Bannerghatta Biological Park

Overview

Bannerghatta Biological Park is a 731-hectare wildlife reserve on Bengaluru's southern outskirts featuring a zoo, safari, butterfly conservatory, and rescue center. It is one of the few places near a major Indian city where you can see wildlife in semi-natural habitat.

Highlights

• Lion & Tiger Safari: Drive through enclosures housing Asiatic lions, Bengal tigers, and sloth bears.
• Butterfly Conservatory: One of India's largest butterfly parks with a walk-through tropical dome housing dozens of species.
• Rescue Center: Houses elephants, leopards, and other animals rescued from captivity or injury.

History

Established in 1971 as a small zoo, it was expanded into a full biological park in 2002. The adjacent Bannerghatta National Park covers 260 sq km of deciduous forest and is one of the few protected areas adjoining a major metropolis.

Visitor Tips

• Plan Ahead: Safari tickets sell out fast on weekends; arrive before 10 AM.
• Full Day: The zoo, safari, and butterfly park together require 3–4 hours minimum.
• Duration: 3–5 hours.