Bandipur National Park

Bandipur National Park lies at the heart of an extensive forest at the confluence of the Western Ghats and Nilgiri Hills. With its location under the shadow of the Western Ghats, Bandipur is easily one of the finest habitats of the Asian Elephant. Visitors are able to see these Elephants and Gaurs in their natural surroundings. The Bandipur forests used to be the private game reserve of the Maharajas of Mysore. The late Maharaja Jaya Chamaraja Wodeyar, the founding Chairman of the Indian Board of Wildlife was a keen wildlife enthusiast.

Nesting in the foothills of the Nilgiris, the Bandipur National Park was formed by extending the Venugopal Wildlife Park, set up in 1931 by the Mysore Maharajas. It is one of the tiger reserves in the country. Lone Deer wondering in the Forest A popular game resort of the rulers of Mysore, the flora in the forest comprises Teak, Rosewood, Honne, Mathi, Bamboo and Sandal Trees.

The important animals in the park are Tiger, Elephant, Gaur, Leopard, Chital and Sambar. Birds like the Peafowl, Partridge, Quail, Hornbill and Ibis are also found here. Apart from these, Dhole(wild dog), Sambar, Muntjac or Barking Deer, Giant Squirrel and sometimes Sloth Bear and Nocturnal Porcupine and Blacknaped hare may be seen in the sanctuary.

The park includes rocky hills and valleys drained by rivers Kabini, Nugu, Moyar and numerous small streams. The enchanting Nilgiri Mountains and their cloud-covered peaks form a picturesque backdrop for the park. One of the best managed Tiger Reserve, this beautiful sanctuary located at the foothills of the Western Ghats beckons one and all. Bandipur is also a Project Tiger Reserve, one of 27 such reserves across India for Project Tiger, a scheme launched in 1973 by the Government of India, to save the tiger and its habitat.

Fauna
Tiger, Elephant, Gaur, Leopard, Chital, Sambar, Sloth Bear, Barking Deer, Wild Boar, Wild Dog, Jackal, Mouse Deer, Four-Horned antelope, common Langur, Porcupine, Otter, Pangolin, Malabar Squirrel, Civet Cat, Leopard, Hare, Jungle Cat, Bonnet Macaque. Land monitor, Crocodile, Tortoise, Python, Cobra, Krait, Viper, Rat Snake, Flying lizard.

Flora
The forests consist predominantly of teak with its main associates species like Rosewood, Honne, Nandi, Mathi, Hunal, Dindal, Bamboo, Bende, Sandal, Mavu and Muthuga.

Avifauna
Peafowl, Grey Jungle Fowl, Partridge, Quail, Paradise Fly-Catcher, Hornbill, Woodpecker, Thrush, Crested Hawk Eagle, Serpent Eagle, Drongo, Cuckoo, Oriole, Minivet, Wagtail,
How to Get Bandipur National Park

Air : The nearest airport is Bangalore, at a distance of 215 Kms.

Rail : The nearest railhead is Mysore, which is 76 Kms, and connects most of the major junctions of Karnataka.

Road : Bandipur is accessible by Road, either from Mysore or from Ooty (Tamil Nadu). It is at a distance of 215 Kms from Bangalore, 76 Kms from Mysore and about 70 Kms from Ooty. The best way of reaching Bandipur is either by your own transport which is recommended or government buses as no private buses go to Bandipur.