Tread the path of the erstwhile Maharaja of Mysore with a visit to Bandipur, about 80km south of Mysore on the Mysore-Ooty Road. The reserve is a playground for wildlife, with elephants taking the lead role. Be prepared for an unforgettable experience - you might see a tiger prowling amidst the mix of deciduous, evergreen forest and scrubland vegetation. Set against the picturesque backdrop of the enchanting Niligiri mountains with its mist-covered peaks, Bandipur was once the Mysore Maharaja's private hunting ground. It was brought under Project Tiger in 1973. This is one of the best game sanctuaries in India to observe and photograph wildlife in close proximity. A temple perched atop Himad Gopalaswamy Hill, the highest peak in the Bandipur range, is worth a visit.

Chamarajanagar District; 874.2 sq km. Bandipur is flanked by Karnataka’s Rajiv Gandhi National Park (Nagarahole) to its northwest, Tamil Nadu’s Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary to its south, and Kerala’s Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary to its southwest. Together, these constitute the Niligiri Biosphere Reserve.