Experiences in Bandipur
- 01
Bandipur Forest Department Bus Safari
A two-to-three-hour drive through Bandipur's dry deciduous forest in a Forest Department mini-bus, the simplest and cheapest way into the tiger reserve.
- Time needed
- About 2–3 hours
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning slot for cooler light; afternoon slot for easier timing. November to February is most comfortable.
- Tickets
- Karnataka Tourism lists mini-bus safaris from the range office at about 6:15–9:00 am and 2:15–5:00 pm, at about ₹350 per person. Slots, fares and the booking route change, so confirm with the Karnataka Forest Department or your lodge.
- 02
Bandipur Jeep Safari with Jungle Lodges
A smaller-group jeep safari in the Bandipur Tiger Reserve, run by Jungle Lodges & Resorts, with more time at sightings than the shared bus.
- Time needed
- About 2 hours per slot
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- November to February; the first-light slot is the quietest
- Tickets
- Karnataka Tourism lists Jungle Lodges & Resorts as the licensed jeep operator with four slots from about 6:15 am to 6:30 pm at about ₹3,000. Sources disagree on whether that is per person or per vehicle, so confirm when booking at junglelodges.com.
- 03
Gundlupet Flower Fields
Marigold, chrysanthemum and sunflower fields beside the highway near Gundlupet, at their showiest around Onam in late summer.
- Time needed
- 30–60 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- August to September, around Onam; bloom varies with the rains
- Tickets
- There is no official ticket. Some farmers may ask for a small fee for access to their fields, so ask first and respect the crop. Rules and access change each season.
- 04
The Mysuru–Ooty Road Through Bandipur
The stretch of NH 766 that cuts through Bandipur forest, where elephants, deer and langurs are often seen from the car window.
- Time needed
- 30–60 minutes at a slow pace
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Early morning or late afternoon, within daytime hours
- Tickets
- No ticket is needed for passing through, though forest check posts operate at both ends and vehicle movement is restricted on some stretches between 9 pm and 6 am. Confirm current rules before travelling.
Temples in Bandipur
- 05
Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta
The highest hill in the Bandipur reserve, about 1,450 m, with a Hoysala-era Krishna temple reached by a forest-department bus.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2.5 hours including the bus
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Morning on a weekday; the hill is often misty after rain
- Tickets
- Private vehicles are not allowed beyond the forest check post; a forest-department mini-bus runs to the top. Visitors are admitted for limited hours, with no overnight stay, and food other than permitted pooja items is not allowed. Confirm current timings and fares locally.
Day trips in Bandipur
- 06
Mudumalai Tiger Reserve and Theppakadu Elephant Camp
Bandipur's southern neighbour in Tamil Nadu, with the Moyar river, the Theppakadu elephant camp and its own safari options.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- November to February; check camp and safari timings
- Tickets
- Tamil Nadu Forest Department rules apply, including any entry fees and vehicle permits. Camp visiting times are reported inconsistently, so confirm locally. Carry ID.
Read the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve and Theppakadu Elephant Camp guide →
