Adventure Awaits at Ratapani Tiger Reserve

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Ratapani Tiger Reserve, located between Raisen and Sehore districts, is one of the most beautiful and dense forest regions of Madhya Pradesh. Spread across 825 square kilometers, Ratapani is part of the Vindhya hills and is being developed as a full-fledged tiger reserve under Project Tiger. 

Ratapani forest was declared as wildlife sanctuary in year 1976. Since then, it retained this status till year 2013 when National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) granted the approval to upgrade this wildlife sanctuary to tiger reserve. 

Now Ratapani Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh's 8th and India's 57th tiger reserve, offers a chance to explore an unspoiled wilderness near Bhopal. 

Over 40 majestic tigers inhabit this reserve. But that's just the beginning of its wild treasures. Leopards prowl through bamboo thickets, sloth bears too, wander these forest paths, and spotted deer graze in the meadows.  The symphony of birds and dance of butterflies add to this magical experience, making every visit unique. 

The reserve is home to a rich variety of flora and fauna, including tigers, leopards, sloth bears, hyenas, crocodiles, deer species, and over 150 species of birds. Ratapani’s forest, lakes, and rocky terrain offer a pristine environment for wildlife safaris, bird-watching, and eco-tourism activities. 

Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary harbours more than 150 bird species including the common babbler, coppersmith barbet, black drongo, blue jay, rock dove, bulbul, bee-eater, cuckoo, kingfishers, kite, lark, Bengal vulture, sunbirds, white wagtail, crow pheasant, jungle crow, egrets, myna, jungle fowl, parakeets, partridges, hoopoe, quails, woodpeckers, dove, flycatcher and flower pecker.

 Three gates provide access to the reserve:

* Jhiri Gate (34 km from Bhopal)

* Delawadi Gate (52 km from Bhopal)

* Bhimbetka Gate (44 km from Bhopal)

As of now here safari activities are controlled by Forest Department on current basis. Ratapani jungle safari booking is possible from counter only. Like Kanha national park, Bandhavgarh, Pench national par, Satpura national park, here online safari booking option is not available. Still one can easily get the safari ticket from booking counter. Visitors are required to carry their photo-id document during safari drives. 

* Online booking available for Jhiri and Delawadi gates

* Spontaneous planners can book at Bhimbetka gate on-site

* Drive your own vehicle through Bhimbetka gate

 Ratapani tiger reserve is open for visitors from 01-October to 15-June. Remaining time, park remains closed for visitors due to monsoon season. In addition to this, park remains closed for evening safari drive on every Wednesday. In Holi festival day, usually park remains closed for full-day. These dates may vary as it is decided every year by Madhya Pradesh forest Department. This tiger reserves is popular for best tiger sighting in India due to which from beginning to end of a season, tourists arrival remains constant. Usually most of the tourist arrival has been registered from October to March months. This is the best time to visit Ratapani forest.  

By Air:

Raja Bhoj Airport, Bhopal (approx. 45 km).

By Train:

Nearest railway stations for reaching Ratapani tiger reserve are Obedullaganj, Itarsi, Bhopal railway station etc. We offer taxi services to Ratapani tiger reserve from all these important railway stations and other nearby tourist destinations and cities. 

By Road:

Ratapani is best accessible by road. It lies in central of Madhya Pradesh state in Raisen district. Its nearby cities are Itarsi and Bhopal. Their is regular bus service from Itarsi and Bhopal to this tiger reserve. Travel route remains open throughout the year. 

 Note: Advance booking is recommended during peak season. Remember to carry appropriate gear and follow park guidelines for the best experience.