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The city of Mysore is surrounded by a number of tourist attractions. These excursion sites can be easily accessed from Mysore, Karnataka. A trip to Mysore will be incomplete without a trip to the nearby Bandipur National Park which is 80 kilometers from the historical city. After going around the palaces and gardens of Mysore, one should take out time from their itinerary to visit and unwind at these quite lush forests of Bandipur. Located on the Mysore-Ooty highway, the Bandipur National Park, Karnataka is one of the best wildlife reserves in the country. The National Park at Bandipur was originally set up in 1931 by the then Maharaja of Mysore. It became the southernmost tiger reserve in India in the year 1973. In the same year, the Park was also included in the list of the nine reserves established under Project Tiger. In 1974 the Wildlife reserve was officially declared as a National Park under the Wildlife Protection Act. Situated at the Western Ghat Mountain Ranges in the southern state of Karnataka, the National Park at Bandipur is gifted with moderate climate and varied ecological features. The Park houses a large selection of flora and fauna which in turn makes it an absolute paradise for the wild species. The Park boasts of a good network of roads that lead you into the heartland of the tiger reserve. The National Park in Bandipur also has a large variety of lodging facilities for visitors. While on a visit to the Bandipur National Park one can also stay at the Karnataka Forest Department run cottages. The facilities at these cottages are to suit the wild life traveler. Accommodation facilities at the Park also include a few privately managed cottages which are also very good. If one is not willing to pay the extra fee for staying at the wild life sanctuary, then one can find accommodation at Gundelpet, 20 kilometers from the National Park at Bandipur. If one wants to experience the true wildlife, then one should avail the safaris run by the Karnataka Forest Department. These wild life safaris are conducted with all safety precautions. Few of the wild life species that can be easily spotted at the Bandipur National Park, Karnataka are deer, antelope and elephants. If one is lucky then one can also see the kings of jungle – the Bengal Tigers. Though rarely seen the tigers are the pride of the Park and due to a fairly large concentration of Tigers in the park one has a fairly good chance of spotting this specie. If one is daring enough then one can opt for the group trekking organized by the forest department. Professionally trained guides are used for this. One can also take an elephant ride to reach the Gopalswamy Betta (Hill) which is the highest point on the sanctuary. A visit to Bandipur National Park will allow you to experience the wild life like never before. Whether one takes a safari ride or a ride on the elephant back, this excursion from Mysore will leave you wanting for more. The best time to visit the National Park at Bandipur is between the summer months of April and October. How to reach the Park: By Air: Bangalore is the nearest airport. It is 220 kilometers from Bandipur National Park. By Rail: Mysore at a distance of 80 kilometers By Road: Bangalore (220 kilometers); Mysore (80 kilometers); Ooty (80 kilometers) One can take the state run buses that connect the Park with all the above mentioned cities.
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