Bandipur

About Bandipur

Bandipur is the most accessible tiger reserve in South India — 220 km from Bengaluru, sharing boundaries with Nagarhole, Mudumalai and Wayanad to form the largest protected forest tract in the country. Elephant herds and gaur are near-certain sightings; tigers and leopards are the lottery. Safaris run twice daily in forest department buses or jeeps. The highway through the reserve is closed to traffic between 9 pm and 6 am, which is worth planning around. **Getting there.** 220 km from Bengaluru via Mysuru (5 hours) — a short 78 km hop from Mysuru itself, and on the way to Ooty. **Where to stay.** Forest-edge resorts and homestays around Melkamanahalli and Gundlupet; jungle lodges inside the buffer zone.

Things to do

• • Morning jeep safari
• • Evening bus safari
• • Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta viewpoint
• • Nagarhole and Kabini backwaters
• • Nature walk with a naturalist
• • Bird watching near Moyar river

Best time to visit

October to May; March to May is hottest but sightings peak as animals gather at waterholes.

How to reach

220 km from Bengaluru via Mysuru (5 hours) — a short 78 km hop from Mysuru itself, and on the way to Ooty.

Where to stay

Forest-edge resorts and homestays around Melkamanahalli and Gundlupet; jungle lodges inside the buffer zone.

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