It is the smallest and the oldest 0f the national park in Madhya
Pradesh with an area of about 355 sq km and one which does not boast of a tiger
sighting but it make up for it in terms
of its accessibility and the ability to drive your own vehicle in the national
park along with a guide. Besides it has two lakes and a boat club from where
one can go boating. The park is part of
the upper Vindhya hills and is close to Shivpuri town.
The best time to visit it is from October to March but it is
one of the national parks which is open throughout the year. The Agra Bombay
national highway number 3 ( AB Road) passes through the national park and it
has one entrance from the highway itself and the other entrance to the park is
on the Guna- Jhansi national highway number 25 which bypasses Shivpuri. If one wish
to explore the park on a cycle then it is possible but the use of a park guide
is a must. The park also boasts of two lakes, Sakhya Lake and the Madhav Lake. Sakhya
Lake is the bigger lake and has a boat club from where one can hire a boat and
take a boat ride in the lake. The lake has a number of landing grounds around
it and one can see a wide variety of birds and crocodiles sun bathing. In
winter it is full of migratory birds. The park does not boast of a tiger
population, though for some time in 2007 a tiger pair made the park its habitat,
but it does have a number of leopards. As leopard is nocturnal animal hence it
may not be possible to see one during day’s visit to the park but in night you
can hear its call or might see one late in the evening in the park.
Besides the park also boasts of a number or animals
including, antelopes, nilgai, deer, chital, barasingha, wild pig, wild dogs,
porcupine, foxes and even wolf not to
mention the gangs of langur which one can see sunbathing on the road itself and
on trees. A wide variety of birds have made this park their habitat which
includes, peacocks, jungle fowl, parakeets, kingfisher, eagles, etc. In winter
it is home to a large variety of migratory birds.
The park also has a
number of historical monuments out of which the most famous is the George
Castle situated in the middle of the park at its highest point at a height of
484 meters. From the top of the castle on can get a bird’s eye view of the park
the check dam and the lake. Besides the castle the park also has Bhura-Kho
towers and the water falls which give it a wonderful view and is a nice place
to spend some time. Shooting box is another important monument.
The park has almost flat gravel roads therefore it is
possible to drive one’s own vehicle in the park along with a guide after paying
the park and guide fee. One can also cycle in the park along with a guide.
Besides the normal hotels in Shivpuri there are two places near and in the park
which are very good. The tourist village on the bank of the Sankya Lake is a
beautiful property and has decent rooms and a restaurant. It has rooms which
overlook the lake and on full moon day the view from your room or by the side
of the lake is breathtaking. The rooms are reasonably priced and can be booked
on line through MP Tourism website. From here the entrance is just about 3 Km.
The other option is to book the forest rest house which is just opposite of
Tourist village on the other side of the lake inside the park. Besides they
also have some huts and other options of stay. For their booking one has to
contact the director of Madhav National Park. The guest house is an old
building but the view of the lake and the forest from its veranda and balcony
is just too good to miss. Make a plan to stay at least one evening and night in
either of these properties.
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