Once the private hunting grounds of the Maharajas of Mysore, Bandipur National Park spreads in a forested jungle of 874 square kilometers. One of the most popular wildlife reserves in the region, it is a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Today, the national park is home to more than 100 species of mammals including elephant, tiger, spotted deer, Indian bison, langur, sloth bear, mongoose, sambar and wild dog. It is also ideal for bird watching as around 350 species of birds call Bandipur their home.
Morning and evening bus safari and van safari are two ways to view wildlife. Though the park is open all throughout the year but the best time is from March to June and from September to November. Bandipur shares boundaries with Nagarhole National Park, Mudumalai National Park, and Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary. The national park is 80 km southwards of Mysore, placed on the Mysore-Ooty Highway. The national park can be reached from Mysore as well as Bengaluru.
