Bandipur Tiger Reserve

South India

As you drive through the forests of Bandipur National Park, one sweet fragrance that greets you is of the sandalwood trees that are protected along with the wildlife that abounds here, most often seen in areas cleared of the irrepressible lantana bush. Bandipur National Park is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and stretches over 1,282 square kilometres of dense forests, rivers, mountains, gorges and open grasslands. Though part of one of India’s best known and densest tiger habitats (over 700 in the 2014 census) it’s far better for sightings of elephant herds, leopard and wild dog than these big cats. Together with the adjoining Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary and Nagarhole and Mudumalai National Parks, it forms the largest Protected Area in Southern India, totalling 2,183 square kilometres. The Nugu, Moyar and Kabini rivers feed this area perennially with gushing waters and host a variety of aquatic birds that are a delight to spot. The Reserve was once the erstwhile Maharaj...a Voodiyar’s private hunting ground until 1941 when it became part of a larger National Park called Venugopal Wildlife Park. In 1973, it was recognised as Bandipur National Park and it became one of the fifteen sanctuaries brought under the umbrella of Project Tiger. Read more