Madhya Pradesh is a state rich in wildlife. It is known for its dense forests housing hundreds of animals of varying species. Madhya Pradesh attracts numerous tourists, wildlife enthusiasts, and adventure seekers every year and is one of the finest places to go for a wildlife safari.

Keep reading to know about a wildlife safari in Madhya Pradesh and other details to plan an exquisite tour in nature.

If you are into nature and wildlife, do not miss the opportunity to explore a wide range of animals, birds and endangered species of the wildlife sanctuaries in Madhya Pradesh mentioned below:

The list of the 10 most popular wildlife safaris in Madhya Pradesh is listed below:

1. Bandhavgarh Tiger Park and National Reserve

The Bandhavgarh Tiger Park and National Reserve is located in the Umaria district of Madhya Pradesh. It is one of the largest tiger reserves in India and home to a vast species of wildlife. The species include the Gaur species of the Indian Bison, leopards, Indian wolves, hyenas, etc. It is one of the most popular wildlife safari destinations in India.

• Area Covered: 1536 km2
• Best Time to Visit: April to May; December to January
• Average Time to Spend: 5-6 days
• Operational Hours: During summers – 5:30 AM to 10 AM (morning), 4 PM to 7 PM (afternoon shift); During winters – 6:30 AM to 11 AM (morning), 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM (afternoon)
• Distance From the Airport: About 43 km from Rewa Airport
• Entry Fee:
  • Indians - ₹2450 for weekdays & ₹3050 for weekends & holidays
  • Foreigners- ₹4850 for weekdays & ₹6050 for weekdays, weekends & holidays
• How to Reach: The best way to reach here is by flying to Jaipur International Airport and taking a bus or cab.

2. Kanha National Park

The Kanha National Park is the inspiration behind the story of The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling. Situated in the Balaghat district of Madhya Pradesh, it is India's most popular wildlife safari destination. Home to several tigers, this national reserve is well-maintained and receives hundreds of tourists every year.

• Area Covered: 940 km2
• Best Time to Visit: October to March
• Average Time to Spend: 4 days
• Operational Hours: 8 AM to 10 PM
• Distance From the Airport: 130.6 km from Jabalpur Airport
• Entry Fee: 
  • Indians - ₹7500 for weekdays, ₹8500 for weekends
  • Foreigners- ₹13500 for weekdays, ₹15000 for weekends
• How to Reach: If you are flying, Jabalpur airport will be nearest. Otherwise, you can take a train to Gondia or Jabalpur. Then, take a bus or cab. 

3. Panna National Park

The Panna National Park is not only famous for its rich wildlife but also for the scenic beauty that it offers. Located in the Chattarpur and Panna districts of Madhya Pradesh, it is a very well-known tiger reserve in the country.

Besides, it is particularly famous for the 7 different varieties of vultures found there. People can also spot animals like leopards and chinkaras during a wildlife safari in Madhya Pradesh.

• Area Covered: 542.7 km2
• Best Time to Visit: October to March
• Average Time to Spend: 2 days
• Operational Hours: During summers – Sunrise to 11 AM (morning), 3 PM to sunset (afternoon); during winters – sunrise to 11 AM (morning), 3 PM to sunset (afternoon)
• Distance From the Airport: 40 km from Khajuraho Airport
• Entry Fee:
  • Indians - ₹50
  • Foreigners - ₹500
• How to Reach: Arrive at Khajuraho Airport and then take a bus or rent a vehicle.

4. Pench National Park

The Pench National Park is located in the Seoni and Chhindwara districts of Madhya Pradesh and is named after the Pench River. It is the right place for those who want to explore wildlife and spot ferocious species like the Royal Bengal Tiger, Black Panther, wild dogs, jackals, etc.

• Area Covered: 757.85 km2
• Best Time to Visit: February to April
• Average Time to Spend: 4 days
• Operational Hours: During summers – 6:30 AM to 9:30 AM (morning), 4 PM to 6:30 PM (afternoon); during winters – 7:30 AM to 10:30 AM (morning), 3 PM to 5:30 PM (afternoon)
• Distance From the Airport: 233 km from Jabalpur Airport
• Entry Fee:
  • Indians - ₹7500 per jeep, ₹2000 for a single seat on weekdays, ₹8500 per jeep and ₹2300 for a single seat on weekends.
  • Foreigners - ₹12000 per jeep and ₹3,000 for a single seat on weekdays, ₹18000 per jeep and ₹4000 for a single seat on weekends.
• How to Reach: Take a train to Seoni railway station or fly down to Nagpur Airport. You can get buses or cabs from here.

5. Satpura National Park

The Satpura National Park in the Damua district is an exciting destination for a wildlife safari in Madhya Pradesh. The tourists need to cross the Denwa River during the safari. They cross the river in a jeep or on elephant backs.

It is one of the most liked jungle safaris in Madhya Pradesh. The Satpura National Park is surrounded by the Satpura range, which adds more beauty to the wildlife sanctuary.

• Area Covered: 524 km2
• Best Time to Visit: November to February
• Average Time to Spend: 1 day
• Operational Hours: During summer – 5:45 AM to 9:30 AM (morning), 3 PM to 6:30 PM (afternoon); during winter – 6 AM to 10 AM (morning), 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM (afternoon)
• Distance From the Airport: 114.4 km from Bhopal Airport
• Entry Fee:
  • Indians - ₹7000 per jeep (6 people) and ₹2000 for a single seat on weekdays, ₹8500 per jeep (6 people) and ₹2200 for a single seat on weekends
  • Foreigners - ₹11000 per jeep (6 people) and ₹2000 for a single seat on weekdays, ₹12000 per jeep (6 people) and ₹2200 for a single seat on weekends
• How to Reach: Take a train to nearby stations like Sohagpur, Itarsi, Pipariya, and Hoshangabad, or arrive at Dumna Airport Jabalpur. Take a bus or cab to this sanctuary.

6. Sanjay Dubri Tiger Reserve

The Sanjay Dubri Tiger Reserve, located in the Belgaon region of Madhya Pradesh, is a popular national park in India. It is covered with sal trees and is home to many species like spotted deer, wild boars, porcupines, Neelgai, etc.

It is particularly famous for being home to the first white-tiger ‘Mohan’. Most of the white tigers around the world come from the line of Mohan and his tigress Radha.

• Area Covered: 1674.511 km2
• Best Time to Visit: October to June
• Average Time to Spend: 2-3 days
• Operational Hours: 6 AM to 11 AM (morning); 2:30 PM to 7 PM (evening)
• Distance From the Airport: 90.6 km from Rewa Airport
• Entry Fee:
  • Indians - ₹4500 per jeep (6 people)
  • Foreigners - ₹5800 per jeep (6 people)
• How to Reach: Arrive at the Rewa Airport and take buses or cabs from there.

7. Karera Wildlife Sanctuary

The Karera Wildlife Sanctuary is located on the Jhansi-Shivpur main road in Madhya Pradesh. This wildlife sanctuary is a paradise for those who love sighting birds. Tourists can find more than 200 species of both migratory and residential birds including teals, Indian robins, herons, pintails and some water birds such as egrets, black-bellied river terns and spoonbillsin this sanctuary.

• Area Covered: 202 km2
• Best Time to Visit: November to March
• Average Time to Spend: 1 day
• Operational Hours: During summer – 9 AM to 2 PM; during winter – 9 AM to 2 PM
• Distance From the Airport: 129 km from Gwalior Airport
• Entry Fee: No entry fee is needed 
• How to Reach: You can take buses or cabs after arriving at Gwalior Airport. 

8. Singhori Wildlife Sanctuary

The Singhori Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Bari Tehsil of the Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh. It is known for its physical features along with its wildlife. Hills, plains and plateaus surround the area and consist of seasonal rivers. It is home to several animals like the Royal Bengal tiger, the Chital, wild boar, leopard, etc.

• Area Covered: 288 km2
• Best Time to Visit: November to February
• Average Time to Spend: 1 day
• Operational Hours: 7:30 AM to 5 PM
• Distance From the Airport: 115 km from Bhopal Airport
• Entry Fee: No entry fee is charged 
• How to Reach: From Jabalpur airport, take buses or cabs to this sanctuary. 

9. Kuno National Park

The Kuno National Park is located in the Sheopur and Morena districts of Madhya Pradesh. This national park is one of the best places to experience the most of a wildlife safari tour in Madhya Pradesh. Recently, 8 African cheetahs were brought here from Namibia to the Kuno National Park. 

• Area Covered: 748.8 km2
• Best Time to Visit: October to February
• Average Time to Spend: 2-3 days
• Operational Hours: 6 AM to 1 PM (morning), 3 PM to 6 PM (afternoon)
• Distance From the Airport: 167 km from Gwalior Airport
• Entry Fee: ₹750 per person
• How to Reach: Arrive at Gwalior Airport and then take a bus or cab. 

10. Ghatigaon Wildlife Sanctuary

The Ghatigaon Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Gwalior district of Madhya Pradesh. The primary purpose of building this sanctuary was to protect the Great Indian Bustard. Besides, it provides shelter to several other species like hyenas, chitals and monkeys.

• Area Covered: 511.0 km2
• Best Time to Visit: November to March
• Average Time to Spend: 1-2 days
• Operational Hours: 9 AM to 5 PM (summer), 9 AM to 5 PM (afternoon)
• Distance From the Airport: 41.1 km from Gwalior Airport
• Entry Fee: No entry fee
• How to Reach: Reaching Ghatigaon wildlife sanctuary is easy for any visitor. It is 20kms from Gwalior city. As Gwalior is very well connected by flight, train and road options, you can reach this sanctuary by all these modes of transportation.