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Bandipur National Park

Bandipur National Park - Nestled in the forests of Western Ghats, it is home to numerous species of wildlife and plants

Where is it located

Bandipur National Park is one of India's best known sanctuaries, and is an important Project Tiger reserve.

It is located in the Chamarajanagar district of southern Karnataka in south India, and is contiguous with the Mudumalai National Park in the neighboring state of Tamilnadu, the Wyanad Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala, and the Nagarhole National Park to the northwest.

Reaching Bandipur

You can reach Bandipur from Bangalore via Mysore and Chamarajanagar. You can use the package tours of KSTDC or private tour operators. Alternatively, you can make your own arrangement to reach the place.

Wildlife Sightseeing in Bandipur

It is home to tigers and Asian elephants along with leopards, dholes, gaur and sloth bears, wild dogs, hyena etc. Bandipur is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. 

Exotic birds throng the forest. Some of them are the Grey Junglefowl, Pompadour Green Pigeon, Honey Buzzard, Red-headed Vulture, Grey-headed Fish Eagle, Brown Hawk Owl, Bay Owl,Malabar Trogon, Niligiri Flycatcher, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Little, Spiderhunter, and Plain Flowerpecker etc.

Reptiles which roam the forest are the King Cobra, Common Cobra, Python, Adder, Viper, Rat Snake, Water Snake, Marsh Crocodile, Lizard, Chameleon, Monitor Lizard, Frog, Tree frog, Toad and Tortoise.

Staying and Accommodations

The Government of Karnataka provides spacious and comfortable Jungle Lodge accommodation at Bandipur National Park.The rates charged are quite reasonable, but most of the times all rooms are booked well in advance.

There are many resorts near Bandipur including the Country Club, Tusker Trials, and Jungle Lodges etc. These are luxurious resorts with relatively high prices.

Mudumalai is the Tamilnadu part of the forest where accommodation is available at lower prices. Mudumalai is 20 km from Bandipur, and there are many resorts at Mudumalai. To name a few; Jungle Hut, Green Park, Jungle Retreat, Bear Mountain, Casa Deepwoods etc.

Jungle home is near Bandipur on Mudumalai to Gudalur road in the crucial elephant habitat zone. It is a cottage near the forest which offers comfortable, clean accommodation at low rates. Elephant spotting are very common in this area.

Leopards are also seen frequently; almost once a week. Jungle home also has a river attached campus surrounded by forest on three sides, making it especially suited for activities such as fishing and bird watching.