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Bandipur National Forest or Bandipur Tiger Reserve, one of India's leading national parks to visit for tiger spotting and beautiful scenery, is vibrant all year. Bandipur is among South India's most popular biospheres, established by broadening the Venugopal Wildlife Park, established by the Mysore Maharajas in 1931. Bandipur National Park is among India's most well-known tiger reserves, covering an area of 880 square kilometres. It is part of the 'Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve,' which serves as one of the last remaining safe havens for endangered Asiatic wild elephants, with Nagarhole National Park in the north, and Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary in the south. The park is bounded on the south by the Moyar River and on the north by the Kabini River. The park is bisected by the Nugu River. The park's highest peak is Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta hill. This national park, proudly located on the Mysore-Ooty road, enables you to go to the depth of the jungle and discover the wonderful wild world around you.
The park's flora and fauna are diverse and include shrublands, dry deciduous forests, and moist deciduous forests. Bandipur's wider array of ecosystems accommodates a wide range of life forms. The real beauty of the Bandipur reserve forest wilderness is best experienced while riding in a safari jeep.
Bandipur National Park's History
The kings of the bordering kingdom of Mysore used to hunt in Bandipur National Park. The Maharaja of Mysore established Venugopala Wildlife Park in 1931. It was originally 90 square kilometres, but it was enlarged under Project Tiger in 1973 under the name Bandipur Tiger Reserve, contributing around 800 sq km to Venugopala Wildlife Park.
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Bandipur Tiger Reserve Flora and Fauna
There are several biomes in the park, which include humid deciduous forests, dry deciduous forests, and shrublands. The variety of habitats supports a diverse spectrum of animals. Also, it accommodates a wide variety of timber species, such as teak, sandalwood, rosewood, and various bamboo species. There are several other fruiting and flowering shrubs and trees worth mentioning, such as the golden shower tree, the Kadam tree, and the Indian gooseberry.
Many endangered species live in Bandipur, including tigers, leopards, muggers, Indian rock, sloth bears, pythons, Indian elephants, gaurs, four-horned antelopes, dholes, and jackals. On public viewing roads, anybody can typically see chital, Indian giant squirrels, grey langurs, and elephants.
Bandipur is a sanctuary to more than 200 bird species, one of the most common among them being the peafowl. Indian vultures, Honey buzzards, hoopoes, red-headed vultures, flowerpeckers, Indian rollers, changeable hawk-eagles, brown fish owls, crested serpent eagles, bee-eaters, and numerous kingfishers and ospreys can be seen in winter.
The Indian pond terrapin, spectacled cobra, Indian chameleon, Indian rock python, monitor lizards, vipers, rat snakes, muggers, agamids, and flying lizards are among the reptile species.
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Activities in the Bandipur National Park
The listed below are some of the traveller's favourite Bandipur National Park events.
Get ready for the Bandipur safari
The Forest Department organizes jeep and bus safari twice a day. Bus safaris usually run for about 45 minutes in the morning until 9:00 a.m. and in the afternoon until 5:30 p.m. Jeep safaris are accessible for the exact length of time. Safari travel timelines and durations are determined by weather conditions and Jeep allocation.
Trek the scenic reserve
Aside from outings, a stroll through the wilderness will undoubtedly be enjoyable. You could walk through Bandipur Park with the assistance of a Forest ranger.
Riverside Investigation
The Moyar stream that flows to the east, a branch of the Cauvery, flows past Mudumalai, the southern edge of Bandipur Park, and Wayanad, moving through wood, oak forests, and latex. The Kabini River flows via Bandipur Park on the reserve's northern border. Enjoy the stunning dawn and dusk walks down the banks of the Kabini or mayor streams, which are frequently visited by elephants as well as other small animals during the warmer months.
Stay in the Bandipur Tiger Reserve
Choosing to stay at one of the Bandipur Resorts seems to be the best way to experience the area's natural beauty and wildlife. Keep in mind that Bandipur was among the locations selected for "Project Tiger," a preservation initiative aimed at saving the endangered Indian tiger. The tiger population in Bandipur has steadily risen over the past decade. Staying within one of the forest lodges provides an excellent opportunity to get up close and personal with the wonderful cat. Being among the finest tourist destinations in India, Bandipur simply happens to have many places to stay that can greet you. You could also stay in Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuary lodge at the Ministry of Karnataka, which provides outings wildlife excursions, and landscape hikes with a guide. In the forest, there is rarely any silence. It's impressive to go to bed every night, soothed by the sounds of night songbirds, insects, and amphibians.
Although there are numerous resorts and hotels in the area, nothing beats falling asleep in a cottage perched on a tree to truly appreciate the magnificence of the forest. Numerous resorts provide these amazing tiny cottages with modern amenities, letting you relax and enjoy a serene vacation overshadowed solely by the noises of animals roaming around or birds singing a song.
Weather Conditions and the Ideal Time to Visit Bandipur Tiger Reserve
Bandipur's climatic condition is pretty standard tropical, with distinct dry and wet seasons. The hot and dry season typically starts in March and lasts until the monsoons arrive in June.
Winter is typically the best time to visit Bandipur National reserve, with mild temperatures, a light mist, and a soothing breeze.
Summertime March-May
Tall magnificent trees offer shelter from the burning rays of the sun, but dry deciduous forests provide little relief from the scorching heat.
Monsoon time June-September
With the arrival of rain, the forest transforms into a work of art. Wilderness has never been this great, but the roads have become slippery and slushy. Safaris could be cancelled.
Winter time November-February
During the winter time, Bandipur is foggy and delightful. On a cold winter day, the densely wooded regions around the Biligiriranga Hills appear so endearing. This is unquestionably the most favourable time to visit.
Some tips before you travel to Bandipur National Park
From Monday to Friday, the park is ready to entertain from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. If you visit during the summer season, it's best to not go in the afternoon. The best time to visit is early morning since you are likely to see a significant number of animals at that hour. A significant proportion of monkeys live in this forest. When travelling, it is recommended that you keep the windows shut to prevent any unsafe monkey behaviour. Maintain your distance and refrain from eating when on safari. The weather is humid and hot nearly the whole year.
If you visit between Oct. and Jan., the temperature might very well drop in the evening time or early in the morning. So dress accordingly. You can spend the night in the park with authorization from the forest department. It is illegal to travel through the woods. You could take a jeep or public transportation, like a bus. Every Bandipur safari is 45 minutes long. If you have a newborn, make sure you have adequate water and nutrition.
In the end, Because Bandipur National Reserve is amongst the most travelled destinations in India, you should plan ahead of time. This sanctuary also includes an animal care centre where they can get help with their wellness and breeding issues. This facility provides care for injured animals. This reserve offers bird viewing tours as well as wildlife safaris. This park also contains a forest of very well-preserved sandalwood trees. Bandipur National Park is accessible all year and is only shut down in rare circumstances such as heavy flooding or environmental disasters such as wildfires.
The best way to reach Bandipur National park
Let's look at some travelling instructions to Bandipur National Park. Travelling by Air Take a flight to Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport, which manages both domestic and international flights from across all major Indian cities. Then, rent a car from Bangalore airport to Bandipur, which is about 217 kilometres away, or fly directly to Mysore. Travelling by Train The MYS-CMNR Network connects Chamarajanagar to Mysore, Bangalore, and Tirupati railway stations. Nanjangud, about 50 kilometres from Bandipur, has a train station that supports Mysore services.
Travelling by Road The stunning route from Mysore to Ooty via Bandipur includes views of streams and hills. You can drive, hire a taxi or take a bus from Mysore to Ooty via Gundlupet, where you'll arrive close to Bandipur Park.
Nishika Singh
She's a writer by profession and an avid supporter of sustainable living in real time. She's passionate about poetry, yoga and living in the moment. Writing is her sanctuary and she continues to live by it.
