Now a days  everyone wish to have a  relaxing break away from the hustle and bustle of city life and always in search of charming tourist attractions. Here is the great place teeming with wildlife and natural beauty that will make your holiday a blissful days. “Bandipur National Park” welcomes you with a diverse flora, fauna, outstanding scenic beauty and spanning area of 874 square km.  

Bandipur National park is located in Gundlupet taluka of Chamarajanagar district in the South Indian state Karnataka. This fascinating tourist destination is among the India’s first Tiger Reserves created in 1973 under the Wildlife Protection Act. Formerly it was about 90 acres reserve forest but due to insufficient place it was expanded to 800 acres in 1941 and named as Venugopala National park and now it is contiguous with Madhumalai wildlife Sanctury in Tamil Nadu and Nagarhole National park in the north west. 

Climate :

 This park is a part of Nilgiri Biosphere reserve which known as first biosphere of India. The typical tropical climate keep an average temperature above 18°C in every month of the year and feature wet and dry seasons. Nagu river which flows through the middle of the park adds extra beauty where as the Kabini and Moyar river respectively flows in north and southern area. 

What to see: 

If you are much fond and wildlife enthusiastic then it going to be a  memorable for sure because of an opportunity to experience animals in their natural habitats. 

Wildlife : 

Elephants at Bandipur national park Image courtesy: Dave Lonsdale

 To explore the park’s beauty and enjoy the jungle ride you can hire Forest department’s  jeep and other vehicles. This park is house of around 3000 Elephants which are highlight of park. them very close at the roadside . Many of the animals and spices of birds found in the park including  Tiger, Panther, Wild dog, Sloth Beer, common Langur, Deer, Gaur, Wild Boar, Sambar, Antelope.

Gopalaswamy Betta :  

Image courtesy:highwayonlyway.com

 This highest peak in the Bandipur national park which covered with fog for most part of the year is at a 1454 m above the sea level offers a stunning views of surrounding forest. There is also a temple dedicated to Lord  Venugopala (Lord Krishna) at  top of the hill. It can access through a road near the Hangala village.    

How to reach :

By Air : 

Closest airport  to  Bandipur National park is Bangalore which is 258 km . Here you can get cab,taxi on rent . Clear Car Rental is one of the major car rental service provider at there.

By Rail : 

There in no railway station in Bandipur but Mysore is nearest railhead at a distance of 78 kms from where you can pick up a taxi for your journey. 

Precautionary steps for wildlife safari :

- Stay in your vehicle.

- Enjoy wild animals by keeping appropriate distance from them.

- Do not feed any animals.

- Do not carry any alcoholic beverages during trip.

- Wear comfortable and natural shade clothes.