13 Top-Rated Wildlife Places To Visit Near Bangalore (2024)

“Seek and see the beauty in wildlife. Life gets amazing.” With our busy lives, we hardly make time to be amidst nature in the wild and get to see the animals and birds in their natural habitats or a protected environment. Bangalore has some amazing options when it comes to visiting wildlife places. These wildlife places are home to wide variety of species.

13 Top-Rated Wildlife Places to Visit Near Bangalore

If you are in Bangalore and looking for some of the popular wildlife places to visit near Bangalore, then take a read further.

1. Nagarhole National Park

The Nagarhole National Park is a Tiger Reserve that has been considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It is located in Mysore and has rich forest and biodiversity. The national park is situated on the foothills of Western Ghats and many streams and waterfalls are inside the park. You can see small hills and valleys along the Nagarhole National Park.

Some of the predominant animals which can be found here are Sambal deer, Leopard, Bengal Tiger, Striped Hyena, Sloth Bear, Gaur, and Chital. Apart from these, mongoose, golden jackals, grey langur, Malabar grey hornbill, Indian Rock python, Russell’s viper, and civets are other animals seen in Nagarhole National Park. One can also find the trees like rosewood, teak, silver oak, axle wood, beechwood, gooseberry, silver oak, etc.

Distance From Bangalore: 225.7 Km via Mysore road

How To Reach?: You can reach the Nagarhole National Park through bus, taxi, or train. You can catch a train from Bangalore to get down at the Mysore railway station and take a taxi or cab to the destination site. If you are choosing to go by bus, it will be easier for you. The bus would go via Mysore road.

Best Time To Visit: April to May are the best times to visit the Nagarhole National Park. This is because these are the months when waterholes are dry and animals come out to drink water from the lake.

2. Bandipur National Park

Bandipur National Park is a huge Tiger reserve that is one of the most popular wildlife places to visit near Bangalore. It is at a distance of 220 Km from the city of gardens. The National Park is South Asia’s largest habitat for elephants. It was declared a National Park in 1975. There are different biomes like dry and wet deciduous, and shrublands. River Kabini and River Moyar are the two rivers flowing through the park.

Tigers, elephants, sloth bears, jackals, antelopes, serpent-eagles, vultures, rat snakes, moitor lizards, etc. are some of the fauna populations here. Sandalwood, teak, bamboo, keno tree, axle wood, gooseberry, are some flora found in the National Park.

Distance From Bangalore: 213 Km via Mysore Road

How To Reach?: You can choose bus, taxi, or train to reach the destination from Bangalore. If you catch a bus, it would take around 4 hours and 32 minutes. If you choose the rail route, then catch the train from Bangalore and drop down at the Mysore railway station and take a cab to reach Bandipur National Park

Best Time To Visit: March to May in summers and July to September in monsoons are the best time to visit this wildlife place.

3. Bannerghatta National Park

Spread over an area of more than 260square km, is one of the biggest National Parks in the country, i.e. the Bannerghatta National Park. This wildlife area includes a zoo, an animal rescue center, a pet corner, a snake house, a butterfly park, an aquarium, and a safari park. There are also a lot of ancient temples and six small villages within the premises of the National park.

You can see jackals, elephants, langur, barking deer, sloth bear, spotted deer, leopard, tiger, porcupine, python, zebra, hippopotamus, peacock, etc. Some of the plants and trees seen here are bamboo, tamarind, sandalwood, neem, eucalyptus, Arjuna, and many more.

Distance From Bangalore: 21.3 Km

How To Reach?: Take a Taxi, car, auto, or a bus and reach the Bannerghatta National Park. It would take around 40 minutes to reach the spot from Bangalore city. You will be crossing via Bannerghatta road

Best Time To Visit: October to June is the months when you should visit this wildlife destination.

4. Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary

Another popular wildlife place to visit near Bangalore is the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary, which is spread over an area of more than 510 square km. This wildlife sanctuary is in Mandya, in the state of Karnataka. It is bordered by the Kaveri River and the Eastern Ghats.

The Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary houses fauna like tigers, antelope, langur, elephants, wild boars, squirrels, sambars, barking deer, otters, leopards, etc. One can also find mugger crocodiles, rock pythons, Russell’s Viper, etc. Some of the flora here include mango trees, Arjuna,Acacia, Figs, Jambul, etc.

Distance From Bangalore: 229. 3 Km

How To Reach?: One can reach the Wildlife Sanctuary by Bus, taxi, or train. Catch the train from Bangalore and get down at the Mysore railway station and catch a taxi from there to reach the destination. If you prefer to choose a bus or taxi from Bangalore, then it would take around 5 hours and 15 minutes to reach the place.

Best Time To Visit: The best time to visit here is from the month of august to march

5. Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary

One of the most popular wildlife places to visit near Bangalore is the Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary. This Bird Sanctuary is in Tamil Nadu and houses multiple varieties of birds. It is one of the oldest bird sanctuaries in India. The area in the Bird sanctuary has little lakes and many types of transient birds visit the place. Apart from lodging different types of birdlife, the sanctuary has also become a house to numerous migratory birds like Blue-winged teal, Pintail, Gray Wagtail, Garganey, and Common Sandpiper.

There is another bird sanctuary at a distance of 9 km from Vedanthakal Bird Sanctuary and it is named Karikili Bird Sanctuary.

Distance From Bangalore: 326. 7 Km

How To Reach?: You can visit the place by train or by different road transport like bus, taxi, or personal car. If you choose roadway then it might take around 6 hours and 15 minutes to reach the Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary.

Best Time To Visit: The best time to visit this place is from November to February, which includes the season for transitory birds to visit there.

6. Kokkare Bellur Bird Sanctuary

Coming next on the list of some popular wildlife places to visit near Bangalore is the Kokkare Bellur Bird Sanctuary. The bird sanctuary is in Maddur village between Bangalore and Mysore. If you are enthusiastic about watching birds, then this is the right place to visit. Some of the birds here are the black-crowned night heron, black ibis, and Indian pond heron. However, the main birds spotted here are the spot-billed pelican and the painted stork.

Distance From Bangalore: 88 Km

How To Reach?: It would take around 2 hours and 15 minutes to reach this wildlife place if you take the Mysore road via bus or car from Bangalore. You can alternatively take the train too. However, the best and most cost-effective way would be through a bus.

Best Time To Visit: October to March is the best time to visit the Kokkare Bellur Bird Sanctuary because it is during this time when several species of birds come here.

7. Dubare Elephant Camp

Dubare Elephant Camp is a reserve located on the banks of the Kaveri river that is dedicated specifically to the wild elephants. These elephants are well-trained by naturalists. If you are visiting this camp, you can have a great time watching these wonderful elephants and interacting with the trainers.

Distance From Bangalore: 252 Km

How To Reach?: You can reach the destination by bus, taxi, or train. If you are choosing a flight from Bangalore, then Mangalore is the nearest airport from which you have to take a taxi to reach the Dubare Elephant Camp. However, the cheapest way to reach the destination is via bus, which would take you around 5 hours and 15 minutes.

Best Time To Visit: You can visit the place during any time of the year.However, it is good to be there in the morning hours.

8. Arabithittu Wildlife Sanctuary

Arabithittu Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka is the best place if you want to enjoy serenity amidst nature with more than 230 species of birds and numerous varieties of animals like spotted deers, leopards, mongoose, foxes, and different types of poisonous and non-poisonous snakes. You can also see Egyptian Vultures and Little Cormorants here. Sandalwood and eucalyptus are widely found on plantations here.

Distance From Bangalore: 170 Km

How To Reach?: You can take a bus, taxi, or car to reach the Wildlife Sanctuary from Bangalore. However, if you wish to take a train, then the nearest railway station would be the Mysore city railway station, from which you can take a cab or taxi.

Best Time To Visit: December to February is the best time to visit the wildlife sanctuary.

9. Jayamangali Blackbuck Conservation Reserve

Jayamangali Blackbuck Conservation Reserve is a wildlife place that is dedicated to the conservation of blackbucks. The endangered blackbucks can be seen in the open grasslands which are around 800 acres here. However, no official guided safaris are available within the reserve, and visitors are allowed to take their vehicles inside.

Distance From Bangalore: 113 Km

How To Reach?: You can reach the destination via bus, taxi, or train. If you choose roadway, it would take around 2 hours and 44 minutes. The bus would take via the Tumkur road.

Best Time To Visit: You should visit the place post-monsoon period, i.e. from September to December. The summer months are not good times because of the high temperature.

10. Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary

Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary is housed in the thick woods of Nilgiris. It is an amazing wildlife destination in South India. If you have been rummaging for the most popular wildlife places to visit near Bangalore, then this is surely the place you should visit. Mudumalai has some amazing animals including elephants, tigers, and many more to name. This was built in he year 1940 and since then has gained its momentum quite smoothly. This wildlife sanctuary has been protecting the nation’s broad number of animals and plants since years. UNESCO has declared it a world heritage site.

Distance From Bangalore: 227 Km.

How To Reach?: You can take a bus, car, taxi, train, or night bus from Bangalore to reach the destination. Alternatively, you can also fly to Coimbatore, Calicut, or Mysore and from there take a taxi.

Best Time To Visit: The greatest months to visit this place are from December to June.

11. Thattekad Bird Sanctuary

“When you are feeling low, observe the birds. They would gift you the hope to fly high!” By simply watching the birds, one can feel extremely good. So, how about visiting a haven of birds? Yes, we are talking about one of the most popular wildlife places to visit near Bangalore, which is a reputed bird sanctuary, named Thattekad Bird Sanctuary. This is a world-class destination for people who are fond of birds. This was set up by the Kerala Government, in the year 1983 and is situated on the Njiyapilli Hill. Some of the rare species of birds that you can spot here are the Indian Pitta, Ceylon Frogmouth, and Malabar Trogon. Some other species of birds come here from the Himalayas and other parts of the globe during the winter months.

Distance From Bangalore: 552 Km

How To Reach?: If you choose to take the roadway and travel by bus or taxi, it would take around 10 hours and 25 minutes. However, you can also travel by train and reach the destination in around 10 hours and 55 minutes. Alternatively, you can also self-drive a car to the spot.

Best Time To Visit: Winter time, i.e. from November to February is the best time to visit this Bird Sanctuary.

12. Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary

If you have been wondering about a plae where you can explore wildlife in the best way, then pack your bag and take a trip to Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary in Chikmagalur. This wildlife sanctuary is spread over an area of around 490 square km and is considered one of the best sanctuaries in Karnataka. The Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary is surrounded by the hills of the Western Ghats on all the sides and this gifts the surrounding an amazing view.

Distance From Bangalore: 284 Km

How To Reach?: You can reach this destination via bus, taxi, or even train. You can also self-drive a car and reach the place in around 4 hours and 15 minutes.

Best Time To Visit: The best time to visit the sanctuary is from mid-October till march.

13. Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary, Wayanad

If you want to take a break from the busy city life and spend some quality time amidst wildlife, then go on a trip to Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary. This is one of the topmost places to visit in Wayanad for people who keep an interest in wildlife and explore a variety of flora and fauna. Animals like wild bears, elephants, tigers, wild dogs, and panthers can be seen here. Apart from the animals, a lot of varieties of birds like jungle fowls, babblers, and cuckoos can be spotted in fair numbers.

However, it is not only restricted to animals and birds, but the wildlife sanctuary also homes a lot of trees including rosewood, bamboo, teak, maruthu, and vengal. You can go on a jeepsafari here in this wildlife sanctuary and have a thrilling experience.

Distance From Bangalore: 241 Km

How To Reach?: You can take a bus, car, taxi, or a train from Bangalore to reach Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary. If you take a bus, it would take around 5 hours and 10 minutes. The nearest railway station is Kozhikode. You can also fly to Calicut from Bangalore and then take a taxi to the destination.

Best Time To Visit: October to May months are the finest times to visit this wildlife destination.

Final Words

They say, “Wildlife surprises you when you least expect it.” If you want to have an amazing time amidst the nature and wildlife, then pick any of the above-mentioned wildlife places and plan a quick trip to experience the surprise that is stored for you.