10 National Parks In Madhya Pradesh For An Unforgettable Experience

An image of a scenic view of Bandhavgarh National park in Madhya Pradhesh with a leopard.

Known as the “Heart of India,” Madhya Pradesh is a treasure trove of natural splendour and diversity. State-level sanctuaries and national parks in India are renowned for housing majestic tigers, exotic birds, and numerous other fauna. These National Parks in Madhya Pradesh perfectly suit nature lovers, wildlife enthusiasts, and photographers who want to capture the untamed beauty of the region. Exploring the national parks of Madhya Pradesh promises an unforgettable experience if you take a trip to visit the place.

10 National Parks In Madhya Pradesh

Some of the Top national parks to visit in Madhya Pradesh.

1. Kanha National Park

A deer in the meadows of Kanha Park, one of the best national parks in Madhya Pradesh.

Photo: Tapan Kumar Choudhury / Unsplash

Kanha National Park, one of the most well-known national parks in Madhya Pradesh, is celebrated for its remarkable conservation efforts, particularly for the Barasingha, or swamp deer. Covering nearly 940 square kilometres, it features dense forests, sprawling grasslands, and tranquil rivers. The park is rich in biodiversity, providing habitat to a range of wildlife, including tigers, leopards, sloth bears, and several bird species. Kanha’s lush landscapes were the inspiration behind Rudyard Kipling’s classic The Jungle Book, and it remains a popular destination for wildlife enthusiasts.

Best Time To Visit: October to June
Top Experiences: Jungle safaris, nature walks, bird watching
Entry Fees: ₹1,500 per vehicle (Indians)

2. Bandhavgarh National Park

A view of a brown and black tiger, one of the best national parks of Madhya Pradesh.

Photo: Lakshmi Narasimha / Unsplash

One of the most famous national parks in Madhya Pradesh, Kanha National Park is renowned for its impressive achievements in conservation, especially that of the Barasingha or swamp deer. The park almost spreads over 940 square kilometers and has dense forests, sprawling grasslands, and tranquil rivers. There are parks with outstanding biodiversity as they house a series of wildlives like tigers, leopards, sloth bears, and many bird species. Here, Rudyard Kipling drew inspiration for his most famous book, The Jungle Book. Kanha remains a much-frequented destination by wildlife enthusiasts.

Best Time To Visit: November to June
Top Experiences: Tiger safari, fort trekking, wildlife photography
Entry Fees: ₹2,500 per vehicle (Indians)

3. Pench National Park

A Royal Bengal Tiger in Bandhavgarh Park, one of the favorites for tiger sightings.

Photo: RAHUL DESHMUKH / Unsplash

Bandhavgarh National Park is among the most frequented national parks in Madhya Pradesh, thanks to its high density of Royal Bengal Tigers. The area of 448 square kilometers features dramatic topographies of forests and grasslands, all set against the majestic backdrop of the ancient Bandhavgarh Fort. Besides the tigers, there are leopards, deer, and birds of many kinds. The park has a history of over 2,000 years in a fort that is believed to be that old. Bandhavgarh National Park safaris top the list of the most exciting safaris in India.

Best Time To Visit: October to June
Top Experiences: Jungle safari, bird watching, nature photography
Entry Fees: ₹1,500 per vehicle (Indians)

4. Satpura National Park

A stunning Panoramic view of rugged landscapes Satpura National Park in Madhya Pradesh.

Photo: Divide By Zero / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only

Satpura National Park is one of the “unknown” gems among national parks in Madhya Pradesh. It provides visitors with an experience of rugged terrain, deep valleys, and dense forests. The park sprawls across about 1,400 square kilometers and has many wildlife, such as leopards, sloth bears, giant squirrels, and more than 300 bird species. Therefore, this park is far from human civilization, and fewer tourists gather there, so it is a beautiful place for people who want solitude and silence. Satpura National Park is excellent with its boating and walking safaris that provide an exclusive experience of watching the park’s beauty.

Best Time To Visit: October to March (12°C – 32°C)
Top Experiences: Boating safaris, night camping, trekking
Entry Fees: ₹1,000 per person (Indians)

5. Panna National Park

View of a deer in Panna National Park, one of the best national parks in Madhya Pradesh.

Photo: Pixabay / Pexels / Image For Representation Only

Panna National Park, one of the most prominent and top national parks in Madhya Pradesh, is highly popular for its renowned tiger conservation program. Stretching over an area of around 543 square kilometers by the side of Ken River, this park boasts a rich variety of fauna, ranging from tigers and leopards to deer and many bird species, mainly threatened vultures. Panna National Park has varied landscapes- dry deciduous forests, grasslands, and rocky escarpments. Added uniqueness comes from boat safaris offered on the Ken River.

Best Time To Visit: November to May (15°C – 38°C)
Top Experiences: River safari, tiger safari, cave exploration
Entry Fees: ₹2,000 per vehicle (Indians)

6. Madhav National Park

Scenic picture of a deer under grassy skies along the grasslands of Madhav National Park.

Photo: designerpoint / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only

Madhav National Park is one of the lesser-visited national parks in Madhya Pradesh, which gives it a quiet retreat into nature. The area of the park covers 354 square kilometers and boasts numerous species, especially the presence of tigers, leopards, nilgai, and spotted deer. The beautiful Sakhya Sagar Lake is a notable aspect of the park that fosters the perfect landscape for bird-watching or even boat rides. The place is ideal for wildlife enthusiasts looking for a quiet experience, as the environment is lush green, and serene. Of its rich history, its borders include the ancient Madhav Vilas Palace and George Castle.

Best Time To Visit: November to March (10°C – 32°C)
Top Experiences: Bird watching, boat rides, wildlife safaris
Entry Fees: ₹500 per vehicle (Indians)

7. Sanjay National Park

Sanjay National Park is a treasure trove for nature and wildlife lovers in Madhya Pradesh.

Photo: rzierik / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only

Located on the border between Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, Sanjay National Park is a beautiful stretch of wildness spread over 1,467 square kilometers. It boasts rich biodiversity. One finds the Bengal tiger, leopard, and several species of deer in the park, which has dense forests mainly dominated by sal trees, providing a delicate ecosystem for wildlife. Sanjay National Park is also a heaven for bird lovers, containing more than 300 species of birds in the region. More often, safaris through this park are rewarding for those visitors due to the possible sightings of rare animals in their natural habitats.

Best Time To Visit: November to March (15°C – 30°C)
Top Experiences: Wildlife safaris, bird watching, trekking
Entry Fees: ₹1,500 per vehicle (Indians)

8. Van Vihar National Park

Sunset view over Van Vihar National Park lake - an exclusively urban wildlife sanctuary.

Photo: marcofedermann / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only

All the national parks in Madhya Pradesh stand out because Van Vihar National Park lies within the capital city. With its vast area of 4.45 square kilometers, this is one of the urban national parks housing a good variety of wildlife – tigers, lions, panthers, and many different bird species. While most national parks are designed without any zoo or sanctuary, the Van Vihar is one of those, keeping the animals in enclosures in their natural habitats. Visitors can walk along the park’s trails or relax on a boat ride across the nearby Upper Lake.

Best Time To Visit: October to March (12°C – 32°C)
Top Experiences: Wildlife photography, cycling tours, boat rides
Entry Fees: ₹20 per person (Indians)

9. Rani Durgavati National Park

Wildlife in Rani Durgavati, one of the more secluded national parks in Madhya Pradesh.

Photo: Alexas_Fotos / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only

Dedicated to the fearless Queen Durgavati, Rani Durgavati National Park is one of the newer national parks of Madhya Pradesh, offering serenity in the bosom of nature. The park stretches over an area of 206 square kilometers and represents different flora and fauna, which maintain its population of tigers, leopards, deer, and various species of birds. The park landscape is noted for forests, grasslands, and hills, which make it an excellent place to view. Rani Durgavati National Park is a good place for trekking and an excursion to explore the area’s historical significance.

Best Time To Visit: November to April (15°C – 35°C)
Top Experiences: Trekking, bird watching, wildlife safaris
Entry Fees: ₹1,000 per vehicle (Indians)

10. Fossil National Park

A beautiful view of the wildlife present at Fossil National Park in Madhya Pradesh.

Photo: Lakshmikanth k / Pexels / Image For Representation Only

Fossil National Park is one of the most attractive national parks in Madhya Pradesh for nature lovers and history enthusiasts. This place houses a 65 million-year-old fossil. Human lives have been provided with fossil remains over 65 million years old from this park in the Mandla district. People can go and have a detailed sight of the fossilized trees, plants, and animals preserved over the ages. This makes this park an experience combining geology and natural history, an attribute that appeals to history enthusiasts and families.

Best Time To Visit: October to March (12°C – 30°C)
Top Experiences: Fossil viewing, guided tours, educational trips
Entry Fees: ₹100 per person (Indians)

Madhya Pradesh is one of the places with many national parks, offering a unique experience for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. From the rich tiger habitats to the historically educative wonders of Fossil National Park, there is something for everyone. Each of these national parks in Madhya Pradesh gives an immense opportunity to explore the state’s rich biodiversity. Plan your trip with TripXL and head off for a journey of unforgettable memories.

Cover Photo: Pexels / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only

Frequently Asked Questions

You can visit most of these parks between October and June. The peak safari time is when the climate is relatively cold, usually in winter. The monsoon period from July through September is generally off-limits, as many parks close down for such times due to heavy downpours.
Bandhavgarh National Park and Kanha National Park are better national parks in Madhya Pradesh because of the density of Royal Bengal Tigers.
Yes, there is Van Vihar National Park located within Bhopal, making it a walkable urban national park for those looking for a quick dose of wildlife.
Some of the national parks in Madhya Pradesh, such as Kanha and Bandhavgarh, offer the opportunity to stay at forest lodges and ecotourism facilities within or very close to the park compounds.
Entry fees vary for each national park in the state of Madhya Pradesh. Some charge around ₹1,500 for a vehicle, while at Bandhavgarh, it is ₹2,500. It always pays to check present-day prices before traveling.

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