Bannerghatta National Park

Reaching there:
By Air: Bengaluru International Airport – 60 Km
By Rail: Bangalore – 25 Km
By Road: Bangalore – 25 Km



India's single largest population of Asian elephants lives a mere stone's throw away from Bangalore. Bannerghatta National Park is famous for its high density of elephants, and is a part of a vital animal corridor that stretches all the way to the Western Ghats, allowing animals to move freely between forests. The Park has both dry and moist deciduous forest types, with sandalwood trees, bamboo thickets and teak trees aplenty. Covering more than 104 sq.km, the Park's luxuriant forests are draped on rolling hills intersected by the Suvarnamukhi River and smaller streams. The hills, many dotted with ancient shrines, are interspersed with little lakes and water bodies. Apart from elephants, the Park is home to leopards, gaur, sloth bear, barking deer, and several small mammals. It is also a safe haven for more than 195 species of both water birds and woodland birds, many of which are endangered or threatened. The Park is an ideal destination for all those who hunger for closer communion with Nature.

Safari Ride
The highlight of most visits to Bannerghatta are the safari rides. An hour-long bus ride takes you through the forest where you can have the thrilling experience of getting close-up views of deer, bears, gaur, lions and resplendent tigers as they roam free.

Butterfly Park
India's first and only Butterfly Park occupies 7.5 acres in the National Park. A circular polycarbonate roof encloses a conservatory, where a beautiful, humid tropical environment has been created to support 20 species of butterflies. With a little stream, a small waterfall, several trees and thousands of vibrantly-coloured flowers, it is a visitor's delight. Adjacent to the conservatory is a museum with large, attractive posters offering nuggets of information on butterflies and interactive displays that are sure to interest young visitors.

The Zoo
A small section of the Park holds a zoo where you can see jaguars, bears, herbivores, reptiles, monkeys and several species of birds and small mammals, all in well-maintained enclosures. The Zoo's famous Snake Park is always a draw, especially for its king cobras. The Zoo makes good use of the naturally rugged terrain to create a pleasant, landscaped layout, full of quiet crannies with benches amidst rocks and huge trees. Animals vie for your attention in the boulder-strewn grounds.

Trekking
The Park's undulating landscape provides ample opportunities for trekking. Popular destinations include Hajjamana Kallu, Mirza Hill and Udagina Bande, which have spectacular views of lush green valleys and hills, and are good vantage points from which to observe elephant herds. Another trail leads to the archaeological site that has burial stones said to be thousands of years old.


Around Bannerghatta National Park
Champakadharmeswara Temple
The Champakadharmeswara Temple in Bannerghatta town, just outside the Park, dates from the 13th century and is known for the inscriptions found here.

Suvarnamukhi Falls
About 7 km from the Park, and hidden away amidst the trees, are the delightful Suvarnamukhi Falls, also called Thottikallu or TK Falls. Drink in the lush foliage, limpid pools and craggy rockfaces at this secluded spot, with only birds for company.

Pearl Valley
About 25 km from Bannerghatta National Park is the popular picnic area and waterfalls of Pearl Valley, so named because the sparkling stream resembles pearls as it plunges 300 ft into the valley below.



The Director, Department of Tourism # 49, Khanija Bhavan, Second Floor, Race Course Road, Bangalore -560 001, Karnataka, India. Ph: +91 80 22352828
Fax: +91 80 22352626 Email: [email protected], www.karnatakatourism.org


For further information, contact:
KSTDC Badami House, Opp. City Corporation, N.R. Square, Bangalore
Ph: 080-22222400, 22275883, 22275869

Karnataka Tourism House, No. 8, Papanna Lane, St. Mark's Road, Bangalore
Ph: 080-41329211

Tourist Information Centre, Department of Tourism, Bangalore City Railway Station, Bangalore Ph: 080-22870068

KSTDC Kempegowda Bus Station Counter Ph: 080-22356246

Tourist Information Centre, Department of Tourism, Bengaluru International
Airport

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