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Bandipur National Park
 Located amidst the picturesque surroundings of the towering Western Ghat Mountains on the Mysore-Ooty highway in Karnataka, the Bandipur National Park is at a distance of 215 km from Bangalore and about 80 kms from Mysore and Ooty .it is a worthy place to visit for nature lovers as it is India's biggest biosphere reserve .it is popularly known as the 'Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve'. In 1973, the Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuary was declared as one of the nine tiger reserves of India under the famous Project Tiger plan. And soon in 1974, under the Wildlife Protection Act, the sanctuary attained the status of a National Park. The Bandipur National Park occupies a special place in India 's efforts towards Eco-conservation. It has a moderate climate and its vegetation ranges from deciduous and evergreen forest covers to open grassy woodlands. Two of the most valuable timber trees of India- the rosewood and teak- grow abundantly in the Bandipur National Park .
Bandipur National Park is wide and rich enough to include large varieties of animals , birds, reptiles and plants. Wildlife includes the Asian elephant, Bonner Macaque, Jungle Cat, Wild Boar, Indian Palm Squirrel, Golden Jackal, Indian Grey Mongoose, Bengal Fox, Ruddy Mongoose, Indian Elephant, Indian Pangolin, Langur, Tiger, Chital, Grizzled Indian Squirrel, Dhole, Sloth Bear, Leopard Cat, Stripe-necked Mongoose, Gaur, Lion-tailed Macaque, Leopard and Four-horned Antelope.
It also has a sizable population of birds. Over 200 species of birds have already been identified in the park The Kabini Dam and backwaters of the Kabini River which flows near the park attracts huge flocks of birds. The most commonly noticed are Peafowl and the game birds like the Grey Jungle Fowl, Red Spur Fowl etc. Among the woodland birds category the Hawk Eagle, Serpent Eagle, Scops Owl, the yellow-legged Green Pigeon, Parakeets, Woodpeckers, Barbets, Hornbills, Drongos, Scarlet Minivets, and Warblers are the easily seen birds in the Bandipur National Park .
Other major bird species seen in the Bandipur National Park include Black Woodpeckers, Blue-bearded Bee-Eaters, Cormorants, Crested Hawk Eagles, Ducks, Gray Partridges, Gray Headed Firhings, Honey Buzzards, Malabar Pied Hornbills, Hill Mynas, King Vultures, Malabar Trogon, Ospreys, Indian Pittas, Park Malabar Trogon, Parakeets, Paradise Flycatchers, Teals, Herons, Waders, Red Spur Fowl, Shaheen Falcons, Scarlet Minivets, Scimitar Babbler, Fairy Blue Birds, Scimitar Babblers, Malabar Whistling Thrushes, Green Imperial Pigeons, Nightjars and Owls.
 The reptile population in the Bandipur National Park includes the Marsh Crocodile, Monitor Lizard, Rock Python, Bamboo Pit Snake, Rat Snake, Wolf Snake, Vine Snake, Common Krait, and Russell's Viper. The park also houses few variety of turtles, frogs are and amphibians.
Wildlife safari is available at the park .an elephant or jeep safari can be done to explore the natural wealth of the park. An ideal place for sightseeing, spending your holiday and indulging in wildlife safari, Bandipur National Park should not be missed if you are on a trip of Banglore or Mysore .
Best Season to Visit
The best season to visit the Bandipur National Park is during the months of March-July and September-November.
Visiting Hours : 6 AM - 9 AM and 3:30 PM - 6:30 P
Park Entry :Indian : Adult : Rs. 50/-
Transport : Elephant Ride : Rs. 50 / per person per hour (4 Persons at a time)
Forest Department Safari Bus : Adult Rs. 25/- per trip of one hour. Child Rs. 8/- per trip per one hour.
Reaching there
Since the sanctuary is on the Bangalore Mysore highway, approach is through either of the two cities. The nearest rail junction is Mysore (18 km). The nearest international airport is Bangalore (125 km).
How to Reach There
By Air: The nearest airport from Bandipur is Bangalore at a distance of about 215 km.
By Rail: Mysore is the nearest railhead, located at a distance of about 80 km from the Bandipur National Park .
By Road: Bandipur is well connected by road to Mysore (80 km), Ooty (80 km) and Bangalore (215 km).
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