Satpura National Park, about 50 kilometres from Hoshangabad, is one of India's most undervisited tiger reserves and, according to many wildlife guides, one of its best. The park protects an area of dense sal and teak forests, rocky hills, and river valleys in the Satpura Range, and it holds substantial populations of tigers, leopards, sloth bears, wolves, wild dogs (dholes), gaur, and the giant Malabar squirrel. The bird list is extensive.
What sets Satpura apart is the variety of safari formats. Guided walks through the buffer zone allow for close observation of smaller mammals, reptiles, and birds that vehicles miss. Jeep safaris penetrate deeper into the forest at dawn and dusk. Boat safaris on the Denwa and Tawa rivers cover terrain that is inaccessible by road. Reaching the park from Hoshangabad involves a drive to Madhai, the main entry point; jeep hire is available there, or organised tours can be arranged from Hoshangabad or Bhopal.