BANDIPUR NATIONAL PARK

Located on the Deccan Plateau, Bandipur National Park lies completely in the shadow of the Western Ghats. The area is well endowed in terms of vegetation and flora, with deciduous and evergreen forests and grassy areas. Precious woods including rosewood and teak are also found here. The Moyar River, with two secondary streams, irrigates the area and marks the boundary between the park and the Madumulai Reserve. Bandipur is one of the most accessible Asian elephant habitats. Its vast open spaces make it a pleasant outing for visitors and allow them to observe the elephant in its natural environment. The park is home to smooth-haired otters, wild boars, chitals (axis deer), gaurs (Indian bison), grey squirrels, lion-tailed macaques, grey mongooses, porcupines, sacred langurs, Bengal foxes, four-horned antelopes, giant squirrels and more. If you are lucky, you may even spot the leopard. The Bandipur Reserve is one of 15 selected across the country under "Project Tiger", a worldwide provision made in 1973 by the WWF, to save the tiger and its habitat. The climate in this region is warm and pleasant almost all year round, with temperatures ranging from 24 to 28°C, except during the brief winter from October to January, when the temperature is about 19°C. The monsoon is irregular, but it usually rains from June to September.