Trying to Book Bandhavgarh National park safari Nov 2012?

Hi everyone,

Me and my girlfriend are heading to india on 30th september and planning to stay a while.

One of the things we really want to do is a safari and/or some jungle treks, preferably in a tiger reserve. After doing some research for the best part of today we´ve decided that Bandhavgarh National park would be a great place to do it.

I´ve just found out about the indian courts´ (temporary) ban on tourism in tiger reserves across India and the MP tourism website tells me the park is closed for any future date I enter. There is a leangthly post on this forum already about the politics of this but nothing about the practicalities so I´m hoping someone can offer some advice.

Everything i´ve read so far says booking in advance is a must and some places in Bandhavgarh, such as the kings lodge, still seem to be taking bookings.

Can anyone give us any advice on what we could do and what is likley to happen with this ban? Does this mean entry to any national park just for a walk is not going to be possible? - the wildlife in india is a big reason for me wanting to visit and now I am worried that we will not be able to see much.

Any suggestions welcome!

Ralph

Hello ralfonz, welcome to Indiamike

One very good suggestion is . .
Dont go walking in a tiger reserve.. There are leopards around.. LOL
It is not permitted either.

Do not part with any money before the supreme court ruling has been made, and it is clear what is available to you. How can anyone be certain where they can take you, if there is a total ban ?

Bookings for accomodation or bookings for drives into the NP?

I am sure they are still taking hotel bookings, they are a business that needs to make money. My guess would be they are hoping that the ban will be lifted in one way or another.

Also there seem to be more hotel rooms than there are numbers allwed in the park on a set day before the ban so they must have either dissapointed guests or those that just want to stay somewhere like that.

Bandhavgarh safari is not open till now. It will open from 1st November. I was also trying to book safari there. I contact respective persons. Got this information.

Due to orders from Supreme Court of India, these tiger reserves were closed. Recently, Supreme court of India ordered to reopen these national parks. They are re-opening and also changing their charges. It will take some time. They told that we will accept booking from 1st November, 2012.

Waiting for 1st November now.

That is odd as our agent has booked our safari's for Bandhavgarh in Feb now the ban is lifted. We are still waiting though for Kanha as it has re-opened but the pre-booking system hasn't yet...

Hello everyone,
I found that there is a lot of confusion about Safari booking after ban lifted by Court. I have tried to get more information on this. I have founded following information from believed resource, i would like to share with you.

Kanha / Pench / Bandhavgarh Safari booking :
Booking Started

• Only offline booking is being done
• Booking should be done 3 days before
• Booking form is being filled up near gate(Entry point of National Park)

Online Booking would be available soon. Probably next week(1st November)
Charges are same. No any change in charges.

If you are willing to book now(Before online booking started), either you need to wait, or, find a booking agent/company. There are few company who book offline such safari.

Best of luck.