Achanakmar Wildlife Sanctuary — Attraction in Mungeli

If you’re tired of the concrete jungle and want to experience a real jungle, then Achanakmar Wildlife Sanctuary in Chhattisgarh is where you should be heading! But fair warning — this place isn't a zoo with guaranteed animal sightings. Instead, it’s a thrilling adventure, where every rustling leaf and distant growl keeps you guessing.

The Thrill of the Unknown Tucked away in the Maikal hills of the Satpura range, Achanakmar is a sprawling 557 square kilometer wildlife sanctuary, a part of the Biosphere Reserve that extends into Madhya Pradesh. It’s a place where tigers play hard to get, leopards master the art of camouflage, and if you’re lucky, you might spot a sloth bear waddling along the forest path like it owns the place.

But here’s the thing — Achanakmar lives up to its name, which literally translates to "unexpected attack." No, it’s not about surprise tiger ambushes (though, stay alert!), but rather, the unpredictable, untamed beauty of the place. One moment, it’s all peaceful chirping birds and sunlight filtering through dense sal forests, and the next, you hear a rustle in the bushes, and boom! — your heart skips a beat.

Cool Facts That Make Achanakmar Special The Jungle Royalty: Achanakmar is home to the majestic Royal Bengal tiger, alongside leopards, wild dogs, Indian bison (gaur), and even pythons. But remember, spotting a tiger here is a matter of luck, patience, and probably some really good karma. A River Runs Through It: The Maniya River, which flows through the sanctuary, is like nature’s very own wildlife meeting point. Grab your binoculars and you might see sambar deer, spotted deer, or langurs stopping by for a sip. A UNESCO Surprise! Achanakmar is part of the Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve, a region so rich in biodiversity that it got a thumbs-up from UNESCO. Not too shabby for a place that’s often overshadowed by more famous national parks!

Final Verdict – A Wild Gamble Worth Taking! If you’re looking for guaranteed wildlife selfies, Achanakmar might test your patience. But if you love the thrill of the wild, the mystique of dense forests, and the joy of the unexpected, then this place is pure magic. Go with an open mind, sharp eyes, and maybe a little luck — because Achanakmar loves playing...

Achanakmar Tiger Reserve is situated in Chattisgarh, around 60 kms from Bilaspur. Categorised as a tropical deciduous forest, Achanakmar Tiger Reserve is breathtakingly beautiful with the most varied flora and fauna. This tiger reserve is a part of the huge Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve, and hence, it is home to more than 600 species of different medicinal plants. The scenic Maniyari River flows right from the centre of this reserve which is the forests lifeline. Even if it’s not for a proper trail through the jungle, one can get bowled over by the beauty of this reserve in just a small trek through a few parts of this park. The reserve is open on all days of the week, from 8:00 am till 6:00 pm. However, it may vary during special occasions and festivals. The entry fee structure is mentioned below: · India – Rs. 50/ Person · Indian Children – Rs. 20/ Child · Foreign Nationals – Rs. 100 / Person · Foreign Children – Rs. 35/ Child · Still Camera – Rs. 50/ Camera · Videography- Rs. 100/ Video Camera A visit to Achanakmar Tiger Reserve would be incomplete without a jungle safari and if you are planning a trip there, don’t forget to book your safari beforehand.

The safaris start every year from November till June and anytime between these months is a good time to visit Achanakmar Tiger Reserve. However, the forest experiences the most number of tourists from November-January. So, if you want to avoid the crowd, then you can skip visiting the sanctuary during these months. However, the park remains closed during the monsoons, i.e., from June-October. The safari has two options, bus safari and jeep safari. The jeep safari timings are 6:00 am – 10:00 am and from 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm. The costs range from Rs. 2000 - Rs.3000/ jeep and the jeeps can carry six tourists, one guide and one driver. The bus safari timings are just the same; however, the cost is Rs. 500/person. The buses can carry 20 tourists + the driver The Achanakmar Wildlife Sanctuary is closed during the monsoon season. The best time to pay a visit would be from November to June. The weather conditions remain clear making it easy for any sightings. Dust cyclones often accompany the hot summers. Travellers are advised to check the climate...

Dachigam Wildlife Sanctuary dachigam-wildlife-sanctuary Photo by Nadeem Hassan, CC BY-SA 3.0

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Sunderbans Wildlife Sanctuary sunderbans-wildlife-sanctuary Photo by joiseyshowaa, CC BY-SA 2.0 The protected forest area in West Bengal was declared a National Park in 1984 and is a rich biosphere reserve and the part of the Sunderbans situated at the Ganges Delta. Sunderbans Wildlife Sanctuary is a home to a wide variety of flora and fauna species. These include Tiger, Leopard cat, Fishing Cats and over 70 different species of endemic birds.

Manas Wildlife Sanctuary manas-wildlife-sanctuary Photo by Chandrashekhar Basumata, CC BY 2.0 Located in Assam, the Manas Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1985 and is located in the foothills of the Himalayas. The sanctuary is a home to a plethora of rare and endangered species of animals like Tiger, Asian elephants, Golden Cat, Leopards, Clouded Leopard, Slow Loris...