While this reserve is now synonymous with tiger safaris, Bandhavgarh is steeped in legends. Its name is derived from the epic Ramayana, which refers to a fort built by Lord Rama for his brother Lakshmana (Bandhav means ‘brother’ and garh means ‘fort’). Today, its exceptionally high tiger density makes Bandhavgarh one of the most incredible national parks in India where tigers can be seen in their natural habitat.

The park consists of three distinct areas:Bandhavgarh National Park‘, ‘Pampatha Wildlife Sanctuary’ which form the ‘Core Area’ and the adjoining notified ‘Buffer Area’ are spread over Umaria, Shahdol and Katni districts.

Best time to visit Bandhavgarh

The ideal time to visit Bandhavgarh depends on what you are looking for in your safari experience. If you are only looking to see tigers, it is relatively easier to spot tigers in summer (March-June) as the vegetation is sparse. However, the weather is more pleasant in winter, making wildlife viewing comfortable. The landscape is lush green and bird watching is excellent. Tiger sightings are good, but not as frequent as in summer.

Areas of Bandhavgarh National Park

Bandhavgarh has a diverse ecosystem, which is home to a rich variety of flora and fauna. Apart from tigers, you can spot leopards, sloth bears, wild dogs, and various deer species. Most parks are divided into core and buffer zones. Core zones are protected or reserved areas. They are dedicated to preserving the biosphere of the ecosystem in the park. In Bandhavgarh, these are the densest areas of forest:

• Lock Zone
• Magadhi Zone
• Khitauli Zone

If you cannot go on a safari in the core areas, you can also go to the buffer zones where you get to see excellent wildlife views and also get opportunities for nature walks.

• Panpatha (Pachpedi)
• Dhamokhar
• Johila

Best places to visit in Bandhavgarh National Park

Bandhavgarh FortThis ancient fort perched atop a hill offers stunning views and a glimpse into the history of the region. While local legends say that the park is named after the fort built by Lord Rama for his brother, regional folklore also suggests that the Bandhavgarh Fort was built by the rulers of the Gond Kingdom. In the fort, you can see several temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu and an 11-meter-long statue of a reclining Vishnu.

Charger Point: In memory of Charger: The park’s most famous tiger “Charger”, named after his habit of attacking jeeps inside the park, ruled the area for a decade. He died on 29 September 2000 and rests in peace at this place.

Baghel Museum: The Baghel Museum located in the Maharaja Kothi hotel complex offers a fascinating journey into the past. As the name suggests, it showcases the rich heritage of the Baghel dynasty, who were once the rulers of the region. It houses a collection of arms, armour and personal belongings of the royal family, as well as taxidermy animals and a library on wildlife and local culture.