Into the Wild: Weekend Getaways From Bengaluru

When was the last time you did something wild? No, I don’t mean the time when you colured your hair purple and went and got a tattoo! I mean, when was the last time you were out and about amidst nature in the wild where you had the chance to sight animals in their natural habitat.  Well, the weekend is coming up and that’s a good enough reason to break free. Here are some great wildlife weekend getaways from Bengaluru.

Mudumalai National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary | Distance from Bengaluru: 232 kilometres

​
A declared tiger reserve, Mudumalai National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary lies in the picturesque Nilgiri Hills bordering the states of Kerala and Karnataka. Spread across more than 320 square kilometers, Mudumalai’s ecology comprises dry deciduous, moist deciduous and semi-evergreen forests. With varied flora and fauna, the population of big cats includes tigers, panthers and leopards. More frequently seen wildlife includes elephants, four-horned antelopes, striped hyenas, wild boars and wild dogs. There are also several reptiles like Malabar pit vipers, pythons, monitor lizards and kraits at Mudumalai National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary.

Bandipur National Park | Distance from Bengaluru: 235 kilometres

​
Bandipur National Park in Karnataka is located where the Deccan Plateau meets the Western Ghats.  Teeming with rich flora and fauna, the Kabini and Moyar rivers surround Bandipur on the north and south while the Nugu River runs through it. With an abundant wildlife population, hope to spot elephants, deer, langurs, antelopes and a variety of avian species while on a safari in Bandipur National Park. If lucky, you may even spot jungle cats including tigers and leopards! 

Nagarhole National Park | Distance from Bengaluru: 220 kilometres

​
Spanning almost 650 square kilometres, Nagarhole National Park is located in Mysore district and is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. The dense forests of Nagarhole boast of picturesque topography of waterfalls, lakes, streams, valleys and hills. The park is also an Important Bird Area with over 270 species of birds including the endangered oriental white-backed vulture and Nilgiri wood-pigeon. Wildlife species that can be found at Nagarhole National Park are tigers, leopards, Indian elephants, barking deer, golden jackals and sloth bears.

Bannerghatta National Park | Distance from Bengaluru: 25 kilometres

​    
In the hills of Anekal range, the Bannerghatta National Park spans over 25,000 acres. In 2002, a part of the park became a biological reserve, the Bannerghatta Biological Park with a zoo, butterfly park, aquarium, animal rescue centre and a safari park. Visitors can embark on a guided safari in a secure forest department vehicle to see lions, panthers, leopards, bears, gaurs, black bucks and spotted deer, among other species of wildlife found here. The butterfly park houses 48 species of colourful and ornately patterned butterflies in a conservatory. When planning a visit to Bannerghatta National Park, keep in mind that it’s closed on Tuesdays.

Biligiriranga Swamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary (BRT) | Distance from Bengaluru: 180 kilometres    

The BR Hills are home to the Biligiriranga Swamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary or BRT. At an altitude of over 5,090 feet, BRT is a protected wildlife reserve. Located between the ridged hills of both the Eastern and Western Ghats, the most famous residents of BRT are wild elephants, which are often seen roaming in herds. With both dry deciduous forests and grasslands, other wildlife to be found within the Biligiriranga Swamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary ecoregion are wild dogs, sloth bears, four-horned antelopes and barking deer. 

Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary | Distance from Bengaluru: 285 kilometres

​
Getting its name from the Bhadra River that flows through it, the forest expanse of over 490 square kilometres of Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary is where a varied species of wildlife seek refuge. Among them are tigers and leopards along with gaurs, elephants, sambars, wild dogs, barking deer and sloth bears. Along with a guided safari, visitors can partake in trekking, rock climbing and birdwatching activities at Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary. 

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary | Distance from Bengaluru: 135 kilometres

​
Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, the largest bird sanctuary in Karnataka is relatively small in size at 67 kilometres. On the banks of the Cauvery River, the islets have thriving flora and fauna. Migratory birds come to nest at Ranganathittu. Flourishing species of birds that can be spotted while taking a boat ride in Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary are darters, white ibis, spoon billed storks, egrets, herons and sandpipers, to name a few. 

Jayamangali Blackbuck Conservation Reserve | Distance from Bengaluru: 143 kilometres

​
Not your usual sanctuary, the Jayamangali Blackbuck Conservation Reserve located in Tumkur district is dedicated to the conservation of blackbucks. The open grasslands of almost 800 acres are where the shy and endangered blackbucks can be seen. There are no official guided safaris within Jayamangali and visitors can drive on designated roads and paths in their own vehicles. Sadly, this freedom has also led to the exploitation of the land in the area, which has directly impacted the habitat of the blackbucks at Jayamangali Blackbuck Conservation Reserve. 

Dubare Elephant Camp | Distance from Bengaluru: 251 kilometres

​
The Dubare Elephant Camp on the banks of the Cauvery River is located in Kodagu district in Karnataka. An important centre for the Karnataka Forest Department, this is where you can see wild animals roaming freely in the forest. Along with Asiatic elephants, Dubare is home to spotted deer, wild dogs, bears and gaurs. Tigers and leopards also wander here but are elusive and hard to spot. The Cauvery River is an ideal habitat for crocodiles and other reptiles. Birdlife at Dubare Elephant Camp include woodpeckers, peacocks and kingfishers, among other species. 

Kokkare Bellur Bird Sanctuary | Distance from Bengaluru: 84 kilometres

​
Situated in Maddur village between the cities of Mysore and Bengaluru, Kokkare Bellur Bird Sanctuary is paradise of birding enthusiasts.  Though not an officially declared forest sanctuary, various species of birds come here during the nesting months from October and March. The main bird species that nests in this safe haven is the spot-billed pelican along with the painted stork.  The nearby Shimsha Lake is a great place to see prolific birdlife including the black-crowned night heron, Indian pond heron and black ibis. With help of local villagers who pride themselves in co-existing with the birds, conservation efforts at Kokkare Bellur Bird Sanctuary are an ongoing activity.