Bandipur Safari: Booking, Timings & Guide
Bandipur Tiger Reserve in Chamarajanagar district, Karnataka, is one of India's original Project Tiger reserves and a four-to-five hour drive from Bengaluru via Mysuru. It is dry deciduous forest, home to tigers, leopards and one of the largest elephant herds in the country. This guide covers how safaris work, when to go and how Tentasy plans Bandipur trips.
Bandipur at a glance
- Location
- Chamarajanagar district, Karnataka
- Status
- One of the original 1973 Project Tiger reserves
- Landscape
- Part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, contiguous with Nagarhole, Mudumalai and Wayanad
- From Bengaluru
- About 220–230 km, 4.5–5 hours via Mysuru
- You can see
- Tiger, leopard, Asian elephant, gaur, dhole, sloth bear and over 200 bird species
Bandipur safari timings
Safaris run in two slots a day: a morning slot starting around 6 am and an afternoon slot starting around 3:30 pm, each lasting about two to three hours. Slots can shift with the season and Forest Department orders, so we confirm the current schedule when we book.
Note that the highways through the reserve are closed to night traffic, so plan arrival and departure around daylight.
How to book a Bandipur safari: jeep vs canter
Safaris inside the reserve are run by the Karnataka Forest Department (canter or bus from the Bandipur reception) and by Jungle Lodges & Resorts, whose jeep safaris are open to lodge guests. Canters are cheaper and seat more people; jeeps are quieter, more flexible and better for photography.
When you travel with Tentasy we book the stay, the safaris and a naturalist for you, so you do not have to chase slots on booking portals.
Bandipur safari cost
Government safari tickets and lodge-run jeep safaris are priced differently, and fees change from time to time. Send us your dates and group size on WhatsApp or the contact form and we will quote the stay, safaris and guide as one price.
Best time to visit Bandipur
The dry months, roughly February to May, pull animals to the waterholes and make tigers and leopards easier to find. After the monsoon the forest is green and the birding is excellent, but the animals are more dispersed. Winter mornings are cool and good for elephants on the open grassland.
How to reach Bandipur from Bengaluru
Drive south on the Bengaluru–Mysuru expressway, continue towards Gundlupet and take the Ooty road to the reserve entrance. Allow 4.5 to 5 hours. The nearest railhead and airport for onward travel are at Mysuru. A weekend trip from Bengaluru works well if you leave early on Saturday.
What you can see in Bandipur
Bandipur is best known for its elephants, which gather in large herds around the Moyar river and the waterholes in summer. Tigers are seen on forest tracks, leopards in scrub and rocky outcrops, and the birding runs from green bee-eaters and Malabar pied hornbills to raptors over the open ground.
Where to stay near Bandipur
Staying inside or beside the reserve saves travel time before the early slot. Tentasy's Bandipur workshops have used Jungle Lodges & Resorts Bandipur, and we arrange other stays to suit your budget.
Tentasy trips that visit Bandipur
- South India Grand Circuit: Bandipur sits on the Big Cat Country leg with Kabini and Mysuru.
- Bandipur wildlife photography workshop, led by our naturalist photographers.
- School and college tours with Bandipur on the destination list.
- Neighbouring Nagarhole and more Indian wildlife tours.
Our trips are led by Tentasy's naturalist team, with small groups, no baiting and strict distance rules around animals. Plan a Bandipur trip or WhatsApp us.
Bandipur safari FAQ
How do I book a Bandipur safari?
Safaris are run by the Karnataka Forest Department and by Jungle Lodges & Resorts. Tentasy books the stay, safaris and a naturalist as one package. Message us your dates and group size.
What are the Bandipur safari timings?
Two slots a day: a morning slot from around 6 am and an afternoon slot from around 3:30 pm. We confirm the current schedule when we book.
Jeep or canter: which is better?
Canters are cheaper and seat more people. Jeeps are quieter and more flexible, which suits photographers and small groups.
How far is Bandipur from Bengaluru?
About 220 to 230 km, roughly 4.5 to 5 hours by road via Mysuru.
What is the best month to see tigers in Bandipur?
The dry months, roughly February to May, when animals gather at waterholes.
Can Tentasy arrange a weekend trip from Bengaluru?
Yes. Contact us with your dates and group size and we will plan a short Bandipur safari with a naturalist.