Bandipur National Park: Karnataka's Tiger Country

Spread across the rolling foothills of the Western Ghats in southern Karnataka, Bandipur National Park is one of India's premier tiger reserves and a cornerstone of the Nilgiri Biosphere. Once the private hunting ground of the Maharajas of Mysore, it became one of the original sites of Project Tiger in 1973 and today protects deciduous forest, bamboo thickets and open grasslands roughly 80 kilometres south of Mysuru. Bandipur is best known for its large herds of Asian elephants, alongside Bengal tigers, leopards, gaur, sloth bears, dholes, spotted deer and over 200 bird species. The reserve sits along the highway to Ooty, and the drive through its forest corridors, with deer crossing the road and langurs in the canopy, is scenic in its own right. Bordering Nagarhole, Mudumalai and Wayanad, Bandipur forms part of one of India's largest contiguous wildlife landscapes. Morning and afternoon jeep and bus safaris run from the main entrance, with sightings never guaranteed but always possible. With its golden grasslands, misty ghats and unhurried pace, Bandipur offers a wilder, less crowded counterpoint to the temples and palaces of nearby Mysuru.

Top Attractions

Jeep Safari

The classic Bandipur experience, jeep safaris in open gypsies carry small groups deep into the core forest with a guide, offering the best chance of spotting elephants, gaur, deer and, with luck, a tiger or leopard. Drives follow forest tracks past water holes and grasslands at dawn and dusk when animals are most active. Permits and vehicles are arranged through the forest department or lodges.

Government Bus Safari

The Karnataka forest department runs shared open-bus safaris from the main Bandipur reception, a budget-friendly way into the park for those without a private jeep booking. The larger vehicle is noisier and less flexible than a gypsy, but it still passes through prime elephant and deer territory and is ideal for spontaneous, last-minute visitors who arrive without prior arrangements.

Asian Elephant Herds

Bandipur is one of the best places in India to see wild Asian elephants, which gather in sizeable herds around grasslands and water sources, especially in the dry months. Watching a family group with calves move through golden grass is a highlight of any safari. The reserve's elephants are central to its conservation story and the surrounding Nilgiri elephant corridor.

Gopalaswamy Betta

On the edge of the reserve, Gopalaswamy Betta is the highest peak in the Bandipur range, crowned by an ancient Venugopalaswamy temple and often wrapped in mist, giving it the name 'Himavad' Gopalaswamy Betta. The grassy hilltop offers sweeping views over the forest and surrounding hills. Access is regulated, usually via forest department vehicles from the foothills to protect the fragile habitat.

Mysuru-Ooty Scenic Drive

The highway through Bandipur linking Mysuru to Ooty is one of South India's most scenic forest drives, winding past dense canopy, grassland clearings and the famous Bandipur forest stretch where wildlife regularly crosses the road. A night traffic ban protects animals after dark. Even passing through, you may glimpse deer, peacocks, langurs and the occasional elephant from the roadside.

Birdwatching & Buffer Forests

With more than 200 recorded species, Bandipur rewards birders with crested serpent eagles, hornbills, Indian rollers, woodpeckers and brilliant kingfishers. The buffer forests and lodge fringes are excellent for slower nature watching, where you can spot smaller mammals, reptiles and butterflies. Several resorts arrange guided nature walks and birding sessions outside the strict core safari zones.

Food & Local Flavours

Dining around Bandipur revolves around simple South Indian and Karnataka fare served at jungle lodges and small eateries near the park gate and Gundlupet town.

Practical Information

Interactive Map

Explore Bandipur National Park on the map.