Satpura Tiger Reserve is located in the Hoshangabad (Narmadapuram) district of Madhya Pradesh, nestled in the scenic Satpura mountain ranges of Central India. Established in 1981, the reserve forms a unique and rich ecosystem along with Bori Wildlife Sanctuary and Pachmarhi Wildlife Sanctuary. Unlike many other tiger reserves, Satpura is known for its peaceful environment, low tourist density, and diverse wildlife experiences.
The reserve is famous for its rugged landscapes, deep valleys, sandstone peaks, dense forests, and meandering rivers. It is home to majestic wildlife including Royal Bengal Tigers, leopards, sloth bears, wild dogs (dholes), Indian bison (gaur), and giant squirrels. Satpura is considered one of India’s most beautiful and unspoiled wildlife destinations.
Want to make your trip more adventurous? Satpura is one of the few tiger reserves in India that allows walking safaris and canoe safaris, offering a rare close-to-nature experience.
The core area of Satpura Tiger Reserve covers approximately 1,334 km², while the buffer zone extends over 794 km², making it one of the largest protected forest areas in Madhya Pradesh. The terrain varies from steep hills and plateaus to dense sal forests, teak forests, grasslands, and riverine ecosystems.
Satpura is not just about tigers — it is a biodiversity hotspot. The reserve houses over 50 species of mammals, 300+ species of birds, 30 species of reptiles, and a wide variety of medicinal and flowering plants. Birdwatchers especially love Satpura for sightings of Malabar pied hornbill, paradise flycatcher, crested serpent eagle, and Indian pitta.
Historically, the forests of Satpura were once used as hunting grounds by British officers and local rulers. Today, the area stands as a strong example of conservation success under Project Tiger.
Satpura Tiger Reserve is well connected by road. The main entry gate is Madhai Gate, which is accessible from nearby cities like:
Private taxis and buses are easily available from these cities.
The nearest railway station is Itarsi Junction, which is a major rail hub connected to Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai.
From Itarsi, Satpura Tiger Reserve is about 1.5–2 hours by road.
Another nearby station is Pipariya Railway Station, which is about 90 km away.
Satpura offers a variety of safari experiences, making it different from most other tiger reserves.
The most popular option, conducted in core and buffer zones. Tourists explore deep forest trails with trained guides in authorized vehicles.
Satpura is among the very few reserves in India where guided walking safaris are allowed. This gives visitors a chance to track wildlife on foot with armed forest guards and naturalists.
Currently not operational for tourism, but elephants are used by forest officials for monitoring purposes.
Satpura forests include:
A paradise for bird lovers with species like:
✔ Less crowded than other tiger reserves
✔ Unique walking and canoe safaris
✔ Rich biodiversity beyond just tigers
✔ Stunning landscapes and peaceful environment
✔ Perfect for wildlife photographers and nature lovers
Satpura is ideal for travelers looking for a raw, immersive jungle experience rather than just vehicle-based tiger tourism.