Bandhavgarh National Park
At a glance- Bandhavgarh National Park
Tiger Safari on your mind? Bandhavgarh National Park, located in the Vindhya Hills of the Umaria district in Madhya Pradesh, is the perfect choice if you want to see the Royal Bengal Tiger in all its glory. Declared as a national park in 1968 the Bandhavgarh National Park is spread across the area of 105 km².
The name Bandhavgarh has been derived from the most prominent hillock of the area of Umaria. The area of Bandhavgarh boasts of immense biodiversity, and the place is also being famed to grip the highest density of tiger population in India.
History of Bandhavgarh
Bandhavgarh is a place of mythological and historical importance. The ancient Bandhavgarh fort is said to be gifted by Lord Rama to his younger brother Lakshmana. The area dates back to 2000 years, with many man-made caves with inscriptions and rock paintings proving human inhabitants in the area.
Before being constituted as a national park in 1968, Bandhavgarh was a Shikargarh, or a game preserve, for the Maharajas of the Baghela dynasty.
What to expect at Bandhavgarh National Park
Thanks to the Indian Government’s tiger conservation efforts such as Project Tiger and Wildlife Protection Act, the tiger population of Bandhavgarh has seen a steady increase. According to a 2012 census, Bandhavgarh has close to 50 Bengal tigers, making it one of the most densely populated tiger parks in India.
Apart from tigers, Bandhavgarh also boasts of rich flora and fauna. According to official statistics, there are 37 species of mammals, 250 species of birds and about 80 species of butterflies. Other than the Royal Bengal Tiger, other the carnivores that have been spotted at Bandhavgarh include Leopard, Asiatic Jackal, Sloth Bear, Ratel, Bengal Fox, and the Striped Hyena.
Getting to Bandhavgarh National Park
The closest airport to Bandhavgarh is the Jabalpur Airport (190 km). The airport is well connected to Delhi, Varanasi, Indore, Mumbai and Hyderabad airports. The closest railway station is Umaria (37 km) or Katni (100 km). Bandhavgarh is well connected by road to Umaria, Jabalpur, and Katni.
Best time to visit Bandhavgarh
The park is open from 1st October to 30 th June, and the best time to visit Bandhavgarh is from November to April. The temperature dips up to 5 degrees Celsius in the mornings and rises to 18 degree Celsius in the daytime during winter, so it is best to pack a few extra warm clothes if you are visiting in the winter season. The park is also closed for evening safari every Wednesday, so plan your travel accordingly.
Please watch out for our upcoming tours at Bandhavgarh. For a group size of 6 and above, please contact us for a customized package at exclusive rates.