Bandipur National Park

Bandipur covers around 1,456 square kilometres of teak and dry deciduous forest on the Karnataka side of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, contiguous with Nagarhole, Mudumalai and Wayanad, which together form the largest protected area for Asian elephants in South Asia, holding a substantial share of the world population. Tigers, leopards, dhole, gaur and sloth bear share it. The Mysore to Ooty highway crosses the park, and traffic on it is banned between nine at night and six in the morning to protect animals, a restriction that has been repeatedly challenged and upheld.

History

In 1931 the Maharaja of Mysore created a sanctuary of 90 km2 here, the Venugopala Wildlife Park. In 1973 the Bandipur Tiger Reserve was established under Project Tiger by adding nearly 800 km2 to it, and since 1986 it has been part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (Wikipedia, Bandipur National Park).

What's there

• The elephants - part of the largest protected population in South Asia.
• The teak forest - dry deciduous woodland opening up in the hot season.
• The tigers and dhole - the main predators, with dhole packs regularly seen.
• The night traffic ban - the highway closed through the park after dark.

When to go

October to May; sightings improve from March as water concentrates, though heat is severe. The park closes or restricts safaris during monsoon periods. Safaris run morning and afternoon.

Good to know

Safaris are mostly in shared buses rather than jeeps unless booked privately, and routes are fixed. Tiger sightings are uncommon. The highway through the park is busy by day.

Nearby

Nagarhole lies northwest; Mudumalai is south across the state line.

Key facts