Bandipur Safari Booking Online 2026 — Timings, Ticket Price & How to Book

Bandipur National Park is one of South India's most iconic wildlife destinations — a Project Tiger reserve teeming with elephants, leopards, gaur, and abundant birdlife. This complete guide covers everything you need to know: how to book Bandipur safari online, exact safari timings, ticket prices for 2026, the best season to visit, and how to reach Bandipur from Bangalore by cab.

About Bandipur National Park

Bandipur National Park spans over 872 sq km in the Chamarajanagar district of Karnataka, bordering Tamil Nadu. It forms a crucial part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve along with Nagarhole, Mudumalai, and Wayanad. Declared a Project Tiger reserve in 1974, Bandipur has one of the highest tiger densities in India.

The park sits at an altitude of 780–1,455 metres, with a mix of dry deciduous, moist deciduous, and grassland habitats. The landscape is dramatic — rolling hills, dense forest corridors, and open meadows that make wildlife sightings especially rewarding.

Bandipur Safari Timings 2026

Bandipur National Park conducts safari in two slots every day. Both morning and evening safaris last exactly 2 hours. Arrive at the gate at least 30 minutes before the safari start time — latecomers are not allowed entry once the safari departs.

Bandipur Safari Ticket Price 2026

Bandipur Tiger Reserve offers two safari vehicle types — Bus (Canter) for a budget-friendly group experience, and Camper for a more premium, enclosed wildlife viewing vehicle. Both follow fixed safari routes inside the reserve. Prices below are per person for Indian nationals and include both the safari fee and the park entry fee:

Bus vs Camper Safari — Which Should You Choose?

Bus Safari (₹650/person) uses a large canter vehicle seating a bigger group of visitors. It covers the main safari zone at a steady pace along a fixed route. Best for budget travellers, families, and those visiting Bandipur for the first time. Note: the vehicle type (Canter/Bus) may be assigned by park management based on availability and operational requirements.

Camper Safari (₹1,100/person) is a premium option with a smaller, more manoeuvrable enclosed vehicle. It offers a more intimate wildlife experience with better positioning for photography and a quieter, less crowded ride. Recommended for wildlife enthusiasts, photographers, and return visitors who want a superior sighting experience.

Best Season to Visit Bandipur — Open & Closed Months

Bandipur National Park is closed during monsoon (July, August, September) every year for forest conservation and animal breeding. The park operates in two open windows:

October to February is the absolute best time — the forest is lush and green after the monsoon, animals gather near waterholes, and the temperatures are pleasantly cool (15–25°C). March to May is also excellent for tiger sightings as water sources dry up, pushing animals to predictable locations.

How to Book Bandipur Safari Online — Step by Step

The official online booking portal for Bandipur safari is run by the Bandipur Tiger Conservation Foundation. Online booking is the only reliable way to secure your preferred slot — morning Bus and Camper safaris fill up quickly during the October to February peak season. Follow these steps:

1. 1
   Visit the Official Booking Portal Go to bandipurtr.in/booking — the official Bandipur Tiger Conservation Foundation booking portal. You may need to log in or register first at bandipurtr.in/login. Avoid all third-party booking sites.
2. 2
   Select Your Date Pick your preferred visit date from the calendar. The portal shows how many days are currently available for booking. Slots open in advance — check the availability indicator on the date selector.
3. 3
   Choose Vehicle Type & Time Slot Select your vehicle — Bus (₹650/person) or Camper (₹1,100/person). Then choose your time slot: Morning Bus 6:30–9:00 AM or Evening Bus 3:30–6:00 PM. Check which slots have availability shown on screen.
4. 4
   Enter Passenger Details Enter the name, age, and government photo ID details for each visitor (Aadhaar, Voter ID, or Passport). Double-check all names — corrections are not possible after payment. Individuals who do not carry the ID mentioned during booking will have their booking cancelled at the entry gate without refund.
5. 5
   Review Booking Summary & Pay Confirm your Booking Summary — it shows Safari Fee + Entry Fee separately before payment. Pay online via UPI, debit/credit card, or net banking. No refunds or cancellations are allowed once payment is confirmed. You will receive a booking confirmation — carry it to the park.
6. 6
   Book Your Cab from Bangalore Book a cab from Bangalore to Bandipur with Saraswathi Car Rentals — available from ₹4,499 for a Dzire. WhatsApp +91 82172 63864 for instant confirmation. Depart early enough to reach by 6:00 AM for the morning safari.

How to Reach Bandipur from Bangalore

Bandipur National Park is located approximately 220 km from Bangalore via Mysore (NH275). The journey takes around 4 to 4.5 hours in normal traffic — making it an ideal weekend trip or day trip from Bangalore.

Why Book a Cab for Bandipur?

A private cab from Bangalore gives you the flexibility to time your departure perfectly for the morning or evening safari. You can stop in Mysore for breakfast or sightseeing on the way. Public buses are available but time-consuming and inflexible — especially if you have multiple safari slots or want to explore the surrounding area (Ooty, Coorg, Nagarhole).

Saraswathi Car Rentals provides comfortable, air-conditioned cabs from Bangalore to Bandipur at transparent fixed fares — with experienced drivers who know the Mysore–Bandipur highway well. No hidden charges, 24/7 service, and free cancellation up to 1 hour before departure.

Essential Tips for Bandipur Safari

• Wear muted, earthy colours — khaki, olive, beige. Avoid bright colours and white, as they disturb wildlife and make you conspicuous.
• No plastic inside the park — the Karnataka Forest Department has banned single-use plastic inside Bandipur. Carry a reusable water bottle.
• Maintain silence — noise scares away animals. The quieter the vehicle, the better the sightings.
• Binoculars are a must — many sightings are at a distance. A good pair of 8x42 binoculars dramatically improves the experience.
• Charge your phone and camera before leaving — no charging facilities inside the park.
• Book morning slots in advance — Bus and Camper morning safari slots in October to February fill up weeks ahead. Book online at bandipurtr.in as soon as your dates are confirmed.
• Combine with Ooty or Coorg — Bandipur is ideally located between Ooty (60 km) and Coorg (90 km). Consider extending your trip for 2–3 days.
• Night driving ban — vehicle movement on the NH766 highway through Bandipur is banned between 9:00 PM and 6:00 AM to protect wildlife. Plan your return accordingly.

Distance from Bandipur to Nearby Cities

Bandipur sits at a sweet crossroads of five major tourist destinations in South India — making it the ideal base or stopover for an extended trip. Here are the exact road distances and travel times from Bandipur to each city:

Best Multi-Destination Combinations with Bandipur

Bandipur works brilliantly as part of a longer South India circuit. Here are the most popular itineraries our passengers book:

• Bangalore → Mysore → Bandipur (2 nights) — Visit Mysore Palace on Day 1, check into a Bandipur resort, do morning and evening safaris on Day 2. Return Bangalore on Day 3.
• Bangalore → Bandipur → Ooty (3 nights) — Morning safari at Bandipur, then drive to Ooty (60 km via Masinagudi). Stunning ghat road. Explore Ooty for 2 days, return via Coimbatore or directly.
• Bangalore → Bandipur → Wayanad (3 nights) — Safari at Bandipur, then cross into Kerala's Wayanad (65 km). Ideal for those wanting both tiger country and lush Kerala hills in one trip.
• Bangalore → Mysore → Bandipur → Coorg (4 nights) — The classic South Karnataka grand circuit. Covers palace, wildlife, and coffee plantation country.
• Coimbatore → Bandipur (day trip) — 150 km, 3 hours. Easy morning safari day trip for Coimbatore residents. Return by afternoon to beat the night ban.

All these routes are available as cab packages with Saraswathi Car Rentals — one call, one driver, one fixed quote. WhatsApp us for a custom itinerary quote.

Where to Eat Near Bandipur — Best Restaurants & Dhabas

Bandipur National Park sits in a relatively remote area, so dining options inside the core zone are limited to resort restaurants. The nearest town with a good range of eating options is Gundlupet (12 km from the park gate) and Gudalur (20 km towards Ooty). Here are the best places to eat near Bandipur:

Frequently Asked Questions — Bandipur Safari