Why Satpura National Park is the Most Unique in Madhya Pradesh.
My adventures in Satpura National Park, including Satpura Tiger Reserve, the Denwa River and Pachmarhi hill station in Madhya Pradesh, while staying at the incredible Forsyth Lodge.
The forest is so silent that I can only hear the rustle of the sal leaves under our feet. The white, barren ghost tree holds my gaze awhile. The sun’s golden rays shine through the tree’s branches, as the forest sleepily awakens. Our naturalist and guide are deep in discussion about the previous day’s unexpected bear sighting. They suddenly stop in mid-conversation, for the distinct sound of a sambar deer’s alarm call has broken the unusual silence of the forest. A predator – most likely a tiger, bear or leopard – is in the vicinity. As we head in the direction of the deer’s call, langurs chime from the trees above, their cough-like alarm call giving me goosebumps.
Perhaps you have been on a safari in an Indian national park, and felt the hair-raising excitement of being on a predator chase? I felt it too, except mine was laced with a tinge of cold fear.
Because we weren’t in a jeep as we drew nearer to the alarm calls. We were on foot… with only a stick and pepper spray to protect us from a potential predator in the forests of Satpura National Park in Madhya Pradesh!
Over the years, I’ve fallen in love with the protected national parks, tiger reserves and wildlife sanctuaries of India in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Uttarakhand. Including Panna, Bandavgarh, Kanha, Pench, Tadoba and Jim Corbett. But in Satpura National Park, while staying at the environmentally-conscious Forsyth Lodge, I fell even more in love with the forests, the rivers, the sunsets, the hills, the stories, and starry, starry night skies.
Here are all the reasons Satpura National Park is unlike any other I’ve been to:
Floating in the mist: Canoe safari on Denwa River
As an orange ball of fire rose from the misty horizon, we floated along silently, the stroke of each paddle taking us further from the roar of jeeps and the chatter of people. The Denwa River, perhaps fierce and free-flowing once, meandered gently after being dammed several kilometres from here. On its shores played snipes and wagtails, and grazed wild boars, oblivious to the three figures on our rustic canoe.
I’ve always associated early mornings in Madhya Pradesh’s national parks with the rumbling of jeeps, but to see and hear the forest wake up without feeling like an intruder, was my kind of safari.
Also read: Stories from the wild: Kanha, Madhya Pradesh
Footsteps in the forest: Walking in Satpura Tiger Reserve
As we followed the alarm calls of sambar deer and langurs on foot, I shuddered at the idea of sharing the ground with a tiger, leopard or bear. The four of us – my friend and I, and our naturalist and guide, barely took a breath in those few minutes which felt like an eternity, as we tip-toed closer to the dense foliage which seemed to be the sight of the commotion. Adrenalin rushed through my body and goosebumps covered my arms, as we quietly speculated what the predator could be.
Then just as suddenly as the alarm calls had started, they stopped, even as I imagined hoarse breathing piercing my ears. Too bad we were no tigers, for a bunch of jeeps and their curious spectators were gawking and flashing their shiny cameras at us when we emerged from the forest to cross the nearby jeep trail!
Also read: Wildlife tourism: Are we saving the tiger?
On two wheels: Cycling in the buffer zone
It is one thing to walk in the safe company of a naturalist and guide, quite another to be one of two lost souls cycling through the buffer zone of Satpura Tiger Reserve. We crossed blooming yellow mustard fields, carried our bikes across a dry riverbed (presumably having lost our way), and cycled on the edge of a deep gorge, with no plan B if we came face to face with a big cat. Oh, the thrill! Luckily for us, the wilderness was alive with chirping, and the only eyes that met ours were those of eagle owls, camouflaged in the bushes.
Also read: Panna National Park: The most beautiful in India?
Pachmarhi: Madhya Pradesh’s only hill station
I couldn’t shake off the idea of Panchmarhi, a hill town tucked away in the vast Satpura National Park, and jumped at the chance of driving there with my naturalist from Forsyth Lodge, two hours from Satpura Tiger Reserve. Those winding roads, dense sal forests and British-era churches made me forget that I’m still in Central India. Away from the characterless town, we hiked with a renowned local guide to secret panoramic sunset spots, a hill with almost a dozen vulture nests (viewed from a safe distance across a gorge), and spotted the rare tree shrews.
The biggest surprise – driving at night to an open field to see a million twinkling stars in the night sky above us… and spotting a civet running into the bushes as we drove back!
Also read: Simple Ways I’ve Changed to Travel More Responsibly
Jeep safari: The wild things of Satpura National Park
With much anticipation, we took the public boat across the Denwa River and hopped on to a forest jeep on the other side – because those forest trails, brimming with activity on the ground and up in the air, never fail to get my adrenalin racing. A mugger crocodile basking in the sunshine on the banks of a pond with its mouth wide open; a wild gaur with a one day old calf; a giant squirrel playing in the branches of a tree; magnificent birds (my memory always fails me on names); a jungle cat in the bushes; a sloth bear casually nibbling on grass and crossing the path before us, and another one wandering further into the wilderness… oh, can I go back to the forests of Satpura already?
Confession: I feel sorry for those who miss out on the wild ways of the forest by only being interested in spotting a tiger.
Also read: A Traveller’s Guide to Gujarat’s Best Kept Secrets
Starry nights and mahua drinks: Forsyth Lodge
I can still close my eyes and walk by the light of dimly lit lanterns, my head turned skywards as stars begin to appear everywhere above me. I can still hear stories from Greek Mythology, of Orion and Artemis, as we decipher constellations in the dark skies. I can still taste mahua – a local liquor brewed from mahua flowers (the sloth bear’s fav) – as we talk about the day’s sightings with the naturalists and fellow travellers. Those pre-dinner drinks and starry skies on the rooftop of Forsyth Lodge… I can’t wait to go back someday!
Also read: My most memorable sunrises, sunsets and night skies of 2016
Satpura National Park: Travel tips
How to reach
The nearest airport to Satpura National Park is in Bhopal, from where the park is a 3-4 hours drive. It’s worthwhile stopping at the UNESCO World Heritage Site – Bhimbhetka Rock Shelters – enroute.
Where to stay
I absolutely loved my stay at Forsyth Lodge, located in the buffer zone of Satpura Tiger Reserve. The lodge was set up by a naturalist who has been instrumental in bringing a conservation-focussed model of tourism to Satpura. The huts are built with mud and slate in local architectural style – minimalistic yet luxurious – and only 10% of the total land has been used for building. The remaining barren acres are being transformed with indigenous trees and shrubs. Most of the produce is sourced from local farmers… a special shoutout to the chefs for some incredible vegan food and desserts (inform them of food preferences beforehand).
When to go
Like most national parks in India, Satpura is closed from July to September for the rainy season. Spring and autumn are refreshing, weather-wise, and perfect to experience the beauty of the forest. Summer is sweltering hot but great for sightings.
Have you been to Satpura National Park? Which national parks in Central India do you love most?
I was hosted in Satpura by Forsyth Lodge; lucky me!
Welcome to my blog, The Shooting Star. I’ve been called a storyteller, writer, photographer, digital nomad, “sustainability influencer,” social entrepreneur, solo traveller, vegan, sustainable tourism consultant and environmentalist. But in my heart, I’m just a girl who believes that travel – if done right – has the power to change us and the world we live in.
Satpura national park wow!! Great .great..great bro
Enjoy litti and chokha
Reblogged this on O LADO ESCURO DA LUA.
Beautiful write up …. u always inspire 👍Vee
Thanks Vee!
Brilliant shivya…..u just portrayed de real thing nd i can also read between de lines as well….grrrrt…thx….all de best…i hv heard of it b4 as well…. hopefully i hv got my jugalbandi sort of itinerary….do keep an eye on my modest posts on fb.
Glad you could read between the lines 😉
Oh this is going on my bucket list!!
So worthy of it, Courtney!
Very nicely written! Enjoyed this a lot!
Thanks, glad to hear that!
OH MY GOD!! This is beautiful. I love it. Thank you for sharing. I have missed you and your posts. I hope you are doing well my friend. I enjoyed traveling with you through these beautiful pictures. I don’t want to assume, but did you take these pictures? They are beautiful.
Aww thanks, it’s just been hard to find time to write recently, but I’m working on lots of new posts 🙂 Glad you enjoyed this one; Satpura is unique and beautiful, a place to be experienced in person. Except for the Pachmarhi and cycling ones – taken by my friends – the pictures are all mine!
You’re welcome. That’s awesome. I’m sorry you haven’t had time to write. That’s awesome. I can’t wait to read them. I can’t wait to see it in person. It looks beautiful. Really that’s awesome. You took some really nice and beautiful pictures. Your friends did as well. Just beautiful.
Madhya pradesh♥ you should definately go to kahjuraho also!!
I’ve been there a while ago, and loved it. Wrote a post contemplating how India “closed up” so much since those temples!
Absolutely splendid narration. The way that you weave your stories in a travelogue is really interesting. For years, I have tried to avoid National Parks because I find them too crowded and expensive for my modest style of travel. Now I realise, avoiding them is not the solution. Hopefully in the near future, I am going to explore National Parks and find a way to stay away from the crowded areas. Thanks for the wonderful information about Satpura. Love the photographs, especially the night shots.
Shubham
Thanks Shubham! I avoided NPs for a long time too, until I travelled to my first one and fell so in love. The trick is to choose to stay at a place that’s conscious of its environmental impact and serious about conservation, I think.
wow
Very beautiful
I have visited Satpura National Park 2 years ago. It’s one of my favorite places to visit ever.
That’s awesome! Hope we both revisit soon 😉
Let me know if you need a travel buddy 😉
Haha, don’t wait for me, plan your own adventures!
Very well written. I really want to go there! The part where you emerge from the forest and there’s a bunch of tourists with cameras pointed at you – hilarious! 😀
That was one hilarious moment indeed! Hope you make it there soon.
I have heard a lot about Satpura, but I couldn’t make it happen yet. After reading your write up, I am so tempted to go there and enjoy the natural freshness of Satpura air.. I really loved the capture of the naturalist amidst stars.. Amazing. You are an inspiration for nature lovers. Waiting for more😊
Thanks Megha! Hope you make it soon enough; it really is an incredible part of the country.
Well written. Would love to visit Satpura sometime. Thanks for sharing.
However, whenever I see “hosted by…” or “sponsored by…” at the end of any article, I feel confused–not really understanding what’s true and what’s exaggerated.
If you’ve read my blog for a while, you’d know that I’m forthcoming about my opinions of places, hosted or not. Your call though!
“…to see and hear the forest wake up without feeling like an intruder”, there you said it all about how to emerge in the essence of a jungle. As always, you gifted us a personal account of Satpura, in your signature style. Fantastic write up Shivya! I have been to Periyar forest down south, even for a night trail. The forests sure have their own songs to sing, we just have to listen. Do visit Sundarbon sometime. I am sure you will fall in love with the locals if not the bengal tiger 😛
Can’t wait to visit Sunderbans (and Periyar too). So glad you enjoyed this personal account 🙂
Periyar wildlife is perfect for nature lovers if you are one😉. Thanks for the lovely post.. can’t wait to visit this place.By the way,is your wanderlust taking you to North East anytime soon?
Loved the narrative Shivya. Making a mental note of Satpura and Forsyth Lodge to experience soon.
Aww, thanks! Hope you make it there soon 🙂
Beautiful read as always! would love to explore this part of our country 🙂
Thanks Fina! The adventure awaits 😉
The stars are amazing!
wow that place is looking awesome and best place for adventure. you capture beauty of satpura national park. these are amazing.
beautiful post
if you had limited mobility, how much of the park is accessable?
I’m afraid I didn’t look into that. But it could be difficult, considering access to the park is on a boat, walking up to the forest on the other side, then a jeep.
Wonderful Post. Added to my Bucket List. Thanks a lot for sharing your experiance. 🙂
Beautiful narration. I have never been to Satpura National Park, but I could feel the free flowing Denwa River, sky-high Panchmarhi and a blissful night sky.
Beautiful narration. I have never been to Satpura National Park, but the Denwa River, the sky-high Panchmarhi and the taste of locally brewed Mahua are so familiar to me now.
Hi Shivya Nath
i am some what of a newbie to internet marketing and blogging.So with that being said. i am very glad that i found this blog post. i’ve heared talk of “Why Satpura National Park is the Most Unique in India.” but never really new what it was all about. however i can say that i understand a lot better now.i plan to stay connected to your blog can’t wait to see what you’re going to write a next .Thanks.
Satpura indeed is unique. I liked the fact that it is lesser known compared to the other big tiger reserves and the tourist flow was limited. I did not have a clear view of the bear but saw and clicked many other things. But I wish I hadn’t consumed too much of Mahua liquor at night and had taken a few shots of the starry sky at night like you did.
Superb blog…It was worth reading, I hope one day you read my Blogs too.
Learning from you..Thanks
Beautifully written. It was a pleasure to read.
Great narration. The way you promote sustainable tourism is really appreciable. It is time to change how we look into tourism. Looking forward to reading about many such new places from The Shooting Star.
Thanks for sharing this post. Felt very happy in reading your post. Very Informative.
Really very awesome blog. Loved reading it, places are really very beautiful…
Excellent write up. Good photography. Excellent location. Adventurous travelling personality. I like it.