Bandhavgarh Travel Information - Tiger Safari Tours India

Detailed Travel Information Guide for Bandhavgarh

Detailed Bandhavgarh travel information: Bandhavgarh National Park is located in the Madhya Pradesh state of India; it has an ancient Fort called Bandhavgarh Fort from which the place gets the name Bandhavgarh.

Placed in Vindhyachal mountain ranges, Bandhavgarh National Park covers an area of 694 square kilometres inclusive of a core Jungle area of 105 square kilometres

Flora and Fauna of Bandhavgarh

Flora of Bandhavgarh majorly consisting of Sal forest and grassland meadows and the major attraction in Fauna of Bandhavgarh is the Royal Bengal Tiger or the Indian Tiger.

Flora in Bandhavgarh

In Bandhavgarh, the foliage is majorly dry deciduous and consists of Sal and Bamboo in huge numbers.

Some of the other floral species are

Saj (Terminalia tomentosa), Dhaora (Anogeissus latifolia), Tendu, Arjun (Terminalia arjuna), Amla (Emblica Officinalis),

Palas (Butea monosperma), Salai (Boswellia serrata), Mango (Mangifera indica),

Dhak or flame of the forest (Butea monosperma), Khajur (Phoenix sylvestris), Khair (Acacia catechu), Bamboo, Lagerstroemia,

Boswelia, Pterocarpus, Madhuca, Dhok (Anogeossis pendula), Jamun (Syzygium cumini),

Kadam (Authocephalus cadamba), Kakera (Flacourtia indica), Neem (Azadirachta indica), Jamun (Blackberry) (Syzygium Cumini), Babul (Acacia nilotica),

Karel (Capparis decidua), Mohua (MadhucaIndicaa), Khejda (Prosopis specigera), Banyan (Ficus benghalensis), Ber (Zizyphus Mauritania).

Fauna in Bandhavgarh

On a jeep safari in Bandhavgarh in search of the Tiger in India, there is a chance to spot other fauna also which may be Blue Bull, four-horned antelope along with their best friends the grey langur,

Spotted or Axis deer, wild boar, bison, sambar, barking deer, Sloth bear, Striped Hyena, grey Mongoose, Jungle cat, spotted deer, Dhole, palm squirrel, small Indian civet.

Bandhavgarh National Park is also home to leopards though rarely seen justifying the title Ghost of the Jungle.

When on a tiger safari in central India national park, tourists visiting Bandhavgarh as a destination and choosing to go for a jeep safari in the Indian National Park have an opportunity to see avian fauna also.

Central Indian forests are home to 250 species of birds and at Bandhavgarh National Park Egrets, Sarus Crane, Crested Serpent Eagle, Black Kite, Black Vulture, Common Peafowl, Dove, Indian Roller, Parakeets, Grey Hornbill, White Breasted Kingfisher, Common teals can be spotted.

Reptiles in Bandhavgarh

Reptile residents in the jungle of Bandhavgarh that cannot escape mention are Cobra, Krait, Rat Snake, Turtle, Python and some species of lizards.

Project Tiger and Tigers of Bandhavgarh

The Government of India launched a tiger conservation program in 1972 called Project Tiger, under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.

Project Tiger aimed at protecting the Indian Tiger or the Royal Bengal Tiger from Extinction aiming at a population of Indian tigers in natural habitats and preserving such habitats as well as natural heritage close to the ecosystems of the existence of tiger population across India.

Dr M.K. Ranjitsinh Jhala played a key role in the drafting of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 of India and demarcating many forests as wildlife sanctuaries.

In the early stages of Project Tiger, an area of 105 square kilometres was included from Bandhavgarh National Park which is now the current core area. By 1993, a total area declared under Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve was 694 square kilometres.

The tigers of Bandhavgarh today are all heritors of Charger and Sita, former the male tiger who gets his name from his habit of charging at safari jeeps and mahouts and latter being the female tigress who can be called the most famous tigress of Bandhavgarh.

Jeep Safari in Bandhavgarh National Park

Best way to experience the wildlife in Bandhavgarh will be through a few jungle safaris – taking you close and helping you witness the Flora Fauna in its Natural Habitat as they coexist in an Ecosystem.

Bandhavgarh National Park offers jungle safari permits from October to June and safari permits remain closed from July to September due to rains.

Services of a dedicated English speaking naturalist are recommended when on a Jeep Safari in Bandhavgarh National Park Forest Department Bandhavgarh National Park changes safari timings as per summers and winters due to sunrise and sunset timing Wednesday evening jungle safaris are closed.

Elephant Safari in Bandhavgarh National Park

Elephant Safari is an option available in Bandhavgarh National Park, though is sometimes not operational. To avail the services there is an extra charge, the same can be checked on request.

Safari Zones in Bandhavgarh National Park

Core Zone
- Tala
- Magdhi
- Khitauli
Buffer Zone
- Dhamokar
- Johila
- Panpatha

Jeep Safari Timings for Jeep Safari in Bandhavgarh

Winters –
- Morning Safari – 06:00 HRS to 10:00 HRS
- Afternoon Safari – 15:00 HRS to 17:30 HRS
Summers –
- Morning Safari – 05:30 HRS to 10:00 HRS
- Afternoon Safari – 15:00 HRS to 18:00 HRS

Climate & Weather Conditions of Bandhavgarh

The climate of Bandhavgarh varies as per Indian Seasons going as low as 2 degree Celsius at night in winters to as high as 45-degree Celsius in summers.

Months	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Min (°C)	4	8	12	18	22	21	19	18	17	13	8	4
Max (°C)	25	28	34	40	42	37	32	31	32	32	30	27

Best time to visit Bandhavgarh National Park

Winters – October mid to March
Summers – April to June

Bandhavgarh National Park remains closed for tourist and safari permits are not available from July to September due to rains.

Things To Carry On A Trip To Bandhavgarh National Park

Basic though important Travel Information for tourist travelling to Bandhavgarh National Park for Tiger Safari. When visiting Bandhavgarh National park, things to carry on a tiger tour to India depends totally on the time of the year. Furthermore, things to be carried have to be appropriate clothing, accessories, gears and medicine/lotions.

Tourist visiting Bandhavgarh during winters should carry warm clothing which can include jackets, gloves, mufflers as the morning jeep safari can get very cold. You also ask the accommodation provider for warm water bottles and blankets. In addition, moisturizers are a must in the essentials.

Things to be carried in summer to Bandhavgarh on your tiger safari should be cotton clothing which can or should include caps, shorts, pyjamas, full sleeve shirts. Sunscreen is a must in the essentials.

A great advantage in the forest while doing safaris are Binoculars and Cameras.

How to reach Bandhavgarh

Bandhavgarh is accessible by Airways, Roadways and Railways.

Airways – Nearest airport is Jabalpur connecting to Bandhavgarh by a road journey of 190 km which takes nearly 5 hours.
Railways – Overnight journey is recommended if travelling by train and the nearest railway station is Umaria connecting to Bandhavgarh by of 35 kilometre Road journey taking nearly 1 hour.
Roadways – Bandhavgarh is connected by road from major cities in Madhya Pradesh, nearest being Jabalpur, Kanha, Raipur, Umaria.