Bandhavgarh National Park - Madhya Pradesh tiger, panther, gaur chital, sambar, nilgai, sambhar, cheetal

Situated in the Vindhya hill ranges is an undulating area of forests and open grasslands. The park has tiger, barking deer, spotted deer, sambar, nilgai, chausingha, chinkara, wild boar, jackal, sloth bear and leopard. The surrounding forests have a varied bird life and elephant rides are available at Tala. Take permission locally to see the fort which belongs to the Rewa's erstwhile royal family as the carvings and view from the top are worth the climb.

THE FORT
No records remain to show when Bandhavgarh Fort was constructed. It is thought, however, to be some 2,000 years old and there are references to it in the ancient books, the Narad-Panch Ratna and the Siva Purana. Various dynasties have ruled this fort; for example, the Maghas from the 1st century A.D. the Vakatakas from the 3rd century; the Sengars from the 5th century and the Kalchuris from the 10th century. In the 13th century A.D. the Baghels took over, ruling from Bandhavgarh until 1617, when Maharajah Vikramaditya Singh moved his capital to Rewa. The last inhabitants deserted the fort in 1935.

THE FLORA & FAUNA
The forest of Bandhavgarh can be classified as moist deciduous, and the National Park hold all those animal species which are typical of this habitat in Central India. Certain areas of the park (particularly the south and the west) are drier in character, and hold such species as the Nilgai and the Chinkara. Sal forest occurs throughout the valleys, giving way to mixed forest which occurs where the soil is of relatively poor quality on the upper hill slopes, on rocky outcrops and in the South and West. Grassy meadow patches occur in the valley and along the nalas (drain).

WILDLIFE VIEWING
There are two main ways of getting about in the park-in a motor vehicle or on elephant back. Many of the animals are now accustomed to both; even so, it is best to talk quietly and not make rapid movements. Jeep safaris are best undertaken from dawn until about 10 km and from about 4 pm until dusk, as the animals are most active during these periods.

General Information
Area	Total area of 448 Sq. Km is the core area which includes the National Park
Altitude	450-807 metres.
Climate	Winter 1-20, Summer maximum 42 degrees. Monsoon July-October.
Access	Bandhavgarh is a 6-7 hour drive from Khajuraho via Panna, Satna and Maihar to Tala. Nearest airport are Khajuraho 237 km and Jabalpur 164 km. Nearest railway station are Jabalpur (164 km), Katni (102 km) and Satna (120 km) on Central Railway and Umaria (32 km) on South-Eastern Railway. Tala is the nearest town from the park.
Distances	Rewa (105 km), Shahdol (97 km), Umaria (32), Amarpatan (80 km), Khajuraho (210 km)
Best Time	Open from 1st November to 30th June. Best time February to June.
Where to Stay	Bandhavgarh Jungle Lodge Nature Heritage Tiger Den Royal Tiger Resort Tiger Trail
Suggested Programme
DAY 01	ARRIVE BANDHAVGARH Arrive Bandhavgarh from Khajuraho/Kanha by car. On arrival check-in at the resort. Afternoon wildlife viewing by jeep.
DAY 02	BANDHAVGARH Morning and evening jeep excursion into the park to view wildlife.
DAY 03	LEAVE BANDHAVGARH Morning jungle safari inside the park. Later depart for Khajuraho/Kanha by car.