Satpura National Park
Overview - Satpura National Park
Satpura National Park is another famous park for tiger safari in India. The place was first explored by Captain James Forsyth. He served as captain in Bengal Lancer during British Raj, and penned down details about the park at great length. The expanse of Satpura was the primary reason behind it being named as the first reserve forest of India, in the year 1862. It was later declared a National Park and Sanctuary by the State Government, to further the cause of conservation of flora and fauna. Finally, the Indian Government named Satpura a Tiger Reserve.
Located in the Hoshangabad district of Madhya Pradesh, the park lies in the Satpura Ranges, which start from Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh in east, passing through the borders of Maharashtra and going up to Gujrat. Named after Satpura ranges, the name itself has deep roots. It is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Sapta’ – seven and ‘Pura’ – mountain; collectively meaning seven mountains. The varied terrain of Satpura, homes 300 species of birds. Even wetland species thrive in this diverse ecosystem. With its proximity to the Eastern Himalayas and the Western Ghats, it serves as a passage for summer migratory birds like Indian pittas and winter migratory birds such as bar-headed geese, ruddy shelducks and great cormorants.
Best Time to Visit Satpura National Park
The best time is from October to April, when the climate averages a pleasant temperature of 30 degree Celsius.
Highlight Species - Satpura National Park
- White-throated Woodpecker
- Black-shoulder kite
- Bhraminy Starling
- Tickels Blue Flycatcher
- Black-capped Kingfisher
- Knob-billed Duck
- Northern-Pintail
- Mottled Wood Owl
- River Tern
- Emrald Dove
- Ashy-crowned Sparrow Lark
- Yellow-crowned Woodpecker
- Spangaled Drongo
- Common Iora
- Golden-fronted Leafbird
- Tawny-bellied Babbler
- Indian Paradise Flycatcher
- Scarlet Minivet
- Malabar Pied Hornbill
- Shikra
- Painted Francolin
- Peregrine Falcon
- Common Iora
- Golden-fronted Leafbird
- Common Sandpiper
- Common -hawk Cuckoo
- Indian Cuckoo
- Eurasian Coot
- Black-winged Stilt
- Oriental Darter
Types of Safaris - Satpura National Park
Jeep Safaris, Walking Safaris and Boat Safaris : Best experienced through jeep, walking and boat safari, it has a lot to cater to a nature lover. Bird watching is best experienced by boat safari which takes place on Denwa river. Many Birding enthusiasts made this a birding hotspot in recent times. You can easily hire experience bird naturalists from lodges. Local guides too are highly experienced and help you identify tons of bird species.
How to reach Satpura National Park
By Air : Bhopal Airport is the closest to the national park at a distance of 180 Km which takes around 3 Hr 30 Minutes away. The airport is well connected with flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Kolkata.
By Train : Itarsi Railway Junction is a major train station where most trains from cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Jabalpur and Bangalore comply. It is about 70 Km which is 1 Hour 30 Minutes away from the National Park.
