National park · India
Bandhavgarh National Parkबांधवगढ़ राष्ट्रीय उद्यान
Visit Bandhavgarh for tiger safari: buy entry (≈₹400) and jeep guide, go early morning or late afternoon, best Oct–Feb, avoid July‑Sep closure.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
448 km² (173 sq mi)173 sq mi (448 km²)
approximate
Established
1968
Best months
Oct–Dec
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
At a glance
- Country
- India
- Area
- 448 km² (173 sq mi)173 sq mi (448 km²)
- Figures vary by source: roughly 448 km² of core area plus buffer zones (check).
- Established
- 1968
- Best months
- Oct–Dec
- Permits
- For some areas
Bandhavgarh National Park, in the Umaria district of Madhya Pradesh, is one of India's best parks for seeing Bengal tigers in the wild. Its high tiger density, combined with the historic Bandhavgarh Fort and a landscape of sal forests and rocky hills, makes it a top choice for a focused wildlife safari. The park is closed from July to September, and all visits require a guided jeep safari.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1968.
Size and age
448 km² (173 sq mi)173 sq mi (448 km²) · national park since 1968
Figures vary by source: roughly 448 km² of core area plus buffer zones (check).
Why go
- High tiger density makes sightings common on jeep safaris.
- Bandhavgarh Hill and historic fort offer scenic views and cultural interest.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarCaution
- AprCaution
- MayAvoid
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepAvoid
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanCool, dry; good tiger activity.
- FebMild weather, low crowd.
- MarRising heat, early rains.
- AprHot, occasional storms.
- MayVery hot, early monsoon.
- JunPeak heat, pre‑monsoon storms.
- JulPark closed (1 Jul‑30 Sep).
- AugPark closed.
- SepPark closed.
- OctPost‑monsoon, pleasant.
- NovCool, dry.
- DecCool, clear skies.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bengal tigerOct–Jun · High density, sightings common on safaris. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| LeopardOct–Jun | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Sloth bearOct–Jun | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Spotted deer, sambar, langurOct–Jun | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Birds (peafowl, eagles, kingfisher)Mar–May, Oct–Dec | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Jabalpur (nearest city)
Bus or taxi 164 km (102 mi) to Tala gate, then walk to park entrance.Bus or taxi 102 mi (164 km) to Tala gate, then walk to park entrance.
3–4 h
Open the page →
From Umaria railway station
Jeep or shared taxi 10 km (6.2 mi) to Tala gate.Jeep or shared taxi 6.2 mi (10 km) to Tala gate.
30 min
From Khajuraho
Train to Katni then bus to Umaria, then jeep to gate.
5–6 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Tala Gate | Main entry, ticket office, basic shops. | Open daily except closure period. |
| Safari Zone | Jeep tracks, wildlife viewing areas. | Guided jeep only. |
| Fort Area | Bandhavgarh Fort, caves, historic sites. | Permission required, guided only. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
5 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are from official park site and Wikidata; positions are approximate.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (per person) | INR 400–500 (≈ US$5–6) | person | 2026 estimate |
| Jeep safari (per vehicle, includes guide) | INR 2,000–2,500 (≈ US$25–30) | vehicle | 2026 estimate |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Jeep safari permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- ₹400–500≈ US$5–6
- ₹2,000–2,500≈ US$25–30
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Check with the park or your operator before you go.
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for all jeep safaris and any off‑gate trekking.
- Off‑road
- Driving outside marked tracks is prohibited.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; no open fires.
- Night entry
- Not allowed; park closes at sunset.
- Wildlife feeding
- Strictly forbidden.
Where to stay
Near the park
Golbro Tiger View Resort
AC/Non‑AC rooms, pool, restaurant, close to Tala gate.
In the park
Atulya Kanchi Camp
Eco‑camp with private bungalows inside the park.
Near the park
Syna Tiger Resort
Jungle‑edge resort with guided safaris.
Near the park
Tiger Trails Resort
Budget cottages, bird‑watching facilities.
Safety
Heat and dehydration high
Wild animal encounters medium
Snake bites low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Tala gate reachable by road; short walks to entry points.
- Jeep safaris involve rough tracks; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Choose lodges that support community conservation projects.
- Avoid unofficial 'langur tours' and stick to permitted routes.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Bandhavgarh National Park?
Entry is about ₹400–₹500 per person; a jeep safari with guide costs roughly ₹2,000–₹2,500 per vehicle (2026 estimate).
What are the best hikes in Bandhavgarh National Park?
Guided jeep safaris are the main way to see wildlife. For walking, the Bandhavgarh Fort trail (≈2 km, moderate) and the sunrise viewpoint hike on Bandhavgarh Hill are popular.
When is the best time to visit Bandhavgarh National Park?
October to February offers cool, dry weather and high tiger activity. The park is closed 1 July–30 Sept.
Do I need a guide for a tiger safari?
Yes. All jeep safaris require a licensed park guide; they also operate the elephant tiger‑tracking.
Are night safaris available?
No. The park closes at sunset; only daytime safaris are permitted.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Bandhavgarh National Park
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