Peak Season
Bandhavgarh National Park in December
Madhya Pradesh, India
December frost settles on Bandhavgarh's grasslands and the tigers emerge to soak up morning sun against the backdrop of India's most ancient fort.
The December story
Peak month, peak magic. The fort, the tigers, the cold morning air — December is Bandhavgarh's signature performance.
Why December scores 5/5
Weather
Peak season — cold mornings, prime wildlife
Roads & Access
self drive: Any car to Tala gate. Inside park by authorized jeep only.. road condition: Good highway to Umaria. Umaria to Tala paved single lane.. public transport: Flights to Jabalpur. Train to Umaria (direct from Delhi/Kolkata). Shared jeeps from Umaria.. from nearest city: Jabalpur→Bandhavgarh: 195km 5hrs. Umaria→Bandhavgarh: 32km 45min.. last km difficulty: easy
Safety & Emergency
Safety: 4/5. rescue: SDRF Madhya Pradesh. helpline: MP Tourism: 0755-2774340. ambulance: 108. police station: Tala. nearest hospital: Umaria District Hospital (32km)
Network
VI: No, JIO: Yes, BSNL: No, NOTE: Yes, AIRTEL: Yes. Jio and Airtel at Tala. BSNL patchy. No signal inside forest zones.
Kids
Kid-friendly (4/5) — Highest tiger density — best chance kids actually see a tiger, Ancient fort visible from safari route, Shorter safari zones than Kanha, Many resorts cater to families
Elevation
480m — Low altitude, no issues
Who should go
- ✓Travelers with basic fitness
- ✓families
- ✓first-timers
- ✓couples
- ✓photographers
Who should think twice
- ✗Those with mobility issues
- ✗budget-travellers
All 12 Months
| Month | Score | Note |
|---|---|---|
| January | 5/5 | Peak season — highest tiger density in India at its best |
| February | 5/5 | Peak season — superb sighting conditions |
| March | 4/5 | Warming up, still excellent visibility |
| April | 4/5 | Hot but prime sighting territory |
| May | 3/5 | Extreme heat, park winding down |
| June | 3/5 | Last weeks before closure |
| July | 1/5 | PARK CLOSED — monsoon |
| August | 1/5 | PARK CLOSED — monsoon |
| September | 1/5 | PARK CLOSED — monsoon |
| October | 4/5 | Park reopens — lush and uncrowded |
| November | 5/5 | Peak season launches — ideal conditions |
| Decemberviewing | 5/5 | Peak season — cold mornings, prime wildlife |
Practical Details
How to reach
Jabalpur→Bandhavgarh: 195km 5hrs. Umaria→Bandhavgarh: 32km 45min.. Roads: Good highway to Umaria. Umaria to Tala paved single lane.. Self-drive: Any car to Tala gate. Inside park by authorized jeep only.. Public transport: Flights to Jabalpur. Train to Umaria (direct from Delhi/Kolkata). Shared jeeps from Umaria.. Last stretch: easy
Elevation
480m
Difficulty
moderate
Budget tier
mid-range
Nearby in Madhya Pradesh scoring high in December
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