Located in the heart of Madhya Pradesh, Bandhavgarh National Park is among the best places for wildlife in India, home to a jumbo population of tigers and a biodiversity hotspot. If you seek adventure or an intimate connection with nature, Bandhavgarh finds its place in your checklist. Are you confused about how to reach Bandhavgarh National Park? Let’s discuss a comprehensive guide covering all your traveling options, whether by air, rail, or road.
Reaching Bandhavgarh National Park by Air
If time is an important factor for tourists, flying is the fastest means of getting as near the park as possible. Following are the closest airports you can fly into:
1. Jabalpur Airport (Dumna Airport)
- Distance from Bandhavgarh: 191 km
- Travel Time: 4 hr 7 min hours by road
- Details: It is considered to be one of the nearest airports. The airport is also well-connected to cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Hyderabad. Therefore, it is more frequently traveled by most tourists since frequent flights are available.
2. Khajuraho Airport
- Distance: 258.6 km from Bandhavgarh
- Travel Time: 5 hr 18 min by road
- Details: Although a bit further, Khajuraho Airport presents an added cultural bonus - one can visit the famous temples of Khajuraho before setting off on their journey to Bandhavgarh. Regular flights from cities like Delhi and Varanasi cater to this airport.
3. Raja Bhoj Airport, Bhopal
- Distance: 509.6 km from Bandhavgarh
- Time duration: 9 hr 21 min hours by road
- Details: Although further away, Bhopal Airport is a good option if you want to travel internationally or if the frequency of flights is more desirable.
How to Reach Bandhavgarh National Park by Rail
The journey to Bandhavgarh is one of the most beautiful and economical ways to travel by train. Following are the railway stations near the park:
1. Umaria Railway Station
- Distance: 32.5 km from Bandhavgarh
- Travel Time: 48 min by road
- Details: The nearest railway station is Umaria from the park. It is well connected by trains from cities like Delhi, Agra, and Jabalpur with good frequency. Cabs and buses are easily available from the station to the park.
2. Katni Railway Station
- Distance: 93.4 km from Bandhavgarh
- Travel Time: 1 hr 52 min hours by road
- Details: Katni Junction is a major station with good connectivity to major Indian cities such as Mumbai, Kolkata, and Delhi. Taxis and buses are easily available from here to reach Bandhavgarh.
3. Jabalpur Railway Station
- Distance: 191.1 km from Bandhavgarh
- Travel Time: 3 hr 45 min by road
- Details: Being one of the major railway centers within the region, Jabalpur has most of the train services originating from any part of the country. The scenic road journey from Jabalpur to Bandhavgarh is a bonus.
How to Reach Bandhavgarh National Park via Road
The drive to Bandhavgarh is a feast of beautiful landscapes for road trip lovers. The park is well connected with inter-city highways. The best routes are described below:
1. From Jabalpur:
- Route: Jabalpur – Shahpura – Umaria – Bandhavgarh
- Distance: 191.1 km
- Travel Time: 3 hr 45 min
- Details: This route is the most sought-after due to smooth roads and beautiful landscapes.
2. From Khajuraho:
- Route: Khajuraho – Panna – Satna – Maihar – Barhi – Bandhavgarh
- Distance: 260.6 km
- Travel Time: 5 hr 20 min
- Details: The pictorial route enables you to pass through the Panna National Park and Satna, housing various sights to see.
3. From Bhopal:
- Route: Bhopal – Sagar – Damoh – Katni – Umaria – Bandhavgarh
- Distance: 497.7 km
- Travel Time: 9 hr 1 min
- Details: This route is longer and gives more opportunities to explore Madhya Pradesh's landscape and towns on the way to Bandhavgarh.
4. From Delhi:
- Route: Delhi – Agra – Gwalior – Jhansi – Sagar – Damoh – Jabalpur – Shahpura – Umaria – Bandhavgarh
- Distance: 914.3 km
- Travel Time: 15 hr 23 min
- Details: Long, yet satisfying, this route covers several major highways and has many options for breaks and stopovers.
5. From Mumbai:
- Route: Mumbai – Nashik – Dhule – Indore – Bhopal – Sagar – Damoh – Jabalpur – Shahpura – Umaria – Bandhavgarh
- Distance: 1,204.6 km
- Travel Time: 19 hr 57 min
- Details: As the route will cover major highways, this route is for those who love long drives. The journey will be comfortable and scenic, providing stops along the route.
6. From Kolkata:
- Route: Kolkata – Durgapur – Asansol – Dhanbad – Varanasi – Rewa – Shahdol – Umaria – Bandhavgarh.
- Distance: 974.5 km
- Travel Time: 19 hr 49 min
- Details: Combining urban and rural roads, the journey presents a lifetime of experience with the varied landscapes of India while driving.
7. From Bangalore:
- Route: Bangalore – Anantapur – Hyderabad – Nagpur – Seoni – Jabalpur – Shahpura – Umaria – Bandhavgarh
- Distance: 1,531.5 km
- Travel Time:27 hours
- Details: Quite a long drive, it encompasses a wide array of terrains-from the bustling cityscapes of Bangalore and Hyderabad to the serene forests near Bandhavgarh.
8. From Indore:
- Route: Indore – Bhopal – Sagar – Damoh – Katni – Umaria – Bandhavgarh
- Distance: 685.8 km
- Travel Time: 12 hr 34 min
- Details: This direct route will take one via major highways, and hence the drive is pretty smooth and comfortable.
9. From Ahmedabad:
- Route: Ahmedabad – Udaipur – Kota – Shivpuri – Gwalior – Jhansi – Sagar – Damoh – Jabalpur – Shahpura – Umaria – Bandhavgarh
- Distance: 1,084.0 km
- Travel Time: 19 hr 20 min
- Details: The national and state highway mixture offers an exciting drive with plenty of options to stop along the way.
Summary
No matter how you travel, Bandhavgarh National Park is accessible by air, road, and rail. One can fly in, arrive by train, or drive in, whichever means of traveling, will be part of the adventure. Plan the route according to your preference and get ready to explore the untamed beauty and wildlife that Bandhavgarh has in store.