Bannerghatta National Park, Bangalore 2024: ✔Timing, Entry Fee

Around 23 km from the city centre, Bannerghatta National Park is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Bengaluru. Its key attraction – Bengaluru Bannerghatta Biological Park (BBBP) – was carved out of the national park in 2004. This biological recreation centre enables tourists to get acquainted with the diverse flora and fauna inhabiting the hills of the Anekal range. The main attractions within the park include a zoo with 3D auditorium, safari, boating, wilderness tourism as well as India’s first butterfly park and fenced elephant sanctuary. It is also a popular hiking and trekking site, and is home to six rural villages and many ancient temples.

If you are planning a fun day out with your friends and family, scroll down to know more about Bannerghatta National Park in Bangalore, including timings, fees, things to do, nearby attractions, etc.

Bannerghatta National Park Information:

Bannerghatta National Park, Bangalore: Flora and Fauna

The 12 Ha area of the zoo is presently home to 1941 exotic and indigenous animals of 94 species, including panther, tiger, leopard, hog deer, elephant, bonnet macaque, bear, spotted deer, etc. With the ongoing expansion process, an additional 28 Ha will be added with eight new enclosures. The park also has a variety of plants and trees adorning its landscape including sandalwood, bamboo, eucalyptus, tamarind and neem.

Things to Do at Bannerghatta National Park, Bangalore:

• Educate yourself at the museum or spend time at the 3D auditorium within the zoo premises.
• Catch glimpses of the ‘flying jewels’ at India’s first butterfly park, which was opened to the public in 2007. The highlights of this 7.5-acre park are its domed shaped conservatory with a landscaped garden, museum, and multi-media centre. While walking down the kilometre-long butterfly trail, you can see many of the 48 species of butterflies living in this park.
• Book your preferred caged vehicle (jeep or bus) for the jungle safari to see wild animals in their natural habitat in Ragihalli Reserve Forest of this national park. Along with the popular Lion Safari and Tiger Safari, you can even opt for Herbivore Safari and Bear Safari.
• Get up close with the free-roaming gigantic elephants at India’s first fenced forested elephant sanctuary. The PETA India sponsored 122-acre sanctuary was designed by elephant expert Carol Buckley.
• Admire the rare species of flora of the park that can be categorised as dry deciduous scrub forest, southern tropical dry deciduous forest, and southern tropical moist mixed forest.
• Boating in pedal or row boat in Kavalkere, which is located within the premises of the zoo.
• Learn how animals are conserved and protected at the rescue centre of Bannerghatta National Park.
• Go on trekking and hiking expeditions as this place is a popular destination for these thrilling activities. Suvarnamukhi Hills is particularly popular among trekkers and hikers for its many natural trails.
• Test your photography skills by capturing amazing pictures at the park, which is considered to be a photographer’s paradise.

Things to Remember while visiting Bannerghatta National Park, Bangalore

• Although it is a year-round destination, the best time to visit Bannerghatta National Park is between October and June. During this time, the weather is cool and perfect to witness wilderness in its full bloom.
• Do not feed animals or pluck plants/flowers.
• Wear clothes that are neutral in shade so that these blend with the environs of the park. Make sure to avoid bright coloured clothes.
• Wear comfortable shoes as you need to walk a lot around the park.
• Carry a backpack to keep essential items like water bottle, sunscreen, hat, raingear, etc. Keep food items and liquids secure to avoid getting attacked by roaming monkeys. Do not carry single-use plastic items as these are not allowed inside the zoo.
• The park discourages eatables inside the premises and hence, it has set up three on-site restaurants: JLR Hill View (inside the zoo) & KSTDC Vanashree Mayura and BMTC Annapurna (outside the zoo) for visitors.
• Try to reach early so that you can avail the facility of battery-operated vehicles as these are limited and available on a first-come-first-serve basis. Also, safari tickets are limited and sell like hot cakes.
• Several amenities are available for the comfort of visitors, including battery operated vehicles, cloakroom, restaurants, hotels, jungle lodges, library, baby care unit, parking space, restrooms, and drinking water, among others. In addition, the park boasts of a rescue centre, vet care, adoption scheme, etc. for the welfare of animals.

Places to see near Bannerghatta National Park, Bangalore

• Begur Fort (12 km)
• Thottikallu Falls (14.2 km)
• Ragigudda Sri Prasanna Anjaneyaswamy Temple (15.1 km)
• BTM Lake (15.9 km)
• Turahalli Forest (18.3 km)
• Lalbagh Botanical Garden (19.5 km)
• Bull Temple (21.3 km)
• Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace (20.9 km)
• Cubbon Park (22.8 km)

Bannerghatta National Park is one of the best places to explore ecological, wildlife and geographical diversity of the region. It is the perfect place for a fun outing with loved ones in Bangalore.