SATPURA NATIONAL PARK– A QUICK WILDLIFE SAFARI GUIDE

INTRODUCTION

One of Central India’s best kept secrets, Satpura National Park is a hidden gem emerging among India’s celebrated wildlife reserves. It is renowned for its untouched wilderness and breathtaking landscapes consisting of meandering rivers, rugged hills and a distinctive blend of Sal and Teak Trees. Satpura beckons adventurers and nature enthusiasts to uncover its pristine beauty and encounter its rich biodiversity. It is the only wildlife reserve in Central India that offers both jeep and boat safaris. Additionally, it also boasts some incredible nature trails!

Along with Pachmarhi and Bori Sanctuaries, Satpura forms a unique Biosphere Reserve. This crucial habitat contains animals from the Himalayan mountains as well as from the lower Western Ghats. It is home to more than 50 species of mammals, 300 plus species of birds and 30 plus species of reptiles! Notably, its diverse habitat fosters arboreal creatures like the Flying Squirrel, Indian Giant Squirrel, and Leaf-nosed Bats, adding to its ecological richness.

Although Satpura hosts around 50 tigers and reports frequent sightings, is not primarily known as a tiger-centric park. Instead, it offers a distinctive and serene wilderness experience, prioritising overall biodiversity over individual flagship species. However, it still stands out as one of the prime locations for spotting leopards and sloth bears!

1. WHERE EXACTLY IS SATPURA NATIONAL PARK AND HOW DO WE GET THERE?

Getting to Satpura is quite straightforward. We recommend flying into Bhopal, the nearest airport connecting to the park. From there, you can easily arrange a pre-booked cab for a convenient drive to Satpura. Alternatively, Nagpur is another option, although it’s considerably farther away.

If you prefer travelling by train, there are several options available, including Pipariya, Sohagpur, Itarsi, Hoshangabad, Bhopal, and Nagpur. For residents of neighbouring states or Madhya Pradesh, Pipariya and Sohagpur are the closest stations. Although, Itarsi and Bhopal may offer more favourable timing options.

You can consult the chart below to streamline your travel planning process.

City / National Park	Distance	Drive Time
Bhopal	135 kms	3 hrs 15 mins
Bori Sanctuary	140 kms	3 hrs 30 mins
Chhindwara	170 kms	4 hrs
From Pench NP (Turia)	260 kms	6 hrs 30 mins
Hoshangabad	65 kms	1 hr 30 mins
Itarsi	65 kms	1 hrs 30 mins
Nagpur	325 kms	6 hrs
Pachmarhi Sanctuary	90 kms	2 hrs 15 mins
Pipariya	40 kms	1 hr
Sohagpur	21 kms	35 mins

2. WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT SATPURA NATIONAL PARK?

The answer to this question depends on what you aim to get out of the trip. If you specifically want to see tigers, the best time would be the summer months, i.e. March to June, as they come to waterholes to cool themselves.

If you are an avid birder, mid-November to early February would be the best time to visit Satpura. There will be plenty of sighting opportunities, favourable weather conditions, and a chance to witness some of the migratory species.

If you enjoy wildlife photography, visiting Satpura in October, when the forest opens right after the monsoon, would be great. The lush deep greens would help in making more evocative frames.

If you prefer staying away from the crowd, you could plan a visit to Bandhavgarh during the monsoons, i.e. July-September. As it is the off-season, naturally fewer vehicles enter the park.

Overall, in our opinion, the best time to visit the Bandhavgarh National Park would be between October and April.

3. WHAT ARE THE BEST GATES IN SATPURA NATIONAL PARK?

Satpura National Park, the largest tiger reserve in Central India, is segmented into 10 distinct ranges. These include the core ranges of Kamti, Bori, Churna, East Pachmarhi, West Pachmarhi, and Matkuli, as well as the buffer ranges of Bagda, Pipariya, Denwa, and Tawa.

Madhai Gate (named after a village now relocated outside the reserve) stands as the primary entry point to Satpura National Park, known for its widespread popularity among all the gateways. Other entry gates include Jamani Dev Gate, Pachmarhi, Churna, and Parsapani. 

Madhai Gate is characterised by deep valleys, majestic sandstone peaks, meandering streams, picturesque waterfalls, lush forests of Sal and Teak, and a profusion of medicinal flora.

The most favoured buffer zones are Parsapani and Sehra. Both offer diverse landscapes characterised by rolling hills, meandering streams, open meadows, and lush forests harbouring a variety of elusive and lesser-known species.

4. AMAZING SPECIES OF SATPURA

Encountering a sloth bear mother with her cubs or observing a leopard strolling along the forest path is undoubtedly thrilling. But, there’s something uniquely special about witnessing herds of Gaurs and Barasinghas peacefully grazing in their natural habitat. Both these species have been successfully reintroduced to this reserve. However, what is most enthralling is the opportunity to encounter rare and elusive species like the Indian Flying Squirrel, Satpura Leopard Gecko, Rusty Spotted Cat, Honey Badger, Mouse Deer, Indian Chameleon and Indian Crested Porcupine.

Satpura is also a delightful destination for birdwatching, providing refuge to a wide variety of rare and endangered species. Among these are the Malabar Pied Hornbill, Malabar Whistling Thrush, Bar-Headed Geese, Brown Fish Owl, Grey Headed Eagle, Eurasian Wryneck, Indian Skimmers and Black-bellied Tern, to name just a few.

If you are interested to know more about the biodiversity of Satpura, follow us on Instagram.  

CONSERVATION SUCCESS STORY

In a groundbreaking achievement, the Wildlife Conservation Trust, in partnership with the MP forest department officials, has successfully radio-tagged a Eurasian otter. This milestone enables the collection of crucial data on this endangered species. It also facilitates informed conservation strategies to protect them and preserve their natural ecosystem! To know more read this article!

CONCLUSION

One of the most serene wildlife destinations, Satpura promises peace, bliss and rejuvenation. With its diverse array of flora and fauna, Satpura invites adventurers and nature enthusiasts to explore its hidden treasures and immerse themselves in the beauty of the natural world.  

One can explore these forests in multiple ways, in jeeps, boats and on foot. We highly recommend adding an evening safari (6:30 to 10 pm) to your itinerary. This unique experience allows you to witness Satpura’s stunning spectacle under the stars and offers a rare opportunity to encounter its nocturnal inhabitants!

The resorts surrounding the Madhai Gate offer a perfect blend of luxury and relaxation, providing an ideal retreat for spending quality time with loved ones or fostering stronger bonds with colleagues.