What to expect
Highlights
- Morning and afternoon safaris in the reserve.
- Elephants, gaur, deer and, with luck, big cats.
- The Nilgiri Biosphere forest scenery.
Bandipur National Park
A famous tiger reserve and former Mysore royal hunting ground on the Mysuru–Ooty highway, part of the Nilgiri Biosphere; jeep and bus safaris in the teak-and-scrub forest offer chances of tigers, leopards, elephants, gaur and dhole. This wildlife guide is organized from Gundlupet in Chamarajanagar district, with practical planning for routes, timing, nearby stays, food, operators and direct local inventory. Use it to compare what to see, how long to spend, when to go and which verified stays, local guides, jeep or taxi operators, food stops, permits and safety-aware activity providers should be verified around Bandipur National Park.
Practical guide
Plan Bandipur National Park
Typewildlife
Nearest baseGundlupet
Best timeOctober to May
Time neededA safari of 2 to 3 hours, or an overnight stay
EntrySafari/entry fee at the reserve
Nearest town/baseGundlupet
DistrictChamarajanagar
Place typewildlife
Time neededA safari of 2 to 3 hours, or an overnight stay.
A famous tiger reserve and former Mysore royal hunting ground on the Mysuru–Ooty highway, part of the Nilgiri Biosphere; jeep and bus safaris in the teak-and-scrub forest offer chances of tigers, leopards, elephants, gaur and dhole. This wildlife guide is organized from Gundlupet in Chamarajanagar district, with practical planning for routes, timing, nearby stays, food, operators and direct local inventory. Use it to compare what to see, how long to spend, when to go and which verified stays, local guides, jeep or taxi operators, food stops, permits and safety-aware activity providers should be verified around Bandipur National Park.
Bandipur is a famous tiger reserve and former Mysore royal hunting ground on the Mysuru–Ooty highway, part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
Jeep and bus safaris through its teak-and-scrub forest offer chances of tiger, leopard, elephant, gaur, dhole and abundant deer and birds.
Visiting
Bandipur National Park — at a glance
TimingsSafaris morning and late afternoon; park highway shut 9 PM - 6 AM
Best timeOctober to May; dry months bring animals to water
Entry: Safari/entry fee at the reserve
Getting here
How to reach Bandipur National Park
NH-766, ~80 km from Mysuru, ~220 km from Bengaluru
Take only official safaris, stay in the vehicle, keep quiet and do not litter; night travel through the park is banned.
Getting there
How to visit
- On NH-766 about 80 km from Mysuru and 220 km from Bengaluru; book the forest-department safari at the reserve.
- The highway through the park is closed to traffic at night (9 pm–6 am) to protect wildlife — plan drives accordingly.
Distance by road
- Mysuru60 km
- Bengaluru180 km
- Ooty130 km
- Mandya90 km
- Kozhikode200 km
Road km to Chamarajanagar; ghat roads and traffic vary — allow extra.
Timing
Best time
October to May; the dry months bring animals to water. Safaris run morning and late afternoon.
Weather in Bandipur National ParkSeasonal guide
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Visitor notes
- Take only the official safaris, stay in the vehicle, keep quiet and do not litter; night travel through the park is banned.
Safety
Good to know
On the map
Where Bandipur National Park is
Photos
Bandipur National Park in pictures
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What’s near Bandipur National Park
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Bandipur National Park — frequently asked
When is the best time to visit Bandipur National Park?
October to May; the dry months bring animals to water. Safaris run morning and late afternoon.
What are the entry fee and timings at Bandipur National Park?
Entry: Safari/entry fee at the reserve. Timings: Safaris morning and late afternoon; park highway shut 9 PM - 6 AM. Fees and timings are indicative — confirm on site before you travel.
How do I reach Bandipur National Park?
On NH-766 about 80 km from Mysuru and 220 km from Bengaluru; book the forest-department safari at the reserve. The highway through the park is closed to traffic at night (9 pm–6 am) to protect wildlife — plan drives accordingly.
How much time do I need for Bandipur National Park?
A safari of 2 to 3 hours, or an overnight stay.
What else is near Bandipur National Park?
Nearby you can pair Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta (7.8 km), Chamarajeshwara Temple (44.9 km), Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple, BR Hills (67.0 km).
Image credits
- Bandipur National Park:Namisharun, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0