What to Choose for Bandhavgarh Safari: Core vs Buffer Zone

Bandhavgarh National Park is one of India’s most renowned wildlife destinations. Many admire the wide range of flora and fauna thriving in the forest. The wildlife safari is the star attraction here. The very thought of heading for a wildlife safari in Bandhavgarh elevates the dopamine level in wildlife lovers. However, for travellers who are new to wildlife tourism, with a limited comprehension about how the wildlife safaris operate and where do they take the visitors, this blog is just for you all. A wildlife safari is very different from that of strolling inside a zoo or any similar protected area. Here, the jeeps or canters take tourists inside a real jungle, which are natural habitat for many wild animals, birds, plants and trees. In case of Bandhavgarh as well as many other wildlife safari destinations, multiple zones are designated, with determined routes, through which the safari vehicles traverse across the dense forests. 

Bandhavgarh Safari Zones

The forest of Bandhavgarh National Park is categorised into two types of regions - core and buffer zones. While conducting the Bandhavgarh National Park safari booking, it is important to have a clear picture of Bandhavgarh National Park. This will help you to choose the perfect safari spot, and hence the ultimate wildlife tour experience in Bandhavgarh National Park.

In order to get a decent understanding of these, continue reading the details mentioned below - 

Core Zones - The core zone is basically the central region of the Bandhavgarh forest. This is where people compete to secure their jeep safari. The reason is the highest chances of wildlife spotting. Most tiger sightings usually happen in the core area of Bandhavgarh. There are 3 core zones in Bandhavgarh - Tala, Magadhi, and Khitauli. Out of these, Tala is the most popular and often gets booked fast. 

Buffer Zones - The buffer zone is like the outer ring around the core. It’s not as tightly restricted, but still part of the park. Bandhavgarh’s buffer zones here are Dhamokhar, Panpatha, and Johila. These areas are slowly gaining attention ‘cause they’re peaceful and have good wildlife too. The crowd is usually smaller in buffer zones, so the safari feels quieter and more relaxed. 

Tabular Representation for Better Comprehension

Please note that sightings are not guaranteed in either, but core zones are generally preferred for big cats. One must not blame the jeep driver or the guide, in case there is no sighting. 

Are the Buffer Zones Worth Booking?

The answer is, YES! Booking a buffer zone safari in Bandhavgarh is a good choice, especially when the core zones are packed or unavailable. A lot of folks think the real action only happens in the core areas, but that’s not always true. But underestimating the buffer zone is a clear act of foolishness. Nature and wildlife are always full of surprises. Who knows, here too you can spot a tiger or other animals like deer, langurs, and sometimes even leopards or a tiger if you're lucky. Moreover, during the monsoon season, the core areas of the national park close. This is the time the buffer zones become more active. The Bandhavgarh National Park safari booking takes place only in the buffer zones. 

To sum up, it is completely your personal choice of booking a jeep safari in the core or the buffer zone. What matters the most is the advance booking to avoid the unavailability of jeeps.