Bandipur National Park Travel Guide: Places to Visit, Things to Do, Climate, Entry Tickets, How to Reach (2024)

If you are someone who often gets fascinated by wildlife and nature, then a visit to the Bandipur National Park in Karnataka, South India, is a must. The rich collection of rare wildlife species, interesting activities, and the dense forest regions has made Bandipur National Park count amongst the best tourist places in Karnataka. Image Source

Cost of Visit: Rs. 75 (for Indians), Rs. 175 (for foreigners)

Cost of Visit (with camera): Free

Cost of Visit (with a video camera): Rs. 100/ per camera

The Climate of Bandipur National Park

If you are planning to visit the Bandipur National Park anytime soon, it will be hard to do it without having a clue about its climate.

1. Summer Season – The summer season in the Bandipur National Park begins in March and continues till June. It gets quite hot during this time of the year, and the temperature can even go up to 38°C.
2. Monsoon Season – The onset of monsoon begins in July and goes on till September. The maximum temperature during this time of the year rises to 28°C in Bandipur National Park. However, going out for just exploration or open jeep safaris become quite a challenge due to the continuous rain showers.
3. Winter Season – The month of October marks the onset of the winter season and continues till March. The weather remains quite cold and misty, and the lowest temperature drop can drop down to 15°C in Bandipur National Park.

Best Time to Visit Bandipur National Park

Now that you have got an idea about the climate of Bandipur National Park, the best time to visit Bandipur National Park would be during the winter months. However, if you do not mind a bit of sweat, then the summer months are ideal.

How to Reach Bandipur National Park?

Whether you want to come by airways, railways, or roadways, nothing seems to be a problem with the smoothly navigable transport networks.

• By air: Avail flights to the Kempegowda International Airport or Coimbatore Airport, and then avail cars and buses from there to reach Bandipur.
• By rails: The nearest railway station to avail train is the Mysuru Junction, located at a distance of 80 kilometers from the city. You can hire cabs or buses from there to reach Bandipur.
• By road: You can avail of several private and government buses from all major cities of Karnataka that will take you to Bandipur. You can even hire cabs or drive your car as the road routes are in great condition.

Places to Visit Near Bandipur National Park

Though there are hardly any specific places to visit in Bandipur National Park, there are several places around the region, which are definitely worth exploring.

1. Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary

The Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary accommodates a large number of wild animals, which includes elephants, Indian bison, tigers, deer, and many more. Planning a one-day visit to the location will definitely fill you with enthusiasm and thrill.Image Source

Address: Bathery- Puthupally Road, Sultan Bathery, Kerala 673592

Time to Visit: 7 AM to 10 AM, 3 PM to 5 PM

2. Gopalaswamy Hills

Nestled in the Gundlupete Taluk, the Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta hill is recognized as the highest peak in the region. The greenery around the location and the extensively surrounded woods can make you feel absolutely out of the world.Image Source

3. Mudumalai Tiger Reserve

Lying on the northwest of the Nilgiris, the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve is one of its kind. No matter how many wild animals you witness during your trip, there’s nothing like watching a tiger, and you definitely cannot let go of the chance. The best part is, you can go for a safari and witness the natural beauty.Image Source

4. Chethalayam Waterfalls

Known to be the seasonal waterfall in the Wayanad region, Chethalayam Waterfalls serves as the most popular trekking location. The scenic beauty, beautiful slopes, and picturesque water bodies are quite fascinating to look at and refresh your mind. The region also serves as the ideal location for bird watchers. Image Source

Address: Chethalayam, Kidanganad, Kerala 673592

Time to Visit: 6 AM to 5 PM

5. Seetha Devi Temple

Located in the Pulpally region of the Wayanad district, the Seetha Devi Temple possesses great popularity, and people from different parts of the country flock to the area every year. It stands out to be the only temple to worship the idols of Sree Rama and Seetha Devi along with Lava and Kusha.Image Source

Address: NH212, Ponkuzhi, Kerala 673592

Time to Visit: 6 PM

Things To Do in Bandipur National Park

Being one of the best places to visit in Karnataka, the Bandipur National Park offers a lot to indulge in and have fun with the tourists.

1. Bus Safari

The Bandipur National Park offers a 45-minutes safari by bus where you will be taken through the forest, and if you are lucky, you can witness a tiger as well. The maximum number of people accommodated on a bus is fourteen. Image Source

Cost: Rs. 135 (for Indians)

Time to visit: 6:30 AM to 9:00 AM and after 3:30 PM

2. Open Jeep Safari

Those who do not like to take a bus ride into the forest can go for an open jeep safari to enjoy the bliss of nature and experience the thrill. Also, for the photographers, the open jeep safari gives scope to click great pictures of the animals. However, if you are going for a night safari in the forest, it is better to avoid the open-jeep.Image Source

Cost: Rs. 2200

Time to visit: 6:30 AM to 9:00 AM and after 3:30 PM

3. Elephant Safari

Amidst all the safaris that you get a chance to avail in and around the Bandipur National Park, the elephant safari is the most popular one. Be it the adults or the children; everybody out there prefers an elephant safari over anything. Moreover, elephants serve to be the best medium to explore the denser regions of the forest. The twenty minutes to one-hour elephant ride is definitely worth remembering. Image Source

The forest department also organizes elephant rides for the kids against a minimal cost of Rs. 120, which goes on for around 20 minutes only.

Cost: Rs. 100/person for 20 minutes

Time to visit: 6:30 AM to 8:30 AM and 3:30 PM and 5:30 PM

4. Camping

There are many nearby areas around the Bandipur National Park to set a camp and enjoy the bonfire with your gang. However, you may need to take permission beforehand to do so.

5. Birdwatching

Being one of the most-visit places in Bandipur National Park, the Bandipur National Park has got a lot to offer to the tourists with its collection of bird species worldwide. There are over 200 species of birds that will definitely surprise you.  Image Source

Conclusion

Having enriched you with all the required information, you need to visit the Bandipur National Park, implement them well to plan your trip and add to your fascinating experiences.