National park · India
Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary
Visit Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary for a quick bird‑watching day: take the boat ride at 9 AM and walk the riverside trail; go early on weekdays March‑May; entry ₹30, boat ₹150‑₹200.
- 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
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
approximate
Established
1940
Best months
Mar–May
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
- 1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
- Less than 1 km² (check).
- Established
- 1940
- Best months
- Mar–May
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Mysore
Ranganathittu offers dense waterbird colonies on tiny river islands, a short boat ride and a flat footpath, making it an easy day trip from Mysore or Bangalore.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1940.
Size and age
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²) · national park since 1940
Less than 1 km² (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Mysore.
Why go
- High density of waterbirds on tiny river islands, with a dedicated boat ride and viewing platform.
- Easy day trip from Mysore or Bangalore; footpaths and a machan give close views of nests.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunGo
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepGo
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Painted storks, spoon‑bills, white ibises, egrets, herons, river terns, dartersAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Marsh crocodilesAll 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 ~130 km (81 mi) via Bangalore‑Mysore highway; turn right after Srirangapatna.Drive ~81 mi (130 km) via Bangalore‑Mysore highway; turn right after Srirangapatna.
2–3 h
From Mysore
Drive ~13 km (8.1 mi) north on the same highway.Drive ~8.1 mi (13 km) north on the same highway.
20–30 min
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Main walkway | Tiled footpath along the river with viewing spots. | Open to all visitors. |
| Machan platform | Elevated wooden platform for close bird observation. | Open during sanctuary hours. |
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 from Wikidata; sanctuary entrance 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 | INR 30 (≈ under US$1) | person | check |
| Boat ride | INR 150–200 (≈ US$2–3) | person | check |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Sanctuary entry permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- ₹30≈ under US$1
- ₹150–200≈ US$2–3
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
- Drinking
- Not allowed inside the sanctuary.
- Smoking
- Prohibited throughout the park.
- Crocodile safety
- Stay on designated paths; only board official boats.
Where to stay
Near the park
Mysore
Wide range of hotels and guesthouses, about 13 km (8.1 mi) away.Wide range of hotels and guesthouses, about 8.1 mi (13 km) away.
Near the park
Srirangapatna
Small town with basic lodging options.
Safety
Crocodiles in the river high
Crowds on weekends 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
- Footpaths are flat and suitable for wheelchairs; the machan has steps, not wheelchair‑accessible.
Visiting lightly
- Do not feed birds or crocodiles.
- Carry out all litter; use the provided bins.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary?
Entry is about ₹30 per person; a boat ride costs ₹150–₹200. Prices may vary, so check locally.
What are the best hikes in Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary?
The main footpath along the river and the machan platform are the only marked routes; both are easy walks.
When is the best time to visit Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary?
Bird activity peaks from March to May; the climate is pleasant year‑round.
Can I swim in the Cauvery at the sanctuary?
No. The river hosts marsh crocodiles and swimming is prohibited.
Is there accommodation inside the sanctuary?
No lodging is provided; stay in nearby Mysore or Srirangapatna.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary
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