A full fledged road trip to the jungles seem too tedious with the ongoing water crisis, yet feeling the nature bug calling out? Well, how about meeting the denizens of Bannerghatta this weekend? The Bannerghatta Biological Park in Bengaluru was established in the year 2004 and continues to enthral visitors with its diverse residents.

　　Bannerghatta National Park complements and strengthens national efforts in ex-situ conservation, particularly focused on preserving the country's rich biodiversity, especially its fauna. The park supports the conservation of endangered species by facilitating coordinated breeding in ex-situ conditions, offering a lifeline to species with no chance of survival in the wild. It aims to raise stocks for potential rehabilitation into the wild when appropriate. Additionally, the park strives to inspire empathy among zoo visitors towards wild animals, fostering understanding of the importance of conserving natural resources and maintaining ecological balance. It also provides opportunities for scientific studies, research, and documentation on conservation efforts, facilitating the creation of a shared database for authorities involved in both in-situ and ex-situ conservation initiatives.

　　Spread over an area of 730 hectares, the Bannerghatta Biological Park was carved out of the Bannerghatta National Park in 2004. While entry to the core zones of the Bannerghatta National Park is restricted, the forest department has rehabilitated lions and tigers at the biological park adjoining the national park. Taking a safari to spot the wild cats in a setting that's almost similar to their natural habitat, is the highlight of the Bannerghatta experience. A ticket for the Safari Combo gives you access to the safaris, the zoo and the Butterfly Park.

　　The Safaris

　　Embarking on this thrilling expedition through the natural forests of Bannerghatta and observing the wild beasts up close in their natural habitat is the most special part. On offer are the Lion Safari, Tiger Safari and Bear Safari. The sheer excitement of trying to spot a tiger in the jungle with tiger calls maybe missing from the Bannerghatta experience, but that doesn't mean it's any less exciting. The best part, in fact, is that you can focus on appreciating the sheer majesty of the striped beasts instead of spending most of your time struggling to spot one. At present, there are 26 tigers (15 male and 11 female) that you can spot during the Tiger Safari.

　　The Lion Safari is the most thrilling. After all, you don't get to meet the king of the jungle every day. The biological park is home to many lions but there's no guarantee that you'll get to spot all of them. The identified groups of animals are allowed into a safari area on a rotational basis for the benefit of visitors. When done marvelling at the wild cats, you will be taken for the Bear Safari, which completes your safari experience.

　　The Butterfly Park

　　Possibly the first-of-its-kind park in India, the Butterfly Park was made open to public in 2007 and since then, zoological parks across the country have been trying to replicate the model. According to a study, 48 species of butterflies have been recorded at the Bannerghatta Biological Park. The "butterfly trail" established over a five-acre garden leads you to an innovatively designed dome structure that houses a conservatory, a museum and a multi-media center.

　　The Zoo

　　The Zoo at Bannerghatta had modest beginnings when it was started as a picnic spot for the people of Bengaluru in 1971. Today, 1941 animals belonging to 94 species are housed in this zoo that saddles between the Champakadhama hill and Mirza hill in the Bannerghatta Sandal Reserve. A variety of mammals, reptiles and birds of both exotic and Indian origin can be seen at the zoo in Bannerghatta Biological Park. Most prominent among these are Thamin deer, Hog deer, King Cobra, Crocodiles, Himalayan black bear, Panthers and various birds.

　　A visit to the zoo at Bannerghatta is a sheer delight for birdwatchers. The zoo is home to a whopping 271 species of birds, which include 9 globally threatened species. From Grey Francolins and Red Spurfowls to Crested Treeswifts, Common Moorhens and Painted Storks, the list is really endless.

　　The Information

　　Adopting a paperless booking system, the park has introduced digital ticketing online. From March 3rd 2024, visitors planning to visit the Zoo, Safari and Butterfly Park can book their tickets in advance through our user-friendly ticketing system on WhatsApp. Their tickets will be sent to the visitor’s Whatsapp number as well as their Email ID, which will be scanned and validated at the park entrance. Tickets are available online here. Alternatively, tickets can be booked by sending “Hi” to +91 9035092794 on WhatsApp

　　Types of tickets available

　　Non AC Jeep Safari Combo (Zoo+Safari+ButterflyPark+Camera)

　　Non AC Bus Safari Combo (Safari+Zoo)

　　AC Bus Safari Combo(Zoo+Safari+ButterflyPark+Camera)

　　See more details and tariffs here.