The park features dense green valleys and rocky hill terrain, with an ancient fort built on 800 meter (2,624 foot) high cliffs. It's a relatively small park, with an area of 105 square kilometers (65 square miles) that’s open to tourists. In addition to tigers, the park has a large array of wildlife including sloth bears, deers, leopards, jackals, and birds.
Bandhavgarh Location:
In Madhya Pradesh state, almost 200 kilometers (124 miles) north east of Jabalpur. The nearest village is Tala, which is the access point of the park.How to Get to Bandhavgarh:
Air Deccan flys directly to Jabalpur from Delhi, then it’s around 4-5 hours by road from there to Bandhavgarh. Alternatively, Bandhavgarh can also be reached by rail from India’s major cities. The nearest train stations are Umaria, 45 minutes away, and Katni, around 2.5 hours away.When to Visit Bandhavgarh:
March and April, when the temperature increases and the tigers come out to cool themselves in the grass or by a watering hole. May and June are also good months for tiger sightings, except the weather is very hot at this time. Try to avoid peak months from December to January, and March during the Indian Holi festival, as it's extremely busy. Expect the winter to be very cold.Bandhavgarh Opening Hours:
From dawn until late morning and mid afternoon until sunset. The best time to visit the park is early in the morning or after 4 p.m. to spot the animals. The park is closed from July 1 to September 30 due to the monsoon rains.Bandhavgarh Cost:
Around 3000 rupees ($70) per jeep per day including jeep hire, entrance and guide fees. It costs extra to visit the fort because the road is difficult to navigate and the number of jeeps allowed to go on that route is limited each day. A jeep can fit up to 6 passengers, and can be hired from Tala. Alternatively all hotels can arrange jeep hire and tours, but at a higher rate.Bandhavgarh Travel Tips:
Bandhavgarh is relatively difficult to reach but it offers the best chance of seeing tigers in their natural habitat in India. Each jeep is assigned to one of four routes, so the feeling of sitting in a convoy is avoided. It's also possible to hire elephants for tiger tracking in the morning (recommended), and treks through the jungle in the evenings.Bandhavgarh Hotels:
Most accommodations are located in Tala. King’s Lodge is 8-10 minutes from the park gate on a sprawling estate surrounded by forested hills. They specialize in providing jeeps for couples or families, and each comes with a trained naturalist. Other popular accommodations include Tiger's Den Resort, Mogli Jungle Resort, and the cheaper Bandhavgarh Jungle Lodge. For unsurpassed luxury you can't go past the Taj Hotel's Mahua Kothi resort, although it's pricey at around $1,500 for a double room per night.
