General Information

History

The Bannerghatta National Park was created in 1978. Ten reserve forests of Anekal Range of the Bangalore Forest Division come under this national park. The national park constitutes ten reserve forests located at the Anekal Range that comes under the Bangalore Forest Division. Spread over an area of 104.27sq.km the park is covered with very dense and thick forests, mainly the scrub land. The national park is known for its tiger and lion safari. Located in between the scenic environment the national park also has a snake and crocodile farm. The wildlife of the park includes lions, panthers, elephants, leopards, bisons, etc. It is an important passageway for the elephants migrating amongst eastern and WesternGhats. A crocodile farm and a serpentariumis also located in the park. Recently a Butterfly park has been added in the park premise which is a major tourist’s attraction. A major portion of the park is also used as a sanctuary accommodating the wild animals which are rescued from the circuses. The butterfly Park located in the Bannerghatta National Park was the first such park in India. The Zoo Authority of Karnataka,Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and Environment (ATREE) and University of Agricultural Sciences made combined efforts to create the butterfly park. The butterfly park at the Bannerghatta National Park was inaugurated in the year 2006 by KapilSibbal (Union Minister of Science and Technology).  The park has a conservatory of butterflies, a museum and an audio visual room. The Butterfly conservatory is stretched over an area of around 10,000 sq ft. It is a circular enclosure which is covered a roof made up ofpolycarbonate. The conservatory has around twenty butterfly species. The environment of the conservatory is as such that it suits the survival of the butterflies.The environment is tropical and an artificial rainfall is also made here. The climate is comparatively humid. The conservatory is having the flora like shrubs and other plants to which the butterflies areattracted. The third and second domes are located after ahead to the conservatory. Thesedomes house a museum having many dioramas and other displays.

The Suvarnamukhi hills are spread like huge rocks for near about a kilometer in the national park. The exquisite Suvarnamukhi stream originates from the Suvarnamukhi hills and runs through the park.

The ChampakaDharnaSwamy temple is built in the park in the Dravidian style of the Hoysala age. It lies at the foot of the huge rocks of the Suvarnamukhi hills. A small temple dedicated to Lord Narsimha is also found in Suvarnamukhi hills, which is located at a distance of two kilometers from the Suvarnamukhi pond. The water of this pond is considered holy and has curative powers.

Best Time to Visit- Detailed Information

The park is open for the tourists all the year round. But the weather is very pleasant from the month of September to January. If one wants to enjoy the greenery and eye soothing sceneries then the best time to visit is during the monsoon that last from June to August. However, wild life can be spotted most from the months of November to June.

How To Get There

By Air : The nearest airport to the park is the Bangalore airport. The flights to this airport are scheduled daily from all the major airports in the country. From Chennai to Bengaluru, jet airways flights are available at 10:05 daily and from Delhi to Bengaluru flights are at 6:35, 9:50, 17:50, Daily. Apart from these places regular flights from Goa and Kolkata are also there.

By Rail:  The closest railhead to the park is the Bangalore railway station. It is connected to all the major cities of the country. There are regular trains from Delhi, Mumbai, Coimbatore, Chennai, Mysore etc. The schedule of few trains is mentioned below:

By Road : The Bannerghatta road from Bengaluru is taken to reach the national park. The best way is to hire a taxi or to take a state transport bus. Private vehicles are not allowed inside the park premises.

Inside the Bannerghatta National Park,  JLR’s Bannerghatta Nature Camp is located which is a green retreat to the city of Bengaluru.  To reach Bannerghatta national park one has to drive towards the south direction to the Bannerhatta Road from the down town area of Bengaluru that is M G Road or Brigade Road area. The Bannerghatta Road is located off to the Hosurraod close to the Wilson Garden. The national park from this point is at a distance of 20 kilometers and can be reached after a drive of 40 minutes. Many direction boards guide the pathway and it is very easy to reach here.

From Majestic Kempegowda Bus Stand365 series buses run and from Market the buses of 366 series are available The bus series of 368 from Shivajinagarfrom Brigade RoadG-4, from Yelahanka Satellite Town 365M  series and  from Bagalkunte366P are available.

Location Map

Travel Info

Altitude: 740 to 1034 meters above sea level

Visiting hours: 9am to 5pm

Holiday: Closed every Tuesday

Best time: September to January

Phone number: 080-27828540

Things To Do In - National Park

The trip to Bannerghatta can be planned from Bengaluru. One can leave from Bengaluru around 10:30 AM and can enjoy the leisurely drive of 35 to 45 minutes duration. The Bannerghatta Nature Camp’s Swiss tent which are available with attached bathroom are available to check in. The Backpacker’s dormitory is also available. One take a quick rest here or enjoy the lunch and then move towards the Zoo which is inhabited by animals like Zebras, leopards, Hippopotamus, sloth bear and many reptiles inhabiting the reptile park.

The next thing to do is to take a tiger and Lion safari. One can spot the big cats in the park and after that the other mesmerizing thing to do in the park is to have a beautiful and spectacular view of the park from UdaginaBande’s top. From here the dense valley is visible beneath and wild elephants are also spotted here. Doddannakere, watering hole of the elephants can be seen from very near. Barber’s stone is one of the land marks. It is a rock which is out cropped like a honing stone that is used by the barbers to sharpen the razor.  A 5000 years old ancient graveyard is also located nearby.

After enjoying the day one can return back to the camp and the other morning one can enjoy trekking early morning at in the Herbivore Safari Enclosure. During the walk one can spot Nilgais,Gaurs, Sambhars,Barking Deer, Black Bucks and many beautiful birds like Rufousbacked shrike, Magpie-Robin, , Paradise flycatcher,Egrets,Grey herons, Grey jungle fowl etc.

Other Attractions of Bannerghatta National Park

Pearl Valley

Pearl valley is located at a distance of 25 kilometres from the Bannerghatta National Park. It is a famous picnic spot.  One has to climb down 280 steps which are cut into the rock to reach the bottom of the valley where an Ancient Shiva temple is located.  The thick vegetation is found everywhere in the valley.

Nrityagram

It is the first dance village of India and located at a distance of 32 kilometers from the park. This place is mostly visited during the spring festival that is held in the month of February. The culture of Bengaluru is exhibited during this time.

Accomodation

The park is having a nature park which has twin bed tents completely furnished, and  ethnic huts are also made here. Hurricane lamps lit the tents and the huts and modern toilet facilities are provided with the both. Tourists can also get accommodation in the Maharaja’s Bungalow.

For Booking Accommodation, Contact

Dy. Conservator of Forests

Bannerghatta National Park, 

Gottigere Post, Kalkere, 

Bangalore - 560 008. 

Phone: 080- 28429366 

Phone : +91-80-22111401,+91-9845223122

Fax : 080-5586163

Facilities 

Tariff Swiss Tent Rs.1650, ; Log Hut Rs.2200, Dormitory Rs.1100, Single Supplement Rs.500, Day Visit Rs. 660 includes Lunch, Safari Package Stay, Dinner & Breakfast, Forest Entry Fees & Taxes. Lion & Tiger Safari, Herbivore Safari,  visit to the Zoo, Lunch, Tea / Coffee,  Lion-Tiger-Bear Safari and Taxes

Weather

The Bannerghatta shows climatic features that are similar to that of Bengaluru city. The driest months here are March, April and May. The rainy season occurs from mid-June to the month of August. The greenry is at its best during this season. The weather is very mild and pleasant throughout the year. The temperature remains between 15°C to 28°C.

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