Bannerghatta National Park was established in 1974.
You can find everything from avifauna to panthers in the Bannerghatta National Park . The 25,000 acre park is home to panthers, lions, tigers and a large variety of birds. Indulge in your sense of adventure with a Lion and Tiger safari or a Grand Safari(covering herbivores and big cats). Wander through the Zoological Garden, with its canopy of shady and sturdy trees, find a quiet resting spot beside a pond and watch the waterfowl frolic. The zoo boasts an amazing reptile collection; a snake park lets you get up close and personal with the scaly, slithery creatures. A children's corner provides an added attraction. Trekking enthusiasts will enjoy Uddigebande (3.5 km) a natural rock formation called Hajjamana Kallu (3 km) and Mirza Hill (1.5 km)
Covering an area of 104.27 sq km, including ten reserve forests of Anekal Range of the Bangalore Forest Division, the scenic hills are dotted with many ancient temples.
The beautiful Suvarnamukhi stream running through the park, originates in the Suvarnamukhi hills. These hills spread out to a huge rock, about a kilometre long. The Champaka Dharna Swamy temple built in the Dravidian style of the Hoysala age, lies at the foot of the rock. The temple enshrines an image of Vishnu with his consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi. The Suvarnamukhi hill also houses a small shrine dedicated to Narasimha, and two km away is the Suvarnamukhi pond. The waters of this pond are believed to have curative powers.
A trip to Bannerghata National Park is truly an unforgettable experience for nature, history, botany and wildlife buffs.
Fauna:Elephant,lion,Bengal tiger,white tiger,panther,bear,bison,spotted deer,birds,butterflies
Infact, the entry fee is determined based on what you opt for, only Zoo park or Zoo park + mini safari or Zoo park + Grand safari, etc and also on the day of the week/holidays.The visit fees are slightly higher on weekends/holidays compared to those on week days. The holidays include weekends, national holidays and the whole month of May. The park remains closed on Tuesday.
For Indians, following is the fee structure:
Zoo Park + Grand Safari(Tiger+Lion+Bear+Bison/Deer) : Rs.100 (Rs 125 on holidays/weekends)
Zoo Park + Mini Safari(Tiger+Lion) : Rs.75 (Rs 90 on holidays/weekends)
Butterfly Park : Rs.20
The visitors are allowed to view the forest area only in the 'safari' (joy ride) buses and are not allowed to get off the bus whatsoever. The Bannerghatta National Park also boasts of a zoo where reptiles, birds and amphibians are looked after in cages. Animals which are feared from endangerment like Cheetahs, Leopards, Hyenas and Panthers are looked after here in cages.
One can get to look at Rhinoceros, Elephants, Zebras, Porcupines also in the zoo area. Visitors are also lucky to find Chipmunks (American brown squirrel) which are very rare in India.
Then wait in queue to get inside the green mini-buses meant for safari.
Grand Safari is 16km(to&fro) while Tiger&Lion Safari is 11km(to&fro).
Complete the Safari and get down at Butterfly Park on return way.
Check out the Butterfly Conservatory which houses around 20 species of butterflies,housed in the tropical environmental setting,complete with plants,shrubs and a waterfall.
After that,watch the beautiful exhibits of carefully preserved,exquisitely colored butterflies and moths.
Walk towards the Zoo Park and check out the caged animals and birds as well as the reptiles and snakes inside the zoo compound.
You can buy CDs featuring the butterflies of India,from the Butterfly Park .
If you are going on a weekday, the stalls inside the Zoo do not serve great varieties of food, so better you carry some food with you. Weekends no problem.
You can get carbonated beverages as well as packaged juices inside the zoo park.
Do not put your hands out of the mini-bus while on safari.
Do not try to feed wild animals or birds kept in cages.
If you are using public transport,catch BMTC bus no. 365 or V365(Volvo A/c).