Bandhavgarh National Park

Bandhavgarh National Park is located in the eastern part of Central India in Madhya Pradesh.  The national park covers an area of 593 square miles (1,536 sq km). This is one of the leading tiger reserves and destinations in all of India.

Bandhavgarh protects significant biodiversity for the India region.  There are three regions within the park that include Tala, Magadhi, and Khitauli with Tala serving as the primary area for the tigers.  The National Tiger Conservation Authority helps leverage the park and others to protect the declining tiger population.

The national park features wide valleys between the ranges that provide grasslands, Sal forests, rich mixed forests, and thickets of bamboo.  In addition to the tiger, there are 37 species of mammals.

The predators of Bandhavgarh include the tiger, leopard, striped hyena, and the caracal.  Sambar, barking deer, spotted deer, and nilgai are all commonly seen in the park.  The spotted deer is the favorite prey of the tiger.  The tiger is the most exciting wildlife sighting and one of the leading reasons that visitors come to the national park.

For those who appreciate the skies, and depending on the reports, there are between 250 and 350 species of birds with 80 species of butterflies providing an abundance of beauty in the air. 

Photos

Bandhavgarh National Park Photo Gallery

Highlights

Bandhavgarh National Park has one of the largest populations of tigers in all of India.  The park also features a significant number of breeding leopards.  Although the park is relatively small, it is home to approximately 46 tigers.

A traditional saying of the park is, “In any other park, you are lucky if you see a tiger.  In Bandhavgarh, you are unlucky if you don’t see at least one.”

Tigers

The tiger is the pinnacle attraction at the national park and the wildlife species that most people strive to see.  The tiger is the largest of the cats.  It is renowned for its beautiful black and orange striped fur.  The underbelly is also striped but usually features a softer whitish color of fur along with the black stripes.

The tiger is the official national animal of India.  The male ranges in length from about 8.2 feet to 12.8 feet (250 to 390 cm) and weighing between 198 to 675 pounds (90 to 306 kg).  Females are smaller ranging from 6.56 to 9.02 feet (200 to 275 cm) and weighing between 143 to 368 pounds (65 to 167 kg).

Bandhavgarh Fort

The Bandhavgarh Fort sits atop a hill reaching a height of 2,660.76 feet (811 m) giving it amazing panoramic views over the terrain of the national park. The fort now serves as a historical part of the national park experience with wildlife roaming about the fort as if it was their own. 

Things To Do:

Viewing the wildlife is the primary activity of the national park.  Visitors can also explore the Bandhavgarh Fort to see the home that monkey have overtaken.

• Game Drives

Game Drives

The game drive for most visitors is an adventure with the hopes of tracking tigers.  Some even call this tiger drives.  Hopefully, you will have the opportunity to see these striking cats.

Bandhavgarh National Park Trails

Bandhavgarh is primarily a safari destination and as a destination that features tigers and leopards, it is not a place frequented for hiking.  The hiking opportunities are limited.

Bandhavgarh Fort Trail

This is a one-hour adventure into the park to view the fort. The fort sits atop of a hill at about (807 m).  From the fort, you will have a tremendous panoramic view of the area below.  There are chances to see wildlife, but exploring the fort is the primary purpose of the hike.

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Park Protection

Bandhavgarh National Park was created to protect the tigers and the habit where they live.  This is part of the larger National TIger Conservation Authority reflecting India's commitment to protecting these magnificent creatures.

The park boundaries also protects the cultural and historical of the Bandhavgarh Fort, which is now mostly a home for monkeys and panoramic views of the area below.