National park · India
Bandipur National Park
Visit Bandipur for a half‑day jeep safari (₹2,200) in the early morning, or a 45‑minute bus safari (₹95 + foreign surcharge) in the late afternoon; go in Oct‑Jan for cooler weather and avoid the June‑Sept monsoon; stay in Gundlupet or Mysore.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
890 km² (344 sq mi)344 sq mi (890 km²)
approximate
Established
1931
Best months
Oct–Feb
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
At a glance
- Country
- India
- Area
- 890 km² (344 sq mi)344 sq mi (890 km²)
- The park covers about 890 km², including forest and grassland; figures vary slightly between sources (check).
- Established
- 1931
- Best months
- Oct–Feb
- Permits
- For some areas
Bandipur National Park in Karnataka protects a mixed forest of the Western Ghats, famous for tigers, elephants and sandalwood trees. Visitors can see wildlife on jeep or bus safaris, climb Gopalaswamy Betta for panoramic views, and stay in nearby cottages or resorts, while private vehicles are barred beyond the gate and trekking is prohibited.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national siteTiger reserve under Project Tiger
Size and age
890 km² (344 sq mi)344 sq mi (890 km²) · national park since 1931
The park covers about 890 km², including forest and grassland; figures vary slightly between sources (check).
Why go
- Spot tigers, elephants and gaurs in a Western Ghats forest.
- Climb Gopalswamy Betta for panoramic views of the park.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayCaution
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanCool, dry
- FebMild, low rain
- MarWarm, still dry
- AprWarm, start of pre‑monsoon
- MayHeat rises, occasional showers
- JunMonsoon begins
- JulHeavy rain
- AugHeavy rain
- SepRain tapers
- OctCool, post‑monsoon
- NovCool, dry
- DecCool, dry
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bengal tigerOct–May | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Asian elephantOct–May | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Spotted deer (chital)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Bangalore
Drive 230 km (143 mi) (≈5.5 h) via Mysore; park gate is 31 km (19 mi) from Gundlupet.Drive 143 mi (230 km) (≈5.5 h) via Mysore; park gate is 19 mi (31 km) from Gundlupet.
5–6 h
From Mysore
Drive 89 km (55 mi) (≈2 h) north to Gundlupet, then follow signs to the gate.Drive 55 mi (89 km) (≈2 h) north to Gundlupet, then follow signs to the gate.
2 h
From Gundlupet
Park gate is 10 km (6.2 mi) north; parking available at the gate, then shuttle to the temple area.Park gate is 6.2 mi (10 km) north; parking available at the gate, then shuttle to the temple area.
15 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Gate & parking | Entry point, ticket office, vehicle parking. | Open to all visitors with ticket. |
| Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta | Temple area, viewpoint, snack stalls. | Shuttle from gate; open during safari hours. |
| Safari routes | Designated forest tracks for jeep and bus safaris. | Guided only; must book. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are centre‑point of the park; exact gate location approximated.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry ticket (foreigners) | INR 300–500 (≈ US$4–6) | person | Exact price not published; estimate from similar reserves (check). |
| Bus safari (foreigners) | INR 200–250 (≈ US$3) | person | ₹95 for Indians; foreign surcharge applied. |
| Jeep safari (foreigners) | INR 2,200 (≈ US$25) | person | Standard rate. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Safari vehicle permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- ₹300–500≈ US$4–6
- ₹200–250≈ US$3
- ₹2,200≈ US$25
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Check with the park or your operator before you go.
Park rules
- Private vehicles
- Not allowed beyond the gate; use park shuttle.
- Trekking
- Illegal in the forest; only guided safaris permitted.
- Camping
- Requires permission from the range officer; only in designated areas.
- Elephant rides
- Allowed for ₹120 per person, 20 min ride; not a safari.
- Fire
- No open fires; use designated cooking facilities.
Where to stay
Near the park
Jungle Home cottages
Cottages and tents, ₹1,000–2,500 per night, booking via park office.
Near the park
Greenwoods Nature Camp
Cottages and tents, ₹750–2,500 per night, 2.5 km (1.6 mi) off highway.Cottages and tents, ₹750–2,500 per night, 1.6 mi (2.5 km) off highway.
Near the park
The Fox Resort
Boutique luxury rooms, private pool, ₹5,000+ per night.
Safety
Monsoon flooding high
Wild animal encounters medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Gate area and parking are reachable by car; short walks to shuttle.
- Jeep safari involves rough tracks; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Use park‑approved shuttles to reduce traffic.
- Avoid buying souvenirs made from sandalwood or wildlife parts.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Bandipur National Park?
Foreign visitors pay an entry ticket of roughly ₹300–₹500; exact price not published (check). Safari fees are ₹95 for a bus ride (plus foreign surcharge) or ₹2,200 for a jeep safari.
What are the best hikes in Bandipur National Park?
The most popular hike is to Gopalaswamy Betta (≈2 km, 2–3 h round‑trip). Other trails are off‑limits without a guide.
When is the best time to visit Bandipur National Park?
October to January offers cool, dry weather and good wildlife visibility; avoid the monsoon months June‑September.
Can I drive my own car into the park?
No. Private vehicles must stop at the gate; a park‑run shuttle takes visitors to the interior.
Is trekking allowed in the forest?
Trekking is prohibited; only guided safaris are permitted.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go