Bandhavgarh National Park Tiger Reserve - Information for tourists
Bandhavgarh National Park Tiger Reserve is one of the most famous tiger reserves in India. Find information about how to reach the national park, the best time to visit and stay options available in the temple town. Also find a short description and travel tips about the place.
Bandhavgarh National Park is situated between Vindhya and Satpura mountains. This national park has become popular after the announcement to be a tiger reserve. The reserve forest is almost 448 square km in area. It is quite possible to meet with a tiger during jungle safari.
Jeep safari is available at the national park to visit jungle from early morning to evening. Elephant safari is also available early in the morning. Elephant safari is especially useful for tiger tracking. A forest department guide will accompany the tourist during jungle safari. 
The jungle includes hills, valley, and wetland with green grass. Other than tigers, you can also see Nilgai, Chausingha, Chital, Chinkara, Wild Boar etc. This National Park also paradise for birds. 250 different types of birds made this national park as their home. You can also experience different types of insects, reptiles and butterflies. Best time to visit
This national park is worth visiting during its best times that is from Mid – November to June. One can expect lots of wildlife watching especially during this period. Summers are the best time to visit the national park. For people who are most interested in seeing Gaurs, should definitely make it a point to visit during Summers. Summers are the time when the Gaurs migrate to the National Park for enjoying the vast grasslands of this forest. The presence of many streams and waterholes attract many animals that come out of their hide-outs for drinking water or enjoying splash. Hence one can make it a point to visit the park during summers. But summers too have its own fallout. The extreme climates of summer season can take its toll. The climate is very hot and humid and may get unbearable for the visitors.
Related: Reaching and accommodation at Bandhavgarh National Park Tiger Reserve
During winters, climate falls considerably. Hence the climate is quite cold and pleasant. Madhya Pradesh is known for its extreme climate and so are the rainfalls of Madhya Pradesh. Like any other national parks, this National Park too is closed during monsoons. In monsoons, there are chances of floods and the animals run out for hide-outs in the dense areas of the forest. Hence the National Park is closed for visitors during Monsoons. 
The ideal time however to visit is only after Post Monsoons. This National park is blessed with lush greenery which adds to the existing beauty of the forest. Trees blossom and the whole area of forest comes alive with bliss. The soothing climate is favorable for jungle safaris and visitors enjoy their trip during post-monsoons. October to January is the best time to visit because, the temperature will be normal that time. Safari Timings and Safari Charges
Mentioned below are the complete details of safari timings and safari charges for, both Elephant safari and Jeep safari. The safari in the National Park starts from 2 main gates, one is the Tala Gate and the other is the Magdhi Gate.Safari timings during Summer
Morning Timings: 5:30 am to 9:30 am
Evening Timings: 3:00 pm to 6:00 pmSafari Timings during Winters
Morning timings: 6:00 am to 10:00 am
Evening Timings: 2:30 pm to 5:30 pmElephant Safari Charges
One has a liberty of booking the elephant safari right from the hotel where they are staying. However the elephant safari can also be booked at the park office which is located near the main entrance of the national park.
Elephant safari charges: Rs. 60/- per adult per hour for Indian and Rs. 300/- per adult per hour for foreigners
Safari charges for kids: Rs. 25/- per child below 12 years of age.
Please note: The seats for elephant safari are allotted on first cum first serve basis. There are very few limited seats. Hence you should hurry if you wish to enjoy a elephant safari.Jeep Safari Charges
Park Entry Charges: Rs. 1000/-
Guide booking charges: Rs. 200/-
Jeep Charges: Rs. 1230/- per jeep for Indian Tourist and Rs. 2200/- per jeep for Foreigners.
Please note: Each jeep accommodates around 6 – 7 people including the driver.
The safari charges may revise every year, hence please to check with the park facility before arrivalSuggested clothing inside National Park
What should be the suggested clothing while visiting this national park depends upon which climate you prefer to visit? As I mentioned earlier, climate in this place is always at extremes, be it summers or winters. One doesn't have to worry about rains, as the park is closed during monsoons. During summers, climate is hot, humid and completely unbearable. But this is the time when one can expect to see a lot of animals. And hence many tourists make it a point to visit the National Park during summers.
Suggested Clothing for Summer: Light Clothing, preferably T-Shirts, caps, jeans and sun glasses.
As I said climate is extremes here in the park, it relates to winters too. Hence winters are naturally very cold especially the mornings, when tourists start off for the jungle safaris.
Suggested Clothing for Winters: Warm woolen, sweat shirts, muffler, winter caps, gloves, cardigans or pulloverEntry fees to visit the park
The fees that are charged to the visitors and tourist for the National Park is on per person per day basis. One has an option of paying fees either by visiting personally and paying it at the park office which is located near the main entrance or one can also pay the fees through the resort or hotel where they are staying. Many resorts and hotels near the park offers such services for the convenience of the visitors. Tips to remember during visit of the national park
1. Follow the Park's rules and never try to disobey them.
2. Don't try to get out of the moving jeep while jungle safari for taking pictures. It can be too dangerous.
3. Please keep a good hold on your children. Don't allow them to move around on their own anywhere near the core area or even while taking a jungle safari.
4. Don't forget to hire a tourist guide for understanding the forest better. The tourist guides also tell you names of all the animal and bird species you see around and your trips get very informative.
5. Tala Town outside the Tala Range has grocery store, medical store and communication center. But I am not sure how stocked this shops could be. Hence it's advisable to carry everything necessary like medicines, band-aids etc.
6. The nearest fuel station is at Tala Town. Other than that the other fuel station is at Umaria, around 40 km from National Park.
7. Don't forget to carry some extra roles, as you may have lot of opportunities and photogenic clicks coming your way.
8. In case you use non-rechargeable batteries for your camera, please carry some spares as it may get difficult to find any nearby.
9. Don't litter anywhere near the park area. Carry empty water bottles and other garbage with you and dispose it off outside in a garbage bin.
10. Most of the accommodation facilities nearby offers local and International Dialing facility. There is a small communication center right outside the Tala Range; hence one shouldn't worry about the communication facilities.
