Bandhavgarh National Park

Bandhavgarh National Park is a 448 square kilometre tiger reserve in Madhya Pradesh’s Umaria district, renowned for having one of the highest tiger densities in India, with around 135 tigers in the core area, the highest density by area in the world. Once the private hunting reserve of the Maharajas of Rewa, it was declared a national park in 1968. The ancient Bandhavgarh Fort, believed to be over 2,000 years old, stands on a hill within the reserve. Beyond tigers, Bandhavgarh National Park is home to leopards, wild dogs, sloth bears, gaur reintroduced in 2011 after local extinction, and more than 250 bird species. The Tala, Magadhi, and Khitauli zones each offer distinct ecosystems, with Tala considered the most productive for tiger sightings, especially along the fort approach. The park is legendary among wildlife photographers, with iconic tigers like Sita, who raised 18 cubs in the 1990s, and Charger, a celebrated dominant male. Visitors often plan their stay at Bandhavgarh national park resorts and arrange Bandhavgarh national park safari booking in advance due to high demand.