Post-Covid Prospects of Tiger Safari at Bandhavgarh

After a much hesitant start post Covid 19 1st wave the park witnessed steep traffic unfortunately confined to local and domestic wildlife lovers. The period of lockdown and subsequent long-term closure of the park was not only economically damaging for the whole tourism industry and the tourists, but it was also a terrible feeling to stay confined to one’s house.

The park opened for a short time before the annual monsoon closure. With the opening huge rush of people occurred, much to the relief of the local apparatus sitting idle without income since the closure in March and the hotel industry.

Since the opening on October 1st, 2021 for the next season, the park witnessed the usual rush but was devoid of overseas visitors. In spite of covid 19 precautions cases were surfacing in India and elsewhere. Hence international flights were banned for average tourist from everywhere including the UK which sends most of the ecotourists to our country. We have tourists coming for tiger safari at Bandhavgarh even from other European countries and they make up thirty percent of overseas visitors.

In spite of the great loss done by the pandemic the hoteliers and the local staff comprising of guides, drivers and naturalists are hoping for the best in the coming years. This will happen as soon as the international flights open and a new chapter unfolds.

India is focused on attracting tourists from many other countries and has relaxed its VISA Policy. The country is promoting medical tourism parallelly in order to boost tourism as a whole, and not only tiger tourism. There is a sea change taking place in the hospitality industry as well besides the new highways being inaugurated on regular basis. The Governments infrastructure development drive is paying rich dividends and is bound to increase overseas tourists to India.

Bandhavgarh is one of the best reserves in India and boasts of the highest tiger sightings. The park is endowed with amazing panoramic grandeur beside ancient history and the artifacts built by the tribal. A large number of ancient structures can be seen on tiger safari although the fort complex is out of bound.

One of the most liked spots on the game ride is the reclining Vishnu or Sesh Shaiyya. Other interesting sights are the man-made cave, the arch of Sita Mandap, and a number of holy idols in small temples scattered all along with the forests.

The park is home to many other animals like the wild dog, sloth bear, bison, leopard, wild boar, Nilgai, chausingha, Indian gazelle, fox, and the jackal. The sight of these animals makes the safari an exciting proposition. ‘

There are more than 250 avian species in the park and they can be seen during the morning and evening drive. The reptiles are elusive but nevertheless, they can be seen with luck although the python is a common sight near the marshy grasslands the park is so famous for.

Bandhavgarh safari is possible only on a permit each day ride or evening ride. The facility to book permits for safari for Bandhavgarh is on MPOnline Portal. This is a State Government portal with an electronic payment facility as well. You can also book permits at the entrance gate provided they are available. In case of rush, the permits are sold out quickly hence please book in advance preferably online.

The park is open from October 1st to the end of June. And you can visit the core and buffer zone tourism areas. Generally, the core area offers better sightings of the tiger and other animals.

The reserve is at a distance of 175 km from Jabalpur Airport in Madhya Pradesh. You can hire a taxi from the Jabalpur Airport for the Bandhavgarh drive. You can drive straight to the park using a taxi or take a break at Jabalpur for refreshments. The ride is picturesque and soothing. Enjoy!

Uday writes often on Indian wildlife especially about the tigers. He works as a naturalist and is fond of travel. Uday also provides search engine optimization service and website contents in English.