Gear Up for the Best Wildlife Experiences in Bandhavgarh
Bandhavgarh National Park , knowns as the ‘Tiger Capital of the World’, is truly a unique destination where myth, history and natural beauty blend in harmoniously. Bandhavgarh hasbeen the birthplace of beautiful tigers and tigresses that have captivated visitors from across the globe. Besides the wildlife experiences in Bandhavgarh, you can also enjoy beautiful historic sites nestled in the dense jungles. However, knowing when to visit Bandhavgarh National Park is key to enjoying this destination in its full glory.
In this blog, we will explore the best seasons to visit this national park and the different options available if you want to enjoy a safari in Bandhavgarh. You can spot the wonderful big cats on jungle safaris or even on elephant safaris - a feature only available in a couple of parks in India.
Read on, and start planning your trip to experience the beauty that is Bandhavgarh.
Is There Really a Best Time to Visit Bandhavgarh?
The core zones of the Bandhavgarh National Park are open to tourists every year from the 15th of October to the 30th of June. You can only visit the buffer zones, which are open all year round, if you plan on exlporing Bandhavgarh in monsoons.
Important Note: The park is closed every Wednesday afternoon and on Holi and Diwali.
The peak season is usually between October and March. Tourists throng the park during these months as the climate is pleasant, the birdlife thrives and the forests are luxurious, rejuvenated by the monsoon season. However, one must be ready to brave the chilly early mornings of December and January.
But, when is the best time to visit Bandhavgarh National Park if you want to spot the glorious tigers? Read on to find out.
In the following sections, we will give you our take on the sightings offered throughout the year, across the varying seasons of the central Indian landscape. This way, you will know what to expect when exploring Bandhavgarh in different seasons.
Bandhavgarh in the Spring (February and March) - Bountiful Opportunities for Bird Lovers
After the lull of the winter, in February and March, Bandhavgarh in spring is brimming with life! There is a vibrant energy to the forest. It is a time of plenty for the herbivores who make the most of the green cover. Birds hustle to feed themselves as well as their chicks. This short period of extravaganza also creates ample opportunities for bird lovers and wildlife photographers to make some wonderful photographs. For those who are avid birdwatchers, this is the best time to visit Bandhavgarh to spot some rare and exotic birds.
Bandhavgarh in the Summer (April to June) - Tiger Sightings Galore
Bandhavgarh in summer is the perfect time to encounter the majestic tigers. The scorching summer forces the big cats to frequent the few remaining water holes in the park to cool themselves. Once in the water, the tigers usually sit there for a while. If they have hunted, the meat intake increases their temperature and they need water again. As the vegetation is sparse, it is easier to catch a tiger trail and wait near the waterholes. The tiger is bound to arrive sooner or later. If a tigress is nurturing cubs, there are high chances that the entire family visits the water hole together or plays in the undergrowth around it. If lucky, photographers can really capture some intimate moments of the tiger family interacting with one another.
Bandhavgarh in the Monsoon (July to October) - The Period of Rejuvenation
Although the core zones are closed in Bandhavgrah in the monsoon, it doesn’t mean that you will return from your safari with no sightings at all. From the 1st of July to the 14th of October, the buffers remain open. This makes for just as many exciting wildlife experiences in Bandhavgarh.
The Dhamokhar buffer zone is famous for leopard and sloth bear sightings. Tigers have been sighted in all the three buffer zones of the Bandhavgarh National Park. The monsoon is a time of replenishment and the entire habitat transforms from a dull brown to a vibrant green! It is a busy time for the herbivores and the big cats patrol their territory frequently as the monsoon washes away their scent marking. Nature photography at Bandhavgarh during this season is exceptional. Be prepared for brilliant frames enhanced by a gamut of vivid colours!
As it is not the peak tourist season, exploring Bandhavgarh during the monsoon can be a refreshing and peaceful experience - the perfect break from routine life.
Bandhavgarh in the Winter (November to January) - Misty Mornings and Solitary Beams of Light
In the winter, a calm embraces the forest. The early mornings are cradled by a thick layer of mist which slowly disappears when the sun rises over the undulating hills. The mist factor makes nature photography in Bandhavgarh even more dramatic. Moreover, the soft diffused light in winter allows photographers to get creative and compose some backlit images as well as experiment with the rim-lit effect on fury animals and waterbirds. Tiger sightings are harder, but arguably, much more thrilling and satisfying than in the summer.
Although a few parts of the jungle turn a shade darker, there is no dearth for animal activity. The birds chirp melodiously, the frisky langurs leap about and the alarm calls of spotted deer are heard in the distance, pumping up the adrenaline of visitors and filling them up with an ineffable excitement!
A tiger sighting is always cherished and remembered for the seasons to come, but one in winter is rare, making it even more exciting.
The Best Time To Visit Bandhavgarh- Our Thoughts
Every season has its alluring charm in the forests of central India and there is no single definite answer to the question, ‘what is the best time to visit Bandhavgarh National Park?’. It really depends on what you seek in these jungles. If one enjoys birding, then spring gives you the best chances to spot and photograph the winged beauties of Bandhavgarh.
If one has never seen a tiger in its element, visiting Bandhavgarh in the summer brings one closer to realising one’s dream. If one wants a quiet getaway and immerse oneself in the freshness of a vibrant, lush green forest, then monsoon is the best time to visit Bandhavgarh. And last but not the least, if one wants to make creative images and explore the forest under different lighting scenarios, then winter provides the most challenging conditions and yields the most satisfying results.
The Bandhavgarh National Park welcomes tourists with open arms and is a treasure trove of opportunities. For many, it is the place where they spotted a big cat for the first time and the experience set ablaze a tiny flame in them - an inextinguishable love for the wild!
We will leave you with this thought- you may want to experience various seasons in these jungles. We, at Toehold have, and we can assure you that each one is unique and special in its own way.
