The Bandipur National Park, nestled at the foothills of the western ghats, is actually established as a Tiger Reserve, known for its small population of tigers. Adjacent with national parks of Nagarhole, Mudumalai, and Wayanad, the Bandipur National Park forms part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve – totaling close to 2,100 square KMs. Decked by the Nilgiris in the background with the river Kabini and its tributaries slithering through the park area, Bandipur is one of the most tranquil places to visit for a short trip from Bangalore.
Journey Time: Bandipur National Park is well connected by road from Bangalore. Situated at a distance of around 220 Km’s from Bangalore with a journey time of slightly lesser than 4.5 hours, Bandipur is the obvious choice for most looking for a good drive. We started off by 7:30 AM and eased our way to the accommodation before lunch.
Where to Stay: While there are innumerable resorts dotting Bandipur, we decided to give the official cottages of the forest reserve a try. Situated just behind the previous Bandipur Safari campus, the cottages were a steal deal and much recommended. Ranging from executive guest houses to cottages for families and dorms for larger groups, the accommodation facilities within the Bandipur campus are a steal deal at INR 1600 – INR 2000 per night. Please visit the website here: https://bandipurtigerreserve.in/. Oh yes! A bonus fact – Deers stroll freely throughout the campus presenting such a delightful synergy with the human population!!
Top 3 things to do at Bandipur Tiger Reserve in a One Day Trip:
1. Bandipur Safari – One of the top attractions of the Bandipur Tiger Reserve is the safari through the lush green designated pathways amidst the forests. The entire wildlife safari is run by the forest department in two slots – Morning & Afternoon. The morning trip usually starts from 6:15 AM while the afternoon trip initiates from 2:30 PM. There are options of both forest department run buses as well as private open gypsy which have fares depending on the mode chosen. Charges for the buses are INR 350 per adult to INR 175 for children while the gypsy can be booked at a flat fee of INR 3000. (Inclusive of park entry fee). Bump through forest guided paths while you spot a variety of foliage and a flock of animals.
2. Gopalswami Hills – Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta is a hill located in the Chamarajangar district of Karnataka and is the highest peak adjoining the Bandipur national park at 1450 Metres. Dense fog predominates and covers the hills through-out the year (hence the name Himavad in Kannada) making the onward journey almost feel like a trip to heaven. Sitting pretty atop the hill is a temple of Lord Venugopalaswamy. The Government of Karnataka operates buses from the foothills to the top of the temple and private vehicular movement is not allowed. Be prepared for a fascinating view of the entire Bandipur Forest Reserve from atop the hills and frequent spotting of wild elephants.
3. Nature Walk – Staying inside the forest department campus gives you exclusive access to soothing walks in the evening and night. Complete unperturbed by the presence of humans nearby, the herd of deer just graze right through the campus at night falls. Be occasionally alarmed by the trumpet of elephants crossing the path in the distance to monkeys trying to outsmart their developed counterparts and stealing the packed food. All in all, one of the best experiences amidst nature awaits you at the Bandipur Forest Reserve.
Food & Internet – While inside the Bandipur National Park, network coverage fluctuates from zilch to bad, it certainly is a point to take note of. On the other hand, don’t expect many varieties of food being available inside the campus of the forest department. Being a passageway to either the Mudumalai reserve or Wayanad, most of the visitors pass through the Bandipur national park. There are food options in the canteen of the forest department but the food is plain basic, without the presence of options. However, there are a host of premium resorts nearby where you can head for a sumptuous meal. The gates to the national park operate only between 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM at night, making the stay serene and peaceful, while also providing opportunities for exploration at night. But, also keep in mind that the animals would most likely be out during the night as well!!
While the second day was mostly spent traveling back to Bangalore, the memories made during the short trip to Bandipur National Park shall always be etched in our hearts.
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