Of Madhya Pradesh’s many stunning jungle areas, Satpura is perhaps the most unique. It’s where moist and mixed deciduous forests of sal and teak converge. The Satpura Hills, the Denwa River, and the Tawa River form natural boundaries around this forest, so apart from densely wooded tracts, the region’s habitats comprise mountains, open grasslands where villages once stood, and a river ecosystem as well. Established in 1981, Satpura Tiger Reserve derives its name from the Satpura hill range that runs east to west parallel to the Vindhyan mountain range. The largest Tiger reserve in Madhya Pradesh, it is spread across mostly hilly terrain with an area of over 2100Sq.kms. The undulating landscape is perfectly suited for the reclusive habits of predators like Leopards, wild dogs and of course the Tigers. A forest’s true appeal lies in its flora and fauna, and as a highland, Satpura lives up to its name providing tourists with rich and complex biodiversity. The meandering lands are habitat to a whopping 1300 different kinds of plants species, 62 tree species and 56 small trees. The wide variety and expanse of shrubbery and plantation like Sal, tendu, mahua (Indian butter-tree), bel (stone-apple) and bamboos are bound to leave you in awe. To count, Satpura Tiger Reserve is noted for nurturing around 50 species of mammals, 254 species of birds, 30 species of reptiles, and 50 species of butterflies. That’s more than 350 different species of wild-life convincing you to make Satpura your next travel destination!
The safari zone in Satpura Tiger Reserve takes one from golden-hued grasslands to deep woods, with generous sightings of gaurs, swamp deer, blackbucks and the big cats if one is lucky
