Satpura Wildlife Reserve

Situated in the Central Indian Highlands, the Satpura Wildlife Reserve is a unique and highly diverse biosphere reserve which is believed to be one of India's best kept secrets. Less crowded than other parks in Madhya Pradesh (including Kanha, Pench and Bandhavgarh), Satpura offers a rare and exciting wilderness experience. Formed in 1981, the park includes an area of 524 square km and, combined with its neighbouring wildlife sanctuaries, it provides 1,427 square km of beautiful natural ecosystems.

Famous for its dramatic landscapes with deep ravines, meandering valleys, plunging waterfalls, verdant jungles and endless grass lands, it’s not surprising this park has one of the highest wildlife densities in India and is considered to be one of the best parks for an overall wildlife experience. Satpura Wildlife Reserve’s stunning topography and the rugged Satpura Range rarely cease to fill your background view, making it a photographer’s dream.

Wildlife is plentiful, so one can expect to spot leopard, sloth bears, wild dog, crocodile, langur, sambar, blue bull and Indian gaurs, as well as a rich variety of birdlife. Tigers are the big news here, and your chances of spotting a regal beauty in its natural habitat are as good as anywhere in India. Satpura is a true birdwatcher's paradise; the Denwa river and an abundance of trees within the park are home to numerous and varied resident bird species, some of which are extremely rare.

Game drives here are second to none, with each naturalist guide trained to the highest calibre, there is no sight or sound too small not to be identified. Guides offer guests an insight into all aspects of local wildlife and nature, and are not merely tiger trackers. Jungle walks are possible, as well as night safaris, canoe rides and elephant safaris, allowing for wonderful and close-up wildlife encounters.

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George Bernard Shaw