Bandipur National Park.
 
 

Area: 874.2 sq km.
Altitude: 700m above the Marsyangdi River Valley
Temperature range: 30 °C and 11 °C
Best time to Visit: October to May.

About Bandipur National Park:
Bandipur National Park is regarded as one of the most beautiful and the better-managed national parks of India. Located amidst the picturesque surroundings of the towering Western Ghat Mountains on the Mysore-Ooty highway in Karnataka, Bandipur National Park covers an area of about 874.2 sq km. Together with Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala and Nagarhole National Park in the North, it creates the India's biggest biosphere reserve popularly known as the 'Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve'. The Bandipur National Park occupies a special place in India's efforts towards Eco-conservation.

Wildlife Attractions of Bandipur:
Bandipur also has a sizable number of Tigers. Other natural inhabitants of this lovely forest are gaur (a type of bull), sambhar, chital, mouse deer, four-horned antelope, wild dogs, wild boar, jackal, sloth bear, panther, malabar squirrel, porcupines and the black-knapped hare. Birds like jungle fowl and green pigeon are also found here.

Flora in Bandipur National Park:
Bandipur supports a wide range of timber trees including: Teak, Rosewood, Sandalwood, Indian-laurel, Indian Kino Tree, giant clumping bamboo, clumping bamboo .
There are also several notable flowering and fruiting trees and shrubs including: Kadam tree, Indian gooseberry, Crape-myrtle,axlewood, Black Myrobalan, Flame of the Forest, Golden Shower Tree , satinwood, Black Cutch, indigoberry.

Jeep safari:
Land safari into the tourism zone of the National Park are conducted twice a day by the different resorts . A qualified naturalist accompanies you on every trip to help you interpret the exotic flora and fauna of the region.

Climate of Bandipur:
Moderate climate (32°C, or 90°F, in summer; 18°C, or 64°F, in winter). Summer rains arrive late and are called 'mango showers'. Monsoon strikes twice a year southwest monsoon from June to September, northeast monsoon from November to February.

How to reach there:

Bandipur National Park is easily accessible by road, rail and air from Mysore which is the near-est city.

Road: Bandipur is located at a distance of 80 kms from Mysore and 220 kms from Bangalore and 70 kms from Ooty. Bandipur is well connected by road and you could get here either by the State Transport buses, private buses, all stop at the Forest Reception office. It takes 2 hours from Mysore by a taxi.

Rail: The Mysore railway station located at a distance of 80 kms is the major railway station closest to Bandipur. The Nanjungud railway station which is 55 kms from Bandipur is the nearest railway station.

Air: The closest airport- Mysore - 70 kms from Bandipur. Bangalore-International airport is 260kms to Bandipur.