Kurt Lauer

USA - 06-May-25 -

I visited the Satpura Tiger Reserve during Christmas of 2023.  Satpura is the largest of the Tiger Reserves in Madhya Pradesh.  Due to its larger size Tiger sightings are less frequent than the smaller and more visited reserves in this region of India.  

I did three safaris in the core region, spending two nights at the Buffalo Resort (not to be confused with the Buffalo Lodge, located an hours drive away in Pachmarhi - which serves as the Park's headquarters).  My first two safaris were a morning and then an evening jeep safari.  The terrain was mostly grassland, small rolling hills and shrubs.  There were numerous deer species, Indian Guars, and the highlight four sloth bears. 

The park also allows a limited number of people to do a walking safari with a group of rangers.  This was definitely a highlight of the trip, as it's the only tiger reserve in the area that allows this activity. Tiger sightings are rare - as a matter of fact the rangers told me it only has happened once before in the past year.  But I had luck on my side as we observed a tiger stalking a herd of Guars at pretty close range.   To see a tiger at close range while not in a jeep was definitely one of my greatest wildlife experiences. 

I also spent two days and a night in the Pachmarhi region, which is in the buffer zone of the park and proposed heritage site. The area is filled with cave temples and small mountains that reminded me of the American Southwest.  Though like many places in India, the views were marred by air pollution. 

I arranged my trip through a great travel company called I4U Travel.  They arranged all the safaris, as well as providing me a driver to take me to the nearby WHS of Sanchi and Bhimbetka, as well as a city tour of Bhopal (where I flew in to to access these places). 

I'm not sure if the Park has qualities that distinguish itself from other Tiger Reserves, outside of its larger size, that merit WHS designation.  But at least for me I was able to experience one of my most memorable wildlife experiences.