One of the most popular national parks in India, Bannerghatta National Park is a man-made wildlife reserve that is home to a vast variety of animals and birds. It is equally popular amid adults and children who are wildlife enthusiasts.
Founded in 1971, this national park covers an area of over 104.27 sq. km. Popular for offering memorable lion and tiger safari, the park has several varieties of animal and bird species.
Bannerghatta National Park comprises of 10 forest reserves belonging to the Anekal Ranges under the Bangalore Forest Division. It also consists of a museum, a zoo and conservatories, and is located at a distance of 22 km from Bangalore.
In the premises of the park, there are a number of temples that are worth-visiting. Known to be originating from the Suvarnamukhi Hill, the Suvarnamukhi stream cascades through the park. Just 2 km from the hill, there is Suvarnamukhi pond also, which is known to have water with curative powers.
Things to Do in Bannerghatta National Park
During wildlife safari in Bannerghatta, you can spot several kinds of wild animals such as lions, leopards, panthers, zebras, Bengal tigers, bears, elephants, rhinoceroses, panthers, bison, white tigers and spotted deer.
The authorities of the park have segregated it into different sections for carnivores and herbivores. For the arrangement of the Private safaris, prior permission for the authorities is required.
The first Butterfly Conservatory of India is located in this national park. Spread in an area of 10,000 sq. km, this circular-shaped national park was founded by the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and Environment and the Zoo Authority of Karnataka. 20 varied species of butterflies call this conservatory their home. Colorful flora is the other highlight. To suit the natural environment of the butterflies, the conservatory sustains a tropical climate with the essential level of humidity.
The museum inside the park is quite popular amidst children as well as adult as it houses several exhibits. For trekking enthusiasts, Bannerghatta has Hajjamana Kallu, Uddigebande, and Mirza Hills, which also house the various small temples of the park.
- Timings-09:00 AM to 05:00 PM (closed on Tuesday)
- Best time to visit– September to January
How to Reach Bannerghatta National Park
- By Air: Bangalore airport is the nearest one from the park.
- By Rail: Bangalore railway station is the nearest station from the park.
- By Road: The Park is just 22 km from Bangalore. You can rent a cab or go on-board regular city buses.
