Bandhavgarh Safari Zones

Initially, an area of 105 sq. km. was declared as the Bandhavgarh National Park in 1968, which was extended to 448.842 sq. km. in 1982 with the inclusion of adjoining forest area. Panpatha Wildlife Sanctuary was notified as part of Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in 1983. It was year 1993, when Bandhavgarh National Park, Panpatha Wildlife Sanctuary and Buffer Zone Area of park were together declared as the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve under Project Tiger.

An area of about 207 sq. km. has been declared as tourism zone within the Park. This area has further been divided in three tourism zones. Each area has its own flora & faunal diversifications.Below given table provides names of Safari zones in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve where one can do wildlife safari with description of maximum limit of safari jeeps allowed for safari at one safari-time. This limit may vary as under special circumstances, park management may increase or decrease this given limit.

Tala Zone (Gate-1) is now declared as Premium Safari Zone which means visitors have to pay double entry-ticket fee to do safari in this zone from 16/Oct/2011. It is more popular for tiger sighting and usually remain in demand throughout the season. Jungle Safari Routes" A, B, C, D" lies in Tala zone. Among them Route B-D or D-B are popular among visitors. This zone remains in demand so do advance booking to secure its entrance ticket for desired safari. Bandhavgarh Fort Safari also lies in Tala zone in which 05 safari jeeps are allowed in a single day. Tiger Tracking using elephant is now stopped in Tala zone which means no tiger show in this zone.

Magadhi zone (Gate-2) is also good for tiger sighting. After declaration of Tala Zone as Premium safari zone & hike in its entrance fee, Magadhi Zone will be visitor's choice. It is going to be most visited safari zone of Bandhavgarh. Sambar & spotted deer is more frequently seen in this zone. Bokha is the main dominant tiger in Magadhi zone. Famous Charger Point is also in Magdhi zone of Bandhavgarh. Park Safari Routes "E, F, G, H" are in Magdhi zone. As about 66 tickets are offered for visitors to this zone, usually it can be availed easily.

Khitauli zone is good for birding, sloth bear and blue-bull sighting. One can do two jungle safaris in a day i.e. Morning & Evening. Park Safari Route "I" are in Magdhi zone. Route-I have 4 sub-route options to choose. As Khitauli zone is least visited by tourists, it is less crowded and easily available for ticket-booking.

Among 3 safari zones of Bandhavgarh, Tala & Magdhi & Khitauli zones are divided into routes and two routes are allotted in one safari round. One route for going from entrance gate to center point and second route for returning from center point to exit gate. Safari tickets can be obtained through online booking or can be purchased from Tala entrance gate and Dhamokhar check-point. Dhamokhar check-point in on the way from Umaria to Tala village. Some Places of Tourist Interest inside the Safari zone do of Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve are as follows:

Click: Safari Places in detail. . .
Click: More about Jungle Safari. . .