Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve — location and key facts
Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve's landscape combines hills, valleys, rivers, marshes, and meadows supporting a diversity of habitats. The name Bandhavgarh derives from the ancient fort within the reserve — Bandhav meaning brother and Garh meaning fort, referencing the mythological tradition that Lord Rama built this fort and gave it to his brother Lakshman.
When is Bandhavgarh National Park open
• Open: October 15 to June 30 — all core and buffer zones operational
• Closed: July 1 to September 30 every year for monsoon — core zones only
• Weekly closure: Wednesday evening safari closed across all zones
• Festival closure: Holi and Diwali
Wildlife in Bandhavgarh National Park
Bandhavgarh is a Bengal tiger reserve with one of the highest tiger densities of any reserve in India — the relatively compact core area and open terrain make tiger sightings among the most consistent of any Indian national park.
Tigers in Bandhavgarh National Park
Bandhavgarh has an estimated population of over 100 tigers, among the highest densities recorded in any Indian reserve. Tala and Khitauli zones have historically reported the most consistent sighting frequency, though tiger movement varies by season and is not guaranteed in any zone.
Other mammals and birds in Bandhavgarh National Park
The reserve also supports leopards, wild dogs (dholes), sloth bears, hyenas, jackals, and wolves. Spotted deer, sambar, nilgai, and blackbuck are present throughout. A wild elephant herd has been present in the reserve and is occasionally sighted, particularly in the Khitauli zone. Over 242 bird species have been recorded.
Safari zones in Bandhavgarh National Park
Bandhavgarh has three core zones — Tala, Magadhi, and Khitauli — and three buffer zones — Dhamokhar, Johila, and Panpatha. Core zones cover the original protected forest with the highest tiger density. Each zone has a designated entry gate — the gate you need to reach depends on which zone you have booked.
Core Zone: Tala
The oldest and most visited zone in Bandhavgarh. The Tala zone contains the most established tiger territories and historically the highest sighting frequency. The ancient Bandhavgarh Fort ruins are within this zone. Entry via Tala gate (32 km from Umaria).
Core Zone: Magadhi
Adjacent to Tala, Magadhi offers similar dense forest and grassland terrain. Growing tiger presence with regular sightings reported. Entry via Magadhi gate (38 km from Umaria).
Core Zone: Khitauli
The most rugged of the three core zones with hillier terrain and denser forest. Diverse wildlife including tigers, leopards, sloth bears, and gaur. Entry via Khitauli gate (37 km from Umaria).
Buffer Zone: Dhamokhar
Buffer zone with open grasslands and forested corridors. Entry via Parasi gate (44 km from Umaria).
Buffer Zone: Johila
River corridor buffer zone with good bird diversity alongside tiger and large mammal sightings. Entry via Cechpur/Gajwahi gate (32 km from Umaria).
Buffer Zone: Panpatha
The most remote buffer zone — Panpatha Wildlife Sanctuary forms part of this zone. Entry via Pachpedi gate (55 km from Umaria).
Safari types and permits at Bandhavgarh National Park
Safari timings at Bandhavgarh National Park
Each safari session runs approximately 4-4.5 hours in the morning and 3 hours in the evening. Exact clock times shift through the year based on sunrise and sunset:
Oct 15 – Feb 15
Morning safari: 6:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Evening safari: 2:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Feb 16 – Mar 31
Morning safari: 6:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Evening safari: 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Apr 1 – Jun 30
Morning safari: 5:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Evening safari: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Types of safaris at Bandhavgarh National Park
• Jeep (Full Vehicle): 6-seat open jeep. Entire vehicle can be booked by a group.
• Jeep (Single Seat): Individual seat booking in a shared jeep with other tourists. Guide and driver are shared across the vehicle.
• Canter (Single Seat): A 20-seat open vehicle with shared booking only. It is more economical per seat than a jeep.
• Elephant Ride: Available in Tala core zone only. Walk-in, first-come-first-served basis — booked prior at the gate, not online.
Guide is mandatory on every safari. Guide and vehicle charges are paid separately at the gate on safari day and are NOT included in the online permit fee.
How to book a Bandhavgarh National Park safari permit
All safari permits are booked through the official Madhya Pradesh Forest Department portal. There is no authorized alternative.
• Official Booking Portal: forest.mponline.gov.in
• Advance Booking: opens daily at 11:00 AM for the date 120 days ahead
• Premium Tatkal: opens 7 days before safari date at 11:00 AM
• Foreign National ID: passport required at booking and at the gate
Bandhavgarh National Park safari entry fees
Fees below are permit fees for Session 2025–26. Vehicle and guide charges are paid separately at the gate.
Full Vehicle — Core
• Normal date: ₹5,280 + Portal fees
• Premium date: ₹6,600 + Portal fees
Single Seat — Core
• Normal date: ₹880 + Portal fees
• Premium date: ₹1,100 + Portal fees
Full Vehicle — Buffer
₹1,320 + Portal fees
Premium dates — weekends and selected public holidays — apply to core zones only and carry a 25% surcharge. Buffer zone has no premium surcharge. Portal fees is approx. ₹50.
Bandhavgarh National Park safari cancellation policy
Cancellation allowed one day before safari date before 5:00 PM. Cancellation amount calculated as per slab on department fees plus ₹100 cancellation charge.
• Premium Tatkal: no cancellation, reschedule, or add-on permitted under any circumstances
• Reschedule: cancellation after reschedule is not permitted
• Refund: no refund applies for cancellations due to weather, rain, or natural causes
All fees and charges listed on this page are applicable to foreign nationals only.
Safari rules at Bandhavgarh National Park
Safari conduct rules at Bandhavgarh are enforced by the forest guide assigned to every vehicle and apply to all visitors regardless of nationality.
• Wear light-colored clothes blended with nature — khaki, olive, beige, or brown. Bright colors are not permitted inside the park.
• Silence is mandatory on safari. No music, shouting, horn blowing, or any noise that disturbs wildlife is permitted.
• Always carry drinking water. Food is not permitted inside the park. Smoking and lighting fire are strictly prohibited.
• Walking inside the reserve is not permitted under any circumstances. Private vehicles are not permitted inside the park unless authorized.
• Do not get down from the vehicle unless told by the guide — there are only a small number of designated spots where this is allowed. Stay seated at all times.
• Do not chase, tease, or feed animals. Allow animals the right of way — wait if they are crossing the road. Do not extract or remove any forest property.
Photography rules at Bandhavgarh National Park
Personal photography is permitted. Flash photography is not allowed. A Single Day Photography Shoot permit — a separate process from the Full-Day Safari permit — requires written permission from the Field Director and is intended for dedicated or commercial photography work.
How to reach Bandhavgarh National Park
Umaria is the primary railhead for Bandhavgarh — Tala village, the main tourism base, is 32 km from Umaria. Different zones have different entry gates at varying distances from Umaria. Whether arriving or departing, use the station codes and info below.
Bandhavgarh National Park access point — Umaria/Tala village
Rail Stations: Umaria Junction (UMR)
Airports: No airport in Umaria. Nearest airport is Jabalpur Airport (JLR)
Bus Terminal: Umaria Bus Stand
Travel to Umaria (UMR) by train and hire a taxi to your zone gate. If flying, Jabalpur Airport (JLR) at approx. 167 km is the nearest — travel onward to Umaria by train or road. No direct bus services connect to the park gates.
Frequently Asked Questions — Bandhavgarh National Park
All safari permits are booked through the official Madhya Pradesh Forest Department portal at forest.mponline.gov.in. Advance booking opens daily at 11:00 AM for the date 120 days ahead. There is no authorized alternative booking method. Foreign nationals need a passport number at booking and must carry the same passport at the gate.
Core zones (Tala, Magadhi, Khitauli) cover the original protected forest with the highest tiger density. Buffer zones (Dhamokhar, Johila, Panpatha) surround the core and remain open year-round, including during the monsoon closure of core zones. Core zone permits cost more than buffer zone permits and carry a premium-date surcharge on weekends and public holidays.
Tala and Khitauli zones have historically reported the most consistent sighting frequency, owing to established tiger territories and more open terrain. Tiger movement is natural and not guaranteed in any zone on any given safari.
Core zones close from July 1 to September 30 every year for monsoon. Buffer zones — Dhamokhar, Johila, and Panpatha — remain open year-round, including through the monsoon period.
Yes. A Full-Day Safari permit covers sunrise to sunset in a single session and allows entry and exit across multiple zones without the standard two-shift restriction that applies to half-day safaris. It is booked and priced separately.
If no other traveler is allocated to the remaining seats in a shared Single Seat jeep booking, the booked passenger becomes liable for the full vehicle and guide cost at the gate. Report to the safari booking office 1.5 hours before an evening safari, or the previous evening between 7-8 PM for an early morning safari.
Personal photography is permitted on a standard safari. Flash photography is not allowed at any time. A separate Single Day Photography Shoot permit, intended for commercial photography, requires written permission from the Field Director.
Umaria Junction (UMR) is the nearest railway station, 32 km from Tala village, the main tourism base. The nearest airport is Jabalpur (JLR), approx. 167 km away. No direct bus services connect to the park gates — hire a taxi from Umaria or the airport.
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