Bannerghatta NP

Full dayBest: Oct–FebForests#safari#zoo#family

Safari park with zoo and butterfly park

Why this weekend?

Lion & tiger safariButterfly parkTrekking trails

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The day-by-day plan

Day 1 · The ark
- Gate at opening — safari first
- Zoo and elephant court
- Lunch at the park cafés
- Butterfly park + forest trail
- Return by evening

Geography & terrain

Bannerghatta National Park spreads over 104 km² of hill-and-scrub forest on Bengaluru's southeastern fringe — a dry scrub-to-deciduous crib of the Deccan plateau, 22 km from the city centre, anchored by the Bannerghatta Biological Park's zoo, safari and rescue enclosures.

History & culture

Declared a national park in 1974, Bannerghatta has become the city's living ark — with the biological park's safari (lion, tiger, bear and herbivore runs), the zoo, the butterfly park and wildlife rescue work growing since the 2000s. The reserve itself still holds wild elephants and leopards.

Where to stay

Budget

₹1,500–3,500/night

Mid-range

₹3,500–7,000/night

Comfort

₹7,000+/night

Things to do

Big-cat safari
Herbivore grounds
Butterfly park
Rescue zoo
Forest towers

Eat & drink

Bisi bele bath
Ragi mudde
Mysore masala dosa
Coorg pandi curry
Mangalorean fish curry

Getting there

Fly: Bengaluru (BLR) / Mangaluru (IXE) / Hubballi (HBX)
Train: Bengaluru City / Mysuru / Mangaluru junctions
Road from Bengaluru: varies by district — 50–500 km
Getting around: Autos, metro in Bengaluru, KSRTC buses

Budget snapshot

Total: ₹10,000–18,000 (2 days)
Per day · Stay: ₹1,500–7,000/night
Per day · Food: ₹600–1,000
Per day · Transport: ₹1,200–1,600
Per day · Activities: ₹2,500–2,900

Month by month

Jan · Best: 20–31°C · None rain
Feb · Best: 21–33°C · None rain
Mar · Hot: 23–35°C · None rain
Apr · Hot: 25–36°C · Moderate rain
May · Pre-monsoon: 26–35°C · Moderate rain
Jun · Monsoon: 24–32°C · Heavy rain
Jul · Monsoon: 23–31°C · Heavy rain
Aug · Monsoon: 23–31°C · Heavy rain
Sep · Monsoon tail: 24–32°C · Heavy rain
Oct · Good: 24–33°C · Moderate rain
Nov · Best: 22–32°C · Light rain
Dec · Best: 20–31°C · None rain

Practical info

Language: Kannada (English understood in tourist spots)
Best window: Oct–Feb
Connectivity: good 4G in towns
UPI/cards widely accepted; keep small cash for hill and market stops

Practical tips

Weekends are crowded — arrive at opening
Book safari slots online
Respect the no-feed, no-shout rules — the animals are rescue animals

Frequently asked questions

Is Bannerghatta a real 'wildlife' outing?

It is a mixed experience — a genuine reserve with a tamed safari-zoo face; ideal for families and day trippers.

Which day is best?

Weekday mornings; monsoon days are quieter still.

How much time?

A full day comfortably covers safari, zoo and butterfly park.