Bandhipur National Park, Karnataka

Article by Dr. Apurva Tamhane

The Bandipur National Park

The Bandipur National Park is located in the State of Karnataka. The Nearest access to the Bandipur National Park is from Mysore and Ooty cities, both of which are located nearly 80 kilometers from the National Park.
The Main wildlife animals found in the Bandipur National Park are the Asian Elephants and the Gaurs.

About Bandipur National Park

Around midway in the Mysore – Ooty National Highway, the Deccan plateau rises from the mean level of the Grounds where it meets the mountains of the Western Ghats. This place has become one of the most popular places for the reserves of Wildlife and is named after the local area – The Bandipur National Park.
The Park lies in the District of Chamarajanagar of the Southern Western District of Karnataka and also becomes a part of the States of Tamilnadu and Kerala. The climate in the Park is ambient, moderate and the geographical features are diverse in flora and the fauna. The richness of the place gives it a resemblance to the paradise of Wildlife.

History of Bandipur National Park

The year 1973 evidenced Bandipur to become one of the first Tiger Reserves which was a part of the Nine reserves under the Project Tiger. The next year, Bandipur was declared as the National Park under the Wildlife protection Act. The best time to visit the Bandipur National Park are the Pre monsoon showers in the month of April when the reserve becomes greener. The birds in the park start their breeding activities and the air is filled with melodious calls. The grass which is sprouting has visitors like the herds of elephants and the Gaurs in large numbers. The Bandipur National Park is a heaven to visit in the months of April to October. In the dry months of Summer, The Kabini Reservoir in the Northwestern portion of the park has the most congregations of animals from the Reserve.

Time to visit Bandipur National Park

The Best time to visit Bandipur National Park is between the months of April to October.

How to get to Bandipur National Park

Air : The nearest airport is at Bangalore which is 220 km from Bandipur.
Rail : Mysore is nearest railhead, at a distance of 80-kms.
Road : 220 km from Bangalore; 80 km from Mysore; 80 km from Ooty.

Bandipur National Park Tourism Packages

Check out the tourism packages for Bandipur National Park which is a part of the South India tourism packages and is usually a 2 to 3 day tour package. Enjoy more deep forest reserve tours from the Indian forest department or you can enjoy the bigger tour packages which include the other national parks too.

Ranthambore Wild Life National Park - Tiger Reserve

One of the biggest National Parks in North India is this Ranthambhore National Park (often misspelled as Ranthambore National Park). The park is a part of Project Tiger Reserve in the Sawai Madhopur district of Rajasthan. This is the area where the Aravalli Hill Ranges and Vindhya Plateau meet. One of the best places to see the Bengal Tigers in its deciduous natural habitat. The National park is bound by Chambal and Banas in south and north respectively. The entire region where this National Park is located had once been the hunting grounds for Jaipur Maharajas and so it have turned out to be a major tourist attraction.

About Ranthambore National Park
        Spread over 1,334 sq km the National park the entire park have huge number of Flora spread all over. One can find Banyan trees, Dhok and Pipal trees, Mango trees and ever green trees too. There are six man made lakes in the park and there are lots of perinnial streams flowing through the park. The park is considered to be the water shed for the surrounding areas. The National Park being the part of Vindhya Platueau and Aravalli hills have lots of rock formations, steep scarps and also Savannah desert region (as it is in Rajasthan).

Major Wildlife Attractions of Ranthambore National Park
         Ranthambore National Park is a major Tiger reserve of India and it have attracted lots of tourists and also wild life photographers. Though a tiger reserve, being a park, Ranthambore National park hosts 272 different varities of birds, 12 types of reptiles which include March Crocodiles and 30 different mammals. One can also spot Sambar, Chital, Nilgai, Gazzele, Boars, Mongoose, Indian Hare, Monitor Lizards and also a large number of birds.

Best Time to visit Ranthambore
         The best time to visit Ranthambore National Park is October-March (Winter) and April-June (Summer).

What to where to Ranthambore National Park
         The clothes that one should wear while visiting Ranthambore National Park depends upon the season one visits.

         The summer is quite hot (as it is close to the Thar Desert of India) so one can expect a temperature of about 35 to 47 degrees and so it is best to carry light T. Shirts and other summer clothes along with a cap and glasses.

         The winter is just the opposite as summer and freezing cold. The days are pleasant, but evenings and night are very chilly and it is better to carry thick and heavy winter clothes. Though the morning ride in jeep is liked by many tourists, doing this in winter one have to wear lots of thick clothes and cover them with muffler and gloves for hand.

Entry and Exit timings of Ranthambore National Park
   1. 6.00am to 9.00am and 3.00pm to 6.00pm in the months of October - March
   2. 6.30am to 9.30am and 3.30pm to 6.00pm in the months of April - June.

Safari Timings in Ranthambore National Park
S.No.        Month                                    Morning Trip                      Evening Trip
1        1st October to 31st October      7.00 A.M. to 10.30 A.M.   2.30 P.M. to 6.00 P.M.
2        1st November to 31st January   7.00 A.M. to 10.30 A.M.   2.00 P.M. to 5.30 P.M.
3        1st February to 31st March       6.30 A.M. to 10.00 A.M.   2.30 P.M. to 6.00 P.M.
4        1st April to 15th May                6.00 A.M. to 9.30 A.M.    3.00 P.M. to 6.30 P.M.
5        15th May to 30th June               6.00 A.M. to 9.30 A.M.    3.30 P.M. to 7.00 P.M.

How to reach Ranthambore National Park
By AirThe nearest Airport is in Jaipur which is about 140 kms from Ranthambhore National Park.
By RailSawai Madhopur station is in a distance of 11 kms from Ranthambhore National Park.
By RoadSawai Madhopur district is connected by road with all the districts of Rajasthan and there are well laid roads leading to the National Park.    

Accomodation in Ranthambore:
Oberai Vanyavilas
Hotel Ankur Resort