Bandhavgarh National Park is spread across the Vindhya hills of Madhya Pradesh, over a coverage area of approximately 437 sq km. The topography of the park is characterized by sharp ridges, surging forests and open meadows. The main attraction of the Bandhavgarh Wildlife Sanctuary of India is its significant population of tigers. Infact, the park boasts of the highest concentration of tigers throughout the country. One can also hope to see white tigers roaming in the jungles of Bandhavgarh

The wide variety of wildlife, 22 species, seen in the Bandhavgarh National Park is sure to leave its visitors mesmerized. However, most of the tourists come here to watch the tiger in its full glory. If you are planning to roam around in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve of India, it is better to do so on the back of an elephant. Your chances of coming across the Royal Bengal tiger will increase to quite an extent. The other wild animals that can be seen here include Common Langur, Rhesus Macaque, Sloth Bear, Striped Hyena, Leopard, Spotted Deer, Sambar, Nilgai, Chinkara, Small Indian Civet, etc.

Bandhavgarh National Park, now a famed protected area, once served as the hunting preserve of the Maharaja of Rewa. It was in the year 1968 that the Maharaja gave away his preferred hunting grounds to the Indian government, to be developed as a wildlife sanctuary. At that point of time, the fauna of the park was facing an increasing threat of poaching. The development of the Bandhavgarh Wildlife Sanctuary resulted in a reversal of this trend and the population of wild animals started showing an upward trend.

Bandhavgarh has a very old history. A large natural fort, famous as Bandhavgarh fort is situated in the center of the park, which has around 32 hills and eroded rocks. Today the fort houses a small population of black bucks inside it. The cliffs of the fort are 800 meters high and 300 meters high from the nearby countryside. The fort was constructed around 2,000 years ago, as there are references to it in the ancient books like the Narad-Panch Ratra and the Siva Purana. There are ancient temples and numerous caves around the fort that contains ancient Sanskrit inscriptions and shrines.

The fort has been under the patronage of many dynasties. The Maghas ruled it in the 1st century AD, the Vakatakas in the 3rd century, the Sengars in the 5th century and the Kalchuris in the 10th century. Finally, the Baghels took it over in the 13th century AD, and ruled it until 1617, till Maharajah Vikramaditya Singh moved his capital to Rewa. Legend has it that Lord Rama stopped at this place on his way back to Ayodhya after defeating the mighty King Ravana of Lanka and the two monkey architects built the fort. The famous 16th century Saint Kabir too mediated in this fort for years because of its wondrous soothing atmosphere.

The valleys in Bandhavgarh National Park end in small meadows known as 'Bohera'. Sal forest is the main vegetation in the valleys while mixed deciduous forest is found on the hills. Bamboo is found throughout the region. Jeep Safaris and Elephant rides are the only ways to explore the sanctuary.