Last Updated on October 16, 2022 by Roslin Dwivedi
The forest guide told us that his fellows were spotting a tiger in zone 3. So we turned the jeep and left for our first animal sighting on our Jungle Safari at Satpura National Park. A few safari jeeps were already at the site, quiet and observing the activity of the Tiger. Our jeep driver killed the engine, and the guide helped us spot the Tiger among the bushes. He also landed his binoculars to see it. I was thrilled to see this view, but my heart was pounding as we had our three-year-old son with us. What if the Tiger jumps and takes him? I told my husband to grab our son tightly while I looked at the Tiger. It felt stupid to do so but hey! I don’t know how to save your kid from Tiger, but still, I would try.
This Safari was one of the times when the Jungle Safari gave me chills. But after that, we were okay. We had one of the best experiences ever. Though it was our first, we loved it so much that if get the chance, we would go for it again.
So How Safari Works?
On the Safari, you go around as you spot the animals with the guide’s help. The guides communicate and inform one another, especially when they spot rare sighting animals like a Leopard or a Tiger. You are not supposed to walk or go around on your own. You need to stay in the jeep with the driver and a guide. In this Safari, after an hour, they stop at a resting place you can get freshened up and sit for a while. Then they will take you to a beautiful place where you can enjoy the breakfast you brought or your butler if you stay in a luxury property like Renipani.
What is the Best Time To Visit Satpura national park, or What is the best time for wildlife spotting
October to June is said to be the best to visit Satpura National Park due to its accessibility and climate.
The national park is open throughout the year for visitors except for the monsoon season.
According to our guide, Tigers are spotted more during the winter because they don’t hide in the cave. They are out roaming in the jungle, getting warmed up. Also, some of the best tiger pictures are shot in the winter mornings.
How the Safari Begins and Satpura tiger reserve safari timing :
The Safari starts from the gate of the Satpura Tiger Reserve Madhai, which can reach by crossing the Denwa river from the Madhai entrance gate.
We arrived coming from the Denwa river via a sturdy boat at 5 am, the early morning in February winter. The morning was frigid but still bearable. After all, no pain, no gain. We woke up at 5 am, got ready, and packed a few sandwiches from the hotel for breakfast for the jungle Safari.
If you are staying in some high-end resort, you may not have to get your breakfast and can enjoy a fabulous set breakfast experience during the jungle Safari next to streaming water in the forest.
Upon entering the jungle, we found groups of Deer and Peacock. But our guide didn’t stop there for long as he received a call about spotting the Tiger. The rest of the story you already read is in the first paragraph.
On the way, the road between the jungle was shining between the tall trees. Sunshine was on the horizon as it was still early in the morning. Riding on the tremendously moving jeep was one of its kind experience. I warn the elderly and the ones with back pain to be ready for this kind of thing.
We stopped at the end of the line. Everyone in the Jeep, all groups, admired the Tiger on the right. The guide spotted it first and then showed us the Tiger with the help of his binoculars. After a while, we learned there was another Tiger on the other side. The guide informed us that they were both cubs that looked huge to us. Both are from the same mother.
The number of tigers in Satpura national park: According to our guide, there are six tigers, including one male, two female and two male tiger cubs. Have their territory on this side of the Satpura.
And just like this one, we kept moving ahead and later spotted a family or groups of wild boars, Bisons, Monkeys, peacocks, Deer, and Sambhar in many different places as we went ahead and also almost witnessed a killing.
The exciting part is your guide knows all the jungle sounds. One of the animal screams seemed like a Sambhar distress noise. Our guide said there could be a hunt going on. So we rushed to the other side of the jungle where we thought the noise was coming from. And later found a leopard probably hunting.
As we were finishing our session of 3-4 hours of Safari, one of the passing by Safari jeep informed us about getting a view of a mother and a baby sloth bear nearby. We turned our jeep quickly and went to the site to witness the cute pair trying to eat termites from the tree trunk on the ground.
Well, that was it. You can watch the whole video here.
What is Satpura, and Where is it located:
Satpura national park is a Tiger reserve located in the district of Hoshangabad, at Madhai, Madhya Pradesh, in India. It covers an area of 524 km². Satpura range is a sub-range of the Aravalli Range in northern India. From Bhopal, it takes around 3 hours to reach Madhai Tiger Reserve.
How much does it cost to visit the Satpura national park? What are the Safari costs and timings:
Satpura National Park has three kinds of Safari.
Jeep Safari: The jeep safari starts from the Madhai gate and finishes at the same point. Check out the entire jeep safari here.
There are five routes available to choose from upon booking.
We paid 3500 INR per Jeep (the price includes vehicle and guide charges)
And 1500 INR for entry permits to the park
We booked the Safari through the online booking site https://forest.mponline.gov.in
OR Satpura National Park safari booking service from Madhai.
Boat Safari: This one we did during the sunset over the Denwa river. We got the tickets for this on the spot near the office at Madhai near the river. Boat Safari cost us for a family of 4 adults and one toddler – 1600 INR. Watch our experience of boat safari here.
Walking tour: Tour guides take a walking tour of the jungle. They set up a camp inside or somewhere outside the wilderness and then take you for a walking tour but bring you back before the night falls. Also, there is a night safari. In case you are interested, check their website.
How To Get Around Satpura National Park
You can drive to the Madhai Tiger Reserve from anywhere in India. Suppose you are starting your Safari from Madhai gate. In that case, you will have to take a boat from Denwa River that will drop you at the Madhai gate, where the forest department will assign you or your family a jeep, guide and driver to start your Safari from the Madhai Tiger Reserve gate. Traditionally the jungle is visited by jeep, where you can experience tribal villages, wildlife, and a beautiful streaming river. You will do an entire jungle safari on the jeep without getting down or walking inside the Satpura jungle.
Why is Satpura famous :
The Satpura national park is famous for its dense forests and biodiversity. Although Satpura is renowned as a tiger reserve, other residents of the wild such as black buck, dhole, Indian gaur, wild dog, leopard, Malabar giant squirrel, sloth Bear, and a variety of winged creatures share space. This park is also known for the presence of lions, sambhar, chital, nilgai, porcupines, and elephants, which are found in the park. This national park is known for its scenic beauty as well. The park is home to the endangered species of Tiger and the Indian leopard.
Where to stay near Satpura national park
MPT Bison resort : Our stay at Bison resort here
Satpura National Park Travel Tips:
- Wear sports shoes because they also take you to a riverside where its stone-hard hills.
- Wear a jacket and woollen caps when visiting in winter. Or wear clothes according to the season.
- Keep a bottle of water and snacks during the Safari; they take you to a place where you can rest and eat for a while.
- Do not get down in the jungle and walk on your own.
- Do not try to go near or touch any animals in the wilderness. No matter how innocuous they are.
- Don’t forget a camera because Satpura national park has unique opportunities for tremendous nature and wildlife photography. Also, the camera helps get far site animals close up pictures.
- Your guide will carry a binocular, but if you have one, why not take it?
- Do not litter in the jungle. Keep your snack packets in the bag and throw them when you return to your hotel or wherever you find a dustbin.
- At last, travel safely and responsibly.
Conclusion and Is Satpura tiger reserve worth visiting:
The Satpura National Park is a must-visit place worth all your time. Look at what this park offers and decide if it’s worth seeing. Satpura National Park is a great place to visit when you’re in Madhya Pradesh, India. We hope you enjoyed our article on Satpura national park. Satpura national park is a great place to visit if you are in the area and has some beautiful natural sites and wildlife to see, like the Bandhavgarh National Park. Please let us know if you have any questions or comments below.
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