BANDIPUR NATIONAL PARK

‘Bandipur National Park Wildlife Sanctuary & Tiger Reserve: Bandipur National Park is one of India's best known sanctuaries, and is an important Project Tiger reserve. It is located in the Chamarajanagar district of southern Karnataka, and is contiguous with the Mudumalai National Park in the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu, the Wynad Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala, and the Nagarhole National Park to the northwest. It is home to around seventy tigers and over three thousand Asian elephants (as per the 1997 census), along with leopards, dholes, gaur and sloth bears. Bandipur is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.Bandipur National park wildlife
Bandpur National Park today is home to tigers, elephants, gaurs, sambars, spotted deer, black-faced monkeys, and sloth bears. Tigers are rarely seen.

Admission foreigners and Indians are for Rs 200 & Rs 35 respectively, which includes a bus tour of the park. Buses depart between 6 am and 9 am and 4 pm to 6 pm. Camera is charged Rs 20.
On elephant back, which is charged Rs 35 per person per hour. The minimum people required being 4. Private vehicles are not permitted inside the park, but jeeps may be arranged through the Forest Dept. The best place to see wildlife is from the raised platforms near the watering holes.
The best time to visit is between October and February, and from May to June. You have a good chance of see wild elephants during these months. It is best to avoid the park on weekends as it is crowded with tourists. Because the buses can make a good bit of noise they are not ideal for wildlife Safari.

HISTORY OF BANDIPUR NATIONAL PARK :-

A sanctuary of 90 sq km was created at this site in the Bandipur Reserve Forest in 1931. As it was realised that this was too small for effective wildlife conservation, leading to the instituting of the Venugopala Wildlife Park at this site, extending over 800 sq km. The Bandipur Tiger Reserve was constituted in 1973 by carving out 880 sq km from the Wildlife Park. Recognised under Project Tiger in 1973 this park has boasted constant rise in Tiger population. Also famous for Sandalwood trees and rare species of Flora
Bandipur National Park's altitude between 680-1454 metres and is situated south of the Kabini river at the foothills of the Western Ghats.The rivers of Kabini, Nagur and Moyar flow through the reserve. Climate - Winter minimum 10, Summer maximum 28 degrees, Monsoon from June to September and best time to visit is open throughout the year but preferably in monsoon when wildlife is plenty and forest is green. Greenery is quite lean when viewed from road but gets thicker as we proceed into the forest. .