Discover India's Wild Heritage
Explore the diverse ecosystems and magnificent wildlife across India's national parks
Explore ParksExplore the diverse ecosystems and magnificent wildlife across India's national parks
Explore ParksThe Tiger's Fortress
Madhya Pradesh
Image: User:Archith / CC BY-SA 3.0Welcome to Bandhavgarh National Park! Use the resources below to plan your adventure in one of India's most treasured wild spaces.
Safaris, bird watching, nature walks, and more
Safari timings, open seasons, and park schedules
Entry fees, safari charges, and camera fees
How to reach by air, rail, and road
Official booking links, permits, and offline reservation guidance
Nearby stays, forest rest houses, and booking resources
Book safari permits through the Madhya Pradesh forest booking portal.
Jeep safaris on maintained forest roads. Terrain is hilly and roads can be bumpy. Fort trek involves steep climbing. The Tala gate area is accessible. Most resorts have accessible ground-floor rooms.
Bandhavgarh National Park in Madhya Pradesh boasts the highest density of Bengal tigers in India, making it arguably the best place in the country for tiger sightings. The park is dominated by the Bandhavgarh Fort, perched atop a 811-meter hill — an ancient citadel with origins dating back over 2,000 years, mentioned in the Narada-Panch Ratra. The varied terrain of steep ridges, open meadows, sal forests, and bamboo thickets creates ideal tiger habitat. The legendary white tigers of Rewa were first discovered in this region in 1951, and the park's tigers continue to captivate wildlife enthusiasts from around the world.
| Season | Morning Safari | Evening Safari |
|---|---|---|
| Winter (Oct - Feb) | 6:00 AM - 11:00 AM | 2:00 PM - 5:30 PM |
| Summer (Mar - Jun) | 5:30 AM - 10:30 AM | 2:30 PM - 6:00 PM |
Three zones: Tala (best for tigers), Magdhi, and Khitauli. Tala zone is most popular and fills up first. Wednesday afternoon safaris are closed.
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Entry Fee (Indian) | INR 80 per person |
| Entry Fee (Foreigner) | INR 1,600 per person |
| Jeep Safari (Indian) | INR 4,500 - 6,500 per trip |
| Jeep Safari (Foreigner) | INR 9,000 - 12,000 per trip |
| Elephant Safari | INR 2,500 per person (when available) |
| Guide Fee | INR 500 per trip (mandatory) |
Tala zone commands a premium and fills up months in advance. Magdhi and Khitauli zones offer good wildlife but lower tiger density. Book through MP Online portal.
Bandhavgarh National Park, Umaria District, Madhya Pradesh 484661
23.7227° N, 80.9693° E
Nearest airport is Jabalpur (195 km, 4.5 hours) or Khajuraho (240 km, 5 hours). Both have flights from Delhi and Mumbai.
Nearest railway station is Umaria (35 km), on the Katni-Bilaspur line. Directly connected to Delhi (Mahakaushal Express), Kolkata, and other cities. Katni Junction (100 km) is a larger station on the Mumbai-Howrah main line.
195 km from Jabalpur (4.5 hours), 240 km from Khajuraho (5 hours), 200 km from Satna. Well-maintained state highway. Taxis available from Umaria and Jabalpur.
Safari jeeps arranged through hotels or the park gate at Tala village. The Tala zone gate is the main entry. Tala village has restaurants and shops. Auto-rickshaws available in Tala.
Sal forests covering nearly 50% of the park, mixed deciduous forests on hillslopes, bamboo thickets in valleys, and open grasslands (chakradhara and rajbhera meadows). Teak, Arjun, Mahua, and Tendu are common.
Approximately 80-100 Bengal tigers — the highest density in India. Also home to leopards, sloth bears, gaur, sambar, chital, wild boar, porcupines, and Indian foxes. The park was the original home of the famous white tigers of Rewa.
The Bandhavgarh Fort is believed to be over 2,000 years old, with the earliest human habitation dating to 1st century cave inscriptions. The name means 'Brother's Fort' — legend says Lord Rama gave this fort to his brother Lakshmana after conquering Lanka. The forests were the hunting grounds of the Maharajas of Rewa. In 1951, Maharaja Martand Singh captured a white tiger cub (Mohan) here, sparking the famous lineage of white tigers. The area became a national park in 1968 and a tiger reserve in 1993.
