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Bandhavgarh National Park – A Wildlife Jewel in Madhya Pradesh

Nestled in the heart of India, Bandhavgarh National Park is a true haven for wildlife lovers. Located in Madhya Pradesh, a state celebrated for its incredible biodiversity, Bandhavgarh is one of the most sought-after destinations for an unforgettable wildlife experience.

Madhya Pradesh boasts a remarkable network of protected areas—12 National Parks, 24 Wildlife Sanctuaries, and 3 Biosphere Reserves. Among these, Bandhavgarh National Park and Kanha National Park are the crown jewels, drawing nature enthusiasts, photographers, and adventure seekers from all corners of the globe.

Why Visit Bandhavgarh National Park?

Bandhavgarh is especially renowned for having one of the highest densities of Royal Bengal Tigers in India. This makes tiger sightings here far more frequent than in many other national parks. Apart from tigers, the park is home to leopards, deer, langurs, wild boars, and over 250 species of birds—offering a rich wildlife experience.

Whether you are a nature lover, a wildlife photographer, or just someone looking for a peaceful escape into the wild, Bandhavgarh National Park tour promises an extraordinary journey.

Bandhavgarh National Park – A Wildlife Haven in Madhya Pradesh

Located in the Vindhya Hills of Madhya Pradesh’s Umaria district, Bandhavgarh National Park is one of India’s top tiger reserves. Spread across 105 km², it holds the highest tiger population density in the country, attracting wildlife lovers and photographers from around the world.

Established in 1968, the park is also known for leopards, sloth bears, deer, and over 250 species of birds. Its rich biodiversity and dense Sal forests make it a prime destination for jungle safaris and nature tours.

The park has three zones—Tala, Magdi, and Bamera. The Tala zone is the most visited, offering frequent tiger sightings. Efforts to promote Magdi with elephant safaris are boosting tourism here too.

Whether you're exploring through a Bandhavgarh tour package or planning a custom Bandhavgarh National Park tour, this destination promises a thrilling wildlife experience like no other.

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Wildlife in Bandhavgarh National Park

Bandhavgarh National Park is home to over 22 species of mammals and 250+ bird species. Key wildlife includes Royal Bengal Tigers, leopards, sloth bears, jackals, and hyenas. Herbivores like spotted deer, sambar, nilgai, chinkara, and gaur roam freely, while primates such as langurs and Rhesus macaques are also commonly seen.

This rich biodiversity makes Bandhavgarh National Park a must-visit for wildlife and nature enthusiasts.

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How to Enter Bandhavgarh National Park?

Visitors can explore Bandhavgarh National Park either by jeep safari or elephant safari. The most popular option is the jeep safari, which operates in two slots—early morning (sunrise to 10 AM) and late afternoon (4 PM to sunset), when wildlife activity is at its peak.

Elephant-back safaris are occasionally arranged, offering a unique way to spot tigers in their natural habitat. All entries are permitted only with valid safari bookings and authorized guides, ensuring a safe and regulated wildlife experience in Bandhavgarh National Park.

Where to stay in Bandhavgarh National Park?

A large number of resorts are present within the periphery of Bandhavgarh National Park that the visitors can book according to their budget and convenience. The resorts are divided into high-end, luxury, deluxe, and standard (on the basis of their accommodation charges per day).

  • High-end resorts: Mahua Kothi and Syna Tiger Resort
  • Luxury resorts: Tree House Hideway Resort, Kings Lodge, Bandhav Vilas, Infinity Bandhavgarh Wilderness, and Lemon Tree Wildlife Resort
  • Deluxe resorts: Nature Heritage Resort, Tiger Trails Resort, Maharaja Royal Retreat, Bandhavgarh Meadows
  • Standard resorts: Mogli Jungle Resort, Salvan Resort, Hotel Tigergarh Resort, Greenwoods Resorts
Buffer Zone of Bandhavgarh National Park

The buffer zone of Bandhavgarh National Park surrounds the core area, supporting wildlife movement and offering additional protection. Human activities are regulated here to maintain ecological balance.

There are three main buffer zones: Dhamokhar, Johila (Kalwa), and Panpatha (Pachpedi). While less explored than the core zones, they serve as vital habitats for species like four-horned antelope, chinkara, blue bull, and wolves.

Though tigers are mostly seen in core areas, many sub-adult tigers establish their territories in the buffer zones as they grow. With increased protection, these zones now have their own resident tiger populations.

Unlike core zones, buffer zones remain open year-round and even allow night safaris (7 PM to 9:30 PM), offering chances to spot nocturnal wildlife along with tigers.

Dhamokhar buffer

This buffer zone is considered to be an extension of the core area Magadhi zone. Thus, the entry point of this buffer zone lies between two villages namely Mahaman and Parasi. This zone is also home to Mudgudi dam, a few natural caves of Sehimaada, and Kadewaha grassland for wildlife spotting.

Johila Buffer

This buffer zone is an extension to another core zone-the Tala zone. The entry point of this buffer zone lies near Chechpur village and has received its name after the scenic Johila waterfall.

Panpatha zone

This buffer zone is considered to be an extension of Khitauli zone and its entry point is near Pachpedi village. The main attractions of this zone include Chinkara, four-horned antelope, a blue bull as well as wild dogs. The forest remains covered with dense bamboo and deciduous trees, thereby increasing the beauty of this region to a great extent.

Bandhavgarh Fort

This famous fort of the Umaria district of Madhya Pradesh is situated on the Bandhavgarh hill, at a distance of approximately 811 meters above sea level. It remains surrounded by many small hills that are gently separated by sloping valleys. This fort is known to spread across an area of 582 acres and is believed to be built in the 3rd century. There are two ways to enter this fort-a jeep track or footpath. For visitors entering through the left of the spot, a footpath is preferable. This spot is known to contain a unique 11 meters long statue of the Hindu God, Vishnu, with a pool of spring water in front of the statue which is claimed to be the source of the stream called Charan Ganga.

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Best Time to Visit Bandhavgarh National Park

The best time to visit Bandhavgarh National Park is from November to March, when the park is open and wildlife sightings are at their peak. Pleasant weather and active animal movement make this the ideal season for Bandhavgarh National Park safaris.

The park remains closed from July to October during the monsoon to ensure safety and wildlife conservation.