Bandipur National Park
Tiger country at the heart of the Nilgiri Biosphere.Bandipur National Park lies in southern Karnataka where the Western Ghats meet the Deccan Plateau, forming part of the vast Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve alongside Nagarhole, Mudumalai, and Wayanad. Its dry deciduous forests, teak groves, and open grasslands support one of India’s healthiest tiger populations, along with large herds of Asian elephants, gaur, and spotted deer. A former hunting reserve of the Maharajas of Mysore, Bandipur is now among the country’s most rewarding tiger reserves, easily combined with Nagarhole for a deeper south Indian wildlife journey.
Best Time to Visit
October to May is ideal, with March to May offering the best wildlife sightings around water sources, while the cooler months from October to February are pleasant and green.
Zones
Safaris explore designated ranges within the reserve, including the popular tourism zones around the Bandipur safari gate, with government bus and jeep safaris operating on fixed routes.
How to Reach
The nearest airport is Mysore (about 80 km) with Bengaluru (about 220 km) as the major hub. Mysore is the closest railhead, and Bandipur is reached by road via the Mysore-Ooty highway.
Shared Safaris in Bandipur National Park
New shared safaris coming soon.
Ready to Explore Bandipur National Park?
Wildlife
Bengal tiger, leopard, Asian elephant, gaur, dhole (wild dog), sloth bear, spotted deer, sambar, and a rich variety of birds including the crested serpent eagle and Malabar giant squirrel.
Safari Types
Shared jeep safaris and government-operated bus safaris through the core tourism zones, conducted in the early morning and late afternoon.