Bandhavgarh National Park

Photo © Utrecht

Travel Guide Asia India Madhya Pradesh Bandhavgarh National Park

Introduction

The most beautiful cat in the world! Bandhavgarh National Park

Bandhavgarh National Park is number one when it comes down to spotting tigers in the world! It is located in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. Although it's just over 400 square kilometres big, it boasts the highest tiger density in the world, with an estimated 55 Bengal tigers in the park, of which an estimated 22 tigers are located in the core area of the park. The core area forms one of the 4 areas in which the park is divided and is easily the most popular area for visitors. Apart from tigers, there are also quite a few leopards, but these are less common sights as they tend to move around at night, while tigers also move around during the early cool mornings or during the afternoon. Other species to see are hundreds of spotted deer (chital) and sambar, the largest antelope species in India. Barking deer, wild boar and numerous species of birds (of prey) are other animals commonly seen. Bandhavgarh National Park is great to combine with Kanha National Park, a bigger park further south.

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Opening Hours

The park is open from October to June only. During the rainy season it's closed. Opening hours are from dawn till dusk, but this doesn't mean you can enter the park freely at all time. You have to board a jeepney (small Indian jeep) which does morning trips or afternoon trips. Morning trips usually start at around 6.30am and last until about 10 or 10.30am. Afternoon trips usually start at around 3 or 3.30pm and last until around 6.30pm. There is a slight variation depending on the exact month. During the hotter months of April and May, trips start earlier during the morning and later during the evening.

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Cost

The cost of the park is not a straightforward thing. The total price of one jeep entering the park is around Rs. 3,200. This includes jeep hire (Rs. 1,000), jeep entrance (Rs. 2,030) and a guide (Rs. 150). The price is for one safari (morning or afternoon) and for the entire jeep. The jeep can be shared with as much as 6 persons, but if you are taller than average, it pays to settle for a maximum of 4 persons per jeep. Note that this cost is for the core area, which is the best for tiger spotting and fills up the quickest. The other 3 areas still have a decent change of spotting a tiger, but usually there is an extra cost of about Rs. 500 to visit these areas, as they are further located from Tala village, the entrance of the core area where most travellers stay.

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Getting There

Tigress, Bandhavgarh

By Train

The nearest train station is in Umaria, about 32 kilometres from Tala Village and the main entrance to the park. Check the Indian Railways website for more information. Trains connect Umaria on a daily basis with Delhi, Agra and Varanasi. Booking is possible on the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited or IRCTC website. For a small fee, but by many people found easier, you can also book online at the Cleartrip website.

By Car

You can hire a taxi from Umaria for around Rs. 300. From all other destinations figure about Rs. 6-8 rupees per kilometre travelled. Usually you have to pay for the return trip as well as the taxi leaves again empty! Kanha National Park is about 5-6 hours by car and will set you back around Rs. 3,500 to 4,000.

By Bus

Frequent buses and shared jeeps connect Tala village with Umaria, taking around one hour.

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Eat

Apart from eating at the place you stay there are a number of options in town:

Kolkata Restaurant
Priyanka Restaurant
Al-Mezbaan

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Drink

There is a wine shop in Tala Village, which also sells (warm) Kingfisher beer for around Rs. 80 for a big bottle.

Tiger relaxing on the road in Bandhavgarh NP

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Sleep

Most of the accommodation is located in or near Tala Village, ranging from budget to top-end. Note that all but the cheapest options also offer a so-called Jungle Plan, which includes 3 meals and 2 safaris a day. You can also opt for American Plan, including only the meals. This always works out cheaper, as when booking Jungle Plan you pay for an exclusive use of the jeeps, so based on one (single room) or 2 (double room) persons. Mostly you can find many other travellers in Tala village who are willing to share a jeep, thus considerably reducing costs.