Safari
The safari section is the most sought by visitors, from within and outside India. Safari unit is an expedition to observe the free ranging captive wildlife in immersive, naturalistic exhibits in the midst of the natural forest. The landscape is a representation of the adjoining dry and moist deciduous forests of the Bannerghatta National Park, which is also home to a wide variety fauna which are often spotted within BBP safari range as well.
The safari is further subdivided into different sections and visitors get to learn and explore the safari area in protected, closed buses and jeeps which are provided by the zoo, in partnership with the Karnataka State Tourism Development Cooperation (KSTDC).
Herbivore Safari
The thrill of the safari starts with the Herbivore Safari, which houses mixed species belonging to the Cervidae and Bovidae family, free ranging within an area of 68 hectares, barricaded by rubble wall. This section was developed in before 1970’s 's but opened to public viewing during 2002. Species within this area includes Spotted Deer, Sambar Deer, Nilagi, Gaur and Blackbuck. Various feeding units are located in viewing vicinity from the safari roads to give visitors a glimpse of the co-operating feeding of different herbivore species, as they would in their natural habitat. Frequently, young ones of spotted deer, sambar deer and gaur can be spotted as they are breeding well within this area.
The herbivores can also be spotted drinking water in one of the five, interconnected natural lakes, which fill up during the rainy season and sustain even during summer months. Wide variety of avifauna and reptiles such as Marsh crocodiles are spotted in the water bodies. Common bird species include Common moorhen, Bronze winged jacana, Little cormorant, Great cormorant, White throated kingfisher, Brahminy Kite, Pond heron, Black crowned night heron, Spotted dove, Peafowl to name a few. Sambar deer can also be spotted in the middle of the lakes, feeding on freely available grass and during summers they can be spotted in naturally formed slush ponds drenching themselves to keep cool. Rutting season for gaurs gives visitors a mind chilling experience of the gaurs vocalizing.
Bear Safari
Bear safari is home to rescued sloth bears, out of which majority were previously used as dancing bears by Kalandar tribes and others were rescued from human-animal conflict or found as abandoned cubs. This 20 hectare safari area is protected by a dry moat along with solar fence all around the safari and a double gate system to prevent sloth bears from escaping while vehicles enter and exit the safari.
The bears are allowed to free range within this area during the day in compatible groups. Watermelon, honey and other seasonal fruits are scattered in the field in the afternoon to encourage foraging behavior and the natural habitat is also suitable for the bears to dig the soil to feed on termites. Natural burrows have also been created by the bears, where they rest during the hot time of the day and return back to their individual holding houses for the night, where they are provided with finger millet porridge, fruits, milk and eggs in the morning and evening. There are animal housing facilities in 5 blocks namely Panchavati, Chitrakuta, Kishkinda, Dr. G.K.V Block and Jambava. The facility created in the Bear Safari is managed in collaboration with Wildlife SOS.
Leopard Safari
After the bear safari is the leopard safari, which provides visitors a closeup experience with these elusive big cats. Bannerghatta is home to a good population of free ranging leopards and highlighting these top predators is vital through display of captive leopards in this safari unit for visitors to learn about them as an effort to mitigate human leopard conflict.
Lion Safari
The carnivore safari sections are surrounded by chain-link mesh, moat and railway lines used as barricades along with double gate system for entry and exit. First of the carnivores is the lions and the prides have been grouped according to compatibility. They are allowed in the safari field on a rotational basis and visitors get a glimpse of these majestic group animals interacting and resting close to the natural lake between bamboo clusters.
Tiger Safari
Across the field, is the last section of the safari which houses the coloured and leucistic Royal Bengal Tigers. They camouflage extremely well in the long grass, bamboo breaks and create the excitement while visitors search for these endangered big cats within the safari area. They can be spotted scent marking, clawing trees, resting in water or between grass and occasionally surprise visitors with close encounters next to the safari vehicles.
Apart from the safaris, visitors get a glimpse of the Lungs of Bengaluru “Bannerghatta National Park” while returning back, after the tiger safari. Bannerughatta Biological Park is carved out of the National Park and it is the northern most tip of the Mysore Elephant Reserve. This vital corridor for elephants and other wildlife has an undulating terrain with broken chains of hills and rocky outcrop. Existing rocks are made of coarse granite and complex GNEISS which are part of Peninsular GNEISS. Since vegetation in the biological park is similar to that of National Park, some of the commonly found tree species are Peepal, Indian fig tree, Neem, Gooseberry, Ashoka attracting wide varieties of birds. According to Champion and Seth classification of Indian forests, upper region have southern tropical dry deciduous forests in red and gravelly soil and valley region have southern tropical moist deciduous forests in sandy loam soil. The safari is an educative experience for visitors to explore the wilderness of the natural forest and to learn about captive wildlife in its natural habitat, with safety and less intrusion with the hope that they are motivated to adopt green life styles to contribute their bit for nature and wildlife conservation.