From Wikitravel

[edit] History

Times have changed. You now ride Elephants to shoot Tigers withyour Nikon instead of your rifle, and there remains something very evocative about riding through the Jungle on the look out for those black and orange stripes!

[edit] Landscape

The "jungle" is mostly sparse and dry undergrowth with large areas of woodland. The Park is set around the "castle" - a huge outcrop of rock with a massive plateau top. The whole area is very dry and dusty.

[edit] Flora and fauna

The Star Attraction is the Tigers but there is a host of other wildlife. Leopards and Sloth Bears are the other two extremely rare animals, seen only by chance. Other wildlife includes Spotted Deer, Samba Deer, Langur Monkeys, Red Faced Monkeys, Mongoose, Jungle Cats and of course, the "domestic" Elephants.

The birds are equally amazing and include Storks, Eagles including the oddly named "Changeable Hawk Eagle", Brown Fish Owls, Brown Faced Owls, Bluejays and Lapwings.

[edit] Climate

Central India gets very hot during high summer. By March the Park is open for the year and the weather is very warm and pleasant.

[edit] Get in

The closest train station is Umaria. Sleeper trains run from Delhi and Agra. Umaria is a jeep ride from Tala, the village at the Main Gate to Bandhavgarh, and if you've booked with a lodge in advance a jeep will be waiting for you at the station.

[edit] Fees/Permits

There is a park permit fee on top of the cost of hiring a jeep, and any elephant rides are extra. Any safari organised with your lodge normally include all the jeep and park fees although elephant rides are still extra. You don't have to pay in the jungle but normally pay at your lodge later, although a taking a little cash to tip the elephant rider is a good idea.

[edit] Get around

Tala is a tiny village at the entrance to Bandhavgarh with one or two shops and an internet cafe. The lodges are located within minutes walk of the village. Travel into the park is by Jeep, again normally provided in the price by the lodges.

[edit] To Do

Safari:

The Safari is by Jeep. The Jeeps all head to the Main Gate before it opens to collect a Guide who joins the Jeep for the Safari and then head offf into the Jungle. The Jeeps stick to well worn tracks but the Park covers a large area and you'll often end up on your own. Most of the wildlife is seen from the Jeeps, but the star attraction - the Tigers - are tracked each morning by elephant. If they are found the Jeeps dash towards them. If they are visible from the track the Jeeps bustle around trying to get the best view, or alternatively your driver enters you in a queue for an elephant ride to see the Tigers in the bush.

The Safari last about 3 hours before the park closes at lunch time before a second slightly shorter Safari in the afternoon which last until dusk. Your cannot travel in the Park without a Jeep and a guide.

Other Attractions:

The wild animals are not the only attraction in the park. On at least one safari your driver will take you up the mountain where there are a line of ancient caves, and a huge 10th Century statue of a reclining Vishnu. It is also possible to head to the far side of the park to the Elephant enclosure where the Elephants are kept. Often this is where the young elephants are and is a great photo opportunity.

[edit] Eat and Drink

Meals are served at your lodge and are included in a standard package price. There is no nightlife here at all (thank goodness) but a cool beer after a day in the jungle is a wonderful thing! Remember to take plenty of water on every safari - not only is it hot but also very dry and duty.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

The lodges vary in price and therefore quality. Remember to check what the price includes.

It is possible to do Bandhavgarh on a shoestring budget by staying in a guest house and trying for a Jeep each morning but you'll miss out on the service which is incredible and comes with a smile. Wet flanels for your face when arriving back from Safari, a wake up with a snack and tea in bed, breakfast after morning safari served in your room - the list goes on. Getting to Tala is almost more difficult without the arranged pick up from the train station. Umaria (the closest train station) is a very small place itself.

• Golbro Tiger View Resort (GTV Resort), Near Petrol Pump, Tala, Bandhavgarh, Distt.- Umaria (M.P.), Pin- 484 661, India (32 K.M. from Umaria Railway Station), ☎ +91 7627 265314, (Mobile)- +91 9424722414, [1]. checkin: 12 Noon; checkout: 12 Noon. This is an amazing lodge comprising of beautiful bungalows around gardens and a gazebo. The staff and food is brilliant. Not the cheapest but not the most expensive either. Offers safari tours to see the tigers. INR 1000. (23.722497251447326,80.628662109375) edit

[edit][add listing] Buy

Once you've paid for the Jungle Package at a Lodge you will struggle to spend anything at all in Tala. Elephant rides are extra but not expensive at all (2005 = 300 Rupees per person per ride) and the only thing you buy in the lodges are those cool evening beers.

A Jungle Package includes room and food and two Safaris per day. This is by far the cheapest way of staying at a Lodge, although it would be possible to do Bandhavgarh on a shoestring budget by staying in a guest house and trying for a Jeep each morning.

[edit] Stay safe

Bandhavgarh is an oasis away from the hustle of India. There are no beggars or any other disturbances from peace and quiet.

[edit] Get out

Jeeps can easily be hired to travel to which ever train station you need. Umaria is the closest. Katni is an hour or two by Jeep and has good rail connections to Kolkata.

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