India Wildlife Travel -Bandipur Tiger Reserve
Summary:Kish the doc
Bandipura national park is part of the nilgiri biosphere reserve that spreads over 872 sq kms spanning three states i.e Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Bandipura ,situated at the foot hills of nilgiri mountains is part of Karnataka.It is at a distance of 230 kms from Banglaore and 80 kms from Mysore.It is well connected by road.It is a part of PROJECT TIGER and is home to variety of flora and fauna including the famed tiger.It is spread over expansive forest cover that is home to Tiger, Elephants, Bison, Leopard,Sloth bear, Peacock, Deer etc. I was fortunate enough to sight a tiger and its cubs on my first visit to Bandipur. Bandipura is acessible throughout the year ( summer being best for game sighting ) and has government accomodations ( to be booked in mysore forest dept office ). It also has a few private resorts ( Bangalore based ) that are affordable and decent enough for a short stay. It is advisable to book accomodation well in advance especially in holiday season and weekends as many a Bangloreans consider Bandipur to be a weekend getaway.The drive from Hunsur town just outside Bandipur to Mudumalai ( tamil nadu ) via bandipur offers exhilarating experience with many a herds of elephants crossing your path. There is quite a chance of encountering the wildlife on the drive itself. Karnataka forest dept offers jungle safaris in closed vans for a small fee in the morning and evenings.The safari ride did not satisfy me as the van is too crowded and the van itself is totally covered. For a fee of around Rs 1750 ( 1$ 46.5 Rs approx ), an open Jeep safari is available for the serious wildlife buffs which is really worth the bucks.One added advantage of visiting Bandipur is that it is surrounded by many a places that are worth a see. Gopalaswamy hills 22km is a scenic hill that is mist laden for most of the year is inhabited by plenty of asiatic elephants and boasts of a temple built by sage Agasthya.It is a trekkers paradise and walking in mist laden hill sighting elephants is what I will cherish throughout my lifetime.Not many tourists still know about this place and it remains relatively unexplored. So they serenity is still maintained. Just dont miss it for anything. The famed hill resort of ooty is a mere 40 km from bandipur.The place is totally commercialised but definitely worth a see. The Botanical gardens and Pykarra water falls are a must for ant tourist. Avoid summers if you really want peace of mind as the place will be butling with people in summer.All in all, it offers a wonderful weekend getaway and provides an invigorating experience far from the mad rushes of the urban world amidst its green cover.Suggested route: Bangalore-Ranganathittu bird sanctuary-Mysore-Gopalaswamy Hills-Bandipur-OotyNo.of days - 3-4
India Wildlife Travel -Bandipur Tiger Reserve Originally published in Shvoong: http://www.shvoong.com/f/travel/websites-online-communities/375232-india-wildlife-travel-bandipur-tiger/
Summary:Kish the doc
Bandipura national park is part of the nilgiri biosphere reserve that spreads over 872 sq kms spanning three states i.e Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Bandipura ,situated at the foot hills of nilgiri mountains is part of Karnataka.It is at a distance of 230 kms from Banglaore and 80 kms from Mysore.It is well connected by road.It is a part of PROJECT TIGER and is home to variety of flora and fauna including the famed tiger.It is spread over expansive forest cover that is home to Tiger, Elephants, Bison, Leopard,Sloth bear, Peacock, Deer etc. I was fortunate enough to sight a tiger and its cubs on my first visit to Bandipur. Bandipura is acessible throughout the year ( summer being best for game sighting ) and has government accomodations ( to be booked in mysore forest dept office ). It also has a few private resorts ( Bangalore based ) that are affordable and decent enough for a short stay. It is advisable to book accomodation well in advance especially in holiday season and weekends as many a Bangloreans consider Bandipur to be a weekend getaway.The drive from Hunsur town just outside Bandipur to Mudumalai ( tamil nadu ) via bandipur offers exhilarating experience with many a herds of elephants crossing your path. There is quite a chance of encountering the wildlife on the drive itself. Karnataka forest dept offers jungle safaris in closed vans for a small fee in the morning and evenings.The safari ride did not satisfy me as the van is too crowded and the van itself is totally covered. For a fee of around Rs 1750 ( 1$ 46.5 Rs approx ), an open Jeep safari is available for the serious wildlife buffs which is really worth the bucks.One added advantage of visiting Bandipur is that it is surrounded by many a places that are worth a see. Gopalaswamy hills 22km is a scenic hill that is mist laden for most of the year is inhabited by plenty of asiatic elephants and boasts of a temple built by sage Agasthya.It is a trekkers paradise and walking in mist laden hill sighting elephants is what I will cherish throughout my lifetime.Not many tourists still know about this place and it remains relatively unexplored. So they serenity is still maintained. Just dont miss it for anything. The famed hill resort of ooty is a mere 40 km from bandipur.The place is totally commercialised but definitely worth a see. The Botanical gardens and Pykarra water falls are a must for ant tourist. Avoid summers if you really want peace of mind as the place will be butling with people in summer.All in all, it offers a wonderful weekend getaway and provides an invigorating experience far from the mad rushes of the urban world amidst its green cover.Suggested route: Bangalore-Ranganathittu bird sanctuary-Mysore-Gopalaswamy Hills-Bandipur-OotyNo.of days - 3-4
India Wildlife Travel -Bandipur Tiger Reserve Originally published in Shvoong: http://www.shvoong.com/f/travel/websites-online-communities/375232-india-wildlife-travel-bandipur-tiger/
