Name: Pachmarhi
Rating: 4.2

Satpura National Park, Pachmarhi Overview

The Satpura National Park is located in the beautiful and diverse suburbs of Madhya Pradesh and is one of the most diverse and stunning national parks in Central India. One of India's most beautiful tiger reserves, the sanctuary was the winner of the TOFT Wildlife Tourism Award for the most visitor-friendly wildlife destinations in the year 2010. Located in the Hoshangabad district of Madhya Pradesh in India, Satpura Tiger Reserve spreads over an area of 202 square miles and gets its name from the Satpura Hill ranges, or Mahadeo hills.

The Satpura National Park is also of crucial importance to the ecosystem of India, because this sanctuary, along with the Bori and Pachmarhi sanctuaries, provides around 550 square miles of tiger reserve area. It was set up in the year 1981 and has its altitude ranging from 300 to 1,352 metres. The forest enclaves at the Satpura National Park provide habitat for several endangered and threatened species, other than a variety of different plants and animals.

History of Satpura National Park

The area and land that today comprises of the Satpura National Park were initially explored by Captain James Forsyth of Bengal Lancers in the year 1862. When the concerned authorities realised the ecological and commercial value of the vast expanses of lush green forests that the area housed, it was decided to declare it as a reserve forest. The area was then announced as a National Park and Sanctuary by the state government so that increased attention could be given to conserving the faunal and floral wealth of the ecosystem as a whole. Later on, the Satpura National Park, combined with the adjoining Bori and Panchmarhi Sanctuaries, went on to be declared as the Satpura Tiger reserve by the Indian government.

Flora and Fauna at Satpura Tiger Reserve

The Satpura National Park is abundant in bio-diversity and forms an integral part of the Indian ecosystem, owing to the fact that is home to endangered and rare species. It boasts of stunning floral variety, with over 1300 species of plants. This list includes sal, teak, tendu, bamboos, mahua (Indian butter-tree), bel (stone-apple), grasses, bushes and other medicinal plants of great importance.

Its fauna comprises of the Indian Bison(Gaur), Spotted Dear, Leopards, Tigers, Wild boar, Sloth bear, Wild dogs (which are locally called Dholes), Blackbuck, Four Horned antelopes, Porcupine, Sambhar, Otters, Crocodile, Langurs, Malabar squirrels, etc. The White Bison and Indian Giant squirrel are distinctive features of the Satpura National Park. During the months from November to March, the sanctuary also plays host to a myriad variety of migratory birds.

Safari at Satpura Tiger Reserve

The safari at the Satpura National Park begins by crossing the Denwa River via a motorboat that is provided by the forest department. Following this, the tourists have to wait for the jeeps to arrive, and this time is spent in peace with blue bull babies and spotted deer. The forest department accommodation is also available here. The jeep safari is a memorable and unparalleled experience altogether. Note that tourists are not allowed to get down from the vehicle, except at specific locations.

As of now, the tickets to visit the Satpura National Park cannot be booked online. The best way to book a ticket is to do it through the resort in which you are staying. Another standard approach is to book the safari through the booking counter of the Park management which is located at the entrance gate. One such counter is located on the bank of Denwa River at the Madhai entrance gate.

The timings for the safari are as follows:
1. Morning Safari (Normal): 6:30 AM to 11:00 AM
2. Morning Safari (Longer): 6:30 AM to 12:30 PM
3. Full Day Safari: 6:30 AM to 5:00 PM
4. Evening Safari: 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM
5. Elephant Safari: 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM

Safari charges at the Satpura National Park:
1. For Indians: INR 3,800
2. For Foreign Nationals: INR 5,800