Madhya Pradesh is the largest state in central India and is home to various flora and fauna. The national parks in MP are beautiful, diverse,
and important to India’s ecosystem. Kanha National Park is the largest of
them and an important Tiger reserve in the country. Various national parks in MP give a true taste of natural beauty.
National parks in MP
1. Kanha National Park
Kanha National Park is the largest among the national parks in MP and
central India and has been ranked as one of the best parks in Asia. Among
the 22 species of large mammals, the royal Bengal tigers are one of the
major attractions. Abundant in flora and fauna, the Kanha National Park
houses one of the rarest species of deer, the Barasingha. It became
famous the world over through Rudyard Kipling’s book, The Jungle Book.
The park remains closed during the monsoon months.
Safari Timings: Twice a day, depending on sunrise and sunset. Safaris are
avoided in the harsh sun.
Best Time: October to June
2. Bandhavgarh National Park
Formerly a hunting ground for the Maharajas of Rewa, Bandhavgarh
National Park is a world-renowned tiger reserve. The is a beautiful
national park in MP and is known for its forest area with wildlife and
vegetation in abundance. Bandhavgarh is known to have the highest
density of Royal Bengal Tigers in the world, and the frequent sightings of
royal tigers make this national park a must-visit for all wildlife enthusiasts.
There are more than 22 species of mammals and 250 species of avifauna.
The Best Time to See Tigers: April and May
Safari Timings:
15 Oct to 15 Feb: Morning: 6:30 AM to 11:00 AM; Evening: 2:30 PM to 5:30
PM
16 February to 31 March: Morning: 6:00 AM to 11:00 AM; Evening: 3:00
PM to 6:00 PM
1 April to 30 June: Morning: 5:30 AM to 10:00 AM; Evening: 4:00 PM to
7:00 PM
From July 1 to October 15, the park is closed.
Best Time: October to June
3. Pench National Park
This is another famous national park in MP with the majestic Pench River
flowing through the greens and a variety of wildlife to be spotted in the
rocky terrain, Pench National Park served as one of the inspirations for the famous novel ‘The Jungle Book’. Visitors can enjoy many different
experiences along with the wildlife safari on the boat rides, such as
catching a glimpse of tribal life and viewing some famous local dams and
temples along the way. An open Jeep Jungle Safari is available both day
and night. Light vehicles and 15-seat buses are allowed on the premises.
The national park in MP remains closed during the monsoon months.
Safari Timings:
Morning: 6:30 AM to 11:00 AM
Afternoon: 2:30 PM to 6:00 PM
Night: 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM
Safari Cost: INR 6500 for a Jeep with 6 people
Best Time: October to June
4. Panna National Park
Among the national parks in MP, Panna National Park is the 5th tiger
reserve in Madhya Pradesh and the 22nd in India. It is located in Panna
and Chhatarpur districts. Known for its plentiful wildlife and avifauna, the
national park covers an area of around 542.67 km2. The park is famous for
its attractions like wild cats, including tigers, as well as deer and antelope. It
is also an abode for more than 200 species of birds.
Best Time to Visit: December to March
Safari Timings:
Summer: Morning: Sunrise, 11:00 AM; Evening: 3:00 PM, Sunset
Winter: Morning: Sunrise, 11:00 AM; Evening: 4:00 PM, Sunset
5. Satpura National Park
The Satpura National Park in Madhya Pradesh is one of the important
national parks in MP which is an exclusive and pristine landscape that has
been preserved primarily for the protection of flora and fauna. This park
was the winner of the TOFT Wildlife Tourism Award for the most visitor-
friendly wildlife destinations in 2010. Located in the Hoshangabad district of
Madhya Pradesh in India, the park spreads over an area of 202 square
miles and gets its name from the Satpura Hill Ranges, or Mahadeo Hills.
The Satpura National Park is also of crucial importance to the ecosystem of
India because this sanctuary, along with the Bori and Pachmarhi
sanctuaries provide around 550 square miles of tiger reserve area.
Best Time to Visit: October to April; The park remains closed from July 1 to
September 30.
Safari Timings:
Morning: 6:30 AM–11:00 AM; Evening: 3:30 AM–5:00 PM
6. Sanjay National Park (Guru Ghasidas National Park)
This is one of the famous national parks in MP. The Guru Ghasidas
National Park is a beautifully protected reserve stretched over an area of
1440.71 square kilometers. It is located in the Koriya district of
Chhattisgarh and was initially a part of the Sanjay National Park in Madhya
Pradesh. However, after the formation of Chhattisgarh, 60% of the park’s
land went to the Koriya district, and this part was renamed Guru Ghasidas
National Park. This national park in MP is a mesh of small streams
cutting through forests that contain immense amounts of distinct flora and
fauna.
Best Time to Visit: November to April; closed during the monsoon.
Safari Timings:
Morning: 6:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.; Evening: 2:30 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
7. Kuno National Park
Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh is located in Sheopur and Morena
districts. Popularly referred to as the Kuno Palpur among local people, it
has a fort, Kuno River, Kanji House, and Khemcha Lake inside the national
park. There are three entrance gates to the park. Kuno is home to diverse
wildlife like Chital, Sambar, Barking Deer, Blackbuck, Jackal, Wild Boar,
Indian Bison, and Leopard, among others.
Best Time to Visit: October to March
Open throughout the year, except during the monsoon (1st July to 15th
October).
Safari Timings:
Morning: 6:00 a.m.–9:30 a.m.; Evening: 4:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
8. Madhav National Park
Madhav National Park is one of the major national parks in MP and is
located in the Shivpuri district. It boasts some of the most exquisite
species, like the little Chinkara, the Indian gazelle, and the Chital, Nilgai,
Sambar, Chausingha, or four-horned Antelope, Blackbuck, Sloth Bear,
leopard, and the omnipresent common Langur. It was a famous hunting
spot for the Gwalior royal family as well as the British.
Best Time to Visit: October to March; the park remains open all year round.
Safari Timings:
Morning: 6:30 AM–10:30 AM; Evening: 2:30 PM–6:00 PM
9. Van Vihar National Park
Located in the city of lakes, Bhopal, Van Vihar is a national park in MP
and a zoological park that operates under the guidelines of the Central Zoo
Authority. It is located just adjacent to the Upper Lake in Bhopal, near
Shymala Hills. The animals here are kept closest to their natural habitats.
You can spot a vast variety of animals, including leopards, cheetahs,
Neelgai, panthers, etc., as well as birds such as kingfishers, bulbuls,
wagtails, and some migratory species.
Best Time to Visit: July–September, when the chances of seeing a white
tigers are the highest.
Safari Timings: 6:30 a.m.–6:30 p.m.; Friday closed
10. Mandla Plant Fossils National Park
Admire the timeless natural beauty on your visit to the Mandla Plant Fossils
National Park, located in the Dindori district of Madhya Pradesh and spread
over seven villages in Mandla District. The park features numerous plants,
leaves, fruit, seeds, and shells in the form of fossils, the most prominent
being the palm fossils that existed in India between 40 million and 150
million years ago, belonging to either the Jurassic or the Cretaceous Age.