When you want to experience the best of nature, there is nothing better than taking a stroll in a national park. While there are a number of national parks in India, one of the best national parks to visit in Madhya Pradesh is the Satpura National Park. This national park is known to be one of the most beautiful and diverse national parks in the whole of central India. The tiger reserve in the national park has even won the TOFT Wildlife Tourism Award in 2010. It is spread across a vast area of 202 square miles and houses a variety of animals like tigers, leopards, and bison. Many other endangered and threatened species of the world also find abode in this national park.
Timings
When you are planning to visit the Satpura National Park, Pachmarhi, there are some rules and regulations about the timing that you should always keep in mind. This national park opens on two different timings a day. During winters, you can visit the national park between 6 am to 10 am in the morning and from 2:30 pm in the afternoon to 5:30 pm in the evening. And if you are planning a visit to this national park during the summer season, the timings change a little bit. You can visit this national park from 5:45 am to 9:30 am in the morning and 3 pm to 6:30 pm in the evening. Make sure that you are travelling between these timing and have booked a good safari to experience the best of this national park.
Price For National Park
The safari charges vary in the national park. When you are taking the jeep safari in Satpura National Park, Pachmarhi, Indians would be charged at INR 3800. If you are not an Indian national, you will be charged INR 5800.
Things to Do
You can book jeep safari ride to explore the national park in a beautiful manner. One can also take an elephant ride in the national park. One can also make the most of the national park trip by indulging in a boating experience. The Denwa river flows through the national park and you can book a boating ride here to view the beauty of the Satpura hills and forests of the park. You cannot get down from the vehicle or the elephant when you are in the forest lands.
History
In 1862 Captain James Forsyth of Bengal Lancers explored this area for the national park. They realized the ecological importance of this region and decided to transform the entire land into a national reserve to house a variety of flora and fauna.
Best Time to Visit
There are certain timings of the year only when the national park is open for all tourists. It is open for all tourists from 1st October to 15th June. It is accessible for all visitors. If you are planning to take a safari in this beautiful national park, you should book your safari in the winter months, i.e., from the months of December and February.
How to Reach
Located in the Hoshangabad district of Madhya Pradesh, it is easy to access the national park from all parts of the country. If you are coming via air, the nearest airport is the Bhopal airport in the capital city which is connected with major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, etc. Itarsi, Sohagpur, Pipariya, and Hoshangabad are the nearest railway stations for those who are travelling via rail. There are three entrance gates for the Satpura National Park and each one is close to different areas. For those who are coming via road, there is a seamless road via Bhopal that takes you to the national park.
Nearby Attractions
The Bori and Pachmarhi national parks are located near the Satpura National Park and along with the two, this entire national park region also comes to be known as the Satpura Tiger Reserve.