TIGER SAFARI IN BANDHAVGARH National Park
An adrenaline pumping tiger safari in Bandhavgarh can transport you to a whole new world of adventure. Spotting the Bengal Tiger in the wild is an experience parallel to none. The regal strides, the gracious demeanour, the royal stripes blending in the wilderness; make it an exclusive experience to cherish for a life time.
Top 5 things to do in Bandhavgarh National Park
The picturesque Bandhavgarh offers a host of activities to engage, enthral and excite you. These activities are a must-do to experience the uniqueness of this mythological land.
1. Jeep Safaris in Bandhavgarh
One of the most exciting experiences is an open jeep jungle safari in Bandhavgarh. This one-of-its kind bewitching experience, takes a whole new meaning when it comes to spotting tigers and other elusive beings of the jungle, like leopards. But having said that, it is no less exciting to chance upon herds of spotted deer, sambhar or the lone jackal or fox. Catching a sight of the various species of birds also lends a charm to the ride on the wheels, with a naturalist explaining the various nuances of the wild.
Full day safaris in Bandhavgarh -This permit allows the traveller to go to any zone and any route for a full day. Though one has to pay much more, this is an excellent option for wildlife photographers. This also allows access 15 minutes before regular time and also exit 15 minutes later.
2. Walking and Cycling Trail
Explore the serene countryside on a cycling jaunt or a walking adventure. Take a leisurely tour through the villages, and the forest buffer zone. Explore the pristine jungles and the rural settings of Bandhavgarh, while pedalling, and walking through the glorious countryside.
Explore the wilderness around the periphery of the park. Immerse in a fascinating experience learning about the rich and diverse flora-fauna and biodiversity, while on foot or while pedalling. This intimate experience lends a unique charm, and throws open new vistas of learning and adventure.
This experience will enrich your wildlife experience in a way which you could’ve never imagined. However, we agree that it won’t be as comfortable as it would’ve been in a jeep, but it’s definitely worth the hustle.
3. Interacting with the locals on a village visit
Explore the local hamlets and villages, and carry back memories of the bountiful culture, tradition and the lives of the indigenous tribes of the region.
Interact with the local Baiga community and learn how they continue to live a sustainable life. The Baiga adivasis are a forest-dwelling, indigenous tribal community of Central India. They live in close intimacy to nature and were erstwhile nomadic hunter-gatherers. Extremely knowledgeable about the medicinal and healing properties of the various local flora, the Baigas also possess a keen knowledge of their environment and biodiversity. They pass this knowledge on from one generation to the next.
Interact with the local Baiga tribes and carry back home lessons in co-existing with nature and lending a hand to conservation.
4. A visit to the mythological Shesh Shaiya
Believed to have been constructed in the 10th century A.D., Shesh Shaiya is a 11 meter long Lord Vishnu’s reclining posture, with a canopy of seven hooded serpent called Sheshnag. The statue is located at the source of the Charan Ganga, a perennial river that waters the beautiful meadows below. Charan Ganga merges with the Sone River, a tributary of the holy Ganges and is the lifeline of Bandhavgarh.
The sandstone Shesh Shaiya statue of Lord Vishnu, is much revered.
There are also statues of Bramha and Shiva here. Shesh Shaiya is open for guests to visit during Tala zone safari.
The famous Chakradhara and Rajbehara also lie in this core zone. These scenic beauties will make you feel like the main characters in your own films. Many tiger documentaries such as ‘The Hunt & Dynasties’ have been shot in these grasslands.
5. A visit to Bansagar Dam
Ban Sagar Dam is a multipurpose river valley Project, on Sone River situated in the Ganges Basin, 85 kms from Bandhavgarh. It is equipped with both irrigation and hydroelectric power generation. The Bansagar Dam was constructed near the Deolond village, in the Shahdol district. The project was called “Bansagar” after Bana Bhatt, the renowned Sanskrit scholar of the 7th century, who is believed to have hailed from this region, in India.
The dam is just over an hour’s drive from Bandhavgarh, and is a good sight-seeing option for travellers keen to explore places in and around Bandhavgarh.The foundation stone of the Bansagar project was laid by the late Prime Minister Morarji Desai on 14 May 1978.
Looking to book a tiger safari in Bandhavgarh and want the best experience of your life? Talk to our wildlife experts now.
Questions before going for a Tiger Safari in Bandhavgarh
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Q. What is the best time of year to visit Bandhavgarh for tiger safari?
The core zone of Bandhavgarh National Park remains open from 1st October to 30th June. October to March offers the best season for a tiger safari in Bandhavgarh. This season is preferred by tourists the most due to its pleasant weather. However the days are sunny but pleasant afternoons & cooler evenings make up to it. April to June gets extremely hot but is excellent for tiger safari in Bandhavgarh since wildlife can be easily found near the water holes.
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Q. Which zone is best for tiger sighting in Bandhavgarh?
Bandhavgarh National Park is divided into different safari zones but Tala zone being the oldest is the most popular. But all three core zones of Bandhavgarh – Tala, Magdhi and Khituali are regarded as the best zones for tiger sighting in Bandhavgarh. We highly recommended doing a mix of all these zones.
About Bandhavgarh National Park
Bandhavgarh is a unique paradise in Central India; where history and wildlife come together in a perfect communion of sorts.
Landscape of Bandhavgarh: Spread across a sprawling area of 1150 sq. kms. Bandhavgarh National Park is known as one of the best places to spot tigers in India; and also one with the highest density of tigers in the world. Bandhavgarh is located in the Umaria district of Madhya Pradesh, in Central India, nestled in the Vindhya hills and an expansive spread of grasslands, with rich flourishing flora.
History: Bandhavgarh celebrates a rich historical past. Mythologically, Bandhav-garh translates to “the brother’s fort” and is believed to have been gifted by Lord Rama, to his devoted brother (bandhav) Laxmana, when they returned victorious from Lanka. The Bandhavgarh National park has twelve natural waterholes, several historical monuments, and remains of ancient caves that are witness to the two-thousand years of history.
Bandhavgarh as Project Tiger:
Declared a National Park in 1968 and a Tiger Reserve in 1972 under the Project Tiger and Wildlife Protection Act, Bandhavagarh National park was a Shikargah or game preserve for the Maharajas of Rewa and their guests. Bandhavgarh is the original home to Mohan, the father of all white tigers in captivity today.
Flaura & Fauna of Bandhavgarh:
Well-known for it’s outstanding biodiversity, Bandhavgarh national park is every wild life enthusiast’s dream come true. Bustling with flora and fauna the park also boasts of one of the highest density of tigers in the world.
The grasslands are flanked by Sal forests in the valleys and lower slopes that gradually merge to mixed deciduous forests in the hills. The forests also comprise Dhobim, Saja and Salai and Bamboo thickets. With the tiger at the apex of the food chain, Bandhavgarh is gifted with 37 species of mammals, more than 250 species of birds, about 75 species of butterflies and a large number of reptiles.
Though tigers always happen to be the prime wildlife attraction in all national parks, Bandhavgarh offers a wide array of fauna including jackal, sloth bear, leopard, jungle cat, civets, palm squirrel, nilgai, sambhar deer, spotted deer and many more.
The reptile population is varied with cobra, viper, python, turtle, monitor lizard etc.
Bandhavgarh is home to a number of migratory, as well as resident species of birds like Sarus crane, Indian Pond Heron, Lesser Adjutant Stork, Indian Roller, Racket Tailed Drongo, Asian Paradise Fly Catcher, White Breasted Kingfisher, Great Cormorant, Jungle Fowl, Crested Serpent Eagle and plenty of others.
Accommodation In Bandhavgarh
Bandhavgarh offers a variety of accommodation options, from budget to luxury, to high end. Pugdundee Safaris offers travellers two exclusively distinct luxury accommodations.
King’s Lodge and Tree House Hideaway from Pugdundee Safaris are exclusive eco-friendly and luxury get-away options. Located in natural forested estates in the heart of tiger country these lodges offer the best of the natural world combined with luxury in the lap of pristine nature.
King’s Lodge: Is a gorgeous estate that lies nestled between the Sal forested hills of Bandhavgarh in a small tribal village. This eco-lodge lies in the midst of tiger country and is just a ten minutes drive from Tala gate of Bandhavgarh. Kings Lodge operates with best green practises, working closely in conservation and sustainability and offering it’s guests an ultimate experience in wilderness luxury.
Eighteen modern cottages including eight stilt cottages, alfresco bush dinner venues, tailor made bird watching and photography tours, organic garden are just a few of the exclusive attractions of King’s Lodge.
Tree House Hideaway: Tree House Hideaway provides an off- beat holiday in the lap of nature with elegant trees like Palash, Mahua, Banyan, Tendu, Peepal and a lush expanse of natural landscape to unwind in. Made by the local staff from local and recycled wood, these luxurious tree houses, have resident species of flora and abundant fauna homing alongside.
The Tree house offers it’s guests the very best of dining and outdoor experiences, including an interface with the local communities while staying true to its promise of being eco-friendly.
How to reach Bandhavgarh National Park
Bandhavgarh can be easily reached by train, flight or road from various parts of the country. Jabalpur is the closest airport with several flights and Katni is the most convenient rail head, though Umaria is the closest railway station to Bandhavgarh. It is easily connected by road from Kanha and Khajuraho.
- Located in the heart of Central India, Bandhavgarh is well connected and easily accessible from major towns like Jabalpur, Satna, Khajuraho and Rewa. It also makes a wonderful circuit with Kanha National Park with a driving time of about 5 hours.
- Jabalpur is the closest airport and about 4 hours away. There are several daily flights to Jabalpur from various parts of the country including Delhi and Mumbai.
- Khajuraho airport is also a good option for Bandhavgarh and is a 5 hour’s drive.
- Taxis can be booked from the hotel you are staying in or from tour operators. There are not many options for taxi booking on arrival.
- Bandhavgarh is well connected by train from all across the country.
- Umaria, Katni, Satna and Jabalpur are convenient rail heads and there are many trains that connect here from different parts of the country.
Zones in Bandhavgarh National Park
Known as the land of tigers, Bandhavgarh is the ideal tiger country that offers some of the best sightings in the country.
Most tourists visiting Bandhavgarh go for jungle safaris. The forests are divided into two major zones: Core Zone and Buffer Zone.
Core zone is the central part of the tiger reserve and it shares its boundary with the buffer zone.
Core zone
is basically an important area where the conservation of wildlife and natural resources is prioritised by the forest department.
Buffer Zone
is the area that surrounds or adjoins the core areas where nature is conserved alongside compatible human uses of the land, forest or water.
The
Core Zones of Bandhavgarh
are: Khitauli, Magdhi and Tala
Buffer Zones of Bandhavgarh
are: Dhamokar, Panpatha (Pachpedi) and Johila (Kalwa)
Tala is the park's oldest zone, where Bandhavgarh fort and the Shesh Shaiya are located. It also has the famous Chakardhara meadows and the Charan Ganga river.
Magdhi is located adjoining to Tala and excellent for tiger sightings due to several water bodies and saucers.
Khitauli separated by a road, is extremely scenic and equally good for tiger sightings.
Tiger Safari in Bandhavgarh:
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How to book a Tiger Safari in Bandhavgarh
Safari ticket bookings for Bandhavgarh can be done through the government site www.mponline.gov.in or from the lodge where you are staying at.
Must know for Tiger safari bookings in Bandhavgarh- Bookings open 120 days in advance, since the park tickets are limited they get sold out almost immediately for weekends, long holidays and for peak season.
- Safari ticket booking is for jeeps and the tickets are per jeep basis.
- A limited number of tickets are also available on per seat basis.
- Limited canter seats are also available at the park gate on current basis.
- It is mandatory to carry the ID proofs, used at the time of booking, in original, during entry into the safari gate.
- Like all the other parks of Madhya Pradesh, Bandhavgarh allows a total of six guests in a jeep plus a park guide & a driver are mandatory. 8 people in a jeep can be very crowded, it is best suited to have 4 guests + 2 and for photographers it is best to be just 2 guests in a jeep.
Core zone of Bandhavgarh National park like other major national parks of Central India remains open from1st October to 30th June.Buffer zone of Bandhavgarh are open all year round. Bandhavgarh is closed on Wednesday afternoon. Morning and afternoon safaris remain closed on Holi festival in the month of March.
The timings of the jeep safaris are as follows and slightly vary according to the changing seasons.
| Park Safari Timings | 15 October to 15 February | 16 February to 1 March | 1st April to 30 June |
| Morning Safari | 06:30 Hrs to 11:00 Hrs | 06:00 Hrs to 11:00 Hrs | 05:30 Hrs to 10:00 Hrs |
| Afternoon Safari | 14:30 Hrs to 17:30 Hrs | 15:00 Hrs to 18:00 Hrs | 16:00 Hrs to 19:00 Hrs |
Awards
About Pugdundee Safaris
Pugdundee Safaris is recognized as one of India's leading responsible safari companies. With seven intimate jungle lodges in Central India and many bespoke wilderness experiences it presents the very best of the Indian subcontinent wildlife & hospitality, between 2009 and 2024, we have been awarded for our excellence in eco-tourism, our commitment to green architecture, our experienced naturalists and our pioneering mobile safari experience.