
Deep in the heart of India, in Umaria district, Madhya Pradesh, Bandhavgarh national park isn’t just a tiger sanctuary; it’s a 2,000-year-old living museum.
Bandhavgarh’s tiger density is among the highest of any reserve in India. The 2022 All-India Tiger Estimation, the country’s most recent officially published national census, recorded 135 tigers at Bandhavgarh — tied with Dudhwa for the third-highest reserve count nationally, behind only Corbett (260) and Bandipur (150). This continued growth is part of the same tiger conservation story already told elsewhere on this page, and one playing out across India’s national parks more broadly. A new national census cycle began in late 2025, with updated figures due through 2027.
When the park is open
Bandhavgarh is open from mid-October to 30 June, closing for the monsoon from 1 July to mid-October. Exact reopening dates are confirmed each season by the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department through the official safari booking portal — we check current-season status before finalising any itinerary, so get in touch and we’ll confirm availability for your travel dates.
Zones and weekly closures
Bandhavgarh runs multiple safari zones (Tala, Magadhi, Khitauli, and others), each bookable separately; the core zone closes for both safaris every Wednesday.
Safari timings
Timings shift with the season — broadly 6:00–11:00 AM and 3:00 PM to sunset in winter, adjusting earlier in the morning and later in the evening through the hotter months. Exact gate times are confirmed on the day by our guide.
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