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Jungle Lodges & Resorts · Wildlife

Bandipur Safari Lodge

Bandipur Tiger Reserve, Chamarajanagar District · 220 km from Bengaluru · 80 km from Mysuru
🐇 Tiger Reserve 🐘 Elephant Country 🌿 Nilgiri Foothills ☨️ Maharaja’s Legacy 🍸 Himavad Temple
220 km
From Bengaluru
3 Options
Maharaja · Viceroy · Stay
Year-round
Open season
From ₹4,214
Per person
🐇

Bandipur Forest
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Bandipur Tiger Reserve
🐘

Elephant herd
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Elephant sighting
🔍

Jeep Safari
bandipur-jeep-safari.jpg

Open jeep safari
🏠

Maharaja Cottage
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Maharaja Package cottage
🦅

Peacock
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Peacocks near the lodge
Property at a glance
Operated by
Jungle Lodges & Resorts
Govt. of Karnataka
Distance
220 km Bengaluru
80 km Mysuru
Nearest Railway
Mysuru Junction
80 km away
Nearest Airport
Mysuru Airport
~85 km away
Check-in / out
12 noon / 11 AM
Season
Year-round
Peak: Oct–May
Starts from
₹4,214
Food & Stay (no safari)
Night driving ban
9 PM – 6 AM
Plan arrivals before 9 PM

Our Perspective

Our perspective on this property

Bandipur Safari Lodge is the gateway to one of India’s finest tiger reserves — and it carries a historical weight that few wildlife resorts in South India can match. Once the private hunting grounds of the Maharaja of Mysore, Bandipur is now one of thirty tiger reserves under Project Tiger. Part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve — the largest protected forest complex in South India.

What makes this property practically valuable is its position — right at the reserve boundary with minimal travel to the forest, and two jeep safaris included in the main packages. Peacocks and deer are seen near the lodge itself. The Maharaja cottages are spacious with a private balcony and green views — the best rooms at this property.

A key note for guests comparing with Kabini: the Bandipur-Ooty highway has a night driving ban between 9 PM and 6 AM. Plan your arrival before 9 PM. For 2-night stays, JLR arranges a complimentary visit to Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta — a beautiful mountain temple worth the detour.

Call us and we will help you choose the right package and plan your timing correctly.

🐇

Tiger sighting
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Tiger sighting — Bandipur Tiger Reserve
🐘

Elephant herd
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Elephant herd in Bandipur
🦅

Peacock display
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Peacocks near the lodge

🔍 Jeep safari · 🐘 Elephant country · 🦅 Peacocks at the lodge

Packages & Accommodation

Standard
Viceroy Package
₹7,665 per person · subject to change
Elegant room · No AC by design · Forest views · Comfortable twin bed
  • Stay in Viceroy Room
  • Food — Lunch, Dinner & Breakfast
  • 2 Jeep Safaris into Bandipur Tiger Reserve
  • Forest Entry Charges
  • GST 18% included
Good value for guests who prioritise safari time over room size. Same forest access and naturalists as the Maharaja Package.
Food & Stay
Deluxe Room
₹4,214 per person · subject to change
Accommodation · All meals included · Safari NOT included
  • Stay in selected accommodation
  • Food — Lunch, Dinner & Breakfast
  • Safari available separately at extra cost (subject to availability)
  • GST 18% included
Suited for guests combining Bandipur with Ooty or Mysore who may not require a safari, or those who have pre-booked Forest Department safari separately.
  • Tariff is per person per night on twin-sharing basis
  • Single occupancy: 30% extra above twin-sharing rate
  • Children below 5 years: complimentary  |  Children 5–12 years: 50% of adult tariff
  • 21st to 31st December: supplement charges applicable
  • Camera & lens entry fees charged separately by Forest Department
  • Transfers to and from resort are not included in tariff
  • Night driving ban on Mysore-Ooty highway: 9 PM to 6 AM. Plan arrivals accordingly
  • 2-night stay: complimentary Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta temple visit arranged by JLR
Tariff is dynamic and subject to change without prior notice. Call Padaki Travel Desk at +91 97315 56663 for current rates before booking.
🍼

Gol Ghar dining
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Gol Ghar — buffet dining at Bandipur
🏛

Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta
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Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta — complimentary for 2-night stays

🍼 Gol Ghar dining · 🏛 Gopalaswamy temple visit

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Best Time to Visit

🏖
October – February
Ideal Season

Pleasant weather. Consistent elephant, gaur and deer sightings. Post-monsoon green forest. Good bird watching. December supplement charges 21st–31st. Book 4–6 weeks ahead.

Best overall
☀️
March – May
Peak Wildlife Season

Water sources reduce. Animals concentrate at waterholes. Highest tiger, leopard and large elephant herd sighting probability. Hot but rewarding.

Best for big cats
🌧️
June – September
Monsoon Season

Forest is lush and atmospheric. Wildlife sightings harder. Generally lower tariff. Good for forest lovers. Mysore-Ooty highway night ban still applies.

Nature & photography

Who Should Book This

Wildlife Enthusiasts

Open jeep safaris, expert naturalists, right at the reserve boundary. 2 nights = 4 safaris. Highest value JLR property for safari-focused guests near Bengaluru.

Bengaluru & Mysuru Weekenders

220 km from Bengaluru, 80 km from Mysuru. Friday night departure, 2 nights, Sunday return — a complete wildlife weekend from either city.

Families with Children

Peacocks and deer near the lodge itself. Jeep safaris safe for older children. Evening wildlife documentary. Children below 5 complimentary.

Mysore-Ooty Travellers

Bandipur sits between Mysuru and Ooty on the same highway. A natural 1–2 night addition to either destination. Himavad Gopalaswamy temple visit for 2-night stays.

Kabini-Bandipur Combination

Kabini River Lodge is 80 km away on the same road. 2 nights Kabini + 2 nights Bandipur covers Karnataka’s two premier tiger reserves in one trip. Call us to plan.

🌟

Campfire evening
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Campfire — evenings at Bandipur Safari Lodge
🐇

Wildlife safari
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Safari into Bandipur Tiger Reserve

🌟 Campfire evenings · 🐇 Safari into Bandipur

Combine with These JLR Properties

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Bandipur Safari Lodge?
Bandipur Safari Lodge is a wildlife eco-resort operated by Jungle Lodges & Resorts Ltd, Government of Karnataka, at the foothills of the Nilgiris on the Mysore-Ooty highway. It is adjacent to Bandipur Tiger Reserve and approximately 200 metres from the reserve entry gate. Offers Maharaja Package, Viceroy Package and Deluxe Room. Price starts from Rs 4,214 per person, subject to change.
What is the difference between Maharaja and Viceroy packages at Bandipur?
Maharaja Package: spacious red-brick cottages with private balcony, TV and Deewan sofa — the premium option. Viceroy Package: elegant rooms without private balcony but same comfortable amenities. Both include 2 jeep safaris, all meals, forest entry charges and GST 18%. No AC in either room type by design.
Is there a night driving ban near Bandipur?
Yes. The Mysore-Ooty national highway through Bandipur has a strict night driving ban — no vehicle movement between 9 PM and 6 AM. This protects nocturnal wildlife crossing the highway. Plan your arrival at Bandipur Safari Lodge before 9 PM and departures after 6 AM.
How far is Bandipur Safari Lodge from Bangalore?
220 km from Bengaluru — approximately 4 to 4.5 hours via Mysuru. Take the Bengaluru-Mysuru expressway (2.5 hours), then continue on the Mysuru-Ooty highway to Bandipur (1.5 hours). Nearest railway station is Mysuru Junction, 80 km away.
What wildlife can be seen at Bandipur?
Bandipur Tiger Reserve is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Commonly sighted: tigers, leopards, Asian elephants in large herds, Indian gaur, dholes (wild dogs), spotted deer, sambar, barking deer, sloth bears, mongoose, peacocks and 200+ bird species. Peacocks are seen near the lodge itself. Tiger sightings occur but are always a matter of chance in any forest.
What is the best time to visit Bandipur?
October to May overall. October to February: pleasant weather, consistent wildlife sightings, excellent for bird watching. March to May: highest tiger and large elephant herd sighting probability as water sources dry. June to September: monsoon — lush forest but wildlife sightings harder. The night driving ban applies year-round.
What is included with a 2-night stay at Bandipur?
A 2-night stay with the Maharaja or Viceroy Package gives you 4 jeep safaris (2 morning and 2 evening). JLR also arranges a complimentary visit to Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta for 2-night stays — an ancient mountain-top temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, approximately 10 AM, with panoramic views over the Nilgiris.
Can I combine Bandipur with Kabini River Lodge?
Yes — Kabini River Lodge is 80 km from Bandipur on the same Mysore-Ooty road. Both are in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. A 2-night Kabini plus 2-night Bandipur combination covers Karnataka’s two premier wildlife destinations in one trip. Call Padaki Travel Desk and we will plan the complete itinerary.
Is Bandipur Safari Lodge good for families?
Yes. Peacocks and deer are regularly seen near the lodge before the safari. Jeep safaris are safe and exciting for older children. Evening wildlife documentary is educational. Children below 5 complimentary. Children 5 to 12 at 50% tariff. Maharaja cottages are spacious enough for families.
How do I book Bandipur Safari Lodge?
Call or WhatsApp Padaki Travel Desk at +91 97315 56663 or email muralidhar@karnatakatravelguide.in. We book at official JLR rates. Advance booking of 3 to 4 weeks recommended. For long weekends and school holidays, book 6 to 8 weeks ahead.

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