Bandipur National Park

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Asia : South Asia : India : Southern India : Karnataka : Cauvery Basin : Chamarajanagar : Bandipur National Park Jump to: navigation, search Bandipur National Park is in Karnataka state in India.

[edit] Understand
Famous for its tiger and elephant reserve and protected sandalwood trees, this 890 sq km park is one of Indian's most delightful wildlife sancturies.

[edit] History
The tiger reserve was formed later. Prior to the decision, it was a small 80sq km region hunting ground for the Maharaja.

[edit] Landscape [edit] Flora and fauna

Various plants and also Sandalwood trees are common here. Bandipur is under project tiger. Elephants, Tigers, Chittal(spotted deer).

[edit] Climate
The region is warm and comfortable for most parts of the year with temperatures ranging from 24 to 28C, except for the brief winter that lasts from October to January when the temperature hovers around the 19C mark. Monsoon is erratic, but it generally rains from June to September.

[edit] Get in
The nearest town is Gundulpet, 31 km. The nearest city is Mysore, 89 km. Distance of 230KM or drive of 5.5 hours from Bangalore

[edit] By car

It is easy to drive the hill temple. It is around 230 km from Bangalore and a 5 hour journey. Since the weather conditions are extreme, it is advised to keep the car in good shape, especially headlights, wipers and tyre pressure.

[edit] Fees/Permits
The park does not allow private vehicles inside the national park. Only the park reserved vehicles are permitted to go inside with a guard who is also the driver. The surrounding high end resorts have a tie up with forest department and allow for gypsy rides. Every safari is only for strict 45 minutes. The bus can accommodate 20 people in it and is jam packed on any weekend.

[edit] Get around [edit][add listing] See

[edit] Gopalswamy Betta
Gopalswamy Betta is one of the highest peaks in the Bandipur National Park and location of an ancient (13th century) fort of the Palegars of Terakanambi according to [1] Gopalswamy Betta The view from top of this hill is truly breath-taking. It is one of the highest peaks (1454 meters above sea level) in the Bandipur National Park, Karnataka, India. It is also called Himada Gopalswamy Betta, as it is covered in mist (hima means mist in Kannada), for most of the months. (Betta means hill in Kannada). Another attraction at this peak is the fabled perpetual wind, that greets anyone who cares to climb it. Herds of wild elephants are seen regularly near this peak. A lake, a few hundred feet below the peak serves as the local watering hole for the other wildlife. The nearest town is Gundulpet, 20 km. The nearest city is Mysore, 89 km. There are no buses to Gopalswamy betta, so it would be prudent to take either a taxi, or ride a motorbike. Take the NH-212 towards Gundulpet from Mysore. Just outside of Gundulpet there is a fork in the road. One towards Sultan Bateri, Waynad (NH-212 continued) and the other towards Bandipur (NH-66). Take the fork towards Bandipur. As you proceed towards Bandipur, take a right turn at Hangala village. (There should be a big Karnataka Tourism board abutting the road). From this point, the hill top should be 15 km. 4 km

further, there is a forest department check post at the base of the hill. It is a 10 km winding, steep road, with a few hairpin bends that take you to the hill top. There is an enterance fee that needs to be paid at the forest department check post. The fees varies depending on type of vehicle you intened to climb the hill. Two wheeler Rs25/- and Car Rs50/Camping is possible, with the permission of the Range officer, at the Bandipur National Park. A travelers' bungalow is also available, but it has no running water. Again, the permission of the Range Officer is required.

[edit][add listing] Do
The national park organizes 45-minute bus safari into the forest for a minimal fare of Rs. 95/- only for Indians. Foreigners have to shed a few extra bucks. There is also open-jeep safari for Rs. 2200/-. The safari, however, doesn't guarantee that tourists will get to see tiger, as it is a matter of chance. Kids love the elephant rides organized by the forest department for Rs. 120/-. The ride is for just 20 mins and it is not a safari. Trekking in the jungle is illegal and has been banned.

[edit] Lodging
Dormitories and cottages are provided by government. Cottage booking requires prior permission by authorities in Mysore.

Jungle Home (900m), Thorapally (20 km from Bandipur safari office in TN side on gudalur road), 9448485160 / 080 41230008, [2]. checkin: 12AM; checkout: 11AM. Cottages, swiss cottage tents, family camping tents 1000 to 2500. edit Greenwoods Nature Camp (Greenwoods Nature Camp - Offers Quality and Affordable accomodation, Jeep Safari, Camp Fire, Trekking), Thorapally, Mudmalai (2.5 Kms off Ooty Mysore Highway - 20 Kms from Bandipur (TN side - Karnataka border)), 9620401689 ([email protected]), [3]. checkin: 11:30AM; checkout: 11:00AM. Rs.750 to Rs.2500. edit Jungle lodge.
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Rockgarden Resort, +91 94862 55687, [4]. MC Resort, 08229233044.

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Nilgiri resort. One of the best jungle resorts typically crafted as a tribal village. It is surrounded by dense forests. Thatch huts, campfire, bamboo groves makes it a place to remember. 880/- per person including foods. edit Tiger Ranch, [5].
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Tusker trail resort.

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[edit] Camping
Camping or use of the travellers bungalow will require permission from the Range officer at the Bandipur National Park

[edit] Contact

Bandipur national park reception

[edit] Stay safe

Rarely monkeys and wild boars do cause some menace here if one is not careful. One has to make sure they don't leave their cottage doors and windows open when you go out. Try not to feed the animals.

Located 80km south of Mysore, Bandipur Park (865 sq km) is home to tigers (supposedly twenty-five), elephants, gaurs, sambars, spotted deer, black-faced monkeys, and sloth bears. Tigers are rarely seen. Admission foreigner/Indian Rs 200/Rs 35, which includes a bus tour of the park. The bus departs at 8 am and between 4 and 5 pm. Camera Rs 20. Buses depart betwwn 6am and 9 am and 4 pm to 6 pm. You can also view wildlife from the back of an elephant (Rs 35 per person per hour). four person minimum. Private vehicles are not permitted in the park, but jeeps may be arranged through the Forestry 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 (for sightings, but not for comfort). You have a good chance of seeing wild elephants at this time. It is best to avoid the park on weekendsit is crowded with tourists. Because the buses can make a good bit of noise they are not ideal for viewing wildlife. Advance bookings for the bus tour and accommodations may be secured through the Forest Departments Chief Wildlife Warden (080 334-1993), Aranya Bhavan, 18th

Cross, Malleswaram in Bangalore, or with the Field Director (0821 480901), Project Tiger, Aranya Bhavan, Ashokapuram in Mysore. Elephants are trained to work at Kargudi Elephant Camp, 5km from Bandipur. The elephants do puja (worship) in a temple at 6 pm. It can be visited. Where to Stay and Eat The Forest Departments lodges have rooms with hot water for Rs 400 to Rs 500 and dorm beds for Rs 60. These places must be booked in advance (see above). Wildlife is often visible from lodge windows. The KSTDCs Mayura Prakruthi (0821 633001), about 3km from the park, has clean cottages for Rs 450. They can be booked at the KSTDC Transport Office in Mysore (423-652) or at the KSTDC Office (221-2901), Kasturba Rd, in Bangalore. There are some places to stay in the nearby town of Gundlupet, which is on the road to Mysore. Ganga Lodge (08229 2235) has rooms for Rs 300. Shrinagar Hotel has rooms for Rs 225. Where to StayResorts The following prices usually include room, meals and transportation to the park. These places should be booked in advance at far in advance as possible. Seagull Travels in Mysore books these place. Tusker Trails (reserve in Bangalore 080 361-8024; Email: [email protected]), on the east side of the park near Mangala village, Cottage, 3km from Bandipur village, has rooms for $100/150 and a pool. You may see wildlife from your room. It is a recommended place that should be booked in advance. Rates include meals, an elephant ride and a jeep safari in the park. Tiger Ranch (reserve in Bangalore 080 337-4558; fax 337-3508) has cottages for Rs 1100 per person. Bush Betta (reserve in Bangalore (080 551-2631; fax 559-3451), Raheja Plaza, Richmond Rd), about 4km from the park reception center off the road to Mudumalai, has rooms for $100/175, which includes meals, a jeep safari, and an elephant ride. Book in advance. Transportation is arranged from the park reception center. Travel There are buses to here from Mysore (2 hr, 80km, 10 daily) and Ooty (3 hr). If you know of a informationthat is not correct or if you would like to help update our listings, please e-mail us at: