Introduction

Bannerghatta National Park is about 25,000 acres devoted wholly to birds and beasts, wild and tame, exotic and mundane. Situated around 22 kilometers (13.75 miles) from Bangalore, it’s a natural forest that’s home to wild animals like the bison, leopard and wild boar. It’s also an important corridor for elephants migrating between the Eastern and Western Ghats. It’s a good idea to take a picnic basket and spend the day at the park.

One of the main attractions at the park is the safari. You will need to buy tickets for the safari before you enter the park. The 16-kilometer (10 miles) Grand Safari — of Lions, Tigers & Herbivores – costs Rs 100 on regular days and Rs 135 on weekends and public holidays. If you opt for the 11-kilometer tiger and lion safari, the fee is Rs 65 and Rs 90 on weekdays and holidays respectively.

Once inside, join the queue on the left for the safari rides. Visitors are taken around a mini bus through a protected area where animals roam freely. The herbivores section comprises animals like the deer, bears, neelgai, monkeys etc. The park also has White Tigers, Bengal Tigers and Lions, which you can spot on a tiger or lion safari.

Once you’ve completed the safari, get down at the Butterfly Park on your way back. This is a relatively new addition to the zoo and has around 20 species of butterflies and moths in tropical environmental setting.

If you want lunch at a restaurant, this is where you should stop. Else, head for the main park where you will find caged animals and birds. Here, you will find a crocodile farm and serpentarium with some really stunning reptiles on display. You can also get a jumbo ride organized by the Forest Department beyond the parking slots. A ride cost Rs 35 on weekdays and Rs 45 on weekends and holidays.

A part of the park is also used as a sanctuary for wild animals rescued from circuses. Apart from the animals and birds, BNP has something for trekking enthusiasts too. Uddigebande (3.5 km), a natural, 3-km rock formation called Hajjamana Kallu and Mirza Hill (1.5 km) are ideal for trekking.

The scenic hills spread out to a huge rock. At the foot of it lies the Champaka Dharna Swamy temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu and his consorts Sridevi and Bhoodevi. There’s also a Narasimha temple, about 2 kilometer away from the Suvarnamukhi pond which originates in the Suvarnamukhi hills and flows through the reserve. The waters are believed to have curative powers.

The first week of October -- Wildlife Week – is abuzz with activities. The state forest department gets together with nature clubs and organizations and organizes a wide range of programs for nature enthusiasts

Special Attributes

25,000 acres devoted to the wild and if you take the safari, you are in the cage, not the animals.

Nuisance

The site is very peaceful and free of irritants.

Dressing restrictions

Dress in whatever you find comfortable.

Connectivity

BMTC bus numbers 365 and V365 (volvo A/c) ferry passengers from the heart of the city to the national park every 20 minutes.

Enjoyed by

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Exposure

The weather is moderate in the range of 25 - 30 degree C all through the year. Best time to go is September to January

Avoidable Season

It’s best to be there before 2pm on weekends and holidays or you may not get tickets for the safari.

Facilities

Restaurants, food stalls and washrooms available.

Things Not Allowed

No such restriction

Tip

Do not stick your hand out of the mini-bus while on safari, and do not feed wild animals or birds in the enclosure

Type of site

Wildlife sanctuary