Bannerghatta Biological Park

Bannerghatta Biological Park lies on Bannerghatta Road, about 22 km south of central Bengaluru, in Karnataka, India. Established as a national park in 1974, it combines a zoo, a safari park, a butterfly park and a rescue centre in a forested area of the Eastern Ghats. Visitors can walk through the zoo, which houses a wide range of Indian and exotic animals, or join a jeep or bus safari through fenced areas holding lions, tigers, bears and herbivores such as deer and antelope. A butterfly park with a walk-through conservatory shows dozens of species, and a rescue centre houses elephants and bears taken from captivity or conflict situations. The park is open Wednesday to Monday, generally from about 9:30AM to 5:00PM, and is closed on Tuesdays. Safari timings vary and tickets are separate from zoo entry, so it is wise to confirm hours online or on arrival. A visit takes anywhere from half a day to a full day, depending on how many sections are covered. Weekday mornings are calmest, and the cooler months from November to February are the most comfortable for walking and safaris. Weekends, school holidays and public holidays are crowded, and safari queues can be long. The safari vehicle windows are covered with mesh, so photographers should use a lens hood or hold the camera close to the glass. Buses from Shantinagar and Jayanagar run to the park, and a cab takes about 45 to 90 minutes depending on traffic, so an early start is worthwhile. Food stalls near the entrance sell snacks, and visitors should carry water and sun protection. Bannerghatta also has a small temple and hills for those wanting to extend the outing.