Bandipur National Park National Park

Address: Bandipur National Park, Tamil Nadu, India

Bandipur National Park is a protected wildlife reserve in southern India within the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, established to conserve native forest and wildlife. It is recognised for populations of tiger, Asian elephant, gaur and a variety of ungulates and birds.

The park offers road-based safaris and guided drives that focus on sightings of large mammals and birds; routes cross dry deciduous forest, grassy patches and reservoirs where wildlife congregates. Visitor facilities are managed seasonally and access is typically by official entry gates and registered vehicles. The park forms part of a larger conservation landscape that connects to neighboring protected areas.

Bandipur was designated for wildlife protection in the 20th century and later integrated into broader conservation programmes aimed at protecting big mammals and their habitat. Management has evolved from earlier forest uses to regulated tourism and scientific monitoring.

The park lies in southern India on the Deccan plateau and forms part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve; it sits near the border between the Indian states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and is linked to adjacent reserves by wildlife corridors.

• Biodiversity context: The reserve is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and sits in a landscape of dry deciduous forest that supports tigers, elephants, gaur and many bird species.
• Best time to visit: Best wildlife viewing typically occurs in the dry season from October to May when animals concentrate around waterholes and roads are more accessible for safaris.

Bandipur is accessible by road from Mysore (about 80-100 km) and Bangalore (approx. 220-230 km). Private cars, taxis, and organized tours are the most common ways to reach the park; the nearest railhead is Mysore.

• Arrange wildlife safaris with a licensed local guide who knows the forest tracks and animal behaviour.
• Start drives at dawn or dusk when elephants and other large mammals are most active.
• Bring binoculars and a camera with a good zoom; trails can be narrow and sightings brief.