My Journeys In India: Bandipur National Park and Tiger Reserve

May 21, 2015

Bandipur National Park and Tiger Reserve

Trip details
Distance From Bangalore	232 Kms from Bangalore and 78 Kms from Mysore
Type	Wildlife, Birds, Photography
Kids?	Kids will love to see the Nature, Birds, Animals in their natural habitat
Days needed	Just one night stay
Activities	Jungle Safari, Nature Walk, Gopalaswamy Betta visit, Moyar Falls
Best time to visit	Anytime
Stay options	Bandipur Safari Lodge (Jungle Lodges) (OR) Windflower Tusker Trails,
Food	Where you stay
Nearby places	Gopalaswamy Betta
Related Blogpost	Weekend breaks or Day trips from Bangalore
Other tips	· Just plan a day trip from Bangalore or Mysore with one night stay · If you stay in Bandipur Safari Lodge, the package includes Safari in evening and early morning. You can also plan a nature walk and also visit to Gopalaswamy betta on your own which is very nearby.

It was Saturday, 25 April and it supposed to be very hot and summer. We decided to visit Bandipur as we heard that this is the right season to visit Bandipur. It seems the animals can be spotted easily near the water spots. But unfortunately, it was raining now and then during the week, even the day before we visited this it was raining. With little hope to see animals, we just went ahead, as we have booked the Bandipur Safari Lodge for accommodation. You need to checkin there by 12 noon and checkout next day before 10:30AM.

We started very early in morning at around 6:30 and decided to go via Kanakapura to avoid 100s of speed breaks and 1000s of vehicles on Mysore NH road. Yes the drive was very pleasant on the Kanakapura Road as we expected. We reached Kanakapura very early than expected due to no one on the road. On the main road after crossing the bus stand on your left and right after the circle on the left side you see a Rathna Upahar which is moderate hotel in the area. We had our breakfast there. In fact we were the very first customer there at 7:10AM.

After breakfast and coffee, we headed on the route mentioned below. On the way we saw beautiful paddy fields, sugar cane fields and lakes etc. In one of the lake we saw many birds and took photos. Find below the photos. Also we saw huge banyan trees on the road which covers the whole road and was looking so beautiful. We stopped there to relax a while and reached Bandipur Safari Lodge bit early. There are multiple rooms here. Each one has a backyard as well.

The rooms are pretty good and each room has a name of the animal or bird and it is been painted just behind the bed inside the room. AC and Fan is there. Bed and Towels were clean, bathroom was clean as well. Kettle and tea/coffee sachets were provided. They have a bar as well. Food was good all times, varieties were there. Tea/Coffee and snacks were provided in evenings as well. They play a wildlife video on projector in evenings and if interested

After lunch you can go in open jeep or van into the Bandipur forest to see wildlife. You get to see varieties of Birds, Leopards, Tigers, Sloth bear, Bison, Deer...etc. This safari takes about 2 to 2.5 hrs. After Safari they drop you back in the room and they provide snacks, tea, coffee. Next day morning you can decide between Nature walk or same Safari. (no additional cost and it is all included in package).

You can also plan to visit the nearby Himad Gopalaswamy Betta which is on top of a hill. There is a temple dedicated to Lord Krishna. On top it is mostly covered with a dense layer of mist and on the way you may find elephants as well. There are hairpin bends and the route is very scenic.

Let us move onto the photos......

Route: Bangalore NICE Road to Bandipur via Kanakapura