Looking for an unforgettable holiday in India? You could not ask for a better starting point than Bangalore! This vibrant city is not just about tech and coffee… this is a jumping-off point for some of the most beautiful national parks in India.
If you are a wildlife enthusiast or simply love nature in all its forms, you will likely be pleasantly surprised. There is something majestic about witnessing animals in their natural habitat. And while safari experiences are exceptional, there is more. You can trek through beautiful trails, camp under the stars and experience the untouched wild beauty. It might be a trip with family or with your friends; however, the parks we have compiled below are guaranteed to offer epic adventures. So, are you ready to escape the hustle and bustle? Pack your bags and get ready to explore the wild!
List of Best 8 National Parks near Bangalore
Bangalore is known for its IT parks, but only a short drive away, you will find misty mountains, dense forests and a wildlife experience that you will never forget. From experiencing ever-popular tiger reserves to observing some of the rarest of birds, you will find something somewhere for every explorer. Here is the ultimate list:
1. Bannerghatta National Park
Just 22 km from Bangalore, Bannerghatta is a rapid nature fix for city folks. Officially a national park since 1978, the lush green area covers not only a wildlife sanctuary but is also a bewitching nature getaway covering 25,000 acres! With a zoo, butterfly park, and safari rides, it’s a family or solo getaway blast.
Wander through thick forests, spot exotic animals, and take some Instagrammable photos. If you’d like to get away from the craziness of Bangalore, consider Bannerghatta as an escape.
Location: Bannerghatta Biological Park, Bangalore, Karnataka
Distance from Bangalore: 22 km
2. Mudumalai National Park
Set in the Nilgiri Hills, Mudumalai is at the tri-junction of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. It is also a tiger reserve, spanning 321 sq km, home to Bengal tigers, leopards, and many rare birds, including the white-rumped vulture.
You can take a jeep safari or a guided nature walk. The landscapes will blow your mind. And if your soul craves raw, untamed wilderness, Mudumalai will provide that opportunity.
Location: Northwestern Nilgiri Hills, Tamil Nadu
Distance from Bangalore: 231 km
3. Kudremukh National Park
Located in the Chikmagalur District and taking up an area of 600.32 sq. km, Kudremukh National Park is huge and is the second largest protected area for wildlife inclusion in the last of the Western Ghats. The rolling hills and cloudy valleys must have given Kudremukh that name (Kudremukh means “horse face” in Kannada).
With its pending UNESCO World Heritage Site status, the park is a biodiversity hotspot and has rich evergreen forest, clear mountain streams and abundant wildlife. Trekking through the park you may be fortunate to see tigers, leopards, sloth bears, langurs and numerous birds (including rare sightings of the Malabar Trogon, Great Hornbill and Imperial Pigeon).
Location: Mudigere Taluk, Chikmagalur, Karnataka
Distance from Bangalore: 350 km
4. Bandipur National Park
Bandipur National Park was formerly the hunting grounds for the Royal Mysore Maharajas. Bandipur is one of the best tiger reserves under Project Tiger. Bandipur is also located near the 204 km distance marker from Bangalore. Bandipur has an area of 874 sq.km and is home to a wealth of wildlife, from elephants to leopards.
You can go on-site safari through the forests, enjoy the pristine forest scenery, and be engulfed in nature itself. Bandipur National Park leads the way with its conservation practices as one of the most well-maintained parks in southern India.
Location: NH 67, Chamarajanagar District, Karnataka
Distance from Bangalore: 204 km
5. Nagarhole National Park
Nagarhole is approximately 236 km from Bangalore and a paradise for wildlife lovers! Originally a sanctuary (1955), the area conveniently became a national park in 1988. Think dense forests, flowing rivers and an amazing jeep safari!
Keep your eyes open for tigers, elephants and many rare birds. This place is a photographer’s dream and one of Karnataka’s best-kept secrets!
Location: Madikeri Road, Hunsur, Karnataka
Distance from Bangalore: 236 km
6. Guindy National Park
Located right in the heart of Chennai, Guindy National Park is an unexpected adventure waiting to happen as well as a bit of green space in the form of a national park that is only 8th in size in India and not as much decoration. I’d call what is labelled scrubland, lakes, and dense dense forest a bit of a mix, but for sure it offers a blend of spotted deer, blackbucks, and birds over 130.
A great option for a quick getaway and guaranteed wildlife spotting with nature walks and trekking trails; even try local wildlife spotting, but if nothing lets the park offer a chance to take home and remember your experience in the city, which is hard to forget! So whether you’re a solo adventurer dodging everyday city stress or a family looking for opportunities for new shared experiences, Guindy offers the wild life without the wilderness.
Location: Rangeguindy, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Distance from Bangalore: 350 km
7. Mukurthi National Park
Mukurthi is a nature reserve set in untouched natural beauty on the Nilgiri Plateau. It is known for its shola grasslands and the endemic Nilgiri tahr and is one of the world heritage sites of the Nilgiri (UNESCO) biosphere reserve.
Walk softly; you might see a sambar deer and hear the call of a tahr echo across the hills. Sunrise treks and sunset photography under the cool tropical winds here are pure magic.
Location: Bangi Thabal Guest House Rd, Padavayal, Kerala (Nilgiris)
Distance from Bangalore: 350 km
8. Anshi National Park
Set in Uttara Kannada, Karnataka, Anshi National Park covers over 250 square kilometres. Sure, it’s a bit of a trip to get there from Bangalore (509 km), but if you are looking to get lost in birdwatching or wildlife exploration, it’s worth the trip, as there are over 197 rare species of birds!
And we haven’t even started on the wildlife! The park is home to exotic wildlife: a black panther, tiger, elephant, and sloth bear! And if you like reptiles, then Anshi National Park has an incredible variety of snakes like cobras, king cobras, pythons, vipers, kraits and more.
There is something exhilarating about scrambling through dark forests to hear rare birds call, perhaps spotting rare predators, and just being in such a wild place is a wonderful feeling, and no experience can quite match it. The park is open 24/7, so your opportunities are only limited by your imagination and planning. Just prepare to enjoy an exhilarating, wild experience in breathtaking nature.
Location: North Kannada District, Near Dandeli, Karnataka
Distance from Bangalore: 509 km
Wrapping Up
Think again Bangalore has no national parks! Although the City itself is filled with technology and traffic, within a short drive you’ll discover unforgettable national parks full of wildlife where tigers stalk, elephants trumpet, and misty hills entice you in.
There are so many different parks with something special to explore, from the family-friendly experiences of Bannerghatta to the wilderness of Anshi National Park. Think about waking up to the call of a Malabar Trogon in Kudremukh, following paw prints like your party in Bandipur and standing with your mouth agape as a Nilgiri Tahr flies through the air at Mukurthi. Taking the regular day trips that we do to each of these parks can easily become extraordinary stories.
So why wait? Gather your binoculars, charge your camera, and let your curiosity be your guide. The wild does not call twice. Which park will you check off first? We would love to hear your tales— leave your stories, advice, or favorite experiences in the comments below!
Or if you’re planning your first safari, tell us which park has stolen your heart. Need recommendations? Just ask! Let’s inspire each other to wander deeper into the wild.
