Location : Hoshangabad District (Madhya Pradesh)

Best Time to Visit : January to June

Tucked away in the Satpura mountainous ranges, Satpura National Park rests in the Hoshangabad district of Madhya Pradesh. Set up in 1981, the park borrows its name from the Satpura hill ranges (Mahadeo Hills). An important wildlife sanctuary of India, the park shelters a rich biodiversity amidst its terrains. The panorama of the place, coupled with its herbaceous surroundings, makes it an ideal abode of many wildlife species of the country. The park has a jutted landscape, embedded with plain lands, and the altitude of the place ranges from 352 m to 1352 m.

Landscape and Flora

The landscape of Satpura Park is a veritable haven reflecting all the aspects of natural splendor. There are rocky sandstone peaks complemented by deep and dramatic ravines. The dense forests undulate with all its verdure and remains interspersed with some rare bryophytes and pteridophytes. Central Indian mixed deciduous vegetation is common in most of the areas. There are abundant sal, teak, tendu, aonla, mahua, bel and bamboo trees that throw in to the wealth of fauna in the park. Grasses and plants with therapeutic and medicinal properties are also widespread.

Fauna & Avifauna

When it comes to fauna, the Satpura National Park is a rare and exciting jungle treat. Its fauna comprises of animals like tiger, leopard, sambar, chital, bhedki, nilgai, four-horned antelope, rhesus monkey chinkara, bison, wild boar, wild dog, bear, black buck, fox, porcupine, flying squirrel, mouse deer and Indian joint squirrel, to name a few. There is also a huge collection of birds, about 254 species. Birds like Malabar pied hornbills, crested serpent eagles, crested hawk eagles, honey buzzards, paradise flycatchers, thrushes, peafowl and pheasants contribute to the varied avifauna of the park.

So, if you plan a trip to Madhya Pradesh, make sure you take a quick trip to the Satpura Park. You can easily access the place from Pachmarhi, connected with regular bus services with Bhopal, Hoshangabad, Nagpur, Pipariya and Chhindwara. On the other hand, Pipariya (47km) on the Bombay-Howrah main line is the most convenient railhead for reaching the Satpura National Park. The nearest airport is Bhopal (195km), connected by daily flights with places like Delhi, Gwalior, Indore and Bombay.