Bandipur: A Must-visit Destination for Wildlife Enthusiasts and Nature Lovers!

 

Distance from Bangalore:  250 kilometres

The erstwhile hunting reserve of the Mysore Maharajas, Bandipur with its varied flora and fauna is a nature lover’s delight. It was the chosen site for Project Tiger, a Government initiative to protect the endangered species. A quick getaway for Bangaloreans, Bandipur offers a quiet vacation away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Places to Visit in and Around Bandipur

Bandipur National Park

Hire an open jeep or take a bus safari of the Bandipur National Tiger Reserve. Situated amidst the picturesque Western Ghats on the Mysore-Ooty highway, it has a sizeable number of tigers, along with other animals like Elephants, Hornbill, Sambar, Four Horned Antelopes. Sighting of gaurs (Indian bison), elephants and deer is very common. Take the early morning and evening safari to increase your chances of seeing a tiger.

Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta

Betta in Kannada means “hill”. It is the highest point in Bandipur National Park and is crowned by a temple dedicated to Lord Krishna. Don’t be surprised if you see elephants grazing here. You can also admire beautiful views of the surrounding hills and valley from here. The sunrise and sunset views are spectacular and make for a great photo op.

Biligiriranga Hills

 

Commonly known as B R Hills, the place is home to diverse flora and fauna, a wildlife sanctuary and a temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The drive up to the hills is scenic and takes about 20 minutes from the base. Come here for great views, peace, calm and the balmy mountain air.

Mudumalai National Park

About 20 kms from Bandipur and nestled in the Nilgiris, this sanctuary is home to many endangered animals and has about 266 bird species. Some rare birds like the Rufous bellied hawk eagle can occasionally be spotted in this sanctuary. With around 48 tigers, Mudumalai has the highest tiger population density in the country.

Ooty

‘The Queen of the hills’, Ooty is 97 kms away from Bandipur. With its salubrious climate, toy train and quaint colonial bungalows, this hill station is a top draw. Visit the Doddabetta Peak, take a tour of the Botanical Garden, go boating at Ooty lake and walk through the lush green tea gardens.

Book Your Bandipur Holiday Now!