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Bandipur National Park
Location: Karnataka
Area: 874 sq. km.
Major Wildlife Attractions: Asian Elephant and Gaur
Best time to visit: March to August
Places to Stay: MC Resorts, Tuskers Trails
About Bandipur National Park
Bandipur National Park is situated
in the state of Karnataka in South India halfway down the Mysore-Ooty
highway. Bandipur National Park is one of South India's best-known
wildlife reserves. Bandipur National Park supports a remarkable
variety of flora and fauna which makes a paradise for wildlife.
Bandipur National Park was established in 1931 by the Mysore
Maharajahs. This park is nestled in the foothills of the Nilgiris.
While reaching to this national park one can cross excellent internal
network of roads through its hilly, forested landscape, and the many
water holes and salt licks that provide wonderful opportunities for
wildlife viewing.
Bandipur National Park is one of the largest habitats in south India
for the elephants. Jungle safari on elephant back is the prime
attraction and wonderful way for tourists to feel the jungle life from
very near.
Bandipur National Park is located close to three other wildlife
reserves of Mudumalai, Nagarhole and Wayanad. The important cities
near Bandipur National Park are Bangalore, Mysore and Coimbatore. The
Vrindavan Gardens, located en route to Mysore is also a good option
with its dancing fountains and multi colored lights. If someone is
here during summer time then enchanting hill towns of Ooty and
Wellington are good getaway options for them. Fort of Tipu Sultan at
Shrirangapatna is also very near to this national park which is also a
prime attraction for tourists.
A tour of Indian wildlife
sanctuaries and national parks is a unique experience for a traveller
because it provides everything what a nature lover wants to see,
experience and explore. In India wildlife safari is becoming very
famous because it provides a unique way to explore the wildlife and it
also provides a view to the dangerous wildlife from very near. So come
to India and explore Indian wildlife which is not available anywhere
else in the world.
Want to see the endangered wildlife in India and be a part of it then
must visit the national wildlife parks and sanctuaries of India. These
parks and sanctuaries are those places in which animals are not
captured in cages or in a limited area. Here one can see animals
wandering free here and there. These are the moderate places for wild
animals. Explore these places and know wildlife of India from near.
These parks and sanctuaries of India are the best mean for capturing
wildlife information of India.
Wildlife in Bandipur National Park
Bandipur begins to unfold in all its glory with the onset of
pre-monsoon showers in April. Birds commence their breeding
activities. Bandipur is a paradise from April to October for all
nature lovers because of its unmatched flora and fauna. These all
unique features make Bandipur National Park, a breathtaking spectacle,
and almost the only one of its kind in Asia. North-Eastern part of
Bandipur National Park is mostly rocky and barren with thorny
vegetation. There are four rivers in Bandipur National park, The
Kabini, Nagu, Mule-hole and Moyar which criss cross the entire park
providing irrigation for the thick vegetation that include several
types of trees like Teak, Honne, Tadasalu, Mathi, Nandi, Rosewood,
Sandalwood, Bamboo, Nelli, Kooli, Kadu Tega, Dindalu, Bende and
Randia.
There are two major attractions in Bandipur National Park while
moving around inside the park and these are Jeep safaris and Elephant
safaris. Jeep Safari is the best mean of watching the wild animals
from close and it doesn't take much time. Through Jeep Safari one can
also go to those places which are not possible to cover by other
means. Elephant safari is the best and most exciting option to explore
this region where jeeps can not penetrate. Elephant safari is also a
best option for bird watching as there is no noise that would scare
away the avian of the park. Both safaris are available twice a day,
once in the morning and then during the evening.
The park houses a large variety of rare animals. The main attraction
of this park is the Tiger. Some prominent habitats of the park include
Leopards, Elephants, Gaurs, Sambar, Chital, Barking Deer, Mouse Deer,
Black Napped Hare, Sloth Beer, Wild dog, Langur, Bonnet Macaque,
Indian Giant Red Squirrel, 4 Horned Antelope, Porcupines, Slender
Loris, Jungle Cat, Leopard Cat, Rusty Spotted Cat, Small Indian Civet,
Palm Civet, Common Otter, Wild Boar, Jackal, Mongoose, Flying
Squirrels, Pangolin, Giant Fruit Bats and Striped Hyenas. Here one can
also commonly see the reptiles which include Crocodiles, Lizards,
Pythons, Russell's Vipers, Cobras, Rat Snakes, Wolf Snakes, Vine
Snakes, Kraits, Green Keel backs, Bamboo Pit Vipers, Turtles and
Flying Lizards.
Bandipur National Park is famous and known for its wildlife animals
as well as for a large variety of birds. Among these bird species some
famous birds are Serpent Eagles, Shaheen Falcons, Crested Hawk Eagles,
Ospreys, Gray Headed Firhings, Honey Buzzards, Malabar Pied Hornbills,
Hill Mynas, King Vultures, Malabar Trogon, Gray Partridges, Black
Woodpeckers, Indian Pittas, Paradise Flycatchers, Pea Fowl,
Cormorants, Teals, Ducks, Herons, Waders, Gray Jungle Fowl, Red Spur
Fowl, Blue Bearded Bee-Eaters, Parakeets, Lesser Coucals, Scarlet
Minivets, Fairy Blue Birds, Scimitar Babblers, Malabar Whistling
Thrushes, Green Imperial Pigeons, Nightjars and Owls.
Best Time to Visit Bandipur National Park
The ideal time to visit the Bandipur National Park is between the
months of April and October.
How to Get there
Air: The nearest airport is at Bangalore which is 220 km from
Bandipur.
Rail: Mysore is nearest place at a distance of 80-kms for rail
journey.
Road: Daily bus services are available from here. Distance
from Bangalore is 220 km, 80 km from Mysore and 80 km from Ooty. |
