Satpura Tiger Reserve is counted among most scenic tiger reserves. As per its name, it is spread over Satpura mountain ranges. Famous hill station of Madhya Pradesh state i.e. Pachmarhi is also part of Satpura Tiger Reserve thus while driving towards Pachmarhi, we will find the board as "Welcome to Satpura Tiger Reserve". Satpura tiger reserve comprises Satpura National Park, Bori Wildlife Sanctuary and Pachmarhi Sanctuary. It is spread over an area of 2133.30 sq. kms. in which its Core zone area is 1339.264 sq. kms. which is more than core area of Bandhavgarh, Kanha and Pench. Thus in terms of area, it is spread over an large area. It was declared as Satpura Tiger Reserve in year 1999-2000. Its better description comes in popular book "Highlands of Central India" when British India officer, Captain James Forsyth, reached this place and was fascinated with its scenic beauty, jungles, gorges and highlands. It is a dense and rugged landscape in which we can find rivulets, steep gorges, ravines and sharp. Here Denwa rivers passes through throughout the season on which a dam waso also constructed whose backwater makes this park more scenic and adventurous.
Satpura national park is special in many ways. For adventure loving tourists, this national park is ideal for visit. Main attraction of Satpura trip will be its variety of adventure activities. In addition to jeep safaris, their are so many additional options are available for tourists to undertake like canoeing on Denwa backwater & boating on backwater offering close encounter with crocodiles and better scope for birding. Walking safari inside core zone is ultimate experience for those who want adventure and trekking in actual forest. Here Night safari option is also available in buffer zone. In addition to all this, here park management offers more options in jeep safari like extended version of safari which allows you to spend some more time in jungle and penetrate to more deep inside the jungle. It also offers full-day jungle safari option which is not so easily available at any other tiger reserve. All these factors, makes Satpura national park as special and unique.
Satpura National Park is spread over Hills & Plateau of Satpura range. Although tribal people were already living in these jungles and they have their King also but it was almost unknown area for outside world, mainly for ruling East India Company. During the popular revolt in year 1857, for freedom of India, Central India also saw the revolt. In those days, Jabalpur was main power center of Central Province, under East India Company. During the period of revolt, Forsyth was posted in Jubbulpore (Jabalpur). He got the information that freedom fighters were using Satpura hills as their hideouts thus we went to Pachmarhi region and thus that region came into his knowledge and he established an administrative unit their to have control over that region.
Satpura National Park is part of Satpura Tiger Reserve. Here Madhai is the main entrance gate for undertaking jungle safari drives. On visit to Satpura national park, we have the chance to enjoy different duration safari drives like morning round, evening round and full-day safari.
| Month | Morning Safari | Afternoon Safari |
| October | 06:00 - 11:00 Hrs | 15:00 - 18:00 Hrs |
| November | 06:15 - 11:00 Hrs | 15:00 - 17:45 Hrs |
| December | 06:30 - 11:00 Hrs | 15:00 - 17:30 Hrs |
| January | 06:45 - 11:00 Hrs | 15:00 - 17:45 Hrs |
| February | 06:30 - 11:00 Hrs | 15:00 - 18:15 Hrs |
| March | 06:15 - 11:00 Hrs | 15:00 - 18:30 Hrs |
| April | 05:45 - 11:00 Hrs | 16:00 - 18:45 Hrs |
| May | 05:30 - 11:00 Hrs | 16:00 - 19:00 Hrs |
| June | 06:00 - 11:00 Hrs | 16:00 - 19:00 Hrs |
Satpura national park is counted among most scenic national parks of India which is more dense with magnificent landscapes. Due to various possible activities, tourists opts long duration of stay. Despite of many jungle activities, jungle safari is the prime tourist activity. Here we can find Core zones i.e. Madhai zone and Panaarpani zone. Where as in buffer area, we can find 02 Buffer zones i.e. Jamani Dev and Parsapani zone. Here Here we can access Madhai zone, Jamani Dev zone and Parsapani zone, while staying at hotels near Madhai entrance gate. Where as in order to visit Panaarpani zone, which is also the newest core safari zone, we have to take accommodation in Pachmarhi hill station, as it is close from Pachmarhi and too far from Madhai entrance gate. So while selecting your safari zone, must consider this important point, to avoid any inconvenience. Apart from regular jungle safaris, many other jungle activities are also offered like canoeing on backwater of Tawa dam on Denwa river, walking safari in core zone, birding, night safari, full-day jungle safari etc. So here we can stay longer for enjoy these many jungle activities.
We can have very meaningful jungle safaris in this forest. We can enjoy the sightings of Sloth Bear, Spotted Deer, Leopard, Indian Gaur, Indian Grey Wolf etc as frequently seen mammals. However we may also enjoy the sighting of Tiger, Black Buck, Dholes (Indian Wild Dog). Apart from this, Flying Squirrel is the main highlight of this national park. It is prominently highlighted by Forest Department as the main attraction of Satpura National Park.
Due to presence of dam backwater and Denwa river, here we have the chance to do lot of birding. If you are traveling in early morning hours, towards Madhai, then throughout the way we will find Nightjars camouflage on the rough trails. Here best time for birding is from November to March when we can find many water birds on the shores of Tawa lake like Cormorants, Grebes, Egrets, Herons. Cranes. Winter is the time of migratory birds. Proment bird species are Indian skimmers, Indian Roller, Pied Kingfisher, Changeable Hawk Eagle, Little cormorants, Ruddy Shelduck, Wolly necked Stork etc.
Satpura Tiger Reserve is in Madhya Pradesh state of Central India. In map of Madhya Pradesh state, we will find that this forest area is in central of Madhya Pradesh, spread over Satpura mountain ranges. Being in central of state, it is well accessible from all the sides.
Nearby Airports: Those who would like to reach Satpura national park (Madhai) by flight options, prefers Bhopal Airport (150 kms) as nearest option. Second best option is Jabalpur Airport (250 kms). Third best option is Nagpur Airport (320 kms). All these airports have good flight connectivity options.
Nearby Railway Stations: Sohagpur (25 kms) is the nearest railway station but as it is small station so long route do not stops here. Check Pipariya station (50 km) as more suitable option. Next best option is Itarsi junction (70 km).
Nearby Bus Stand: We do not recommend considering public carrier bus as a medium to reach Madhai entrance gate of Satpura national park. Bus service is very poor so us cab or anyother transport vehicle like jeep etc.
Satpura national park is open for visitors, from October to June months. Here main attractions are its extra adventure activities like canoe ride, birding on boat, walking safari, night safari. Presence of backwater makes this place very scenic. Thus best time to visit Satpura national park is from November to March month, when backwater presence was good, allows boating and offers good birding. Here tiger sighting is already average thus peak summer visit is not preferred by tourists.
If you have booked safari tickets for Madhai zone, Jamani Dev zone or Parsapani zone then book you accommodation near Madhai gate only. Here in Madhai gate, accommodation options are limited in all categories. Here you can find few good luxury & deluxe category of resorts. In standard category option, MPSTDC hotel is only good option. If you are looking for budget category of option, then their is no well known or popular option. Due to service issues and incompetent options, we avoid using budget category option. If you have booked Panaarpani zone safari permit, then book your hotel at Pachmarhi hill station as this entrance gate is close from Pachmarhi destination. In such case, do not book your accommodation at Madhai entrance gate.
If you have completed your Satpura national park trip and looking for next option, then according to your interest, you can choose your next travel destination. For wildlife lovers, they may select Pench national park (270 kms) as next nearby wildlife destination. If you are able to undertake some long transfer then consider Kanha national park-Khatia gate (365 kms) as your next wildlife destination. Other options are Panna national park (430 kms) and Tadoba national park (420 kms). Other leisure or heritage options are Pachmarhi (100kms), Bhimbetka rock shelters (110kms), Bhopal (155kms), Sanchi (190kms). If you are ready for some long drive then consider Indore sector destinations like Ujjain, Maheshwar, Omkareshwar etc.
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