Satpura National Park
Rugged sandstone hills and deep gorges near Pachmarhi, where you can explore on foot, by boat and by canoe as well as by jeep.
- Established
- 1981 (national park) · 1999–2000 (tiger reserve)
- Area
- About 524 km² (national park)
- District
- Narmadapuram (Hoshangabad)
- Safari zones
- Madhai (main) · Churna · Parsapani
- Season
- October to June
- Nearest station
- Itarsi / Pipariya
How the park came to be
Satpura National Park was created in 1981 and, with the Bori and Pachmarhi sanctuaries, forms the Satpura Tiger Reserve. The Bori forest was India's first reserved forest, protected as early as 1862.
The area is part of the Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve, recognised by UNESCO in 2009. Ancient rock shelters with paintings are found throughout the hills.
FloraForest & landscape
Teak and sal forest meet here, the western limit of sal in India, with bamboo, mahua and rare ferns in the cool gorges. Satpura is thought to have links with both Himalayan and Western Ghats plant life.
FaunaWildlife you can see
- Bengal tiger
- Leopard
- Sloth bear
- Gaur
- Dhole (wild dog)
- Indian giant squirrel
- Sambar
- Chital
- Barking deer
- Four-horned antelope
- Mugger crocodile
- Smooth-coated otter
Birds: Around 300 species, including Malabar pied hornbill, Indian skimmer on the Denwa river and many raptors.
Things to do
Main entry, reached by a short boat ride across the Denwa river.
Guided walks with forest staff.
Paddle the backwaters looking for birds, otters and crocodiles.
Look for nocturnal animals in the buffer zone.
Bee Falls, Dhupgarh sunset point and Pandav caves.
Travel tips
- Plan at least 2 nights to try a walk, a canoe trip and jeep drives
- Pachmarhi is about 2 hours away; worth an extra day
- Wear walking shoes and earthy colours