Wild Madhya Pradesh: Home to the largest number of national parks in India

What do you do when you are in the "Heart of India?" The answer is simple - you try and go back to nature. This is because, the state of Madhya Pradesh is known for its rich wildlife scene and stunning natural landscapes. Did you know that Madhya Pradesh is home to a total of 11 national parks? Yes, the highest in the country. These national parks are here to offer visitors some of the most unique and thrilling wildlife experiences. From tiger trails and sightings to discovering the world of dinosaur fossils, there are a lot of things in Madhya Pradesh that will leave you impressed.

Bandhavgarh is, without a doubt, one of India's most famous national parks. When it comes to tigers, Bandhavgarh National Park is iconic. The park is known for its high density of Bengal tigers. A thrilling jeep safari in Bandhavgarh National Park is sometimes all you need to do to recharge yourself.

Kanha National Park is one of the most beautiful national parks to visit in India. It is not only photogenic, but is also home to rich wildlife that includes the Bengal tiger, leopard, sloth bear and the endangered barasingha or the swamp deer.

This national park is located in Dhar district, and is home to the fossilised remains of dinosaurs that once roamed the region. When in this park, you will be able to explore the fossil beds, but please refrain from picking anything.

Kuno National Park covers an area of 344.686 sq km, spread across the two districts of Sheopur and Morena. In September 2022, the first batch of African cheetahs were brought to Kuno, as a part of the Indian government's Project Cheetah. The aim of this project was to reintroduce cheetahs in India. The first batch of eight cheetahs were flown in from Namibia.

If you love anything related to fossils, Ghughua Fossil National Park is going to blow your mind. This unique park is home to a large collection of plant fossils dating back to the Jurassic period. The special displays are incredibly informative. The outdoor display area is where you get to see the fossils up close.

Madhav National Park is located in Gwalior district, and is characterised by its diverse flora and fauna. The wildlife scene at Madhav National Park includes spotting of deer, leopards, and various bird species. The national park is surrounded by the scenic Madhav Sagar Lake.

There was a time when Panna National Park barely had any tigers left. But due to serious conservation efforts, the tiger population saw an increase and today, Panna National Park is one of the best places to experience the wild and spot tigers.

Pench National Park is spread across Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, and is famous for its dense forest cover and wildlife that includes tigers, leopards, sloth bears, and several species of birds. The landscape is one of the most striking ones in India, and they make for great photo ops.

Sanjay National Park is located in the Chhattisgarh-Madhya Pradesh border. The park's pristine forest is home to several species of animals, birds and plants. Sanjay National Park is also a part of the larger Sanjay-Dubri Tiger Reserve, a known habitat for tigers and leopards among other wildlife.

Satpura National Park is one of the finest in the country in terms of forest cover and wildlife experiences. Visitors can enjoy thrilling jeep safaris and guided walking tours. Yes, Satpura is one of those few wildlife parks in India where one can go on guided walking tours.

Van Vihar National Park is situated in Bhopal. The park is one of the very few urban national parks in India that aims to protect and conserve biodiversity within a city. Van Vihar gives the residents a chance to be close to nature and see animals like deer and monkeys, and several species of birds.