Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve (Timings, Entry Fee, Safari Online Booking, How to Reach)
Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve is located in the Shahdol and Jabalpur districts of Madhya Pradesh. Spread across an area of 448.84 sq. km, the reserve lies between Vindhyan hill range and Satpura hill range. Bandhavgarh was declared as national park in the year of 1965. In the year of 1993, Bandhavgarh National Park was labelled as the tiger reserve under the Project Tiger by the Government of India. The Panpatha Sanctuary which is located quite close was declared as a part of the Reserve.
Previously a hunting preserve of the Maharaja of Rewa, Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve has been named after the highest hill Bandhavgarh. It has the highest number of tigers in India.
Flora @ Bandhavgarh
Main vegetation in the reserve is consisted of Sal trees along with huge expanses of grasslands and bamboo forests. Other kinds of trees which are found here are Saja, Dhauda, Tendu, Arjun, Aonla, Pals, Salai, Bhirra, Khamer, Dhaman, Mango, Jamun, Dhobin, etc.
Fauna @ Bandhavgarh
Apart from high density in tigers’ population, the reserve boasts of various other species as well. Some of these are Spotted deer or Chital, Sambar, Barking deer or Muntjac, Chausingha or Four-horned antelope, wild dog or Dhole, Wolf, Hyena, jackal, Wild boar, Sloth bear, Common Langur, Rhesus monkey, Nilgai or Blue bull, Indian Gazelle or chinkara, Leopard, etc. Cobras, Kraits, Vipers and Python are few of the reptiles found here.
It also has close to 242 species of birds. Some of the avian species spotted here are Peafowl, Red Jungle fowl, Grey Hornbill, Common Teals, Crested Serpent Eagle, White Breasted Kingfisher, Lesser Adjutant Stork, Red Wattled Lapwing, etc.
Best time to visit Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve
The best time to visit the tiger reserve is during the months of November to June. The park is closed from the month of July to September.
Reaching Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve
- By air: The nearest airport to the reserve is Jabalpur airport which is 130 km away. One can hire taxi from here to the destination. Another option is Khajuraho airport and is 7-8 hours’ drive away from Tala park entrance at Bandhavgarh.
- By rail: The nearest railway station is Umaria which is close to 40 km away from the reserve. Other options are Katni railway station and Khajuraho.
- By road: The reserve is well connected to various cities and towns via road. The towns located near-by are Umaria (35-40 km) Khajuraho (270 km), Jabalpur (190 km), Satna (120 km), Delhi (978 km), Gwalior (565 km) and Katni (102 km).
Accommodation at Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve
For accommodation tourists have wide range of options such as forest lodges, guest houses by PWD and the Forest Department, Bandhavgarh Jungle Lodge, Natural Heritage Resort, Tiger Trails Resort, Maharaja Royal Retreat, Treehouse Hideaway Resort, Kings lodge, Wild Haven Resort, Bagh Sarai Resort, Tiger Den Resort, Mogli Jungle Resort, Junglemantra Resort, Mahua Kothi, Golbro Tiger View Resort, Anantvan Resort, etc.