Bandhavgarh National Park

Total Area : 437 sq. kms / 44,884 hectares
Established : 1982 as a National Park. 1993 as Tiger Reserve
Location : 120 kms form Katni in the Shadol and Jabalpur district of Madhya Pradesh.

Description :
Set amidst the Vindhyan ranges and the eastern flank of Satpura hill range Bandhavgarh National Park is one of the best places to see and enjoy wildlife in India. The Reserve is named after the highest hill Bandhavgarh (807 m.) in the centre of the Reserve. A chain of smaller hills, 32 in all, surrounds this hill, forming a number of valleys and spurs in between. This park was the former hunting preserve of the Maharaja of Rewa and at present is a famous natural hub for White Tigers. White Tigers, now a major attraction around the world's zoos, were first discovered in Rewa, not far from here. The terrain is broken, with rocky hill ranges, running roughly east west, interspersed with grassy swamps and forested valleys. The rivers Johilla and Son flowing on the eastern side, the river Umrar passing through the western fringes and the Bandhavgarh hill, visible from as far as 30 km., are some of the landmarks of the Reserve.

Much of the park is covered in Sal forest, replaced by mixed forests in the higher elevations of the hills. There are extensive strands of bamboo, which flowered in 1984-85, and grasslands. Generally the forests have less undergrowth here, thus offering better sightings of wildlife, notably mammals, including the daylight sightings of Tigers in the grassy 'maidans'. More than 25 Tigers are estimated for the park.

Visiting Season:
Visitors can visit the park during the time period of November to June; still the best period to come is January-April. Park is open from October to June.

Tiger Show at Bandhavgarh National Park :
The Forest authority of Bandhavgarh National park organizes a Tiger Show for tourists through tokens on strictly on first-come-first-serve basis. The vehicles take it in turns to drive to the location where one is taken by elephant to view the tiger. The elephants can approach the tigers at very close proximity, often as close as 3-4 metres without seemingly causing any distress to either animal.

Note: Tiger shows can't be guaranteed since they are strictly subject to the successful tiger tracking.

Access :
By Air : Khajuraho is the closest airport to Bandhavgarh (300 kms).
By Rai : Nearest railway station is Umaria after Katni, from there it is about an hours drive to Bandhavgarh.
Road : Jabalpur is 180 kms on the Shahdol -Shahpura road and Umaria is 34 kms from Tala. It is also connected to the Mandla district through Dewas. Khajuraho to Bandhavgarh National Park is 250 Kms, (8 hrs drive).

Accommodation and Facilities:
Most of the tourist accommodation is available at or near Tala. There are quite a few jungle resorts in Bandhavgarh National Park where you can enjoy your stay, the recommended ones are: