Bannerghatta National Park

Plan your Bannerghatta visit

A little planning makes a noticeable difference. The official park information lists Tuesday as the weekly holiday. On regular visiting days, the zoo and butterfly park are listed from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM; the safari is listed from 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Safari tickets are limited, so make the safari your first priority if it is the reason for your visit.

History and conservation setting

Bannerghatta’s visitor facilities began in 1971, while the surrounding forest was notified as Bannerghatta National Park in 1974. In 2004, Bannerghatta Biological Park was formally carved out as a separately administered public facility. Today it brings together the zoo, safari, butterfly park and off-display rescue centre beside the larger protected forest landscape.

The Biological Park sits at the northern edge of the Mysore Elephant Reserve and uses its public facilities for conservation education, research, breeding and animal care. This is why the zoo and safari are structured visitor experiences rather than open access to the national park.

What to see at Bannerghatta

The visit has several distinct parts. Choose the combination that fits your time rather than trying to rush through everything late in the day.

Safari: the signature experience

Park-operated buses and jeeps take visitors through designated safari sections, with separate areas for animals such as herbivores, bears, lions, leopards and tigers. The setting is designed for viewing from a protected vehicle. Sightings and the precise route vary by operations, weather and animal care needs, so treat any particular animal as a possibility rather than a guarantee.

Want to know how the route is arranged and what each section is designed to show? Read our complete guide to the Bannerghatta safari.

Zoo: a shaded walking circuit

The zoo adds a slower, on-foot part to the visit, with mammals, birds and reptiles. Wear comfortable shoes: the park advises visitors to expect roughly two to three kilometres of walking. This is the better component for people who want time to read interpretation, pause with children or move at their own pace.

Butterfly Park: worth adding if you have time

Opened in 2007, the 7.5-acre Butterfly Park is a garden, conservatory, museum and research-and-breeding centre rather than simply an exhibit. Its one-kilometre trail, planted with host and nectar species, leads to a three-domed complex with a polycarbonate-roofed conservatory, museum and audio-visual centre.

The conservatory is a landscaped tropical garden where butterflies and moths reared in-house are released for viewing. The museum and films, available in English and Kannada, explain their life cycles; the off-display laboratory, nursery and host-plant garden support captive breeding and research. Look out for the small insectarium too. It is especially good for families and first-time visitors, but activity changes with season and conditions.

Why the conservation context matters

Bannerghatta is more than a city zoo. The Biological Park is part of the wider Bannerghatta landscape and includes conservation, breeding, veterinary and rescue work; the rescue-centre side is not a general visitor attraction. Understanding that distinction helps set fair expectations: this is a structured public experience that supports education and animal care alongside recreation.

A sensible visit order

1. Arrive close to 9:30 AM: have breakfast before leaving and check your ticket type and safari availability as soon as you arrive.
2. Do the safari first: it begins later than the zoo, has limited capacity and is the part most likely to feel rushed if left until afternoon.
3. Walk the zoo next: allow time for its two-to-three-kilometre circuit, with a water and rest break if needed.
4. Finish with the Butterfly Park: it is a gentler final stop and works well after lunch or a short break.

If you arrive after 2 PM, choose the safari and one other attraction instead of trying to complete the entire complex before closing.

How to reach Bannerghatta National Park

The visitor entrance is on the Bannerghatta Road corridor in south Bengaluru, near Bannerghatta, Karnataka 560083. A cab or private vehicle is the simplest option for many visitors; BMTC buses also serve the Bannerghatta Road corridor. Journey time is governed more by Bengaluru traffic than map distance, so avoid scheduling a tight appointment immediately before or after your visit.

• By car or cab: Uber and Ola are straightforward options. Use the Biological Park as the map destination, not a generic national-park pin. Expect weekend congestion closer to the entrance and arrive early for easier parking.
• By bus: the following services are useful starting points. Confirm the live route, stop and final walking or auto-rickshaw leg before travelling; BMTC services can change.
• With children or older travellers: decide in advance whether you will do safari, zoo and butterfly park. A shorter, unhurried visit is usually better than attempting every section in the afternoon heat.

For more route information, see the park’s official directions page.

Practical advice for a better day

• Book or check availability early. The park says safari tickets are limited.
• Wear walking shoes, carry a refillable water bottle, hat and rain layer in monsoon season.
• Single-use plastic is not permitted inside the zoo. Keep food and liquids secured in reusable containers; free-ranging monkeys can be quick.
• Keep noise low, follow staff instructions and do not use flash where restrictions apply. Animal welfare and safety come before a close photo.
• For the most comfortable outdoor walk, October to February is generally the easier season. Monsoon visits are greener but can be wet; April and May can feel hot.

Bannerghatta National Park FAQs