Jabalpur
The Heart of Madhya Pradesh

A world-famous tiger reserve where India’s first white tiger was discovered. It also boasts the highest density of tigers in India. The Bandhavgarh national park covers the Vindhya mountain range and has 22 species of mammals, 250 species of birds, and 70 species of butterflies. It has varied vegetation and landscape with tall grasses and thick salt forests. This enables the survival of a very large number of animals and birds in the park. There are also various species of primates such as the common langur and the rhesus macaque. Visitors can take a jeep safari or elephant safari for a unique experience.
The park is divided into three zones, the Tala, the Magdi, and the Bamera. The Tala is the hottest one as it offers maximum opportunities to see the tiger. One should not miss the elephant shows that are organized in the Madgi area. Bandhavgarh fort is another attraction nearby. The local legend says that this fort was gifted by Lord Rama to his younger brother Lakshmana. The word “bandhav” means brother in the local dialect and “garh” translates to “fort”. The nomenclature of the fort is thus derived from the legend or the other way around. The area itself has archaeological evidence dating back about 2,000 years. The man-made caves with inscriptions and rock paintings are well worth a visit.   

Kanha Park is home to the majestic Royal Bengal Tiger and covers an area of 940 km². It is widely believed that this park, with its lush green grasslands and thick salt forests, so enchanted the English author Kipling that he used it as the backdrop for his iconic novel “The Jungle Book”. It also has the honor of having brought back the barasingha (swamp deer) from near extinction. It is also home to majestic animals such as the leopard and the wild dog. The award-winning National Geographic film “Land of the Tigers” was also shot here. The park’s vast green grounds offer many outstanding views of nature. You can head to the Bamni Dadar, or sunset point, which offers a breathtaking view of the landscape dotted with grazing sambars and gaurs. Going on a safari in the park, where you can see animals in their natural habitat, is an unforgettable experience.
The Kanha Tiger Reserve, considered one of the easiest parks to manage in Asia, was established in 1974 as part of Project Tiger. It is renowned for its rigorous conservation programs aimed at preserving the flora, fauna, and thus the local ecosystem. The park is closed during the peak season, so it is best to plan your trip to Kanha during the winter months, between mid-October and late June. During the winter months, tons of migratory birds come to Kanha, so there are plenty of opportunities for bird watching.