The tiger heartland of India, gathering four of the country's most productive reserves within 300 km of each other. Bandhavgarh boasts one of the highest tiger densities in the world (more than one tiger per 10 km²), with an imposing 2,000-year-old fort presiding over sal and bamboo forests. Kanha — nearly 2,000 km² of sal woodlands and meadows — inspired Kipling's 'Jungle Book' and holds around 100 Bengal tigers. Pench, the original setting of 'Jungle Book', is home to the famous tigress Collarwali, mother to a world-record 30 cubs. Tadoba, rapidly emerging as India's most reliable tiger-viewing park with 80+ habituated tigers, keeps its buffer zones open during the monsoon when other parks close. Dry season (March-June) concentrates activity at waterholes.
