Step Into the Heart of Madhya Pradesh’s Wildlife with Jungle Book Holidays

Oh, Madhya Pradesh, that lovely, quaint, culturally rich state in the heart of India. This beautiful traveller’s paradise is blessed with the charms of historically rich cities, amazing scrumptious food and natural landscape with abundant flora and fauna in every corner.

The beauty and diversity that exist in the state are simply unmatched, present with so many options for Madhya Pradesh’s wildlife. Travellers, who explore Madhya Pradesh, find themselves mesmerized by the unique heritage that blesses this land.

In fact, there are so many things to do in Madhya Pradesh for everyone, whether it is history, waterfalls, food, road trip, photography and more.

Madhya Pradesh tourism has so much to offer that it never leaves any traveller disappointed. This stands true for the wildlife enthusiasts who find their own reason to explore this heaven with the densely populated forests of MP.

Every year, Madhya Pradesh is visited by a number of wildlife lovers to get a glimpse of the majestic tigers. The national parks are common itinerary when it comes to the Madhya Pradesh’s wildlife. Multiple travel magazines recommend Madhya Pradesh as the best destination to sight tigers.

In-fact, Madhya Pradesh has five of the most famous wildlife sanctuaries in India where tiger spotting is guaranteed. Some of these national parks are –

1. Bandhavgarh National Park

Wildlife lovers swear by the name of Bandhavgarh National Park when it comes to spotting tigers. Rich with a variety of animals, birds and trees, Bandhvagarh is the most popular National Park in Madhya Pradesh and is home to more than 50 tigers, with their population still growing.

The core area of this national park is spread over an area of 100 square kilometres.

In the past, Bandhavgarh was home to the now extinct white tigers. While they are now gone, you can still spot other animals like chital, sambar, barking deer, wild boar, antelopes, Indian Bison, wild dog, leopard, blue bull, Indian fox and bear.

The best time to spot tigers in Bandhavgarh is between the months of April and June. This is the time when the animals come out in open in search of the water bodies. This proves to be a blessing for the visitors who get to spot the tigers easily.

• How to get there: 
  • By train: Closest railway station is Umaria at about 35 km from the park. It is about a 45-minute drive.
  • By air: Closest airport is in Jabalpur at about 200 km from the park. It is about a 4-hour drive.
  • By road: Connected to many cities, some of the closest of which are: Umaria, Katni, and Jabalpur.
• Attractions: Tigers, Chital, sambar, barking deer, wild boar, antelopes, Indian Bison, wild dog, leopard, blue bull, Indian fox and bear.
• Best time to visit: April – June
• Location: Click here

2. Kanha National Park

If Kanha National Park rings a bell, then it is courtesy the fact that the famous story of the Jungle Book takes place here. It was probably the majestic tigers of this park which inspired Sir Rudyard Kipling to come up with Sher Khan’s character.

Unlike most of the wildlife sanctuaries, Kanha is not covered with tall trees and dense interiors. Instead, it is bestowed with open meadows with picturesque sights of the natural landscape till the distance your eyes can go. The resorts outside Kanha are just perfect for luxury holidays.

The long green golden glass proves to be the perfect spot for the tigers of Kanha to hide under the guise of camouflage and spot their prey.

Apart from the tigers, Kanha is also home to rare wildlife in Madhya Pradesh. You will find the endangered Barasingas or 12 horned antelopes as well as many groups of chital, gaur, three-striped palm squirrel, common langur, striped hyena, leopard, mouse deer jackal, chinkara, samber, wild pig, black buck, porcupine and ant-eating pangolin.

Among all the places to visit in Madhya Pradesh, Kanha has its own unique charm as Mandla, Rangrez Ghat, and Rapta Ghats are in the proximity and can be explored on a day trip.

The best time to visit Kanha is during the summer season when the sighting of tigers is very easy. Most of the luxury resorts are in the proximity of the national park so the visitors get a chance to find an excuse for some pampered vacation.

Apart from jeep safaris, Kanha also offers elephant safari. This is a very different experience to witness the whole new side of wildlife and interiors of a forest.

• How to get there: 
  • By train: Closest railway station is Gondia at about 145 kms, followed by Jabalpur at about 160kms, from the park. While the former takes about a 3-hour drive to reach, the latter takes about 4 hours.
  • By air: Closest airport is in Jabalpur at about 160 kms from the park. It is about a 4-hour drive.
  • By road: Connected to many cities, the closest being Jabalpur at 160 kms.
• Attractions: Luxury resorts, tigers, 12 horned antelopes, chital, gaur, three-striped palm squirrel, common langur, striped hyena, leopard, mouse deer jackal, chinkara, samber, wild pig, black buck, porcupine, ant-eating pangolin
• Also try: Jeep safari, elephant safari, and a day trip at the Mandla, Rangrez Ghat, and Rapta
• Best time to visit:Summer
• Location: Click here

3. Satpura National Park

Satpura’s name comes in the list of the lesser known and the offbeat destinations where wildlife lovers should go if they want a peaceful holiday experience with lesser crowds. Satpura was established in the year 1981 and still allows only 12 vehicles at a time.

Satpura is not listed in most of the Madhya Pradesh tour packages and that is the most unique part of visiting it. This is done in order to preserve and maintain the ecology of the Satpura range and its rare flora and fauna.

Among all the national parks in North and Central India, Satpura is considered the most unique because of its special ecology. Satpura is one of the only few national parks in the world that offers a chance to ditch the vehicles and explore the interiors on foot.

Since Satpura is located at a distance of a hilly terrain, the local tourism has made a lot of efforts to keep the tourism eco-friendly. A vacation experience here is filled with dense forests, meandering river, spellbinding sunsets and starry nights.

Satpura offers a unique experience to photography enthusiasts as it is filled with unique diversity. Apart from the hills, forests, rivers and animals, one can also shoot night sky pictures with unique foregrounds.

Apart from Tigers, the barking deer, gaur, hyenas and leopards are very common to spot here. And if you are bored of wildlife spotting then you can always experience something new with lovely boat rides on the Denwa River.

• How to get there: 
  • By train: Closest railway station is Sohagpur at about 20 kms however, since not many long route trains take a halt here, the other best option would be Pipariya station at about 45 kms.
  • By air: Closest airport is in Jabalpur at about 160 kms from the park. It is about a 4-hour drive.
  • By road: Connected to many cities, the closest being Bhopal at 150 kms.
• Attractions: Tigers, the barking deer, gaur, hyenas, leopards, dense forests, scenic sunsets and much more
• Also try: Boat ride on the Denwa River
• Location: Click here

4. Pench National Park

The deciduous teak forest is home to many unique birds, animals and flower species. Driving into Pench is like watching a thriller movie unfold its chapters one by one. Madhya Pradesh tourism has developed Pench with all the luxurious amenities available around the park.

As you delve deeper in to the woods, the forest gets darker and the noise of langoors and dhols (Indian wild dogs) take over the calm environment. The Golden Tail Jackal is one of the famous residents of Pench. This is the only species of Jackal found outside of Africa.

Pench introduces you to the fact that how amazing and abundant the wildlife in India is. Birds like Malabar pied hornbill, the Indian roller and the majestic crested serpent eagle are very common to sight here.

Every now and then you’ll run into the many groups of spotted deer and tribes of grey langurs and rhesus macaques jumping from treetops as if they too are enjoying meeting the visitors from strange lands.

Pench National Park is so huge that some parts of the forest lie in the state of Maharashtra. The best time to spot Tigers in Pench is during the summer season. The winters offer the best scenic views and are perfect for a luxurious, pampering travel experience.

• How to get there: 
  • By train: Closest railway station is Seoni at about 30 kms
  • By air: Closest airport is Sonegaon in Nagpur at about 93 kms from the park
  • By road: Connected to many cities, the closest being Nagpur at 110 kms
• Attractions: The Golden Tail Jackal, tigers, Malabar pied hornbill, Indian roller, crested serpent eagle, deer, langur, rhesus macaques and many more
• Also try: Boat ride on the Denwa River
• Location: Click here

5. Panna National Park

While Panna is the home of tigers, it is the Ghariyal which takes the spotlight here. This enormous crocodile park is one of the primary attractions of Panna.

The massive area of Panna has made the officials segregate the park in many parts. The Ken Ghariyal Wildlife Sanctuary is a separate entity inside the park, built in order to preserve and protect the habitat of these crocodiles.

Panna is a holistic vacation experience as it is close to the wondrous Khajuraho which is one of the top places to visit in Madhya Pradesh. One can also visit the only diamond mines in India. These mines are some 30 kms from the national park and you’ll need special permits to visit the whole of the mining area.

The chance of Tiger sighting is common here, but it is the waterfalls near Panna that take away the cake. Pandav Falls is famous because of its mythological importance, but its setting and the views are what put the visitors in awe.

Panna National Park is a perfect trip experience to be done with Khajuraho and Pandav Falls. For a vacation lover, there is nothing more enthralling than exploring the many sides of this beautiful state of Madhya Pradesh in one go.

• How to get there: 
  • By train: Closest railway station is Satna
  • By air: Closest airport is Khajuraho at about 26 kms from the park
  • By air: Closest airport is Khajuraho at about 26 kms from the park
• Attractions: Ken Gharial Sanctuary, Raneh Fall, Pandav Fall, vulture species and many more
• Location: Click here

Recommended Read: Historical Places In India; Soak Yourself In Opulence And Grandeur

6. Perfect luxury vacation experience with Thomas Cook

The Jungle Book Holidays wildlife trip experience is a perfect vacation package from Thomas Cook. The Jungle Book Holidays offer a vacation where it provides a glimpse of how amazing Madhya Pradesh Tourism is.

The travel enthusiasts find a chance to explore the best of Madhya Pradesh’s wildlife with an all-inclusive trip experience curated by Thomas Cook’s travel experts. This trip takes you through some of the most beautiful national parks in Madhya Pradesh.

The luxury holidays offered by Thomas Cook are a part of the holistic experience that one would need in order to enjoy the best of Madhya Pradesh’s wildlife. The trip package is designed considering every aspect that travellers would require for a memorable and rejuvenating vacation experience. The trip package from Thomas Cook includes –

• Luxury stay in cottages/huts/camp/suits
• 2 safari rides
• 1 natural or traditional activity
• 1 unique dining experience
• 15% on all massages
• Return economy airfare
• All meals included during the vacation
• Group sharing vehicle for the commute (private vehicle available on request)

Thomas Cook has designed these Madhya Pradesh tour packages with your convenience in mind. One can either choose from the below-mentioned options depending on starting location of their trip.

With Thomas Cook, you’ll experience luxury at its best. Doesn’t matter if you are travelling for your honeymoon, anniversary or looking for a vacation for your whole family, you’ll find the perfect plan to enjoy your trip.

Thomas Cook and Madhya Pradesh’s unique offerings guarantee that you’ll always return home with a fresh perspective and start your day on a refreshing note.