Back   Bandipur Bandipur Safari Lodge is located halfway down the Mysore-Ooty road adjacent to the world-renowned Bandipur National Park. The mountain breeze flowing down the vales of the picturesque Nilgiris invites you to this perfect backdrop for a wildlife safari. Nestling in the foothills of the Nilgiris, the Bandipur National Park was formed by extending the Venugopal Wildlife Park, set up in 1931 by the Mysore Maharajas. It is now one of the tiger reserves in the country. It also forms a part of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, which is the one of the last refuges of endangered Asiatic wild elephants. The major attraction of Safari Lodge is its wildlife expeditions into the Bandipur National Park. The trips are slated for the best periods of wildlife sighting, i.e. at the daybreak and in the evening. One of them will be a ride in an open-top jeep and in the other guests are taken for a trek guided by a conversant and experienced naturalist who will initiate you to the mysterious landscapes of nature. For those who want an arduous workout, there is no greater challenge than hiking the heights of Gopalswamy Betta or down the slopes of the Moyar Gorge. Bird watching, wildlife viewing and photography can have no better opportunity than a walk on this treasure trove of natural features Bandipur opens before you a plethora of wildlife, which fascinates your imagination and educates about the need for biological conservation. Bandipur forests with its deciduous habitat is the ideal spot for viewing animals like elephant, gaur, wild boar, sambhar, spotted deer or wild dogs and there is always the bonus of sighting the elusive predators like tiger or leopard. Birders will not go back disappointed with the opportunity to spot birds such as Peafowl, Grey Jungle Fowl, Partridge, Quail, Paradise Fly-Catcher, Hornbill, Woodpecker, Thrush, Crested Hawk Eagle, Serpent Eagle, Drongo, Cuckoo, Oriole, Minivet, Wagtail, Myna, Blue Jay, Kingfisher etc. Our naturalists are always at hand to help you with interpretation and identification, which help towards the greater cause of understanding and protecting the forests.