Bandhavgarh National Park is one of the most well-known and biggest national parks that is present in India. This park is in Madhya Pradesh in central India and is spread in the district of Umaria, covering a large total area of 1536 square kilometers in size. Bandhavgarh is well-known for its important work in protecting tigers, along with the beautiful landscapes and wildlife.
Bandhavgarh was declared a national park in 1968, and later in 1993, it became a part of Project Tiger, India's major conservation program. Since then, the park has gained a reputation as one of the best places in India to spot a tiger in the wild. The park is not only a tiger reserve but also home to leopards, wild boars, sambar deer, barking deer, nilgai, Indian bison, langurs, and more than 250 species of birds.
bird species
species mammals
Tiger population
In total, this park has more than 515 flora species, 47 species of animals, and more than 250 types of butterflies, along with more than 100 butterfly species. Bandhavgarh National Park in Madhya Pradesh is the best place to visit for nature and wildlife lovers. This spot is a combination of history, nature & wildlife. Here, you can visit the famous Bandhavgarh Fort and learn about the history of this 2,000-year-old spot. When you go for a safari in the park, you can see water bodies like the Charanganga River, which provides water for the animals living inside it.
One famous viewpoint inside the park is Shesh Shaiya, a beautiful and spiritual site where a huge statue of Lord Vishnu rests on a serpent near a natural spring. This site also has ancient carvings and marks the starting point of the Charanganga River.
Alright, let me tell you something really interesting about Bandhavgarh National Park. This place is not only famous because of animal sightings, but this park also has a unique history that attracts people to come here and explore. This place is full of tigers, old stories, and interesting history.
So first, let’s talk about the name. This place was actually named from two Hindi words: Bandhav, which means brother, and Garh, which means fort. There is an interesting story behind it. According to Hindu texts, the fort, which is inside Bandhavgarh National Park, was gifted by Lord Ram to his brother Lakshman. Can you imagine, he gifted the whole fort to his brother? I am talking about the God Ram from Ramayana. He gifted this to him so that Lord Laxman could guard Lanka from here. There is one more interesting fact about this spot: at that time, it was easier to come inside the fort, but to make it a secure one, the monkey-god Hanuman and his army built the walls of the fort higher.
So, there’s one thing for sure that this spot is thousands of years old. Even if you visit this fort then you can see old caves, carvings, and paintings on rocks that are super ancient and depict the history of Bandhavgarh National Park. Some archaeologists believe that these are from the time before Christ.
Now let’s fast-forward a bit. Many years ago, the local rulers of this area used to live in this fort. But after 1617, a royal family called Baghels moved their capital to a new place called Rewa. Slowly, people living around the fort moved too. The area became quiet, and the jungle started growing in this area. This place became a natural spot, and guess what, wild animals like tigers, leopards, and deer started coming here.
The kings left this spot, but they still didn’t let go of Bandhavgarh. They made this area a private hunting ground, called Shikargaah. Kings used to come here for hunting, and they took good care of the forest. It was their wild kingdom where the general public was not allowed.
But after India got independence, things started to change. All the princely states were abolished, and the government owned this forest. They did not give proper care to this land, and the forest began to be damaged. At that time, the same royal, Maharaja Martand Singh of Rewa, came here in 1956. He got concerned about this spot and decided to save this forest. He asked the government to save a big part of the jungle. This was the time when everything changed.
In 1968, Bandhavgarh was declared a national park with an area of 105 sq km, and hunting was banned here. Small water spots were built inside the park for animals, and cows were not allowed to graze inside. Wildlife started making a comeback, and the jungle slowly became full of animals again. A lot of tigers were seen, and the government decided to expand this park. By 1982, the park’s area grew to 448.842 sq. km, and new zones like Khitauli, Magdhi, and Kallawah were added. In 1993, the famous Bandhavgarh National Park became a Tiger Reserve under India’s big plan called Project Tiger.
So now, this place is one of the best spots in India to see tigers in their natural habitat. This place is full of beautiful birds, wild animals, and scenic green surroundings. This place also has an ancient fort, and people go there to learn about its history and exploration. Doing a safari in Bandhavgarh will let you enjoy a great time there.
This national park can be considered one of India’s most amazing natural destinations. Many people come here to see animals and enjoy a jungle safari. But there are also many amazing tourist attractions near Kanha Park. These places are good for people who like nature, history, culture, or peaceful temples. Below is a list of popular tourist places around Kanha National Park:
This is the most peaceful spot in this area. This spot is located at a distance of around 50km from the Bandhavgarh National Park and is formed by the Johila River. It truly looks amazing, and to go there, you have to go through the lush green area and villages. It’s the kind of place where you can pack some snacks and plan a fun little picnic with your loved ones.
DetailsGoing to this spiritual spot of Madhya Pradesh will add a spiritual touch to your thrilling adventure. This temple is located just 11km from the park and is a peaceful spot to visit. This is located on the banks of the Charanganga River and dates back to the 10th century. This temple is dedicated to Goddess Jwalamukhi, and the locals of the place believe
DetailsThis is the nearest city to Bandhavgarh National Park, which is around 166 km away. Here, you can enjoy going to the famous Dhuandhar Waterfalls, which create a misty, dreamy spray that looks like clouds rising from the rocks. This is a magical spot, and after visiting the falls, you can go to the famous Marble Rocks at Bhedaghat. There, you can take part
DetailsAfter visiting the famous Bandhavgarh National Park, you can also go to another nearby National Park, which is Kanha. This park is just at a distance of around 255km, and trust me, going there is worth your time. There, you can enjoy sightings of wild animals just like Bandhavgarh, and also the rare Barasingha, or swamp deer, can be spotted there.
DetailsNow, this spot is the iconic one. When you go to Bandhavgarh then visiting Khajuraho should definitely be on your list. This town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to one of the most famous temples. This spot is at a distance of 280 km from the park, and trust me, visiting there will give you a feeling of calmness. The temples of Khajuraho are known
Details
If you climb a little higher, then in the upper hills, you’ll see other types of trees and plants. The soil is different there, and the trees are more mixed. It’s like a different type of forest growing on top of another. This huge park is home to around 600 types of flowering plants, 50 water-loving plants, and many herbs and shrubs, along with 18 different plant species. These plants are super important as they are food for animals like deer, birds, and even the tiniest insects.
If you ever get the chance to walk through the forest, you’ll spot so many unique trees. There’s the mahua tree, which is used to make sweets and drinks. Mango and jamun trees are found too, the same that we enjoy during summer. You can also see Arjun, Amla, and Palas, which provide bright orange flowers that add beauty to this green forest. You can also see Tendu, whose leaves are used to make beedis. Along wth trees, you can see grasses growing on the floor like Khas, Red Grass, Dubia Grass, and many more.
Trust me, going on a safari to see the beautiful flora of Bandhavgarh is worth spending your time. This place feels like a kingdom because of these plant species that will make you smile and fall in love with the greenery and beauty of this spot.
But this spot not only has tigers, but this is also filled with amazing wild animals. The Fauna of Bandhavgarh includes over 47 kinds of mammals. Leopards roam here in the denser parts of the Jungle, sloth bears can also be seen, and wild elephants can be seen near the water bodies chilling with their families. Indian bison, or gaur, are also found here, and they are huge. Other than them, you can also find plenty of spotted deer, sambar deer, barking deer, Indian Fox, and even the four-horned antelope, which is a very shy animal. You can even spot rare animals like wild dogs, jackals, or even a striped hyena. And of course, the playful langurs and monkeys are always hanging on the trees.
Bandhavgarh National Park is also a dreamy spot for bird enthusiasts. With over Over 250 kinds of birds fly in its skies or rest on its trees. You can see peacocks dancing in the grass, Malabar Pied hornbills calling out from high branches, kingfishers, Indian Roller, Black Drongo, Lesser Adjutant, or even crested serpent eagles. Vultures like the red-headed and long-billed can be seen on tall trees in the park. At night, owls hoot softly, and flying squirrels also become active.
And yes, this park has over 100 species of butterflies that add to the beauty and flutter through the forest like flying petals. Some of the prettiest ones include the common rose, lime butterfly, striped tiger, crimson rose, and the plain tiger butterfly. There are also reptiles like cobras, Indian pythons, and monitor lizards that call this park home.
The best time to visit Bandhavgarh National Park is from October to March. During these months, the weather remains cooler, and safari rides become more pleasant and exciting. The morning remains chilly, the afternoon is mostly warm, and the evening feels cozy. These things make the trip a memorable one. During the winter months, the chance of spotting tigers, leopards, and other wild animals gets really high because they often come out to bask in the sun. You can also see herds of deer, langurs swinging on dry trees, and you can even see a tiger on your safari path. All in all, during these months, the animals remain more active. Winter comes after monsoon, so the entire park looks fresh and green like a painting. Even this time is perfect for birding, as many migratory birds come to the park during winter. You can even listen to their cooing, which makes the early morning safaris magical. Staying near the forest in comfy lodges feels way better than any month because of the good weather. You can also enjoy bonfires, have hot chocolate, and enjoy the recreational activities at your resort. Visiting this wild spot in winter is the best decision that one can ever make if they truly want to enjoy the nature and wildlife sightings of Bandhavgarh National Park.
There are two ways to explore this green spot, canter safair and gypsy safari. Both rides offer different experiences, and they are amazing in their own way.
Gypsy safari offers a private and thrilling jungle ride experience. These are open gypsies that can seat upto 6 people (with separate area for guide and driver). You can go on shared gypsyes also if you’re solo travelling. Gypsys offers more thrilling experience as they can even go inside the denser areas because they are short and you can spot the animals clearly. Gypsy safaris happen twice a day, morning and evening and each safari lasts fppr around 3 hours. They cover more area faster than a canter safari, so you get a good chance to spot a lot of wildlife. But kindly make your Bandhavgarh online booking for safari in advance to avoid future disappointments of not getting a safari slot.
If you’re coming to Bandhagarh National Park in a big group and can’t get a gypsy then don’t worry. Canter safaris are also there in Bandhavgarh that offer another fun way to explore Bandhavgarh. These are bigger open vehicles that can seat around 16–20 people, and they’re also allowed inside the park with trained guides and drivers. They don’t go into much deeper areas, but still offer a great safari experience. You can enjoy the fresh air of the Jungle, listen to the stories by guides, and enjoy an exciting safari in Bandhavgarh. Canter safaris also happen in both morning and evening slots, and just like gypsies, they last for about 3 hours.