New Cheetal Resort Madhai

Satpuda National Park

The Essence Beauty Of Madhya Pradesh

Situated in the lap of Central India; Satpura National Park, popularly known as Madhai, stands nestled in the Mahadeo hills of the Satpura range.
Satpura is a Sanskrit word that translates to Seven Mountains (sat-seven, pura– mountain). Spread over a sprawling 1427 sq. kms.; Satpura National Park was formed in 1981 with Satpura, Pachmari, and Bori sanctuaries with an altitude ranging from 300 to 1,352 meters (980 to 4,436 feet).

The rugged terrain of Satpura National park is dotted with deep, yawning valleys and gorges, stunning sandstone peaks, gurgling rivulets and brooks, cascading waterfalls, dense forests of Sal and Teak, and an abundance of medicinal plants.

Satpura has a rich tapestry of flora and fauna. Satpura National Park is a bird watcher’s paradise. The water bodies attract a host of local and migratory birds, and over 300 species of birds are found in this bountiful landscape. Satpura hosts a variety of birds, including many migratory species from November to March. The hot spots for birding include the Tawa reservoir, the Denwa Backwaters, and the grasslands and fields of the Satpura National park.

Satpura Tiger Reserve: A Biosphere Sanctuary

Satpura is the second-largest tiger reserve in Madhya Pradesh and is also designated as the biosphere reserve. Covering an area of 2133 square feet, comprising 65% teak forest (sagwan trees), 35% mixed forest, and 10-15% grassland, creating a diverse habitat for various flora and fauna species.

Satpura boasts a rich history with many caves and rock formations. The region is dotted with two to three main rivers like Denwa, Tawa Reservoir, Nagdwari, and smaller tributaries. The Tawa reservoir, initiated in 1958 and completed in 1978, adds to the habitat diversity and supports agriculture through a canal network which covers from Chhindwara district to Nagpur and serves as a vital corridor connecting Kanha and Pench tiger reserves.

The reserve’s strategic location within the Satpura range contributes to its ecological significance, forming a vital corridor for wildlife movement and genetic diversity. This interconnectedness ensures the survival and well-being of numerous species, making Satpura Tiger Reserve a cornerstone of India’s conservation efforts.

The diverse habitats of Satpura National Park provide shelter to a wide variety of animals. The park is home to herbivores such as deer, carnivores like leopards, and omnivores including monkeys. This rich biodiversity makes Satpura National Park a popular destination for wildlife enthusiasts.

Satpura holds the distinction of being India’s first reserve forest, showcasing a remarkable diversity of ecosystems. From Southern tropical moist deciduous forest to Southern tropical dry deciduous forest, Tropical riparian fringing forest to southern tropical thorn forest, and central Indian sub-tropical hill forest to Dry and moist grassland, Satpura encompasses a wide range of habitats.

The forest in Satpura varies, featuring Sal forest on the Pachmarhi plateau, mixed forest in most areas, and patches of teak forest. This diverse landscape supports a rich array of flora and fauna, making Satpura a haven for nature enthusiasts and wildlife explorers alike.

Saputara Activities & Wildlife

Satpura Tigers

Visitors to the reserve can embark on thrilling jeep safari adventures, guided by experienced naturalists who provide insights into the region's wildlife and conservation efforts. The safari experiences offer glimpses of tigers in their natural habitat, along with opportunities to observe other wildlife species up close

Buffer Safaries

The reserve has multiple gates for buffer safaris including Bargundi Gate, Jamani Dev Gate, Bineka Gate, Parsa Pani Gate and Mallu Pura Gate and core safaris include Panar Pani Gate, Madhai Gate, and Bhim Kund Gate each offering unique wildlife encounters and scenic beauty.

Walikg Safaries In Satpura

Apart from safaris and boat cruising, the Satpura Tiger Reserve also offers nature walks, and birdwatching tours to promote awareness about wildlife conservation. These activities allow visitors to connect with nature on a deeper level and appreciate the importance of preserving natural ecosystems.

Satpura Leopards

These ridges and caves are a great place to spot Leopards that are quite adapted to the hilly region where they enjoy the cool rocks and dappled shade of Teak trees. The Leopards of Satpura are seldom spotted on the trees like those in Southern India unless they are treed up by Dholes or a Tiger or even a Wild Boar, their rosettes form like the lichens on the rock sometimes without being noticed by the ever vigilant Langurs or giving away their scent to a Sambar stag that visits the rocks to feed on the limestone. Spotting them is a challenge and fun at the same time during the training of our guides pushed hard on learning every rock and thicket.

Satpura Sloth Bears

Dynasties of Sloth Bears have reigned these landscapes for nearly a decade and Satpura is one of the best places on earth to watch the Sloth Bear mothers digging for termites or climbing for bees or wandering the ridges of lower Satpura Mountains to find the best fruiting orchards of Tendu, Mahua and Zizyphus.

Satpura birding

The various ecosystems with forests, grassland, rivers, mountains and even farmlands provide some of the best birding spots for resident and migratory birds of over 350 species. The Denwa reservoir invites waders and winter migrants and mud flats become the nesting grounds for Indian Skimmers, Pratincoles, River Terns, Lapwings etc. Walks around the Pachmarhi region with high vertical scarps are nesting places for vultures and numerous other birds of prey like the Bonneli’s eagle and Mountainhawk eagle. Black-crested bulbuls and Malabar Whistling thrushes are also frequently seen bird on walks across the viewpoints and trails that you can access here.