Flora and Fauna of Bandhavgarh National Park
Bandhavgarh is blessed with a wide range of biodiversity that is home to Royal Bengal Tigers, 37 types of mammals, over 250 kinds of birds, 80 species of butterflies, and much more. The Bandhavgarh region’s riverbanks are highly fertile, which explains why over 300 species of flora can be found in the region. The rich flora naturally attracts a large variety of fauna. During the safari experience, you can easily spot Chausingh, Nilgai, Chital, Langurs, Chinkara, Macaques, Muntjac, Jackals, Wild Boar, and many others. Among the birds, one can easily sight black drongo, little egret, green bee-eater, Indian gray hornbill, and rose-ringed Parakeet.
Places to Visit Near Bandhavgarh National Park
There are several tourist attractions that you can explore besides discovering the wilderness of Bandhavgarh. You can explore to get a better insight into the heritage side of this region and enrich your travel experience.
- Baghel Museum: The museum is a storehouse where all the personal belongings of Maharaja of Rewa are on display. It is the best place to explore Bandhavgarh’s royal and jungle life.
- Village Tala: This village is well known for its fantastic landscapes that would become a tremendous backdrop for your photoshoot. You can see some amazing sights of mud-clustered houses and elders smoking hookahs sitting on a cot at the site.
- Mahaman Pond: This pond is located near the Bandhavgarh Fort. The place is surrounded by bamboo clumps where various herdings of flora and fauna can be found.
- Kethika: This is also known as ‘the Pandanus Point,’ the place is famous for a massive lump of aromatic plant Kewra, surrounded by Jamun and Arjun trees.
- Climber’s Point: One of the most popular tourist places in the national park, the location provides an aerial view of the entire park and the forest.
Safari in Bandhavgarh National Park
Jeep Safari
Adventure seekers and wildlife photographers will thrill on the Jeep Safari at Bandhavgarh National Park. The excitement and fun of the trip increase tremendously due to these fantastic safari experiences on the 04 Wheel Open Jeep Safari. Six passengers, a naturalist, and a driver can ride in each open jeep. According to the timings, there are two types of Bandhavgarh jungle safari and full-day safari.
Bandhavgarh National Park Jeep Safari Timings
Winter Jeep Safari Timings (Oct to Jan)
- Morning – 06:30 AM to 10:30 AM
- Evening – 02:30 PM to 5:30 PM
Summer Jeep Safari Timings (Feb to June)
- Morning – 06:00 AM to 10:00 AM
- Evening – 03:30 PM to 06:30 PM
Elephant Safari
An elephant safari is one of the most popular safari rides among wildlife enthusiasts visiting Bandhavgarh National Park. The elephant safari is best to experience the splendor of the forest and the magnificence of the entire Bandhavgarh. Locally known as Elephant Joy Ride, the safari is only permitted in the Tala Zone of Bandhavgarh. The chances of tiger sightings are increased tremendously through the elephant safari.
Bandhavgarh National Park Elephant Safari Timings
Winter Elephant Safari Timings (Oct to Dec)
- Morning- 6:00 AM to 11:30 AM
- Evening- 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Summer Elephant Safari Timings (Jan to Mar)
- Morning- 6:30 AM to 11:30 PM
- Evening- 3:00 PM to 5:30 PM
Hot Air Balloon Safari
The Bandhavgarh Hot Air Balloon Safari is a first-of-its-kind experience in the country. The hot-air balloon tour allows people to experience the rich biodiversity of Bandhavgarh from a fresh and lofty vantage point. Run by the well-known Sky-Waltz Company, the operation is in a designated buffer zone where it is possible to see the most significant number of Bengal tigers, leopards, sloths, deer, and other wildlife.
Canter Safari
One of the most popular types of safari, Canter safari, involves a vehicle capable of taking 16 tourists at once. Thus, it is perfectly suitable for a large group of family, friends, or cooperative groups and is preferable to renting two or three Jeeps. So, if you are going in a large group, booking a canter safari for Bandhavgarh National Park far in advance is advised.
Bandhavgarh National Park Canter Safari Timings
Winter Jeep Safari Timings (Oct to Jan)
- Morning – 06: 30 AM to 11:00 AM
- Evening – 02:30 PM to 5:30 PM
Summer Jeep Safari Timings (Feb to Jun)
- Morning – 06:00 AM to 10:00 AM
- Evening – 03:00 PM to 06:00 PM
Walking Safari
At the buffer zone in the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, you can enjoy a walk safari with a tour guide. A naturalist and a forest officer will be with you. It is best for those interested in exploring nature up close.
Bandhavgarh Zones or Gates
Bandhavgarh’s core zone covers Tala, Magadhi, and Khitauli, and these are preferable zones. The core zones amount to a combined area of 716 square kilometers. The remaining 820 square kilometers comprise the three buffer zones, Dhamokhar, Johila (Kalwa), and Panpatha (Pachpedi), equally popular in Bandhavgarh.
Tala Zone, Bandhavgarh
Bandhavgarh’s Tala Zone is the biggest and has the most chance of sighting tigers. It is also the park’s oldest zone, where Bandhavgarh fort is situated. The well-known Chakradhara and Rajbhera meadows, which provide picturesque views and excellent sightings, are located in the Tala Zone. These meadows are the backdrop for The Hunt and Dynasties, two well-known tiger-related documentaries. Tall Sal trees, hillocks, and grasslands define the Tala Zone. Shesh Saiya, a revered Vishnu figure, is a Tala zone landmark. The famous Charan-Ganga river of Bandhavgarh originates from Shesh Saiya Point. There are several caves called Bari Gufa in the surrounding region. For its fantastic topography, Tala Zone Bandhavgarh booking is strongly preferred by tourists.
Magadhi zone, Bandhavgarh
The second most preferable park zone is the Magadhi zone, distinguished by its grassland and dense forest cover. The site has several artificial and natural watering holes, including Sukhi Patiha, Dabhadhole, Charkpwaha, and Murdhawa. In recent years, Magadhi has emerged as Bandhavgarh’s top location for tiger sightings.
Khitauli Zone, Bandhavgarh
The Khitauli Zone, primarily a dry-deciduous forest, is another major hotspot for tiger sightings in the Bandhavgarh National Park. Interestingly, a group of migrating wild elephants arrived here about a year ago and have made Khitauli their home. The zone has many bamboo trees, providing plenty of nourishment for the elephants. Besides, the site has many chinkara, nilgai, and four-horned antelope.
Dhamokhar Buffer Zone, Bandhavgarh
It is located 14 kilometers from Tala and covers Jamuna, Jhanjh, Mudgudi, Kehrawah, Kadewaha, Madehavah, Kalwadhaar, and Badawar. This area has the Mudgudi Dam, Shimada Natural Caves, Kadewaha Grassland, and other wildlife-friendly characteristics. Between the villages of Mahaman and Parasi, the Dhamokhar buffer’s entry point extends into the Magadhi Zone.
Johila Buffer Zone, Bandhavgarh
The route from Manpur to Shahdol, close to the village of Chechpur, is an addition to the Tala Zone’s Johila Buffer access point. The distance to Tala village is 35 kilometers. It is a tourist destination for travelers on a buffer safari named after the beautiful Johila waterfall. Amarkantak is the source of Johila, which empties into the Son River. Other attractions in this buffer include the Kuthulia Waterfall, Chindia Ghaat, Badia Ghaat, Zurnar Ghaat, etc.
Panpatha Buffer Zone, Bandhavgarh
The Panpatha Buffer’s entry point extends to the Khitauli Zone and is close to the settlement of Pachpedi. The distance to Tala Village is 25 km. Chinkara, four-horned antelope, blue bulls, and even wild dogs are the main draws of this region. Deciduous trees and bamboo are found throughout the forest. Tourists in this area can enjoy a gorgeous spot for breakfast and lunch near a lovely creek home to Arjun trees.
Bandhavgarh, sandwiched between the stunning Vindhya and Satpura mountain ranges, boasts a combination of lush green valleys, rocky outcrops, and flat, lush grasslands. It is primarily recognized for its stunning setting and having the most tigers in India. Despite being relatively far away, visiting is worthwhile because you can get a close-up view of the tigers. The Taala Zone is the best area in Bandhavgarh. This area has the most excellent chance of finding a tiger because it is the largest.
Resorts at Bandhavgarh National Park
The park accommodates a variety of resort types, including resorts for families, groups of friends, and couples. If nature and wildlife interest you, staying at one of these resorts brings you closer to the wildlife experience.
- Mahua Kothi – Taj Safari Lodge
- Samode Safari Lodge
- Kings Lodge
- Treehouse Hideaway
- Syna Tiger Resort
- Bagh Tola
- Bandhavgarh Jungle Lodge
- Lemon Tree Wildlife Resort
- Tiger Den Resort
- Bundela Bandhavgarh by Octave