Satpura National Park: A Detailed Travel Guide

Imagine the thrill of exploring the raw nature of Satpura National Park in an open jeep with a hope to spot a Royal Bengal tiger in the act of hunting or passing by your jeep. For the purpose of wildlife photography, Jeep safari is the option to explore the park preferred by most visitors.

The activity of jeep safari at Satpura National Park has a certain kind of charm and thrill attached to it. One must take a Satpura National Park safari and spend a couple of hours deep in the dense jungles of the wildlife park.

Safari Timings:

Summer: Morning: 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM

               Evening: 2:30 PM to 6:30 PM

Winter: Morning: 6:30 AM to 10:30 AM

             Evening: 1:30 PM to 5:30 PM

Safari Cost: - INR 3050 per vehicle (for Indians)

                    - INR 4500 per vehicle (for Foreigners)

Duration: 2.5 hours but one can opt for full day safari too.

This thrilling activity involves you touring the jungle of Satpura National Park on the back of an elephant with a safari-guide. Apart from jeep safari, this is another type of Satpura National Park Safari. The probability of spotting a tiger during elephant safari is usually higher than a jeep safari.

The uniqueness of this safari makes it a must-try activity. Special permission from the Field Director of the national park is required to take an elephant safari. But, the experience is worth going through some hassle.

Safari Cost: Starts from INR 750.

Safari Timings: Summer- 7:00 AM to 11 AM

                         Winter- 7:00 AM to 11AM

Duration: 1 hour.

Spread across the verdant landscape of Madhai in the area of 10 acres, Denwa Backwater Escape offers luxurious accommodations laced with all modern amenities. Its scenic location on the banks of the river Denwa fills the experience of staying here with a sense of tranquility. Denwa Backwater Escape comes under one of the best resorts of Madhya Pradesh.

The park is easily accessible from Denwa Backwater Escape as it sits at a short distance from Madhai Gate of the park.

Amenities:

Activities:

-Jeep Safari
-Elephant Safari
-Boat Ride
-Cycling
-Night Safari

Price: Starts from INR 17,000 per room.

Location: Satpura national park, near madhai gate, Sarangpur, Madhya Pradesh.

Distance from Satpura National Park: 2 Km.

Ideal for a memorable stay on a visit to Satpura National Park, Madhai Wildlife Resort enjoys fame among wildlife enthusiasts and photographers for its impeccable services and warm hospitality.

Apart from excellent amenities, this resort, overlooking Denwa River, also offers breathtaking views of the river against the backdrop of the Satpura range. Madhai Wildlife Resort boasts excellence on every front.

Amenities:

-Luxury Rooms
-Bonfire
-Barbeque
-Dining Area
-Riverside Dinner & Picnic

Activities:

-Nature Walk
-Village Visit
-Jungle Safari
-Boating

Price: Starts from INR 7,000.

Location: Satpura Tiger Reserve, Madhai.

Delve deep into the most iconic places of Madhya Pradesh and unveil the mysteries that the state beholds.

If your plan is to unwind amidst the pristine nature at Satpura National Park, Reni Pani Jungle Lodge offers a perfect ambiance and a perfect range of facilities to serve the purpose. The resort offers a perfect blend of the local heritage and lavishness.

The accommodation options here come in the form of beautifully designed rooms and tents equipped with almost everything you may need.

Amenities:

-Luxury Tree Lodges
-Viewing Decks
-Lounge
-Dining Area
-Library

Activities:

-Jungle Walks
-Elephant Safari
-Boat Safari
-Jeep Safari

Price: Starts from INR 12,700.

A luxurious accommodation amidst the raw wilderness of Satpura National Park, Forsyth Lodge is one of the best stay options in the region. Though all modern amenities are available at the resort, it still holds a rustic charm, maintaining the feeling of being in the wild.

Located in a vast area of 44 acres of the forested landscape on the periphery of the wildlife park, Forsyth Lodge encompasses 12 well-appointed cottages. A stay at this resort, apart from bringing you face-to-face with the wildlife, also gives you ample opportunities for bird watching.

Amenities:

-Cottages with Porch
-Swimming Pool
-In-House Restaurant
-Bonfire

Activities:

-Bird Watching
-Nature Walks
-Lakeside Walk
-Village Visit
-Night Safari & Jungle Safari

Price: Starts from INR 18,000.

V Resorts Jungle Retreat is known to impress and delight their visitors with an unmatched level of services and hospitality. With the views of Denwa River and endless forest land, and the sprawling gardens it offers, a stay at this resort gives a mesmerizing experience.

Mud bath and oil massage facilities here will help you unwind after spending a tiresome day at the jungle. The accommodation options here are categorized into air-conditioned rooms and cottages and air-cooled rooms laced with excellent amenities.

Amenities: You can enjoy views of Denwa River and Satpura forests from here. Besides, oil massage, mud bath, garden area, and sit-out area are also available here.

Activities:

-Trekking
-Horse Riding
-Jungle Safari
-Bonfire
-Birding & Fishing

Price: Starts from INR 3,600.

Location: Village Sarangpur, Madhya Pradesh.

Distance from Satpura National Park: Walking distance from Madhai Gate.

If you enjoy camping, plan your camping trip in Madhya Pradesh with the whole list of choices is just a click away!

Located in the middle of lush green hills, Pandav Caves are religiously prominent among Hindus and attract a number of tourists throughout the year. As per Mahabharata, when Pandavas lost to Kauravas and were forced into exile, they excavated these five caves and stayed here.

The site is so important that the station of Pachmarhi is named after these five caves. These caves, overlooking a garden, are believed to be more than 1000-year-old and giving one of the best caving experiences in Madhya Pradesh.

Highlights: Being ancient caves, this is an interesting site for history lovers and culture enthusiasts.

Location: The caves are located on a low hillock in Pachmarhi, Madhya Pradesh.

Timings: The caves can be visited between 8 AM and 6 PM.

If you want to add new colors to your wildlife quest, Bee Falls is one of the best options around Satpura Tiger Reserve. The stream of water plunging down from a height of 35 meters is a sight to behold and is worth capturing in your camera.

If you visit the wildlife park, you must add this scenic place to your itinerary to feel the beauty of nature teeming with tranquility. It is sure to take away your tiredness from jungle adventure. Bee Falls is a popular waterfall in Madhya Pradesh among thrill-seekers as the forested terrain nearby offers a trekking trail.

Highlights: The highlight of Bee Falls is the breathtaking sight of the falls enveloped in lush greenery.

Location: Pachmarhi, Madhya Pradesh.

Timings: It is open 24 hours.

If you are fond of catching magical sunrises and sunsets, there is no better point than Dhoopgarh around the national park. It is the highest point in Satpura range, and the views of the unending stretches of velvety green forested landscapes that can be caught from here are truly spellbinding.

The entire town of Pachmarhi can also be seen from up here. This is also a famous hotspot in Madhya Pradesh for adventure enthusiasts trekkers as many people trek here through dense forests to reach this point.

Highlights: This point lies at an elevation of 4,429 feet, and is popular for its sunset views.

Location: Pachmarhi, Madhya Pradesh.

Timings: It is open 24 hours.

Handi Khoh is a canyon set in the dense forest of Pachmarhi with a height of 300 ft. The legend has it that there was a lake present here. A poisonous evil serpent was guarding the lake. Lord Shiva and the serpent had a fight once and the rage between them led to the lake being dried up. And this is how the ravine was formed.

The space left by the dried river looked like a handi (pot). That is how Handi Khoh got its name. You can spot beehives hanging to the steep rock face. Offering views of gorges and valleys, Handi Khoh is a perfect spot for photography in Madhya Pradesh.

Highlights: It is a perfect spot to enjoy nature photography amidst the dense jungle. One can also enjoy horse riding here.

Location: Pachmarhi, Madhya Pradesh.

Timings: It is open 24 hours.

Chauragarh Peak is surrounded by dense forests and lush green hills. Popular among adventurers, this place is a trekker’s delight. On the top of the peak, there is a shrine of Lord Shiva. So, this temple of Madhya Pradesh has a lot of religiously significant too and attracts many devotees throughout the year.

One has to climb 1365 stairs in order to reach the top. The view from the top is breathtaking and will make you realize why the climb was worth taking.

Highlights: Beautiful location to enjoy sunrise and sunset.

Location: Pachmarhi, Madhya Pradesh.

Timings: 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

Add colours of spirituality to your wildlife experience by including Jata Shankar Cave, located in Pachmarhi, to your itinerary. This cave holds importance among the follower of Hinduism as it houses stalagmites that are revered as natural Shivalinga and has become of the must visit place in Pachmarhi.

The name of the cave is owed to the rock formation here that resembles Lord Shiva's hair. Hence, Jata Shankar. According to the popular belief, Lord Shiva hid in this cave to conceal himself from the wrath of Bhasmasur.

Besides, the site also has two ponds; one of which holds cold water and the other, hot. You can also visit the cave if you're seeking some adventure as there's a popular trail that leads to here.

Highlights: Site of religious importance and also a popular spot among trekkers.

Location: Pachmarhi, Madhya Pradesh.

Timings: 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

Distance from Satpura National Park: Approximately 8 Km.

Mahadeo Hills is situated at an altitude of 1363 m in the northern part of the Satpura Range. The hills have plateaus and steep scarps. From the north, the hills have a gentle slope whereas in the south it is steeper.

Narmada River flows to the north of the hills. There is a temple situated near the river which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is believed that the Narmada River is the daughter of Lord Shiva. So, this site is religiously significant and is thronged by crowds of devotees. Visiting Mahadeo Hills has become a must do things when you are in Pachmarhi. 

Others visit to see the tropical moist deciduous forests which are the part of The Eastern highlands moist deciduous forests ecoregion.

Highlights: Site to enjoy and explore the nature. Also a good site for the devotees of Lord Shiva.

Location: Pachmarhi, Madhya Pradesh.

Pachmarhi Catholic Church was built in the late 19th century. This church is known for its unique amalgamation of French and Irish architecture with stained-glass windows from Belgium. It also has stained-glass panels that were specially imported from Europe.

The church has a cemetery attached to it and the tombs in the cemetery date back to the World War I and World War II. This church is only open only on Sundays for the mass. Do visit this church to appreciate the design and the charm that it has and add some historical essences in Madhya Pradesh.

Highlights: The unique architecture.

Location: Pachmarhi, Madhya Pradesh.

Distance from Satpura National Park: 8.5 Km.

The activity of jungle safari involves exploring the core areas of the national park either in an open jeep or sitting on the back of an elephant. It brings you face to face with the quintessential rawness of the park along with giving you ample opportunities to sight exotic flora and fauna here.

Truly, the activity of Satpura National Park safari has been designed to delight and entice wildlife enthusiasts by giving them a perfect amount of adventure. Do not miss this activity on your visit to the Madhya Pradesh because it is your best chance to witness its real beauty.

Highlights: The excitement of close encounters with wild animals, especially tigers.

Safari Timings:

Summer: Morning: 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM

               Evening: 2:30 PM to 6:30 PM

Winter: Morning: 6:30 AM to 10:30 AM

             Evening: 1:30 PM to 5:30 PM

Safari Cost: - INR 3050 per vehicle (for Indians)

                    - INR 4500 per vehicle (for Foreigners

Unlike many other national parks, Satpura National Park is surrounded by a serene river, stunning greenery and landscape, alluring valleys, sandstone peaks and spectacular waterfalls.

Satpura Tiger reserve not only serves as a site where many people come to see wildlife species, birds and reptile species but also as an excellent place to explore nature and click some good pictures.

There is very little human interference in this park as only 12 jeeps are allowed for the safari at a time which gives ample space for the photography without interference which gives this national park an edge over other parks which are rather crowded throughout the year.

By Jabalpur:

-Nearby Airport: The nearest airport is Dumna Airport Jabalpur.

-Nearby Railway Stations: The nearest railway stations are Itarsi, Sohagpur, Pipariya, and Hoshangabad.

-Buses: One can take a bus to Sohagpur from Jabalpur which is located at a distance of 20 kilometers from Satpura National Park. Then, one can take a taxi to the national park.

-Distance from Jabalpur: It is located at a distance of 250 kilometers from Jabalpur that is about 6 hours drive via road.

By Indore:

-Nearby Airport: The nearest airport is Raja Bhoj Airport Bhopal, located at a distance of 220 kilometers from Satpura National Park.

-Nearby Railway Stations: The nearest railway stations are Itarsi, Sohagpur, Pipariya, and Hoshangabad.

-Buses: There is no direct connectivity to Satpura National Park from Indore.

-Distance from Indore:  It is located at a distance of 330 kilometers. It takes approximately 7 hours to reach the national park via road.

By Delhi:

-Nearby Airport: The nearest airport is Dumna Airport, Jabalpur and Raja Bhoj Airport, Bhopal.

-Nearby Railway Stations: The nearest railway stations are Itarsi, Sohagpur, Pipariya, and Hoshangabad. There is a direct overnight train from Delhi to Pipariya which is 45 kilometers from the Satpura Tiger Reserve.

-Buses: There is no direct service between Satpura National Park and Delhi. However, one can take the bus to Sohagpur from Jabalpur and Bhopal.

-Distance from Delhi: It is located at a distance of 890 kilometers from Delhi.

By Nagpur:

-Nearby Airport: The nearest airport is Dumna Airport Jabalpur and Raja Bhoj Airport Bhopal.

-Nearby Railway Stations: The nearest railway stations are Itarsi, Sohagpur, Pipariya, and Hoshangabad.  One can easily get a train to reach Pipariya as it is well connected with Nagpur.

-Buses: There is no direct bus service to reach the national park from Nagpur.

1. Book jungle safari in advance to avoid the hassle.

3. Avoid wearing bright colors during jungle safari to avoid catching the attention of dangerous animals.

4. Do not feed animals.

5. Do not litter the jungle area.

6. Do not touch any animal during jungle safari regardless of how harmless it may seem.

7. Avoid using the camera flash as it may startle animals.

8. Keep the camera handy to avoid missing out on an opportunity to click an exotic animal.

9. Do not make noise and keep your phone on silent mode while in the jungle to ensure safety.