India · Big cats
Bandhavgarh
Bandhavgarh is small, and that is the point. Seven hundred square kilometres of sal forest and grassland around a sandstone fort, with one of the highest densities of tiger anywhere in Asia. You are not searching a wilderness. You are working a known cast of animals across ground you can learn in a week.
The park splits into three core zones. Tala carries the reputation and the meadows. Magadhi gives you the dry riverbeds and the best low-angle light. Khitauli is thinner forest and fewer vehicles, which matters more than most people expect when you are trying to hold a position.
We run two expeditions here a year and stay in the same lodge on the Tala side both times. Familiar drivers, familiar trackers, and enough seasons on the ground to know which tigress uses which nullah in April.
Density is what lets you stop chasing sightings and start choosing light.
- Established
- 1968
- Core area
- 716 km²
- Open
- Oct — Jun
- Nearest airport
- Jabalpur (JLR)
- Drive from airport
- 4 hours
Two departures, one park.
9 days · 6 guests · Feb and Mar
Bandhavgarh Tiger Masterclass
The main season departure. Nine days working the same three tigresses until you know their ground, with evening review on every card.
From USD 9,400Placeholder · Full itinerary
7 days · 4 guests · May
Bandhavgarh, Monsoon Edge
The last weeks before the park closes. Hard light, dry forest, animals concentrated on water, and very few other vehicles.
From USD 8,100 · Full itinerary
What the ground gives you.Placeholder frames
What you are likely to photograph.
- Bengal tigerThe reason to come. Feb to June, best in the last hour.
- Indian leopardPresent and photographable, usually on the fort road at dusk.
- Asian elephantSmall numbers, forest herds rather than open plains.
- Sloth bearApril to June, on termite mounds in the dry heat.
- Indian gaurGrassland edges at first light.
Twelve months at Bandhavgarh.
Solid marks the peak weeks. Half tone works but is not the reason to go. The park is closed July to September.
Getting there
- Fly to
- Jabalpur (JLR) or Khajuraho (HJR)
- Via
- Delhi or Mumbai
- Road transfer
- 4 hours from JLR
- Rail
- Umaria, 35 km
- Included
- All transfers from JLR
On the ground
- Drives per day
- Two, plus a full-day option
- Vehicle
- Open 4×4, six guests maximum
- Permits
- Arranged and included
- Altitude
- 440 m — no acclimatisation
- Temperature
- 4 °C at dawn in Jan, 44 °C by day in May
Write to us. A person answers.
There is no booking engine on this site and there will not be one. Every expedition is confirmed by conversation, because at six guests the fit matters more than the transaction.