Satpura National Park forms the heartland of Madhya Pradesh. Less known and somewhat hidden by the brighter fame linked with the better-known parks like Kanha and Bandhavgarh, this park represents a pristine haven for wildlife.Situated amidst serene landscapes and rich biodiversity, the place uniquely offers a wilderness experience to wildlife enthusiasts. The well-diversified variety of animals enhances the qualities of the destination even more for nature lovers. Truly cherish the wildlife of this park if you plan a jungle safari package, more particularly one around the Madhai Gate, which is the principal entry point to this park. In this blog, we will discuss some of the Famous wildlife of Satpura National Park.
The Bengal tiger is probably the most visible and searched creature within any Indian national park, and Satpura is no exception. Though less frequent in comparison to some other reserves, Satpura's tigers are said to be shy, which makes it a different ball game. Majestic in every respect, these animals move about freely within the dense forests of rugged terrains found in this park, mainly around the Madhai Gate. Just seeing a tiger out in the wild is an experience not likely to be forgotten in any case, thanks to their strong symbolism of the rich biodiversity of the park. You can book jungle safari packages to see these amazing animals in their natural habitat.
It is reported that leopards are the most common natural population in the Satpura National Park. Although the leopards are stealthy and graceful, they are far more observable than tigers, which can often be seen near the rocky hilly region within Madhai Gate.These cats spend most of their time lying down in trees or hiding in grasslands as early morning and late evening safaris spot them. Because they are shy and solitary creatures, leopards are the most sought-after sighting on any jungle safari.
Another interesting inhabitants of the Satpura National Park are sloth bears which are harder to find elsewhere in India. Sloth bears are known because of their shaggy black coats, and long curved claws, which they use as digging tools, and are generally shy and nocturnal. Sloth bears, often inhabit grasslands and near water bodies of the park during the daytime. It's considered to be one of the best places in India to spot bears. It's not unusual to see sloth bears around Madhai Gate but they are far slower than tigers or leopards. They are powerful animals and can be deadly if provoked.
One lesser-known but appealing resident of Satpura is the Malabar giant squirrels, which are a wonder to the eyes, gliding through the rainforest canopy, attributed to their astonishing agility and leaping from tree to tree with such elegance. Though found more extensively within the Western Ghats, they also dot the Satpura forests' horizons, particularly those close to the Madhai Gate. Their frolicking and colorful nature puts them high on the list of wildlife photographers and nature enthusiasts that make up your unique experience of viewing them in the trees.
One of the iconic residents of Satpura is the Gaur or Indian bison. As the world's largest bovines, they can grow up to six feet tall and weigh more than a ton. Gaurs are gentle giants that can be seen grazing serenely in meadows across the park. They are mostly seen near water sources around the Madhai Gate. Indeed, their size is impressive, especially when viewed in large groups. They play a vital role in the ecosystem because they are the primary prey for tigers and leopards. In this regard, they form an important part of the food chain of the park.
One of the major prey animals of tigers, the sambar deer is the largest species of deer found in India. They are found generally in grasslands and forests of the park.Noisy by nature, their loud calls act like warning signals to predators nearby like tigers and leopards. Sambar deer are often sighted during safaris, mainly near Madhai Gate. Interactions between predators and these deer add to the excitement of the jungle safari and make them one interesting sight for any wildlife enthusiast.
While the big cats and large herbivores dominate the spotlight, Satpura National Park is home to a wide range of other wildlife, including:
Plan your jungle safari at the right time to maximize your chances of spotting wildlife in Satpura National Park. The biggest and most visited entrance gate is Madhai Gate, and the perfect times for drives within the national park are early morning and late afternoon. You can opt for both jeep and boat safaris. A boat safari on the Denwa River provides more unique views and better opportunities to watch animals coming to drink right down at the water's edge along with a variety of aquatic birds and crocodiles.
The Satpura National Park is a treasure house when it comes to wildlife, allowing some of India's most iconic animals to be seen in a peaceful and uncrowded setting. It is whether one spots the elusive Bengal tiger, the stealthy leopard, the rare Malabar giant squirrel, or the mighty Satpura's wildlife leaves everyone breathless. To make the most of your trip, book a jungle safari package near Madhai Gate for an adventure that brings you up close to nature at its finest.
There are 42 tigers in Satpura.
Satpura Tiger Reserve was declared as the first biosphere reserve of Madhya Pradesh in the year 1999
Madhai is one of the most popular entry gates
Satpura Tiger Reserve is a habitat of 52 species of Mammals, 31 Reptiles, and 300 species of birds, out of which 14 are endangered.
Satpura Tiger Reserve is located in the Hoshangabad district of Madhya Pradesh.