Bangalore is home to plenty of green spaces and natural attractions, and features several accommodations that bring travelers closer to them, from farm stays to luxury hotels and resorts. One of the city’s most beautiful assets is the Bannerghatta National Park. Coming in at nearly 65,128 acres (26356.367 hectares) of gorgeous wilderness, the park is a wildlife enthusiast’s and nature lover’s paradise. Its varying landscape of lush green forests, hillocks, and grasslands is filled with rich and diverse wildlife, including white tigers, Royal Bengal tigers, sloth bears, lions, nilgais, and more. Yet this isn’t the only draw of the park. The park is also home to a beautiful butterfly park, which is perhaps the first of its kind in India. To help you navigate this lush green marvel smoothly, read through this guide to Bannerghatta National Park in Bangalore, India.
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About Bannerghatta National Park
Covering an area of 260.51 square kilometers (100.58 square miles), the Bannerghatta National Park (also known as Bannerghatta Biological Park) consists of hilly terrains and scrublands, making it a perfect natural habitat for various flora and fauna. Located about 22 kilometers (12.67 miles) south of Bangalore, this densely forested park features an animal rescue center, a zoo, a safari park, a butterfly park, a museum and an auditorium to educate visitors about the different wild species housed within the park. There is also a lake and several ancient temples tucked away within the lush greenery and hilly terrains in and around the park. With a diverse wildlife and many safari tours, the park has retained its position as Bangalore’s major tourist attraction since its founding in 1974.
Bannerghatta National Park
Address: Bannerghatta Rd, Bannerughatta, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560083
Website: Bannerghatta National Park
Opening hours: Mon - Sun: 9:30am - 5pm (closed on Tue)
What to see and do at Bannerghatta National Park
1. Enjoy a grand safari tour
Posted by Bannerghatta National Park on Thursday, 28 October 2010
The park offers a grand safari in a (with or without AC) bus or jeep. You can choose the one that best suits your personal preference. The grand safari runs for 45 minutes and offers an opportunity to see the diverse wildlife close up in their natural habitat. The safari drives through different open enclosures. The first stop is at the herbivore enclosure where you can spot sambar, barking deer, nilgai, gaur, blackbuck, and cheetal.
The next enclosure on the safari ride is a fenced elephant sanctuary, where you can watch Asian elephants roam freely in their natural environment. Next on the safari ride is a bear enclosure, followed by a lion enclosure, and the last two stops are the Royal Bengal tiger and white tiger enclosures.
Opening hours: 10am - 4:30pm (daily, except Tue)
Safari cost: The safari costs varies depending on the type of vehicle and includes a number components, such as park entry fee, camera fee, safari fee, zoo fee, etc.
AC bus safari cost (safari + zoo + butterfly park + camera) Adults - 7. 25 USD (500 INR); Children (aged 5-12 yrs) - 4.35 USD (300 INR).
Non-AC bus safari cost (zoo + safari) for Indians Adults - 3.77 USD (260 INR) from Mon - Fri, 4.06 USD (280 INR) Sat - Sun; Children (aged 5-12yrs) - 1.88 USD (130 INR) Mon - Fri, 2.03 USD (140 INR) Sat - Sun; Senior citizens - 2.17 USD (150 INR); Physically challenged - 1.30 - 1.45 USD (90 - 100 INR) for children; 2.61 - 2.90 USD (180 - 200 INR) for adults
Non-AC bus safari cost (zoo + safari) for foreigners(all days)- Adults - 5.80 USD (400 INR); Children - 4.35 USD (300 INR)
Jeep Safari cost (zoo + safari + butterfly park + camera) Six-seater non-AC jeep - 43.49 USD (3000 INR); Six-seater AC jeep - 50.74 USD (3500 INR); Six-seater AC Xylo- 57.98 USD (4000 INR); Eight-seater non-AC jeep - 57.98 USD (4000 INR); Seven-seater Innova car - 72.48 USD (5000 INR)
2. Come face-to-face with animals at the zoo
The safari ticket will also give you access to the zoo that contains a variety of exotic and Indian origin mammals, reptiles and birds, including the Himalayan black deer, Thamin deer, panthers, king cobras, hog deers and different species of birds. In total, there are more than 1900 animals belonging to 94 species here. Also, there is a museum within the zoo with various animal exhibits. While there is a battery-operated vehicle (buggy service) to explore the zoo, we recommend you walk around and observe these fascinating creatures.
If you’re looking for some adventure, you can indulge in a leisurely boat ride that will let you observe the scenic beauty of the forests. The boat ride is available at the Kavalkere Lake nestled within the zoo premises and lasts for about 30 minutes. Both pedal boats and rowing boats are available.
Boating
Price: 0.72 USD (50 INR) per head/trip; 3.62 USD (250 INR) for full boat trip
Bangalore District Tour Guide
Ramesh Kumar
Hello, I am Ramesh Kumar, a Bangalorean, born & brought up in this lovely city. I work as a freelance Tour Guide-Tour Leader-Trip Manager to the foreign travelers who visit Southern India as a destination for travel as well as for the corporate executives who come on business meets taking place. Being a knowledgeable Tour Guide, I curate creative itineraries, all tailor made to suit their t... Read more
3. Visit India's first butterfly park
Spanning an area of 7.5 acres (3.035 hectares), the Butterfly Park consists of a 1 km (0.6 miles) long butterfly trail, a butterfly conservatory that is a huge dome-shaped structure with butterflies and plants, a museum with information on butterflies, and an audiovisual room. It is India’s first butterfly park and houses around 30 different types of butterflies belonging to five families - Hespiridae, Papilionidae, Lycaenidae, Pieridae, and Nymphalidae. However, according to one study, about 48 species of butterflies are found here in various seasons. The park features landscaped gardens and man-made waterfalls, thus creating a natural habitat for these beautiful creatures.
Price: 0.43 USD (30 INR for adult) and 0.29 USD (20 INR for children)
4. Visit ancient temples nearby
Besides animal sightings, there’s plenty of local culture to be experienced near the Bannerghatta National Park. The 12th-century Sri Champakadhama Swamy Devalaya, located just 1.9 km (1.18 miles) away from the park, is a must-visit. It is dedicated to Lord Champakadhama (an incarnation of Hindu Lord Vishnu). Within the temple complex, there is also an idol of Goddess Lakshmi that stands out with its Dravidian style of architecture and is believed to have been built during the historic Hoysala period. If time permits, you can also visit Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple or Narasimha Temple nestled on a hillock behind the Champakadhama temple.
Sri Champakadhama Swamy Devalaya
Address: Bannerghatta Rd, Bannerughatta, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560083
Opening hours: 6am - 12pm, 5pm - 7pm (daily)
5. Skip the lines with a private, all-inclusive tour
A full-day safari trip across Bannerghatta National Park can offer you the best wildlife experiences. However, getting tickets to this excursion may be quite a hassle to handle, especially when you’re on the site lining up for the box office counter. To save yourself some trouble, go for private, all-inclusive trips such as this one!
Hop on board the jeep and spend the rest of your day passing by several of the zoo’s safaris. By the end of the journey, you’ll get to stop by the famous Butterfly Park, then freshen yourself with complimentary drinking water along the way.
No need to worry about spending extra on safari ticket fees, as these are already included in your pass. Also included are air-conditioned car transfers from and to your hotel accommodation, ensuring a totally fuss-free adventure.
Book Tours : Private Bannerghatta National Park Day Excursion
6. How to book the entry tickets
It’s possible to explore the park on your own and you can book the tickets for the same at the entrance counter. But arranging for the entry tickets can waste your lot of time as there are long waiting lines. The best way you can go past the queues is by taking a private tour. Not only do these tours organize the park fees, but they also cover hotel pick-up and drop-off, and a local guide who will tell you the history of the park, wildlife, and other interesting factual nuggets along the way.
Where to stay and eat
It is possible to explore the park in half a day, but if you wish to stay in the wilderness, there is a Bannerghatta Nature Camp within the boundaries of the park. Run by Jungle Lodges and Resorts Ltd., the camp offers a wide range of accommodation options, including luxurious tented cottages, Swiss tents, log cabins with attached baths, wooden chalets and dormitory facility. Expect to pay between 36.51 USD (2,519 INR) and 115.38 USD (7,960 INR) for single occupancy and between (2,519 INR) and (6,120 INR) for double occupancy (the tariff varies depending on the type of accommodation). Be sure to reserve a spot early! The camp also has a fully equipped conference hall and a restaurant.
Bannerghatta National Park also has several eateries inside, in case you need refreshments. Alternatively, you can pack a picnic basket and have lunch on the verdant areas of the park. There are also several shops inside the park selling handicrafts, local toys, bags, etc., should you wish to indulge in some souvenir shopping.
Places to stay near Bannerghatta National Park
7. Vistar Suites
There are plenty of cozy places to stay outside the zoo, as well. If you prefer to stay in an accommodation that’s as close to several of Bengaluru’s top attractions as it is to Bannerghatta National Park, this quaint hotel should be worth considering. With rates beginning at 20 USD, you’ll find rooms that are perfect for guests from all walks of life.
Each room quips an en-suite bath, as well as a few standard amenities such as a TV, air conditioning, tea- and coffee-making facilities, and nightstands beside the bed. A quick stride away is a convention center, which sets the scene for large-scale gatherings. Beyond the property, you’ll also find a wide range of establishments within reach, from restaurants to grocery shops.
Book Your Stay: Vistar Suites
How to reach Bannerghatta National Park
Map Location
The easiest way of getting to Bannerghatta National Park is by city buses, which are available every 20 minutes. You can take bus no. BIG 10 from MG Road, G4 from Brigade Road, 365 from City Railway Station/ Kempegowda bus stand, 366 from City Market (or, KR Market), and 368 from Shivajinagar bus stand.
If budget isn’t an issue, you can opt for app-based taxi services like Old Cabs and Uber that offer taxis for hire at set hourly rates. Also, there are several car rentals you can go for, such as Savaari Car Rental, ziphop and Hire Me Car (to name but a few).
When to visit
The park is open year-round, but July to August brings a lot of rain, which makes wildlife sightings a bit challenging. So, the best time to visit Bannerghatta National Park is from September to January, when the weather is cool (and rain is rare).
Pro tip: Get an early start, i.e. by 9 am to avoid standing in long queues for the ticket and the safari ride. Also, avoid weekends as the park is full of day-trippers, making it difficult to explore in peace.
Explore the rich wildlife of Bannerghatta National Park
The Bannerghatta National Park is home to a diverse wildlife, sustained by lush forests and untouched nature. A stroll through the park pretty much guarantees an encounter with wild species like tigers, lions, gaurs, and even several birds and butterflies. To learn more about the park and its practicalities, read our guide above. Don’t forget to check out other gardens and parks found in Bangalore as well.
Frequently asked questions about the guide to Bannerghatta National Park in Bangalore, India
History
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