Bandipur Biligiri Rangana Betta (B.R.Hills) Bannerghatta Bangalore Bheemeshwari
Bandipur, Karnataka
Highlights: Halfway down the Mysore-Ooty highway, the Deccan Plateau rises to meet the wrinkled folds of the Western Ghat mountains. Here lies one of India's best-known wildlife reserves - Bandipur National Park. Bandipur National Park is now one of the tiger reserves in the country. It also forms a part of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, which is the one of the last refuges of endangered Asiatic wild elephants.
When to Go: Even though Bandipur is a preferred tourist destination the year round, the summer season from March to May is most appropriate for wildlife sighting as the forest is dry and visibility is high. During these months, the animals usually congregate near the limited waterholes and the heat forces even the rare animals out of their concealment. But for bird watchers, the winter months of November to January is also important, as the southern states receive a large number of migratory birds from the North, especially Himalayas. For trekking, the post-monsoon months before the hard summer are most suitable.
Biligiri Rangana Betta (B.R.Hills), Karnataka
Highlights: In the southern region of Karnataka lies Biligiri Rangana Temple Wildlife Sanctuary, just 90 km from the historic city of Mysore. Situated atop a range of hills known as Biligiri Rangana Betta, the sanctuary enjoys the scenic extravaganza of forest coupled with the pleasant weather of the high ranges. An unpretentious sanctuary, with little tourist activity, it is a quiet haven for a wide variety of wildlife.
When to Go: The climate is pleasant the year through. Winters are chilly. The monsoon hits the sanctuary from June to September, but the hills being on the leeward side of the Western Ghats, they receive considerably less rainfall. The best time to see wildlife is between April and June, when the animals come out for water at the end of the dry season. A more comfortable time to visit, however, is winter to early summer, between November and March.
Bannerghatta, Karnataka
Highlights: Bannerghatta, on the outskirts of
Bangalore, offers you all the sights, sounds and action of carefully preserved jungle. Bannerghatta is where Karnataka Forest Department rehabilitated lions and tigers rescued from circuses (the largest number in India). They live in kraals that recreate their natural habitats. Wild elephants are spotted regularly in the dense forests of Bannerghatta and here you can find everything from avifauna to panthers.
When to Go: March, April and May are the driest months. During the rainy season, i.e. mid-June, July and August the trees will be at their greenest best. The rest of the year would be pleasant and enjoyable, with temperatures ranging from 15°C to a maximum of 28°C.
Bangalore, Karnataka
Highlights: Indian metro cities are nearly all a mixture of ancient and modern and the newest member of the club is no exception. "Aircon capital, India's silicon valley, centre of medical excellence, home of cafe culture, the Pub, Club and shopping mall" -
Bangalore's called all of these. These days it's also a centre for outsourcing call centres and IT - technical and web skills. It's said Mumbai's Bollywood and other glitterati come here to go clubbing when they want a change from their own city circuit. Whatever sound you're into there's probably a club for it.
This chilled-out city has its own beautiful, ancient buildings and parks and it's within reach of a wildlife reserve and camp and the world's largest free-standing statue.
Bangalore citizens also have a laid-back attitude and are likely to invite you to their homes within minutes of meeting you. If you're after time-out you can have an ayurvedic massage, learn the ancient art of Mysore painting, or learn South Indian cooking.
Its height above sea level (1000 m) makes it a year-round comfortable place to be. If you've been working hard as a project volunteer a blast of
Bangalore to the brain cells is great for taking a break.
When to Go: Here's are couple of ideas for mixing culture and heritage with your shopping, cafe society and pub/clubbing - It's worth a visit any time of year but if it happens to be January 14/15 you'll catch a once a year only sight when a shaft of light shines through the open window of Sri Gavi Gangadhareshwara temple directly between the horns of the stone Nandi bull statue in the courtyard, then inside the inner sanctum onto the Shiva Lingam.
Karaga, in March/April at the Dharmaryaya Temple, is one of
Bangalore's oldest festivals, with a night-time procession, fire walking, drumming and frenzied dances by special youths beating swords against their bare chests. Bannerghatta National Park on the city's outskirts is 25,000 acres of carefully-preserved jungle, where Karnataka Forest Department rehabilitates lions and tigers rescued from circuses. You can stay overnight in the Nature Camp inside and spot everything from wild elephants to three-striped palm squirrel and jackal.
Bheemeshwari, Karnataka
Highlights: Meandering through the woody landscape amidst the forests of Karnataka is the Cauvery - the most majestic and sacred river of South India. The river offers both adventure and opportunity for nature lovers. Nestled along this mighty river is the Bheemeshwari Fishing Camp, world-renowned as home to the great 'Mahseer' - the finest & the largest tropical sporting fish known to man.
When to Go: The best time to visit is just after the monsoon, between August and February, when the river is swollen and the forest and the surroundings are rich with green vegetation. This time is ideal for bird watchers too, as river terns, fishing eagles, wood peckers, king fishers, and plenty of other species flock here in large numbers. However, at other times water recedes to reveal wide sand banks where you could laze in the evenings or wade in the many lagoons created by the ebbing water. Summers (March - June) can be very warm, especially in the afternoons.