The Bandipur National Park in Karnataka is situated around 80 kilometers to the south of Mysore. Occupying an area of around 880 square kilometers it is a part of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Once the private wildlife reserve of the Maharaja of Mysore, today it is home to 5000 Asiatic elephants.

Animals like Indian bison, chitals, sloth bears, sambars and langurs can be seen here. Tigers also inhabit this reserve; around 80 tigers are known to be residing here. The best time to visit this reserve is from March to April. Safari lodges, Forest Department Bungalows, Greenwood Nature camps and Jungle homes or private resorts can be booked for a comfortable stay. Threatened species of animals like four horned antelope, Gaur and crocodiles are conserved here and birds like Wooly-necked Stork, Plain Flower Pecker can be seen here. This is a great place for the people who love wildlife.