Total Coverage Area : 437 sq. kms / 44,884 hectares/ 168 sq. miles

Established : 1968 as a National Park.

Extended In :Extended in 1986.

Became A Tiger Reserve :In 1993 .

Description (Bandhavgarh National Park):
A wildlife retreat where history and nature meet, Bandhavgarh is too far away from Kanha. Set amidst the Vindhyan ranges, the park has a series of ridges running through it. This park was the former hunting preserve of the Maharaja of Rewa and at present is a famous natural hub for White Tigers. White Tigers, now a major attraction around the world's zoos, were first discovered in Rewa, not far from here. The terrain is broken, with rocky hill ranges, running roughly east west, interspersed with grassy swamps and forested valleys.

Bandhavgarh National Park(Attractions)
Much of the park is covered in Sal forest, replaced by mixed forests in the higher elevations of the hills. There are extensive stands of bamboo and grasslands. Generally the forests are less dense here, with less undergrowth than in North India, thus offering better sightings of wildlife, notably mammals, including the daylight sightings of Tigers in the grassy 'maidans'. 40 + Tigers are estimated for the park.

Other inhabitants of the park include the Muntajac, Jungle Cat, Ratel, Jyena, Porcupine, the Rhesus Macaque and the back-faced Langur. The park also has numerous ancient caves and rock shelters, with shrines and inscriptions. About 150 species of birds known from the Tala area are also found over here including the Brown Fish Owl, Grey-headed Fishing Eagle, Malabar Pied Hornbill and Shahin Falcon.

The National park is dominated by the ancient Bandhavgarh Fort, located on a plateau and reached after a steep climb. The fort is now in ruins, its monuments and tanks beings gradually reclaimed by the forest, thus providing additional shelter for wildlife such as Black Bucks.

Mammals residents in Bandhavgarh National park: :
» Rhesus Macaque
» Hanuman Langur
» Golden Jackal
» Wolf Bengal
» Fox Dhole Sloth Bear Ratel
» Small Indian Civet
» Common Palm Civet
» Small Indian Mongoose
» Indian Grey Mongoose
» Ruddy Mongoose
» Striped Hyena
» Jungle Cat
» Leopard
» Tiger
» Wild Boar
» Indian Muntjac
» Chital
» Sambar
» Nilgai
» Four-horned Antelope
» Gaur
» Blackbuck
» Indian Gazelle
» Indian Pangolin
» Northern Palm Squirrel
» Indian Porcupine
» Indian Hare

Bandhavgarh National park(Visiting Season)
Visitors can visit the park during the time period of Mid November to mid June, still the best period to come is January-April. Park is open from 1st of October to 30th June only. After that it is closed. .

Wild Safari In the National Park
The park can be entered on elephant back and / or in a jeep or by car. In these safaris a forest department guide always accompanies you. He will direct and tell about the flora and fauna of the park. The best time to visit the park is early in the morning or after 4 p.m.It is during this time that the animals are most active and are easily spotted.

Access :
Air: Fly from Delhi, Agra or Varanasi to Khajuraho and drive (7-8 hours) to Tala park entrance at Bandhavgarh. Nearest airport from the park is Khajuraho. Rail: Nearest railway station is Umaria after Katani railway station, from there it is about 40 minutes drive to Nature Heritage. Alternatively, take the overnight train from Delhi to Umaria and drive (30 minutes) to the park. Only jeeps are available for transfers. Khajuraho / Bandhavgarh distance is 250 Kms, (8 hrs drive)