Bandhavgarh

Bandhavgarh National Park is one of the wild life sanctuaries in the Indian state Madhya Pradesh. The national park is situated at 197 km away north-east of Jabalpur. This wild life park derived its very name from an ancient fort in the area. Bandhawgarh National Park belongs to the Vindhyan mountain ranges of central India and it boasts to have the highest density of tiger population in the country. Now there are about 46 to 52 tigers one can spot here.

The Elusive White Tiger

The forests of Bandhavgarh are the white tiger jungles of the yesteryears. However, no white tigers have been reported from the wild in the last 50 years, and it is believed that less than a dozen have been seen in India in about a hundred years. And yet when white tigers were sighted, it was right here in Bandhavgarh.

Once a hunting reserve of the royal family of Rewa in more  recent times, Bandhavgarh was declared a park in 1968. This is also the site where the famous  WHITE TIGERS of Rewa were discovered. Wandering through the Bandhavgarh national park on an Elephant Back, the chances of seeing a tiger are quite good. Among the other wild attractions include, Nilgai, Chausingha, Chital, Chinkara, Wild Boar and sometimes a Fox or Jackal.

In the Bandhavgarh National Park the visitors can be entered on elephant back apart from the four wheelers. Bandhavgarh National Park Safari Timing Wildlife safari timing in bandhavgarh national park is just like most parks in the country. Timings for entry into, and exit from, the park vary according to the season. In winters, due to the shorter duration of daylight hours, the morning entry time is later and evening exit time is earlier. There are 04 different zones of the national park from where visitors can Enjoy Jeep safari rides. Vehicles Permitted to enter inside the national park in each shift: • Tala zone • Magadhi zone • Khitauli zone • Panpatha zone Open Jeeps with groups of tourists, individuals accompanied by naturalist are allowed into the park at fixed timings. Wildlife safari timing in Bandhavgarh National Park is just like most parks in the country. Timings for entry into, and exit from, the park vary according to the season. In winters, due to the shorter duration of daylight hours, the morning entry time is later and evening exit time is earlier. The Bandhavgarh National Park remain closed from July 1st to October 15th SAFARI TIMINGS: Winter Timings: Morning à 6:00-11:00am (5hrs) Afternoon à 3:00-6:00pm (3hrs) Summer Timings: Morning à 5:30-10:30am (5hrs) Afternoon à 3:30-6:30pm (3hrs) Note : At Bandhavgarh afternoon shift of Jeep Safari remain close for visitors on Every Wednesday. Morning & Afternoon both the shift remain close on Holi festival (In the month of March). There are some necessary details which required for safari reservation: • Full Name of every visitor • Age & Gender • Nationality • Any Identity proof details like Passport, Driving License, PAN Card or Voter • I D Card. Visitor is required to carry the same ID proof in original at the time of visiting the national park.

FACTS & FIGURES

Area : 450 sq. km (Core area: 105 sq. km) Altitude :  800 m above sea level Temperature range :  42°C to 2°C Best time to visit : February-June (Closed 1 July-31 October) STD Code : 07653

Bandhavgarh National Park is one of the wild life  sanctuaries in the Indian state Madhya Pradesh. The national park is situated at 197 km away north-east of Jabalpur. This wild life park derived its very name from an ancient fort in the area. Bandhawgarh National Park belongs to the Vindhyan mountain ranges of central India and it boasts to have the highest density of tiger population in the country. Now there are about 46 to 52 tigers one can spot here.

The thick forest of Bandhavgarh National Park sits in a bowl encircled by cliffs and wooded Vindhyan mountains, and its plains have a number of grass and reed covered wetlands where Kingfishers dive and Egrets sit poised, hunch-backed, in the shallows. Up above, vultures nestle in holes in the sheer cliffs.

The Bandhavgarh jungle, when it is large enough, becomes a living self-sustaining organism providing its own climate, atmosphere, water and nutrition through its recycling systems. It even has a sleep wake cycle. As more light fills the sky, Bandhavgarh begins to awaken.

Flora In Bandhavgarh

Initially just 105.40-sq-kms in area, Bandhavgarh with 25  resident TIGERS was noted for its high-density tiger population. Today, it has been extended to an area of 437-sq-kms. About half the Bandhavgarh park is covered with fine trees of Sal, while mixed forests are found in the higher reaches of the hills. Stretches of bamboo and grasslands extend to the north. The main wildlife viewing is still done in the core of the park with its 32 picturesque, wooded hills.

Major Wildlife Attractions - Bandhavgarh

Once a hunting reserve of the royal family of Rewa in more recent times, Bandhavgarh was declared a park in 1968. This is also the site where the fanmous  WHITE TIGERS of Rewa were discovered. Wandering through the Bandhavgarh national park on an Elephant Back, the chances of seeing a tiger are quite good. Among the other wild attractions include, Nilgai, Chausingha, Chital, Chinkara, Wild Boar and sometimes a Fox or Jackal.

In the Bandhavgarh National Park the visitors can be entered on elephant back apart from the four wheelers. In the elephant safaris a forest department guide always accompanies the guests who will direct and tell about the flora and fauna of the park. The best time to visit the park is early in the morning or after 4 pm to spot the animals. The park is closed from 1st July to 15th October, which is the monsoon season.

JEEP AND ELEPHANT SAFARI

One can enjoy viewing the wildlife by two ways in Bandhavgarh - Jeep Safari and Elephant Safari.. Jeep safaris are undertaken during the early morning hours till evening. A forest department guide is always their with the visitors on these jeep trips taken inside the park. Elephant safari trips are organized for tiger tracking early in the morning.