Madhya Pradesh’s national parks are renowned for having a diverse range of wildlife. Every wildlife enthusiast’s top priority should be a trip to one of these national parks. Besides its numerous historical sites and temples, Madhya Pradesh is well-known for its wildlife tourism.
Madhya Pradesh is one of those states in India where you can see the most exotic animals walking carefree in the wild, blessed abundantly by nature. It features eight national parks and provides visitors with a glimpse into the natural world of fascinating animals. Madhya Pradesh will enchant you more than any other state when it comes to seeing the most magnificent of all animals, the tiger.
One of the top tourist activities is wildlife safari in these national parks. This activity allows you to refresh and unwind in a world full of fascinating wild animals and the adventure of spotting these elusive creatures. Here, visitors can observe tigers, deer, leopards, wild boars, and other animals in their natural habitat.
National Parks in Madhya Pradesh wildlife enthusiasts must definitely visit
These national parks in Madhya Pradesh provide a unique landscape that beckons nature lovers for a rejuvenating experience and is a beautiful getaway from all the mundane tasks of life.
Kanha National Park
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Kanha National Park is renowned for its stunning landscapes and for being one of the best-managed national parks in Madhya Pradesh. A visit to Kanha National Park is exhilarating because you can see Royal Bengal tigers and other animals like leopards and barasinghas.
There are numerous streams, green meadows, and dense jungles in Kanha National Park. Bammi Dadar, a popular spot also known as Sunset Point, is one of the most well-known places in this area. Kanha National Park is renowned for serving as the source of inspiration for Rudyard Kipling’s classic novel “The Jungle Book.”
Safari Timings
| Summer | Morning | Evening |
| 6:30 AM to 11:00 AM | 4:00 PM- 7:00 PM |
| Winter | Morning | Evening |
| 6:00 AM to 11:00 AM | 3:00 PM- 5:30 PM |
Safari Cost
| Indians | Foreigners |
| Rs. 6500/vehicle | Rs. 9500/vehicle |
Ideal time to visit
Mid-October to June end
How to reach?
By air: Nagpur in Maharashtra, which is 266 kilometres away, is the closest significant airport to Kanha National Park. It has good connections to almost all of India’s domestic airports. The Jabalpur airport is 177 kilometres from the park and is also accessible from there.
By rail: Three hours are needed to travel from Jabalpur to Kanha and about five hours from Nagpur.
By car: Daily buses run from Jabalpur, Nagpur, Bilaspur, and Raipur to Kanha. There are also taxis and private cab services available. For a tour of Kanha National Park, cars can be rented. It is now also feasible for the daring to drive their vehicle to Kanha.
Bandhavgarh National Park
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One of the best tiger reserves in Madhya Pradesh is Bandhavgarh National Park, renowned for having the highest density of tigers in India.
The area has a fascinating past because it is thought that white tigers were first discovered here and because the maharajas used to hunt there. The most thrilling activities here include hiking to the stunning Bandhavgarh fort, shopping in the Bandhavgarh market, going on a wildlife safari, taking pictures of wildlife, etc.
Safari Timings
| Summer | Morning | Evening |
| 5:30 AM to 10:00 AM | 4:00 PM- 7:00 PM |
| Winter | Morning | Evening |
| 6:30 AM to 11:00 AM | 2:30 PM- 5:30 PM |
Safari Cost
| Indians | Foreigners |
| Rs. 5550/vehicle | Rs. 7550/vehicle |
Ideal time to visit:
October to June
How to reach:
By air
The closest airport, if you’re flying in, is in Madhya Pradesh’s Jabalpur district. Taxis and buses are available to take you from this airport to Bandhavgarh, which is about 200 km away.
By rail
There isn’t a railroad station in Bandhavgarh, and the one that is closest is in Umaria, 32 kilometres away from the city. From all over India, numerous significant trains arrive at this station.
By road
Madhya Pradesh state buses connect this city with all of the other major cities in the state, making it simple to get to Bandhavgarh.
Panna National Park
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Panna National Park, one of Madhya Pradesh’s most beautiful national parks, is praised for the variety of plants and animals that call it home. Every nature lover is in awe of this national park, which the Ken River traverses. You may explore this area’s beauty on an elephant safari or via boat.
Wild animals including the Indian tiger, gharial, vulture, four-horned antelope, etc. can be spotted in Panna National Park. When visiting Panna National Park, you should take in Raneh Falls, Ken Gharial Sanctuary, Mahamati Prannathji Temple, Madla, Ajaygarh Fort, and other significant sights.
Safari Timings
| Summer | Morning | Evening |
| 5:30 AM to 9:30 AM | 3:30 PM- 6:00 PM |
| Winter | Morning | Evening |
| 6:00 AM to 10:30 AM | 2:00 PM- 5:30 PM |
Safari Cost
| Indians | Foreigners |
| Rs. 1000/vehicle | Rs. 2000/vehicle |
Ideal time to visit
November to June
How to reach:
By air
The Khajuraho airport, located 26 kilometres away, can be used to access the National Park. There are daily flights from Delhi. You could take a taxi from the airport to the forests.
By train
Jhansi is the railhead that is closest to the forest. The distance to the forest is 176 km. A 4-hour bus or taxi ride is necessary to get to the reserve. Another option is to disembark at Satna.
By road
NH 86 connects Panna to Bhopal through Chhatarpur and NH 75. There are frequent bus services to the forest.
Satpura National Park
Discover the world of pure nature and interesting wildlife by visiting Satpura National Park in Madhya Pradesh. Numerous archaeological artefacts and amazing paintings can be found in the vicinity. Satpura National Park is one of the must-visit national parks in Madhya Pradesh.
It draws a lot of nature lovers who want to enjoy the various species of birds, reptiles, and mammals that call this place home. Exotic birds and marsh crocodiles are Satpura National Park’s most eye-catching features.
This area’s natural landscape is full of breathtaking hills, engrossing gorges, and rough terrain, making it a haven for all adventure seekers in Madhya Pradesh.
Safari Timings
| Summer | Morning | Evening |
| 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM | 2:30 PM- 6:30 PM |
| Winter | Morning | Evening |
| 6:30 AM to 10:30 AM | 1:30 PM- 5:30 PM |
Safari Cost
| Indians | Foreigners |
| Rs. 3050/vehicle | Rs. 4500/vehicle |
Ideal time to visit
October to April
How to reach?
By air: The closest airports by air are Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Airport in Nagpur, which is located 340 km away, and Raja Bhoj International Airport in Bhopal, 180 km away.
By train: Itarsi Junction, a 93 km away historic and busy station, is the best place to get off the train and travel to Satpura. The nearby Hoshangabad and Pipariya railway stations are additional stations.
By road: Regular buses to the towns near Satpura National Park are operated by the Madhya Pradesh Road Transport Corporation and by private operators.
Sanjay National Park
An area of the Sanjay Dubri Tiger Reserve known for its rich flora and fauna is Sanjay National Park. It is a popular vacation spot in Madhya Pradesh and draws lots of tourists who appreciate the beauty of the natural world.
There are endangered species of tiger, leopard, sambar deer, and chinkara living there. Swimming, boating, nature walks, and watching are just a few of the well-liked activities that visitors to Sanjay National Park can partake in. Tourists can also purchase items in Chamrdadol at the Tribal Haat.
Safari Timings:
| Summer | Morning | Evening |
| 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM | 2:30 PM- 7:00 PM |
| Winter | Morning | Evening |
| 6:00 AM to 11:00 AM | 3:00 PM- 5:30 PM |
Safari Cost
| Indians | Foreigners |
| Rs. 4500/vehicle | Rs. 5800/vehicle |
Ideal time to visit
September to March
How to reach:
By air
Gwalior’s Rajmata Vijaya Raje Scindia Airport, which is only 120 km away, is close by. Both the 320 km Raja Bhoj International Airport in Bhopal and the 360 km Rani Ahilyabai Holkar Airport serve Madhav National Park.
By train
Jhansi’s railway station is 98 kilometres away, and the Taj Mahal’s home city of Agra is 225 kilometres away.
By road
Gwalior is well-served by buses from important cities in northern India, from where you can go to the national park.
Pench National Park
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Pench National Park is a beautiful getaway for all wildlife enthusiasts and is home to numerous majestic tigers and elusive leopards. It is named for the river Pench, which divides the national park into two equal parts and runs through it.
The breathtaking scenery of Pench National Park is also well known for being featured in Abul Fazal’s historical memoir Ain-i-Akbari. One can take in this wildlife hotspot’s beauty by engaging in activities like a jeep safari, an elephant ride, bird watching, etc.
Sitaghat, Alikatta, Chhindimatta Road, Bodhanala Range, Raiyakassa, Doob Road, and Kalapahad are a few of the well-known tourist destinations in Pench National Park.
Safari Timings
| Summer | Morning | Evening |
| 6:30 AM to 9:30 AM | 4:00 PM- 6:30 PM |
| Winter | Morning | Evening |
| 7:30 AM to 10:30 AM | 3:00 PM- 5:30 PM |
Safari Cost
| Indians | Foreigners |
| Rs. 1500/vehicle | Rs. 3500/vehicle |
Ideal time to visit
February to April
How to reach:
By air
The closest airport is Nagpur, which is about 130 km away. Another option is to travel to Jabalpur Airport, which is about 210 km away from Pench. Compared to Jabalpur, Nagpur’s international airport offers more flight options.
By rail
Nagpur, which is about 130 kilometres away and has good rail connections, is the closest railway station.
By road
The Pench Tiger Reserve is located alongside the Nagpur-Jabalpur Highway. You may reach Pench by road in three to four hours from Jabalpur or Nagpur. Travelling via Bhopal, which is around 500 kilometres from Pench or Kanha, is an alternative route.
Van Vihar National Park
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Van Vihar National Park is renowned for its lush vegetation. You can visit this park to see various wild animals in their natural habitat. The road that runs through Van Vihar National Park, allowing visitors easy access, is one of the park’s most notable features.
Most of the animals kept here were either orphaned or traded from other national zoos without knowingly being taken from the forests.
A lake is another location where people can enjoy viewing various migratory birds that make their presence known in the winter.
Timings
| Summers | Winters |
| 7:00 AM-7:00 PM | 7:30 AM- 6:00 PM |
Entry Fee
| Indian | Foreigner |
| Rs. 15/person | Rs. 200/person |
Ideal time to visit
July to September
How to reach?
By rail
Bhopal is located along one of the two principal rail lines that connect Delhi and Mumbai. Near Hamidia Road is the railroad station. Only 5 km separate the Bhopal railway station from the Van Vihar National Park.
By road
Regular buses leave from nearby locations like Sanchi, Ujjain, Vidisha, Indore, and other locations for Bhopal. You can travel locally in Bhopal to reach the city’s centre-located Van Vihar National Park.
By air
The Van Vihar National Park is only 12 km from Bhopal’s airport. Bhopal is connected to cities like Delhi, Gwalior, Indore, and Mumbai by frequent flights.
FAQs
Which Madhya Pradesh national park is the largest?
The largest and most picturesque national park in Madhya Pradesh is Kanha National Park. It serves as a significant tiger reserve for the nation.
What activities are popular in Pench National Park?
A great place to see birds, animals, insects, and reptiles is the reserve's Sita Ghat, Raiyakessa, Baghin Nala, Alikantta, and Pench reservoirs. The most interesting activity in Pench National Park is this one.