Bandipur National Park
Dry forest, elephants and a cloud-wrapped hill temple
A Bandipur National Park tour in Chamarajanagar: a 1973 tiger reserve on the Mysuru-Ooty road with elephants, dry forest and a hilltop temple.
Overview
Bandipur was one of the first nine tiger reserves created under Project Tiger, in 1973, and it was declared a national park the following year. Bandipur National Park sits on the Mysuru-Ooty road in Chamarajanagar district, and the wider reserve takes in about 1,470 sq km once the buffer is counted. It suits travellers who want elephants, dry deciduous forest and a hill temple in one trip, and Karnataka Tourism gives October to March as the ideal window.
The reserve is not confined to one district. Its Gundlupet and Chamarajanagar taluks are in Chamarajanagar district, while H D Kote, Sargur and Nanjangud taluks belong to Mysuru district. Altitudes run from about 680 to 1,454 m, at the point where the Deccan plateau meets the Western Ghats. Scrub, dry deciduous and moist deciduous forests grow here, and the reserve is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve alongside Mudumalai, Wayanad and Nagarahole. The Kabini reservoir lies on its northern side.
Tigers and Asian elephants are the main draw, with gaur, sloth bears, dholes, leopards and four-horned antelope in the same forest, and more than 200 bird species. Visits are by vehicle outings run by Jungle Lodges and Resorts and by the forest department. Their timings, charges and any seasonal changes are not quoted here, so check them with the operator before choosing a particular slot.
The park's highest ground is Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta, at roughly 1,450 m. A Krishna temple on top is dated to 1315, in the Hoysala period, and a car festival is held there each year near the end of March. Private vehicles stop at the forest check post beyond Hangala village, and visitors continue on authorised transport, so ask at the check post about the current arrangements.
Mysuru is the nearest railway junction and airport, about 70 to 80 km away by road, and Bengaluru is some 220 to 235 km off. Two national highways pass through the forest, with check posts at both ends of the stretch, so plan to cross it in daylight and ask about movement rules before setting out.
Known for
One of the first nine Project Tiger reserves, set up in 1973
Happening soon
Updated Oct 7, 2026Coming up, dates to be confirmed
Gopalaswamy Brahma Rathotsava at Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta
festivalThe yearly car festival of the hilltop Gopalaswamy temple inside Bandipur, in which the chariot is pulled with creepers gathered from the forest.
Usually in the Hindu month of Phalguna, which the temple's site places around late March. No 2027 date found.
Reach out to us for the confirmed datesQuick facts
The park has distinct wet and dry seasons, with dry and hot weather from early March until the monsoon arrives in June.
Mysuru Airport (Mandakalli, code MYQ), about 63 km (one lodge blog); Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru, is the main alternative at roughly 220 to 260 km by road (to be confirmed)
Mysuru Junction (code MYS), about 70 to 80 km by road
The reserve lies on the Mysuru-Ooty road, roughly 70 to 80 km from Mysuru and 220 to 235 km from Bengaluru, with Chamarajanagar about 50 km away. Drive times (to be supplied).
Confirm the forest department and Jungle Lodges arrangements for your dates, as outing slots and access are set by the authorities and can change
Check the access arrangements at the forest check post before heading up to Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta, and carry no plastic for temple offerings
Plan to drive the Mysuru-Ooty highway section through the forest by day and ask at the check posts about current movement rules
Location
Packages that visit Bandipur National Park
All packages →Karnataka Wildlife and Falls Circuit
A 10-day Karnataka wildlife tour package: Kabini and Bandipur forest outings, Mysuru, Coorg, Chikkamagaluru's coffee hills and Jog Falls, by private car.
Kabini → Bandipur National Park → Mysuru (Mysore) → Coorg (Kodagu) → Chikkamagaluru → Jog Falls (with Sagara)Wildlife & NaturePlan a trip to Bandipur National Park
Tell us your dates and we will shape the route.