National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries in Madhya Pradesh

Blessed by the miracles of nature, Madhya Pradesh is a state that offers a sight of exotic wild creatures going about their daily lives in the jungle. It has around nine national parks, six tiger reserves, and twenty-five wildlife sanctuaries. As a wildlife hotspot of India, people can visit the state to take a trip in a serene world of fascinating animals. Most people travel solely to take a glimpse of the magnificent Royal Bengal Tiger walking carefree in its territory.

In this article, we'll mainly talk about some of the national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in Madhya Pradesh. So, you can plan where to visit based on the area of interest and exploration. 

Bandhavgarh National Park

Safari Timings: 

Summer

Morning: 5:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Evening: 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Winter

Morning: 6:30 AM - 11:00 AM

Evening: 2:30 PM - 5:30 PM

Best time to visit: February - June (Closed from July 1 - October 15)

One of the most beautiful national parks in Madhya Pradesh, Bandhavgarh National Park, offers you glimpses of the daily lives of various wild creatures. Adorned by gorgeous landscapes, the national park is home to more than 250 bird species and 22 mammal species. If you're especially visiting to see the majestic tigers, you'll be delighted to know that the park is famous for having the most number of tigers in India. It's also believed that the white tigers were first found in the Bandhavgarh National Park. 

Not just the fauna, but the park is also famous for its varied range of flora, making it an ideal tourist spot for botany enthusiasts. The most common trees found are Sal, Bel, Saj, Mahua, Banyan, Jamun, Haldu, Pipal, etc. One can also learn that the place has been associated with the Ramayana through ancient books like the Narad Panch Ratra and the Shiva Purana. In the past, Bandhavgarh was also a famous hunting ground for the Kings.

Panpatha Wildlife Sanctuary

Safari Timings:

Morning: 6:30 AM - 10:30 AM

Evening: 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Best time to visit: October - June

Formed in 1983, the Panpatha Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the most famous wildlife sanctuaries in Madhya Pradesh. It is situated in an area of 245 sq. km. Moreover, the sanctuary is in the vicinity of the renowned Bandhavgarh National Park. So, people visiting the national park can also visit this sanctuary in their way. The sanctuary is home to various animal species like Tiger, Jackal, Wild Dog, Panther, Porcupine, Chausingha, Bear, etc. Many bird species are also found in this sanctuary. 

Visitors can visit the local ancient temples situated in the area. These include the Laxman Temple and the Shesh Shaiya Temple. A few religious fairs are also organized two times a year on Ram Navami and Janamashtmi. It's an ideal place for animal lovers looking for an adrenaline rush through a jungle safari.

Kanha National Park

Safari Timings: (October 16 - June 30)

October 16 - February 15

Morning: Sunrise - 11:00 AM

Evening: 2:00 PM - Sunset

February 16 - April 15

Morning: Sunrise - 11:00 AM

Evening: 3:00 PM to Sunset

April 16 - June 30

Morning: Sunrise - 10:00 AM

Evening: 3:30 PM - Sunset

Best time to visit: October - June

As one of the most well-managed national parks, the Kanha National Park is adorned by beautiful dense jungles, splendid landscapes, crystal-clear streams, and extravagant meadows. A trip to this park offers you a glimpse of various wild creatures walking carefree in their habitat, including the Royal Bengal Tigers. Not just that, but the fauna also includes many other animal species like Panther, Barasingha, Chital, Sambar, Blackbuck, Barking deer, Russell's Viper, Python, Indian Cobra, Indian Krait, Common Rat Snake, Common Skink, etc.

Moreover, the Kanha National Park is also famous for being the inspiration behind Rudyard Kipling's popular storybook, 'The Jungle Book.'

Pench National Park

Safari Timings: 

Summer

Morning: 6:30 AM - 9:30 AM

Evening: 4:00 PM - 6:30 PM

Winter

Morning: 7:30 AM - 10:30 AM

Evening: 3:00 PM - 5:30 PM

Best time to visit: February - April

For wildlife lovers looking for an escape from the hectic city life, the Pench National Park serves as a perfect getaway! Named after the river Pench that flows through it, the park offers amazing landscapes to visitors interested in photography. Moreover, the river divides the national park into two equal parts.The beauty of Pench National Park is also well-depicted in the historical memoir Ain-i-Akbari written by Abul Fazal in the 16th century. 

This wildlife hotspot offers various activities, including bird watching, jeep safari, and elephant ride. It has many popular tourist spots like Sitaghat, Bodhanala Range, Alikatta, Chhindimatta Road, Doob Road, Raiyakassa, and Kalapahad. As one of the most renowned national parks in Madhya Pradesh, it is home to a varied range of flora and fauna. 

Visitors can see various animal species like Tiger, Leopard, Sambar, Nilgai, Indian Bison, Cheetal, Wild Boar, Wild Dog, Wolf, etc. Also, the plant species include Mahua, Neem, Palas, Jamun, Palash, Teak, Axle wood, Amaltas, etc. People visiting the national park can also look for hotels in Pench for ease of traveling.

Panna National Park

Safari Timings:

Summer

 Morning: Sunrise - 11:00 AM

 Evening: 3:00 PM - Sunset

Winter 

Morning: Sunrise - 11:00 AM

Evening: 4:00 PM - Sunset

Best Time to visit: December to March

One of the worth-mentioning national parks in Madhya Pradesh is the Panna national park. Spanning across an area of around 542.67 km², Panna National Park is a gem of a national park situated in the Panna and Chhatarpur districts of Madhya Pradesh. Established in 1981, it was declared the 22nd tiger reserve of India and 5th in Madhya Pradesh in 1994. 

Owing to its rich diversity of wildlife, more than 200 species of birds and the vibrant forests of the Vindhyan Hills, Panna National Park has gained a fair share of popularity over the years. The Park has also been bestowed with the award of excellence in 2007 by the ministry of tourism for being the best maintained national park in India.  

The major attractions of the place are its enchanting waterfalls, widespread valleys and plateaus, and the diverse wildlife that includes the Indian leopard, Chinkara, Bengal tiger, sloth bear, and many more animals that are a treat to witness in their natural habitat. Sadly this once widely known tiger reserve in 2009 was reported to have lost all its tiger population to poaching. 

Karera Wildlife Sanctuary

Safari Timings:

Summer- 09:00 AM - 02:00 PM

Winter- 09:00 AM - 02:00 PM

Best Time to visit: November to March

Another one of the national parks in Madhya Pradesh is the Karera Wildlife Sanctuary. Located on the Jhansi-Shivpuri main road, the sanctuary encompasses mixed deciduous forests, riverine and swamp vegetation, and around 245 species of birds. 

Established in 1981 for the protection of the Great Indian Bustard, it is now on the verge of being denotified due to the extinction of these local birds and hence is one of the few places that you should see before it disappears. With a tropical climate, the sanctuary gets quite hot during the summer season, and hence, is best to be visited during the winter months. 

Overflowing with the acacia trees, this sanctuary hosts an array of both local and migratory birds such as the pintails, gadwalls, herons, egrets, Indian robins, spoonbills, etc. The Dihaila Lake is another wonderful treat for both the inhabitants and visitors and is the only water source in the sanctuary. So, if you happen to be in Madhya Pradesh and require a quest full of nature, this sanctuary is a must-visit. 

Singhori Wildlife Sanctuary

Safari Timings:

Open 24 hours 

Best Time to visit: November to February

One of the most popular wildlife sanctuaries in Madhya Pradesh is the Singhori Wildlife Sanctuary. It is located in Bari Tehsil of Raisen district, Madhya Pradesh. Established in 1976 the sanctuary spans over an area of 288 square km and hosts a wide variety of animals. With a tropical climate and dry deciduous forests, the sanctuary is best to be visited during the winters. 

The wildlife housed by the sanctuary includes leopards, tigers, Sambhars, Wild Boars, and more. Other attractions in the sanctuary constitute the famous Chouki Garh Fort, the Canes of Jamgarh, the Bandariya Temple, and the Shiv Temple. The latter two also host a special fair around Shivratri that is a delightful event for the visitors to attend. 

The place is a mesmerizing site for all the nature lovers thanks to the lovely hills, serene valleys, trickling rivers namely the Ghoghara and the Barna river, and lush green plains. The wild and exquisite fauna prevailing amidst such a rich, green flora, make the sanctuary a wonderful place for an eventful family outing. The sanctuary also hosts a variety of guest houses such as the Forest Rest House as a means of accommodation for the tourists.  

Satpura National Park

Safari Timings : 

Summers: 

Mornings: 5:45 AM - 9:30 AM

Evenings: 3:00 PM - 06:30 PM

Winters: 

Mornings: 6:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Evenings: 2:30 PM - 5:30 PM, 

Best time to Visit: October to June

Set up in the year 1981, the Satpura National Park is set in the Hoshangabad district of Madhya Pradesh. It is spread over a total area of around 202 square km and is named after the Satpura Hill ranges. 

The sanctuary is hands down one of the most fascinating and diverse Wildlife Sanctuaries in Madhya Pradesh and has been awarded the TOFT Wildlife Tourism Award in 2010 for being the most visitor-friendly sanctuary. The rich forest cover surrounding the park on top of being a visual treat is home to a wide variety of endangered and threatened species of wild animals as well as plants. 

Some of the commonly spotted wildlife in the Park comprises leopards, Porcupines, Sambhar, Indian Bison, tigers, spotted deer, Chousinghas, Langurs, wild boars, Crocodiles, and more. Some rare and exotic species that you can get a chance to witness are the white bison, blackbuck, and the Giant Indian Squirrel. Not to forget the wide range of bird species available there. 

The park also boasts around 1300 different species of plants that add to the richness and beauty of the sanctuary. It also offers a jeep as well as an elephant safari for the tourists to tour around the park. Various resorts and luxurious accommodation facilities are available too. 

Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary

Safari Timings: 

Morning- 6:00 AM to 9:30 AM

Evening- 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Best time to visit- October to June

Deriving its name from the Kuno River, the Kuno Wildlife sanctuary is a wondrous sight to behold in its all-natural glory and ancient tales. Established in 1981 and located in the Sheopur and Morena districts of Madhya Pradesh, the park forms a piece of the Khathiar-Gir Dry Deciduous Forests. 

It is one of the famous places to visit in Bhopal and is also known as the Kuno-Palpur wildlife sanctuary. The park is a hidden gem situated amidst the mesmerizing Vindhyan hills. The real magic of the place lies in its ever-flowing rivers, dense green cover, and abundant wildlife. The real charm of the sanctuary lies in the fact that it remains a destination not often trodden by tourists and hence, offers more peace and serenity and its counterparts.

The vegetation here mainly consists of Kardhai, Salai, and Khair trees. The park is also speckled with numerous old historical forts. The Indian leopard, Bengal fox, golden jackal, Chinkaras, blackbucks, sloth bears are a few of the wide variety of animals that exist here. There are also around 129 species of birds waiting to be explored and enjoyed. 

Ghatigaon Wildlife Sanctuary

Safari Timings: 

Summer- 09:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Winter- 09:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Best time to visit- November to June

Covering an area of around 511 square km, the Ghatigaon Wildlife Sanctuary is another haven for the rich flora and fauna of Madhya Pradesh. It was created for the protection of the Great Indian Bustard and has been in existence since 1981. The sanctuary is part of the Kathiar-Gir dry deciduous forest system and predominantly consists of low shrubland and woodland. The major trees seen in the habitat include Tendu, Khair, Reonjha, etc. Other attractions surrounding the sanctuary include the Dev-cave, the Gupteshwar Temple, and more. 

Some of the commonly found species in the park include the blackbuck, the great Indian bustard, wild boar, hyenas, monkey, Chital, etc. The sanctuary extends up to the Tigra Dam and encompasses a fraction of its reservoir. With magnificent forests, hills, and wildlife the sanctuary is a great place to be, to feel close to the mother earth and appreciate its creations a little more. The park hosts an array of private accommodation facilities for the guests to stay and relax at hotel in bhopal. So, if you're visiting Bhopal, and ever run out of holiday options, you can always put this sanctuary at the top of your list of things to do in Bhopal! 

Conclusion

The places above are some of the most famous national parks and wildlife sanctuaries of the state. These places are a must-visit for animal lovers and wildlife photographers. For all sorts of adventure in the wild, a trip to Madhya Pradesh should be on your bucket list. Therefore, you must start planning the trip by looking for stay options near or inside the national parks. Bookyourown.net has many such accommodation options available at an affordable price.