Bandipur National Park and Tiger Reserve

Bandipur National Park and Tiger Reserve is a protected forest in Chamarajanagar and Mysuru districts of Karnataka, on the Karnataka-Tamil Nadu-Kerala border. Part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and contiguous with Mudumalai, Nagarhole and Wayanad sanctuaries, it covers about 874 sq km of dry deciduous, moist deciduous and scrub forests. Established in 1931 and declared a tiger reserve in 1974 under Project Tiger, it is noted for tigers, elephants, gaur and rich birdlife.

Visitors can expect dense deciduous forests, open grasslands and hilly terrain accessed via organized jeep and bus safaris from the main reception at Bandipur. Safaris traverse core and buffer zones where elephants, spotted deer, gaur, sloth bears, tigers and leopards may be sighted, along with over 200 bird species. The experience is centered at safari boarding points, interpretation centre and forest lodges along NH-766, with no private vehicle entry into the core area.