Location:
Along the Mysore-Ooty highway in Karnataka, surrounded by three other National Parks namely Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, Mudumalai National Park, and Nagarhole National Park lies the Bandipur National Park and Tiger Reserve. It is an important part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. What was once a hunting ground for the Maharaja of Mysore is now a Tiger Reserve that covers an area of approximately 875 square kilometers.
Not only is it the largest protected area in Southern India and the state with the second-highest tiger population but Bandipur is the largest habitat of the endangered Asiatic Wild Elephants.
Geography:
Bandipur has a variety of biomes as the altitude of the park ranges from 680 meters to 1454 meters. These biomes include dry deciduous forests, moist deciduous forests, and shrublands. These wide ranges of habitats support the living of various species. The park mainly has three rivers; Kabini River in the North, Moyar River in the South, and The Nugu River run through the park. The climate of the park can be classified as tropical with distinct wet and dry seasons.
Best Time to visit the Park:
The dry season usually begins in early March and can last till June. Although Bandipur National Park can be visited by tourists at any time of the year the best time to visit the Park is between March and May because, during the Summer months, the wildlife can be seen around the watering holes much better. For pleasant weather, the best time to visit is between March and October.
Flora and Fauna:
Blessed with a variety of Flora and Fauna, some of the many timber trees in the area include Teak, Rosewood, Sandalwood, Indian Kino Tree, Clumping Bamboo, and Giant Clumping Bamboo.
Bandipur National Park is known for its rich population of endangered wildlife species such as the White Elephant, Tigers, Gaurs, Sloth Bears, Indian Rock Pythons, Four-Horned Antelopes, Jackals, and Dholes. A variety of animals such as Marsh Crocodile, Monitor Lizards, Rock Python, Bamboo Pit Snake, Wolf Snake, and many more can also be found.
Apart from that, a variety of birds can also be found in the region such as peafowl, Grey Jungle fowl, Green pigeon, Hawk-eagle, Serpent eagle, Parakeets, Woodpeckers, Barbets, Hornbills, Warblers, Ducks, Gray Partridges, Firhinges, Falcons, Honey buzzards, Bee-eaters, Kingfishers and many more.
Ways to explore the Park:
Prepare yourselves for you have entered the land of adventure, Natural Beauty, and a whole lot of fun activities.
The beauty of reaching any place lies in the journey you took to get there. That is why the park has various options for traveling inside the park which are:
- Mini Bus Safari- A 90-minute Bus Safari is the simplest way to explore the Park. It offers a close look at the wildlife of the park and is a popular choice.
- Jeep Safari- Along with the minibus safari, the Forest Department organizes a 90-minute Jeep Safari which is another popular choice. It allows people to connect with nature in a better way.
- Elephant Rides- Not essentially a tour of the park but an experience one would not want to miss. Usually, a 20-minute Elephant ride is offered but on request, the timings and route might be different.
Nearby Attractions:
- Mudumalai National Park- As mentioned above, Mudumalai National Park shares its borders with Bandipur National Park. Situated in Tamil Nadu, Mudumalai lies in the Nilgiri district. A variety of birds and animals can be found here. It is just about 7 km away from the Bandipur National Park.
- Ooty- For all the nature lovers, do not miss this opportunity to check out this wonderful piece of art created by God. Ooty is one of the most popular tourist attractions and rightly so! Make sure you visit this beautiful place, just at a distance of about 50 km from the park.
- Mysore: Only 77 km away from the National Park, this historically popular city is a place one would not want to miss. Mysore has a rich historic background and is a perfect place for a peaceful getaway.
Go explore the wild and appreciate their existence. Make sure you visit this magical place and have the best time in the lap of nature.
