Situated in the foothills of Nilgiri hills, the Bandipur sanctuary is a home to a significant number of tigers and elephants. Herds of deer, gaurs and the Indian wild bull are pleasant sight in the elephant safari that the reserve offers. Wildlife in Bandipur is vibrant after the monsoons when the deer, gaur and elephants can be seen in herds grazing in the forests. Moyar River that flows through it makes it an ideal habitat for the Asiatic elephants. A tour to Bandipur will take you to its evergreen forests and grasslands.

If you are the adventurous type, waiting for the moment to spot the sambhar looking for its prey, then you should be packing your rucksack and heading straight to Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuary. Located at the foothills of Nilgiris in Karnataka, the national park can be approached from the Mysore-Ooty Highway. Originally an extension of the Venugopal Wildlife Park, it was established and preserved by the Maharajas of Mysore in 1931.

Throughout the year the climate in Bandipur is warm and comfortable with temperature ranging from 24 to 28°C. Winters are brief and lasts from October to January with temperature around 19°C. Monsoon start from June to September and rains are short and frequent. Light cotton clothing during summers and warm woolen garments are required for the winters. Carrying raincoats and umbrellas is important during monsoons.

Wildlife in Bandipur consists of herds of barking deer darting past you, elephants and rare sights of partridges, peafowls and quails. Staying close to the national park you can hear the night calls of the animals or even the growl of the tigers. The sanctuary was declared a tiger reserve in 1973 and is one of the best among the 15 tiger reserves of the country. At 6am sharp you can set out for your adventure either on a jeep or an elephant safari to spot animals basking in the sun or grazing. The delight of spotting giant squirrels and hornbills can goad you further to explore the sanctuary until you spot the pug marks that may lead to you to the tiger. Till 9am you can enjoy your tour in the morning and if your thirst to explore does not quench you can avail another trip in the evening from 4pm to 6.30 pm.