Satpura National Park

Introduction

If you are fed-up of crowded wildlife sanctuaries, struggle for getting safari tickets, standing in a queue of safari jeeps, over-crowding of safari jeeps during wildlife sighting then Satpura National Park is the right solution for real wildlife lovers. It is the place where we will find peaceful jungle, away from hustle & bustle of safari jeeps, beautiful hilly terrains, deep gorges, rivulets, large herds of mammals, good birding. Untouched forest locations etc. of Satpura National Park is nurtured in the Satpura Ranges of Hoshangabad district in Madhya Pradesh. Total area of Satpura Tiger Reserve is 2133.307 sq. km. Its core area is of 1339.27 sq.kms and rest is buffer area. Various ways of wildlife watching distinguishes its from other tiger reserves of India. Here one can do jeep safari, elephant safari, walking safari & cannoeing, birding etc. Unspoiled Highland eco-system of Satpura National Park is unique in nature and was established in 1981.

Satpura National Park

Satpura is a famous range of hills in Central India. The name Satpura is originating from a Sanskrit Word Shatpura means "Hundred Mountains". The range, the name of which means "Seven Folds" forms a watershed between Narmada and Tapti River. Parts of the Satpuras have been folded and up heaved. They regarded as structural uplift or "horst". Satpura range is a series of Seven Mountains (Sat = Seven, Pura = Mountains). It extends through Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and finally terminating in Chhastisgarh, running for a span of 900kms. The Satpura range includes Mahadeo Hills to the north, the Maikala Hills to the east, and Rajpipla Hills to the west. The famous Dhoopgarh Peak (1350m) near Pachmarhi on Mahadev Hills is the highest peak of Madhya Pradesh state and also Amarkantak Peak (1127m) which is second highest peak of Madhya Pradesh state also lies in the Satpura Range. Satpura range is triangular in shape. The whole Satpura range is heavily forested and is very famous for wildlife habitats. Satpura range is a home of world famous National parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries etc. The Satpura ranges therefore has enormous varieties of jungles and wildlife creating it in a happening place for trekking, Safaris, fishing, bird watching, relaxing and for other activities making it a perfect place for Holidays. National and Internationally famous Satpura National Park is also a part of the Satpura ranges of Madhya Pradesh State. As already mentioned that Satpura range is fully covered from dense forest that is why Satpura national park is very popular for its wildlife and beautiful natural places and Safaris. Satpura national park is located in the Hoshangabad district of Madhya Pradesh. Satpura national park covers an area of 524km2 established in 1981. . The park covers an area of 2133.307 sq.km by combining Bori wildlife sanctuary and Pachmarhi Wildlife Sanctuary . From the year 1999, the park was included to Tiger Projects of India and became Bodi-Satpura Tiger Reserve. The Bori-Satpura Tiger Reserve lies in the Mahadev Hills of the Satpura range in the southern parts of the Central Indian Highlands of Madhya Pradesh. Satpura National Park won the TOFT Wildlife Tourism Award in the year 2010 for “Most Visitor Friendly” wildlife destinations. Satpura National Park is less crowed National Park as compared to other heavily rushed national parks. This park is very silence as you can hear the snoring of the Beer and roaring of the Tigers very clearly. You can enjoy and spend some adventurous days in Satpura National park. It is a best place to see and feel the wildlife very closely. It has a very rich in biodiversity. There is long list of mammals in Satpura national park among which prominent ones are Leopard, Sambar, Chital, Indian Muntjac, Nilgai, Four-Horned Antelope, Chinkara, Wild Boar, Bear, Black Buck, Fox, Porcupine, Flying Squirrel, Mouse Deer, Indian Giant Squirrel etc. The flora consists of mainly Sal, Teak, Tendu, Phyllanthus emblica, Mahua, Bel, Bamboo, and Medicinal Plants. There are huge varieties of birds also including lots of water birds, Hornbills and peacocks etc. Satpura ranges and Satpura national park is the heaven for wildlife and nature lovers.

How to reach Satpura National Park

Satpura National Park is located in Hoshangabad district of Madhya Pradesh State in Central India. It is in Central region of Madhya Pradesh, spread over Satpura ranges.

By Flight

Their are 02 important airports for reaching Satpura National Park. Nearest one is Bhopal Airport (220kms) and second one is Jabalpur Airport (260kms). Both the airports have direct flight connectivity with Delhi & Mumbai and are actively used by tourists.

By Train

Their are many ways to reach Satpura National Park by train transportation. Nearby railway stations for reaching park are: Sohagpur (18kms), Hoshangabad (45kms), Itarsi (65kms) & Pipariya (40kms). It is on Howrah-Mumbai rail-track.

By Road

Madhai entrance gate is about 18kms inside from Jabalpur - Hoshangabad road. Nearby cities are Bhopal (170kms), Jabalpur (250kms), Itarsi (60kms). Last 18kms is a village & forest route thus road condition is not so good else we will find almost good roads.

Landscape

The terrain of the national park is extremely rugged and consists of fascinating deep valleys, sandstone peaks, narrow gorges, rivulets, waterfalls, thickly dense green forest of Sal and other medicinal herbs and Tawa vast reservoir. Un-even altitude ranges from 290m. to 1352 m. Highest peak of national park is in Satpura National Park i.e. Dhoopgarh at an altitude of 4500 feets(1400 m.). As it is the highest peak of Madhya Pradesh, sunlight reaches this peak earlier than anyother landscape of Madhya Pradesh.

Flora

Bio-diversity of national park is stunning with over 1300 species of plants. Flora of national park includes teak, sal, tendu, mahua (Indian butter-tree), bel (stone-apple), bamboos, grasses, bushes, unchecked grown lantanas and other many medicinal plants whose details are not available now. It is said that in majority of jungle we can judge that sal is the prominent flora of National Park.

Fauna

Being a part of unique eco-system, Satpura National Park is very rich in bio-diversity. Its fauna comprises Spotted Dear, Indian Bison(Gaur), Tigers, Leopards, Wild boar, Wild dog (locally called Dholes), Sloth bear, Black buck (unique attraction), Porcupine, Sambhar, four Horned antelopes (Chowsingha), Smooth otter, Pangolin, Marsh crocodile, Languars etc. Indian Giant squirrel is the special feature of Satpura National Park as it is rare in India now. Sighting of Leopards, Gaurs, Wild Dog, Sloth Bear is good in compare to other national parks of Central India. Bird-watching in Satpura National Park is great. Here very frequently we can see variety of birds during stay and safari. Tiger sighting of this national park is not so impressive as compare to nearby Bandhavgarh, Kanha or Pench national parks. So it is required when we go for jungle safari in national park, we should no go with single mindset of tiger-sighting but enjoy sighting all members of national park as they are equally share the jungle with tigers and are extremely beautiful creatures of nature.

Accommodation

As Satpura National Park is an upcoming wildlife destination, their are very few resorts are available for accommodation. Some of them are as follows:

1. Forsyth Lodge: It is one of the best resort among luxury Satpura National Park Resorts. Forsyth lodge lies close to Madhai entrance gate. It offers great scenic view of Denva rivers as it is very close to it.
2. Reni Pani: It is another luxury in Satpura National Park. It is about 3kms inside jungle from main road for Madhai entrance gate. Entrance gate is about 08kms from this resort.
3. Madhai Wildlife Resort: It is a standard category resort on the bank of Denva river, just close to entry gate.
4. Gourissa Resort: It is also a good standard category stay option.
5. MP Tourism's- Tawa Resort