Bandipur Wildlife Diary: A Day in the Wild

I got an opportunity to join a group trip to Bandipur forest stay organized by Deepa Mohan and took it on a whim. I bought a new 200-500 mm lens just around that time. It was a good opportunity to test it.

30 Nov Morning, Early Hours

The pickup time was around 6AM and luck wasn’t with me to book a cab. So I walked to the nearest Yulu spot and took a Yulu for pickup. Ananth gave me a tide to and from Bandipur all the way. The morning felt crisp and full of anticipation.

Morning, Kadamba Coffee Stop

Quick coffee break at Kadamba coffee shop right at the junction of NICE road and Mysore road.

Mysore Road Toll Plaza

Fascinating moment at the toll. The FASTag scanner wasn’t detecting our vehicle. The attendant’s clever trick? Use the windshield wiper. Magically, it worked immediately!

Breakfast at Hari Govinda

We stopped at Hari Govinda on Mysore ring road for a hearty breakfast. Ananth mentioned Kenneth Anderson - a name that sparked curiosity about wildlife narratives. Ashik generously shared some pistachios.

Bandipur Arrival: Briefing Session

Attended the Friends of Bandipur programme explanation. Learned about:

• Instagram presence
• Booking details
• Naturalist training opportunities

Safari Begins: Afternoon Adventure

Initial hours were disappointingly quiet. An owlet greeted us at the start - our first wildlife encounter.

First two hours: Almost nothing. Then, sporadic bird sightings. The bus driver transformed into a wildlife-chasing Vin Diesel, racing to potential leopard locations.

Near-miss with a leopard. We arrived just moments after it disappeared.

Post-Safari Excitement

Enjoyed tea and onion pakora. Unexpected highlight: A leopard casually walking outside the canteen! Nature’s surprise performance.

Evening Wildlife Observations

Gathered around, sharing stories:

• Waited for deer (they remained alert, we saw nothing)
• Ashik showed Kerala forest videos
• Watched elephants crossing a busy road
• Shalini shared an incredible Jim Corbett story about a tiger encounter just 8-10 feet away

Nighttime Wildlife Drama

Strict leopard movement protocols:

• Traveled in buggies
• Cautious dinner arrangements
• Surprising moment: We spotted a leopard cub right beside the dorm where we were sleeping!

Friday Morning Safari

Excellent bird watching session. We spotted a lot of birds - eagles, vulture, buzzard, pigeons and what not.

Departure and Exploration

Checked out of Bandipur. Attempted to visit Himavad Gopalaswamy Temple - too crowded.

Pivoted to Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary:

• 40-minute photography boat ride
• Captured stunning pelican shots
• Explored the entire sanctuary

Journey Home

Bangalore greeted us with rain - a fitting end to our wildlife adventure.

Culinary Highlights

Lunch was a delightful spread:

• Pulav
• Bhindi masala
• Roti
• Rice
• Sambar
• Papar
• Payasam

Recommended Follow-ups

• Investigate Bandipur vehicle movement timings
• Deep dive into Kenneth Anderson’s wildlife writings
• Research vulture-Parsi connections

A day of unexpected encounters, wildlife whispers, and nature’s unpredictable magic.