Bandhavgarh National Park is located in the Umaria district of Madhya Pradesh, surrounded by the Vindhya and Satpura mountains. It was discovered as a national park in 1968 and was part of Rewa Province before independence. The park is known for its majestic and large wildcats and is considered one of the best tiger reserves in the world. The park is home to the highest number of tigers in Madhya Pradesh and is home to many rare animals and plants. Wanna make your trip even more enjoyable? We recommend going on a safari in each zone.
The national park consists of a core area of 105 km² and a buffer area of approximately 400 km². The terrain throughout the region varies between steep mountain ridges, foothill forests, and open meadows. Bandhavgarh National Park is known for its Royal Bengal Tiger. Bandhavgarh’s tiger density is among the highest known not only in India but around the world. This national park was the former hunting grounds of the Maharaja of Rewa and is now a famous natural habitat for white tigers. The white tiger, which is now the centerpiece of zoos around the world, was first spotted in Rewa, not far from here. Bandhavgarh is also believed to be the root of all white tigers in the world.
It is one of the best wildlife destinations to enjoy a wonderful nature vacation in Madhya Pradesh. It is a place of great historical importance as well as wildlife viewing. Bandhavgarh’s history goes back 2000 years. The Bandhavgarh Fort in the wilderness of the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve is said to have been gifted to Lord Lakshman by Lord Rama.
Bandhavgarh is best reached by car as it is accessible from nearby cities such as Umalia, Jabalpur, Katni, and Khajuraho. From any of these destinations, tourists can take taxi services to Bandhavgarh National Park via SH 11, 22, and NH 43.
The nearest train station is Umaria Station next to Katani station. From there it’s about a 40-minute drive to the natural site. You can also take an overnight train from Delhi to Umaria and drive 30 minutes to the park. Only jeeps are available for transportation. The distance between Khajuraho and Bandhavgarh is 250km (8 hours drive).
Fly from Delhi, Agra, or Varanasi to Khajuraho and drive (7-8 hours) to the entrance of Tala Park in Bandhavgarh. The closest airport to the park is Khajuraho.
Jeep Safari is the main and most popular safari option in Bandhavgarh National Park. Only a limited number of jeeps are allowed in each safari shift, so advance booking is mandatory. Safari timings and vehicle capacity vary according to the season and Forest Department rules.
The safari fee includes the entry permit, and visitors are not allowed to enter the park without an authorized guide and approved safari vehicle.
Elephant Safari was earlier conducted in Bandhavgarh mainly for wildlife tracking; however, currently elephant safari is not available in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve. Even when operational, it was conducted under strict restrictions, with limited access and controlled timings, and was usually permitted only under Forest Department supervision.
