Travel> Karnataka> Bandipur

Image: Elephant ride at Bandipur National Park
Image by: Swami Stream's

Text by: Tanya Munshi
Bandipur
Located 215 km away from Bangalore, the Bandipur National Park is nestled between the Western Ghats and the Niligiri mountains. It is spread across 90 sq km.
1
"We saw spotted deer and lots of elephants. The guides at the Bandipur National Park took us on an exciting ride through the middle of the jungle. It is great to see wildlife at such close proximity," says Bangalore-based Sumit Ghosh, a software engineer.
2
One of the earliest tiger reserves to be established in India, the Bandipur National Park is one of nine tiger reserves in the country. Though it existed even in 1931 under the patronage of the Mysore maharaja, it became a full-fledged tiger reserve in the early 1970s. You might have a chance to spot elephants, gaur, wild boars, sambhars, deer, wild dogs, tiger and leopards.
3
How to get there:
By road Bandipur is 215 km from Bangalore and 80 km from Mysore. The nearest railway station is Mysore.
4
Where to stay:
Ideally the cheapest way to stay at Bandipur is at one of the forest department guest houses.

~ Forest Rest Houses KSTDC (Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation)

~ Bush Betta Holiday Wildlife (Rs 1,990)Phone: (080) 2243274, 224795

~ Tusker Trails (Rs 1700 to Rs 1,900)Phone: (0821) 636055

~ KSTDC Mayura Prakruti (Single bed: Rs 300, Double Bed: Rs 400)Phone: (08229) 7301

~ Forest Department CottagesPhone: (0821) 636043,025

~ For reservations, contact the Field Director's office: Phone: (0821) 2480901
5
Website: http://wildlywise.com/banp_intro.htm

Published in Rediff.com, on January 27, 2007
Link: http://specials.rediff.com/getahead/2007/jan/24slid2.htm