon, peafowl, lapwing, sandpiper, woodpecker, drongo and the warbler.

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