Published By: Sayan Paul

5 best national parks to visit in Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh is widely famed for its exotic national parks.

Known as the Heart of India, Madhya Pradesh is a must-visit destination for all the wildlife lovers out there. Precisely, the state boasts 9 national parks that get a lot of attention for their rich biodiversity. All of them comprise dense forests where a wide array of rare animal species roams carefree in their natural habitats. Also, the varieties of flora create a certain surreal charm that is hard to ignore. Located far away from the chaotic city life, these national parks offer you an excellent opportunity to explore the exciting side of nature. So, without further ado, let's have a look at the five spectacular national parks that you should visit in the state of Madhya Pradesh.

Kanha National Park: The largest in the state, Kanha National Park is packed with ravines, meadows, and tiny hamlets. The park spreads over 940 square kilometers of land, where you can spot a lot of Royal Bengal Tigers walking freely. Besides that, there are also Sambhar, Black Buck, Leopard, Gaur, Barasingha, Kingfishers, Woodpeckers, Finches, Cuckoos, Rock Pigeons, Partridges, and more. The most famous attraction here is the Bamni Dadar or the sunset point.

Panna National Park: Panna National Park is a wonderful site that provides shelter to a wide variety of flora and fauna. The park is counted among the best Tiger Reserves in the entire country. It is also home to several other wildlife species such as Leopard, Hyena, Wild Cat, Blue Bull, Four Horned Antelope, Chinkara, etc. along with hundreds of bird species. A jungle safari through this national park has to be on every nature/wildlife lover's bucket list.

Madhav National Park: Located in the Shivpuri districts, Madhav National Park is a historically significant place as it once served as the hunting ground of Mughal and Maratha Royal Families. The park is home to two majestic lakes - Sakhya and Madhav Sagar. Here, you can spot various wildlife such as Nilgai, Python, Wolf, Chital, Sambar, Jackal, Leopard, Porcupine, etc.

Bandhavgarh National Park: Bandhavgarh National Park is widely recognized as the home to the highest tiger population in India. Besides that, it also has Sambar, Leopard, Hyena, Langur, Bengal Fox, Indian Bison, Cheetal, and more. Also, there are more than 250 species of birds, some of which are extremely rare. The place boasts of fascinating history and offers several adventure activities to the visitors.

Van Vihar National Park: Van Vihar National Park comprises a lush green forest that seems heavenly, especially in the rainy season. The park is home to more than 200 species of birds, making it a must-visit destination for avid bird watchers. Also, there are various wildlife species like Lion, Cheetal, Albino Sloth Bear, White Tiger, Sambhar, etc.

Pench, Sanjay, Fossil, and Satpura are the other national parks in Madhya Pradesh.