Location : Madhya
Pradesh
Major Attractions : Tiger, Leopard, Bear
Best time to Visit : November to March
About Bandhavgarh National Park
The Vindhyan Mountain ranges in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh
are home to some enchanting locales. Bandhavgarh National Park is one such
place which is famed besides other wildlife attractions, for its majestic
white tigers. The area, like most of the other jungles of the country served
as a hunting preserve for the royal family, until it was declared a
protective region in 1968.
Bandhavgarh National Park is probably your best chance to see the mighty
striped predator on the prowl, being the national park with the highest
density of tiger population in India. However, the thick vegetation and
forest cover, which mainly consists of deciduous forests and huge stretches
of sal and bamboo, may sometimes obstruct your view.
Wildlife Attractions in Bandhavgarh National Park
Bandhavgarh is a safe heaven for hundreds of species of flora and fauna
which also includes the highest density of tiger population for any wildlife
habitat in the country. Other animals which adorn the surroundings of
Bandhavgarh include the chausingha, chinkara, fox, nilgai, chital and
jackal. Besides animals, the park is also home to some 250 species of birds
including a few migratory birds which arrive here during winters and stay
till the onset of summer.
Elephant and jeep safari are the
two options of moving inside the park which can easily pierce the thick
forest cover, making a sighting convenient for you. Another major attraction
inside the park is the centuries old Bandhavgarh Fort which can be
conveniently accessed by a short climb up the hill. The top of the fort
affords a panoramic view of the entire park and if you are lucky, it is
possible to spot a tiger basking in the sun.
Stay At
Accommodation
options at Bandhavgarh are in the form of resorts and hotels, some inside
while others located a short distance from the boundaries of the park.
Tiger's Den resort, located just 400 yards from Bandhavgarh National Park
offers 16 cottages along with other facilities such as a multi cuisine
restaurant, laundry service, jungle safaris and more. Other accommodation
options located nearby include Taal resort (12 cottages), Nature Heritage
Resort (19 rooms), Tiger Trails Safari Lodge (12 cottages) and Anant Van, an
'ashram' located in the heart of Bandhavgarh National Park.
Getting There
By Air : Khajuraho is the nearest airport served by daily
Indian Airlines flight from Delhi and other major Indian cities. Jabalpur is
another airport located nearby, also connected by daily flights from Delhi
and Bhopal.
By Rail : The nearest railhead is located at Umaria.
Several trains operate daily between Umaria and Delhi. Jabalpur is another
convenient railhead located near by,
served by daily trains from Mumbai and Kolkata.
By Road : Although the roads leading to Bandhavgarh
National Park are not all that smooth, still a journey by road is the most
convenient way to access the park. M.P. state transport corporation buses
provide regular services to Bandhavgarh from all the neighbouring towns.
Another option is to hire a taxi from Katni, Umaria, Bilaspur or Satna and
reach the park after a short drive.
Important Information for Visitors
- The nearest town which offers all the basic activities is Tala,
located just 10 km from the park.
- Entry fee to the park is Rs. 20 for Indians and Rs. 200 for
foreigners.
- Private vehicles are allowed inside the park, however, each should be
accompanied by a forest department guide.
