Best Time to Visit Bandhavgarh National Park, Month by Month

Everyone asks me the same thing before a Bandhavgarh trip: when should I go? The honest answer is that it depends on what you want. If you want tigers, go in the hot months. If you want a pleasant trip with birds and green forest, go in winter. And if you go in the rains, the main zones are shut.

This is a simple month-by-month guide, based on our own safaris and on the dates the park publishes. Park dates can change from year to year, so please check the official dates before you book.

Sunrise over the open meadow at Bandhavgarh in the Tala zone — Sunrise over the Tala meadow in April. Morning is the best safari hour in any season.

The short answer

Months	What you get	Best for
March to June	Hot, dry forest. Animals gather at water and you can see far. This is peak tiger season.	Tigers and photography
October to February	Cool, comfortable weather, green forest and good birdlife. Permits are easier to find.	Birds, families and people who dislike heat
July to mid-October	Core zones closed for the monsoon. Buffer zones stay open.	Off-season visits with few vehicles

The park has opened in mid-October and closed on 30 June in the years we have checked.

March to June: the tiger months

By April the trees have dropped their leaves and the grass has turned the colour of gold. There is very little water left in the forest. So the animals come to the waterholes, and the tigers come looking for the animals. That is why this is the best time to see one.

Dry golden grassland below the Bandhavgarh Fort escarpment — The meadow under the fort in the dry season. The grass is gold and the land is open, so animals are easier to see.

It is hot. There is no way around that. But the early mornings are good, and the light is lovely. On our two-day trip in April, we saw three tigers. The first came out of thick bamboo onto a rocky slope about 40 metres from the jeep and walked beside the track for about 90 seconds. I wrote the whole day down in our two-day Bandhavgarh safari guide.

A tiger walking through dry leaves in Bandhavgarh National Park — A tiger walking through dry leaves. In April, the dead leaves on the ground make the orange coat stand out.

One thing to remember: this is also the busiest time. Tala zone slots in April and May book weeks in advance. Plan early.

October to February: green, cool and quiet

After the monsoon the forest is green and fresh. The mornings are cool. It is a much nicer time to sit in an open jeep for three hours.

A green natural waterhole in the Tala zone surrounded by forest — A waterhole in greener forest. In the cooler months the water is everywhere, so tigers do not have to come to a few spots.

Tigers are a little harder to find in these months, because the animals do not have to walk to a few waterholes. But there is more to look at: birds, deer, gaur and the forest itself. It is also easier to get a permit. If birds are your reason to go, read Bird Watching at Bandhavgarh.

July to mid-October: the monsoon break

The core zones, Tala, Magdhi and Khitauli, are closed during the rains. The buffer zones stay open the whole year, for example Dhamokhar and Johila. They have fewer vehicles. If you must travel in the monsoon, this is where to go.

What time do safaris start?

Morning safaris start around 5:30 AM in summer and 6:30 AM in winter. That is roughly half an hour before sunrise. Evening safaris start about half an hour before sunset. Each one lasts about three hours. The park has been closed on Wednesday afternoons. Reach the gate fifteen minutes early.

How to get there

Bandhavgarh is in the Umaria district of Madhya Pradesh. The nearest railway station is Umaria, about 32 km from the park. The nearest airport is Jabalpur, roughly 200 km away. The drive from Jabalpur takes several hours, so plan for it.

So, which month should you pick?

You want tigers and photographs: April or May. Book Tala early.
You want nice weather and birds: November to February.
You want fewer people: a buffer zone, or an early-season trip in October.
You are going in the monsoon: buffer zones only.

A waterhole at Bandhavgarh with a langur and spotted deer — A dry-season waterhole with a langur and a spotted deer. Where deer gather, a tiger is often not far away.

Still deciding between parks? Read Tadoba, Bandhavgarh and Panna: which should you visit first. And if you have chosen Bandhavgarh, our zones and timings guide will help you pick a gate.

Questions people ask

What is the best month to visit Bandhavgarh?

April and May for tigers. November to February for nice weather and birds.

Is Bandhavgarh open in the monsoon?

The core zones are closed from July to mid-October. The buffer zones stay open.

How early should I book?

For Tala in April and May, weeks in advance. In the cooler months you usually have more choice.

What is the nearest railway station?

Umaria, about 32 km from the park.

Is Bandhavgarh too hot in summer?

It can be very hot in the afternoon. But the morning safari is fine. Carry water and wear a hat.

Related: Jungle Safari Rules in India