10 Best Wildlife Sanctuaries In Madhya Pradesh, India

1. Ghatigaon Sanctuary

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

The Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary or Ghatigaon Sanctuary is situated in proximity to the Indian city of Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh. Set up in the year 1981, the sanctuary houses a large population of the extremely rare great Indian bustard. Tourists can also spot other wild animals including hyena, fox, wolf, wild boar, etc. The nearest airport and the nearest train station are both in Gwalior. If you visit the sanctuary during the winters i.e. from the month of November onwards, you will be able to watch different species of migratory birds flocking here and enhancing the charm of the place.

Ghatigaon Sanctuary

Address: Ghatigaon, Madhya Pradesh 475330

Website: Ghatigaon Sanctuary

Opening hours: 9am - 5pm (daily)

2. Bandhavgarh National Park

Bandhavgarh National Park is one of India’s most famous national parks. It is open every year for tourists from October to June. However, the peak season is between the months of October and March. The key attraction of this park is the mighty Royal Bengal Tiger, which is found here in large numbers. However, the park also shelters wild animals including the Indian fox, jackals, hyenas, leopards, and bears among others.

Bandhavgarh National Park

Address: Bandhavgarh, Tala, Madhya Pradesh 484661

Website: Bandhavgarh National Park

Opening hours: 6am - 10:30am, 3pm - 5:30pm (daily)

3. Kheoni Wildlife Sanctuary

Situated about 125 km (77.67 mi) from the city of Indore in Madhya Pradesh, Kheoni Wildlife Sanctuary can be conveniently accessed by road. The sanctuary has become highly popular in recent times for its large population of wildcats. However, visitors can also spot other animals such as leopards and tigers here. If you are an avid birdwatcher, you will fall in love with this sanctuary instantly. Adrenalin junkies, wildlife photographers, and wildlife enthusiasts will also love being here.

Kheoni Wildlife Sanctuary

Address: Kheoni, Madhya Pradesh 455332

Website: Kheoni Wildlife Sanctuary

Opening hours: 8am - 6pm (daily)

4. Panna National Park

Panna National Park is set in a town called Panna in the district of Chhatpuarpur, Madhya Pradesh. An ideal destination to spot some of the deadliest predators, the park is home to animals such as Indian fox, leopard, Indian wolf, sloth bear, antelopes, and porcupine apart from also being a popular tiger reserve in the state. There are several interesting things to do here to utilize your vacation properly. For instance, tourists can enjoy a jungle safari to explore the forest and its inhabitants. Set up in 1981, the national park offers a chance to spot a tiger from close proximity.

Panna National Park

Address: NH 75, Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh 471405

Website: Panna National Park

Opening hours: Thu - Mon: 6am - 10am, 2:30pm - 5:30pm; Tue: 2:30pm - 5:30pm; Wed: 6am - 10am

5. Ratapani Tiger Reserve

Situated in Madhya Pradesh’s Raisen district, Ratapani Tiger Reserve is known for being the home of a large number of tigers and fine teak trees. The best part of this reserve is that it is just about 50.4 km (31.31 mi) from the capital city of Bhopal. So, if you are vacationing in Bhopal, the tiger reserve should definitely feature on your bucket list. Declared as a wildlife sanctuary in the year 1976, it attracts a plethora of tourists, both local as well as from different parts of the country. Visitors can spot different types of mammals and birds at Ratapani Tiger Reserve.

Ratapani Tiger Reserve

Address: Ratapani, Madhya Pradesh 464990

Website: Ratapani Tiger Reserve

6. Satpura Tiger Reserve

Satpura Tiger Reserve is also referred to as Satpura National Park and is set in the state’s Hoshangabad district. The reserve has been named so after its namesake the Satpura Range. Apart from tigers, other prominent attractions of this park are sloth bear, Indian gaur, leopard, giant squirrel, leopard, and more. The most suitable time for coming here is between the months of October and April. Set up in the year 2000, the park is closed during the months of July to September. A major railway junction called Itarsi is about 70 km (43.49 mi) away from Satpura Tiger Reserve.

Satpura Tiger Reserve

Address: Madai, Sarangpur, Madhya Pradesh 461881

Website: Satpura Tiger Reserve

Opening hours: 9am - 5pm (daily)

7. Kanha Tiger Reserve

Gondia railway station, located about 145 km (90.09 mi) away, is the nearest train station from Kanha Tiger Reserve. Also referred to as Kanha National Park, the park is situated in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. This park is primarily famous for being home to a good number of Royal Bengal tigers but it also has other animals like wild pigs, deer, wild dogs, and jackals. You will enjoy the place most if you visit the park at any time between mid-October and June. A safari is highly recommended in this park, which has created a niche for itself globally for saving the endangered barasingha.

Kanha Tiger Reserve

Address: Madhya Pradesh

Website: Kanha Tiger Reserve

Opening hours: 8am - 10pm (daily)

8. Panpatha Wildlife Sanctuary

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Established in 1983, Panpatha Wildlife Sanctuary shelters different kinds of animals such as jackals, deer, panthers, tigers, bears, porcupines, etc. The sanctuary enjoys a strategic location in the state as it is close to various other prominent tourist attractions like Khajuraho, and it is a part of Bandhavgarh National Park. So, make sure that you plan your vacation in such a manner that you can visit both of them simultaneously. The Madhya Pradesh Tourism Department manages this wildlife sanctuary.

Panpatha Wildlife Sanctuary

Address: MP SH 10, Panpatha, Madhya Pradesh 484661

Website: Panpatha Wildlife Sanctuary

Opening hours: 7am - 8pm (daily)

9. Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Situated in the state’s Sheopur district, Kuno Palpur or Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary is another famous destination for wildlife enthusiasts. Although the sanctuary is located on the north-western side of Madhya Pradesh, it is also in proximity to the border of Rajasthan. Gwalior Airport is the nearest airport from here. It is easy to spot a wide variety of wildlife here in this park, such as barking deer, sambar, deer, panther, blue bull, blackbuck, wild dog and more. If you are lucky, you may also spot a tiger at Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary.

Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary

Address: Barkheda, Madhya Pradesh 473775

Website: Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary

10. Bori Wildlife Sanctuary

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Although Bori Wildlife Sanctuary may not be as popular as Bandhavgarh National Park or Kanha Tiger Reserve, it boasts a wide variety of animals and flora and is definitely worth the visit. The sanctuary is set in the state’s Hoshangabad district and is the country’s most ancient forest reserve. Created in 1977, it is nestled near the Satpura range. The sanctuary houses different types of animals like nilgai, hyena, chital, Indian gazelle, antelope, and sambar among others. However, as the forest is dense, it may be difficult to spot many reptiles or animals here. Yet, nature lovers will love this wildlife sanctuary and feel like returning.

Bori Wildlife Sanctuary

Address: Ratibandar, Madhya Pradesh 461881

Website: Bori Wildlife Sanctuary

Explore the wilderness of Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh is a beautiful state located in the heartland of India. While the state offers plenty of things to see and do, a visit to some of its wildlife sanctuaries and national parks is a must if you plan to vacation here. Browse through these wildlife sanctuaries in Madhya Pradesh, India, to get close to nature with your loved ones.