Bandhavgarh National Park is small but spectacular, one of the three well-known national parks in the state of Madhya Pradesh. The mixed forest spans just 450 square kilometres throughout the Vindhya Hills and is home to a good variety of wildlife, including sloth bears, leopards, wild dogs, and plenty of tigers. The density of the tiger population here is said to be the highest in all of India making Bandhavgarh an excellent tiger spotting destination. It is also well-connected by road to Panna National Park and Khajuraho National Park.
The park is divided neatly into three sections named Tala, Magdi, and Bamera. Tala is where to go if you want prime tiger spotting opportunities. Birding enthusiasts can spot 150 bird species native to the reserve, among them the yellow crowned woodpecker, cotton pygmy goose, bronze wing jacana, and olive backed pipit. One of the major highlights within the park grounds is the magnificent fort, and guided walks are possible to visit the monuments with sufficient advance notice.
Madhya Pradesh has experienced an increase in regulatory conditions for the national park regions over the last few years. This means jeep vehicle numbers are now restricted and therefore booking as far in advance as possible is highly recommended. While Bandhavgarh is great for tiger sightings, it must be noted that the park can get very crowded at certain times of the year. The best time to visit is between November and May, when temperatures are milder, though the middle of December through till the end of January should be avoided due to cold, misty mornings. For the real wildlife enthusiasts, the prime time to visit March to the end of May when the weather is hot, drying up watering holes and making wildlife sightings more common.
