The short answer
Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary (BRT Tiger Reserve): what visitors should know first
Yes, if you want a forest-and-hills trip without a big-park crowd. Plan on a jeep safari from K Gudi, stay overnight if you can, and confirm current safari slots, vehicle fees and entry rules with Jungle Lodges or the forest office before you set out.
History and context
The story behind Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary (BRT Tiger Reserve)
The sanctuary was set up on 27 June 1974 with 322.4 sq km, and enlarged to 539.52 sq km on 14 January 1987. The Government of Karnataka declared it a tiger reserve in January 2011 after approval from the National Tiger Conservation Authority. It is managed by the Karnataka Forest Department.
A 2017 DNA survey of scat samples estimated 62 tigers, though another reported survey counted fewer. Counts vary by method, so treat any number as approximate. Quarrying and unauthorised resorts at the edges have been concerns.
Useful facts
Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary (BRT Tiger Reserve) facts at a glance
- Location
- Chamarajanagar district, Karnataka, near the Tamil Nadu border
- Experience type
- Jeep safari and forest stay
- Known for
- Elephants, gaur, leopards, tigers, 250+ bird species
- Area/Status
- 539.52 sq km; tiger reserve since 2011
- Time or schedule
- Entry about 6 am to 6 pm; safari slots to be confirmed
Why it matters
Why Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary (BRT Tiger Reserve) is worth your time
The reserve matters as a corridor. It links the Eastern and Western Ghats, which lets animals such as elephants move between the ranges, and it holds scrub, deciduous forest, shola and grassland within a single hill block. That variety is why more than 250 bird species have been recorded here.
It is also a place shaped by the Soliga people, who live in the hills and whose beliefs link the temple, the ancient champak tree and the forest. Their role in the temple and in sustainable use of the forest is part of what separates BR Hills from a purely animal-led park. Visit with the understanding that this is a living landscape, not a zoo.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Jeep safari
Morning and late-afternoon drives with Jungle Lodges and Resorts cover the forest tracks near K Gudi.
- 02
Wildlife variety
Elephants, gaur, sambar, chital and rarer species such as the four-horned antelope share the hills.
- 03
Elephant pond
The pond near the K Gudi camp draws wild elephants, particularly in dry months.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Decide first where you will enter. The commonly used approach is from Chamarajanagar to the K Gudi camp, with a shorter approach from Yelandur. Jeeps can be hired at either town, and an overnight halt on the Chamarajanagar side needs permission from the forest department.
The main experience is the jeep safari, offered by Jungle Lodges and Resorts with the forest department at roughly dawn and late afternoon; published slots differ, so confirm the current schedule. Expect elephants, gaur, sambar, chital and a range of birds. Tigers live here, but sightings are not guaranteed and you should plan for the forest, not a single animal.
When you are not on a safari, visit the Biligiri Ranganatha temple, the old Dodda Sampige Mara tree and the Honnametti viewpoint, which together make a full day. Carry water, wear muted colours, and leave the reserve before the evening closing time unless you are staying inside.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Confirm safari slots, vehicle fees and permits before travelling
- Leave the reserve by the evening closing time unless staying inside
- Hire a jeep at Yelandur or Chamarajanagar if you have no vehicle
- Wear muted colours and avoid strong perfume
- Carry water, medicines and any food you need
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Chamarajanagar district, about 90 km from Mysuru and 160 km from Bengaluru
- Time needed
- Half a day to 2 days
- Best time
- September to April; early morning and late afternoon for animals
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- Most sightseeing is from a vehicle, so walking is minimal. The roads are winding hill roads, there is little roadside seating or shade, and medical facilities are far away, so carry any medicines you need.
- Tickets and access
- Entry is reported to be allowed only between about 6 am and 6 pm, and visitors not staying overnight must leave by dusk. Safari timings differ between sources, so confirm current slots, vehicle fees and permits with Jungle Lodges and Resorts or the forest department; fees are not reliably published.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary (BRT Tiger Reserve)
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
Most sightseeing is from a vehicle, so walking is minimal. The roads are winding hill roads, there is little roadside seating or shade, and medical facilities are far away, so carry any medicines you need.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Is a tiger sighting likely?
Tigers are present, but sightings are not guaranteed. Most visitors see elephants, gaur and deer, and treat tigers as a bonus.
When is the best time to visit?
Reports suggest September to April; the sanctuary is open through the year, but check closures with the forest office.
Do I need a permit?
Entry and safari arrangements go through the forest department and Jungle Lodges; an overnight halt on the Chamarajanagar side needs forest permission.
Sources and further reading
- Wikipedia: Biligiriranga Hills
- Karnataka Tourism: BR Tiger Reserve
- Outlook Traveller: BR Hills Wildlife Sanctuary
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
