Prior to becoming a National Park in 1968, Bandhavgarh was maintained as a Shikargah (game preserve) of the Maharajas of Rewa. Situated in Central India, the park is spread over ridges and valleys of the northern flank of the Vindhya Range. Its forested hills and lush low-lying meadows are dominated by a large, high rock plateau, which forms a natural fortress. According to local legend, the ancient fort atop its highest peak was gifted by Lord Rama to his younger brother Lakshmana, hence the name Bandhavgarh - bandhav-brother, garh-fort.

Spread over an area of 437-sq. km, the park is also known as White Tiger Territory. It's believed that Bandhavgarh has the highest density of tigers in the world and the park is indeed a good one for viewing the tiger. The park opens after the monsoon in November and the best period to visit is till April.

Fauna:
Other predators you might be lucky to see include the Leopard, Wolf and Wild Dog. The lesser predators in the park include the Jungle Cat, Indian Fox, Jackal, Ratel, Palm Civet and Mongoose. Together, they prey on the park's abundant population of Chital, Sambar, Barking Deer, Nilgai, Indian Gazelle, Wild Boar and Four-Horned Antelope. Other mammals found here are the Sloth Bear, Pangolin, Porcupine and a variety of bats. Primates here are the Common Langur and Rhesus Macaque.

You will find over 250 bird species - Northern Goshawks, Bonelli's Eagle and Eurasian Sparrowhawk are some of the raptors found here. Other birds found here are the Wood Sandpiper, Grey Nightjar, Stork-billed Kingfisher, Blue Bearded Bee-eater, Ashy-Crowned Sparrow Lark, Gold-fronted Leafbird, Blacked Naped Monarch, Long Billed Pipit, Orange Headed Thrush and the Forest Wagtail.

Flora:
The Bandhavgarh forest has a complex tapestry of habitats dominated by typically tropical moist deciduous Sal (Shorea Robusta) and bamboo, interspersed with marshes and meadows.