Bandipur National Park lies in the Indian Deccan plateau area, thus being totally in the shadow of the Western Ghats. The region is well endowed in terms of vegetation and flora that ranges from deciduous and evergreen forest covers to open grassy woodlands. Valuable hardwoods including rosewood and teak are also found here. The lifeline of the forest is the Moyar River, which irrigates the area along with two minor rivulets. The river also acts as a boundary between the Park and the Madumulai Sanctuary. Bandipur is one of the finest and most accessible habitats of the Asiatic elephant. Its vast open spaces make it a pleasant and convenient outing for visitors to see the elephant in its natural surroundings.

Mammals at Bandipur National park:
Bonner Macaque Nilgiri Langur (adjoining areas) Dhole
Smooth-coated Otter Common Palm Civet Stripe-necked Mongoose
Jungle Cat Tiger
Wild Boar Chital Gaur
Indian Palm Squirrel Grizzled Indian Squirrel Liontail Macaque
Golden Jackal Sloth Bear
Indian Grey Mongoose Striped Hyaena Rusty-spotted Cat
Ratel Indian Spotted Chevrotain Sambar
Nilgiri Tahr (adjoining areas) Indian Porcupine Hanuman Langur
Bengal Fox Eurasian Otter Small Indian Civet
Ruddy Mongoose Leopard Cat Leopard
Indian Elephant Indian Muntjac Four-horned Antelope
Indian Pangolin Indian Hare Red Giant Flying squirrel
Indian Giant Squirrel

CLIMATE (Bandipur National Park)
The region is warm and comfortable for most parts of the year with temperatures ranging from 24 to 28°C, except for the brief winter that lasts from October to January when the temperature hovers around the 19°C mark. Monsoon is erratic, but it generally rains from June to September.

REACHING THERE
Bandipur National Park is located on the highway connecting Mysore and the hill station of Ootacamund (Ooty). Reaching Bandipur by bus is very convenient. All regular and express state transport buses plying between Ooty and Mysore pass through the park fringes and the Forest Department Center is a designated bus stop. It takes 2½ hours to reach Bandipur forest from Mysore and about 3 hours from Ooty. The nearest rail junction is Mysore (65 km) and the nearest international airport is the software Mecca of Bangalore (204 km).

STAYING THERE (Bandipur National Park)
The forest department maintains reasonably priced lodges, rest houses and cottages.

TRAVEL TIPS
Light cotton clothing is recommended for summers whereas light woolen garments are recommended for the brief winters. During rainy season, it is advisable to carry raincoats, as the rain is accompanied by a light breeze that renders umbrellas useless.

PLACES NEARBY

Nagarhole, Madumulai and Wynad National parks all lie in the vicinity of Bandipur forest. A reservoir and a dam that separates Bandipur from Nagarhole reserve is an interesting place as well.