9 Famous National Parks In Madhya Pradesh To Witness Iconic Ecological Diversity

Wanna catch sight of wild cats lounging in trees or stalking prey? With 25 wildlife sanctuaries, 6 tiger reserves, and 9 national parks in Madhya Pradesh, the Heart of India is reckoned as one of the richest wildlife hotspots in India. Known for iconic ecological diversity, Madhya Pradesh is a perfect place to explore the magnificent aspect of nature. 

The central state of India boasts a wide range of exquisite flora and fauna and also has a fossil park in the Mandla district where 40-150 million years old fossils can be discovered. If this triggers your inquisitiveness, we have all the information for you!

9 Best National Parks In Madhya Pradesh

Check out the list of famous national parks in MP before stepping on to your wildlife excursion.

1. Bandhavgarh National Park

Boasting the highest number of tigers in India, Bandhavgarh National Park is one of the most amazing tiger reserves where travelers can catch a sight of wild cats in their natural habitat.

Once a hunting ground for Maharajas, Bandhavgarh is famous for the white tigers which were first spotted in this national park of Madhya Pradesh. Also, the park is a hotspot for wildlife enthusiasts owing to its enormous variety of species that reside within the bounds of the park, including animals like Asiatic jackal, Grey Mongoose, Barking Deers, Striped Hyenas, and many more.

Location of Bandhavgarh National Park: Bandhavgarh, District Umaria, Tala, Madhya Pradesh

Best time to visit Bandhavgarh National Park: October to June

2. Kanha National Park

Home to a large number of predators, Kanha National Park is one of the richest and well-managed national parks in Madhya Pradesh. The striking beauty of the landscape is perhaps what makes this park so incredible. The beautiful landscape of Kanha National Park is believed to have inspired the famous author, Rudyard Kipling after which he penned the bestseller, ‘The Jungle Book’. The park is home to Royal Bengal tigers along with plenty of interesting creatures that reside here including Tigers, Panthers, Pythons, Indian Cobras, Giant Danio, etc. 

Location of Kanha National Park: Mandla, Madhya Pradesh

Best time to visit Kanha National Park: Mid-October to June end

3. Panna National Park & Tiger Reserve

Spread over a sprawling area of 542.7sq km, Panna National Park is the most stunning tiger reserve in mp that is famous for unique experiences such as boat safaris and elephant safaris. One of the striking features of the park is the shimmering river that flows through the entire park drawing a vivid picture of nature’s bewilderment. In this fascinating park, you get a chance to witness majestic creatures like tigers, leopards, hyenas, gharials, four-horned antelope, porcupines, etc in their natural habitat. Panna National Park also has other attractions like Raneh Falls, Ken Gharial Sanctuary, and Ajaygarh Fort which adds more charm to the wildlife excursion.

Location of Panna National Park: Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh

Best time to visit Panna National Park: November to June

Also Read: Top 10 Things To Do In Madhya Pradesh To Make Your Trip Memorable

4. Pench National Park

Named after the Pench River that flows right in the middle of the park, Pench National Park has one of the most gorgeous landscapes. The rich flora and fauna and the beauty of its landscape are also registered in the 16th-century historical memoir, ‘Ain-i-Akbari’ which was written by Abul Fazal who was a famous historian in Akbar’s court. With more than 250 species of birds nesting in the park, Pench indeed is a paradise for bird watchers. Besides, it is home to many tigers, leopards, Cheetals, wild dogs, wolves, etc which makes it one of the most interesting national parks in Madhya Pradesh. One can also consider a few other attractions such as Sitaghat, Bodhanala range, etc near Pench while visiting this fascinating national park.

Location of Pench National Park: Seoni-Chhindwara District, Madhya Pradesh

Best time to visit Pench National Park: February to April

5. Satpura National Park & Biosphere

Spread over an area of 524sq km, Satpura National Park in Madhya Pradesh is one of the fascinating places to visit. Lying in the lap of stunning Satpura ranges, the park has many archaeological marvels along with rich flora and fauna. Home to some exotic species of birds and marsh crocodiles, Satpura National Park is among the famous national parks of Madhya Pradesh that has a large number of tigers, leopards, blackbucks, sloth bears, langurs, etc. The rugged terrains and deep gorges of this national park cannot be overlooked as it allures nature lovers as well as archeologists from all over the world.

Location of Satpura National Park: Hoshangabad District, Madhya Pradesh

Best time to Visit Satpura National Park: October to April

6. Van Vihar National Park

Lying in the capital city of Madhya Pradesh, Van Vihar National Park is one of the famous tourist attractions of Bhopal. The striking feature of the park is that it is maintained as a zoological park and is easily accessible by the tourists as it is spread over a small area of 4.43sq km. Along with various endangered species like white tigers, lions, sambar deers, sloth bears, Cheetal, blackbucks, etc, one can catch a sight of 200 species of birds and around 60 species of butterflies. The park also houses a lake where a number of migratory birds can be seen during winters.

Location of Van Vihar National Park: Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh

Best time to visit Van Vihar National Park: July to September

Also Read: Top Heritage Sites In Madhya Pradesh

7. Sanjay-Dubri National Park & Wildlife Sanctuary

The landmark destination of Madhya Pradesh, Sanjay-Dubri National Park heralds the rich flora and fauna of the state. One of the Tiger Reserves of Madhya Pradesh, Sanjay-Dubri park serves as the wildlife corridor between Bandhavgarh & Palamau Tiger reserve in Chhattisgarh state. The Banas river flowing through the park is another point of tourist attraction as it offers activities like birdwatching, swimming, boating & nature walk. With many species of snakes in the park, it is a perfect place for people who have a keen interest in watching enormous ranges. Besides spotting the denizens in their natural habitat, tourists can also visit the Tribal Haat or consider nearby excursions such as Bagdara Sanctuary for the blackbucks & Son Gharial area.

Location of Sanjay-Dubri National Park: Sidhi District, Madhya Pradesh

Best time to visit Sanjay-Dubri National Park: September to March

8. Madhav National Park

Once the hunting ground of Mughal emperors and Maharaja of Gwalior, Madhav National Park in Madhya Pradesh is where the wildlife lovers can marvel at some of the exotic species of animals as well as birds. Besides, this national park in Madhya Pradesh has architectural marvels by the rulers of Gwalior that are worth witnessing. Madhav National Park got its name from the erstwhile Maharaja of Gwalior, Madho Rao Scindia. Tigers, leopards, hyenas, crocodiles, langurs, blackbucks, jackals, sloth bears are some of the species of animals that have an abode in this park. There is George castle, lake and a sailing club which can be added to the excursion while visiting the park.

Location of Madhav National Park: Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh 473551

Best time to visit Madhav National Park: October to March

9. Fossil National Park

Reckoned as the largest fossil park in Asia, Fossil National Park is a fascinating place in Madhya Pradesh for archeologists, nature lovers, and wildlife enthusiasts. One of the most interesting parts of this national park in Madhya Pradesh is that it houses plants in the form of fossils that are 40 to 150 million years old. Also, to get a deeper insight, one can consider visiting a small museum in the park where a number of seeds and leaf fossils are preserved. This place is an example of Madhya Pradesh’s existence millions of years ago and can be visited with children to take them back to the glorious past.

Location of Fossil National Park: Dindori District, Madhya Pradesh

Best time to visit Fossil National Park: October to March

Wrapping up our list of national parks in Madhya Pradesh. Exemplifying the rich wildlife experience, the dense jungles of Madhya Pradesh are a great choice to satiate the craving. Book flights, hotels, tour packages with Adotrip for a seamless travel experience.