Wildlife, Nature & Eco Tourism

Famous Wildlife Sanctuaries

Madhya Pradesh is known as "The Tiger State of India" because it has the highest number of tigers in the country. The state is home to several national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and biosphere reserves, making it a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers.

Here are the top wildlife destinations in Madhya Pradesh:

 1. Kanha National Park – The Inspiration for The Jungle Book

✅ Famous For: Bengal tigers, barasingha (hard-ground swamp deer), and leopards.
✅ Best Experiences: Jeep safaris, jungle walks, birdwatching.
✅ Best Time to Visit: October – June (Tiger sightings are best from March – June).
 Location: Mandla & Balaghat Districts.

Highlight: Kanha is one of the best-managed national parks in India and inspired Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book.

 2. Bandhavgarh National Park – The Land of the Highest Tiger Density

✅ Famous For: One of the highest tiger populations in India.
✅ Best Experiences: Safari rides, Bandhavgarh Fort exploration, wildlife photography.
✅ Best Time to Visit: October – June (Peak tiger spotting from March – June).
 Location: Umaria District.

Highlight: Apart from tigers, the park is famous for white tigers (now extinct in the wild) and the ancient Bandhavgarh Fort with carvings and statues dating back 2,000 years.

 3. Pench National Park – Land of Mowgli & Sher Khan

✅ Famous For: Tigers, leopards, wolves, wild dogs, and rich birdlife.
✅ Best Experiences: Jungle safaris, night camping, and boat safaris.
✅ Best Time to Visit: October – June (Wildlife viewing is best in summer).
 Location: Seoni & Chhindwara Districts (Shared with Maharashtra).

Highlight: Pench is another major inspiration for The Jungle Book and has an abundance of leopards, deer, and birds.

 4. Satpura National Park – The Most Offbeat Wildlife Experience

✅ Famous For: Tigers, leopards, sloth bears, and crocodiles.
✅ Best Experiences: Walking safari (only in India!), boat safari, cycling tours, and canoeing.
✅ Best Time to Visit: October – June.
 Location: Hoshangabad District.

Highlight: Satpura offers unique walking and canoe safaris, making it the most adventurous wildlife park in MP.

 5. Panna National Park – The Hidden Wildlife Jewel

✅ Famous For: Leopards, gharials, vultures, and the successful tiger reintroduction project.
✅ Best Experiences: Boat rides on the Ken River, jungle safaris, waterfalls.
✅ Best Time to Visit: October – March.
 Location: Panna & Chhatarpur Districts (Near Khajuraho).

Highlight: Panna was once declared tiger-less, but due to conservation efforts, the tiger population has grown significantly.

 6. Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary – Home to Gharials & Dolphins

✅ Famous For: Endangered Gharials, Gangetic Dolphins, Indian Skimmers.
✅ Best Experiences: Boat safaris on the Chambal River.
✅ Best Time to Visit: November – March.
 Location: Morena District (Near Gwalior).

Highlight: Chambal is the best place in India to see endangered gharials and dolphins in the wild.

 7. Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary – The Future Cheetah Home

✅ Famous For: Cheetah reintroduction project, sloth bears, leopards, and striped hyenas.
✅ Best Experiences: Offbeat wildlife safaris.
✅ Best Time to Visit: November – April.
 Location: Sagar District.

Highlight: This sanctuary is being prepared for India’s first Cheetah reintroduction project.

 8. Kuno National Park – The Future Home of Cheetahs

✅ Famous For: Cheetahs (to be reintroduced in 2024), leopards, hyenas, and wolves.
✅ Best Experiences: Wildlife safaris and cultural exploration of nearby villages.
✅ Best Time to Visit: October – March.
 Location: Sheopur District.

Highlight: Kuno is selected as the new home for African Cheetahs, bringing the species back to India after 70 years!

 9. Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary – Offbeat Safari Destination

✅ Famous For: Sloth bears, wild boars, nilgai, and migratory birds.
✅ Best Experiences: Boat safari on Gandhi Sagar Lake, trekking, and birdwatching.
✅ Best Time to Visit: October – March.
 Location: Mandsaur & Neemuch Districts.

Highlight: Gandhi Sagar is a lesser-known but scenic wildlife sanctuary offering a peaceful experience.

 10. Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary – A Birdwatcher's Paradise

✅ Famous For: Leopards, sloth bears, and over 200 bird species.
✅ Best Experiences: Birdwatching, eco-tourism walks, and night safaris.
✅ Best Time to Visit: October – February.
 Location: Near Bhopal.

Highlight: It is being developed as a new Tiger Reserve due to increasing tiger sightings.