Bori Wildlife Sanctuary sits in Narmadapuram district (formerly Hoshangabad) in Madhya Pradesh, on the southern slopes of the Satpura hills beside the Tawa reservoir. It is a teak-and-bamboo forest that forms part of the larger Satpura Tiger Reserve, and it carries an unusual claim: the Bori Reserve Forest inside it is often cited as one of India’s oldest, demarcated in 1865. This guide covers the sanctuary, its history, wildlife, safaris, permits and how to plan a visit.
Bori Wildlife Sanctuary is a 646 sq km protected forest in Narmadapuram district, Madhya Pradesh, part of the Satpura Tiger Reserve. It protects tiger, leopard, gaur and dhole in a teak-bamboo landscape along the Tawa reservoir, and is reached via the Churna range from Itarsi.
Key takeaways
- Bori Wildlife Sanctuary lies in Narmadapuram district, Madhya Pradesh, and forms part of the Satpura Tiger Reserve along with Satpura National Park and Pachmarhi sanctuary.
- The Bori Reserve Forest inside the sanctuary was created in 1865, per the official Satpura Tiger Reserve history; Wikipedia and a Key Biodiversity Areas factsheet describe it as India’s oldest / first declared forest reserve.
- The sanctuary spans 646 sq km, per Wikipedia citing MPENVIS, across an elevation of about 300 to 1,352 m, per the BirdLife/KBA factsheet.
- Safari permits for the Madhai and Churna zones cost ₹250 per adult, ₹125 per child aged 5–12 and ₹1,500 for a full vehicle, per the MP forest FAQ as of October 2026 (guide and vehicle charges extra).
- The Madhai and Churna zones close from 16 June to 30 September for the monsoon, per the MP forest FAQ; the usable season runs roughly October to June.
- The nearest railhead is Itarsi Junction, about 70 km from the Madhai gate per Incredible India; the nearest airport is Bhopal (Raja Bhoj), about 140 km.
About Bori Wildlife Sanctuary
Bori Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected forest of about 646 sq km in Narmadapuram district, Madhya Pradesh, according to Wikipedia citing MPENVIS. It lies on the southern, teak-clad slopes of the Satpura range, with the Tawa reservoir along its western edge. Thanks to its size and wildness, it feels quieter than the better-known tiger parks of central India.
The sanctuary was renamed along with its district: Hoshangabad district became Narmadapuram in 2021, so older maps and signs still say Hoshangabad. Bori borders Satpura National Park to the north and east, and together with Pachmarhi Wildlife Sanctuary the three units make up the core of the Satpura Tiger Reserve. The River Tawa forms the sanctuary’s western and south-western boundaries, per the Key Biodiversity Areas factsheet.
The landscape is classic Satpura: teak and bamboo forest broken by sandstone ridges, stream-side (riparian) strips and the broad sheet of the Tawa backwater. The main visitor access is through the Churna range, deep in the forest, reached from Itarsi; boats on the reservoir also bring you close to the sanctuary from the Madhai side.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Narmadapuram (formerly Hoshangabad) district, Madhya Pradesh |
| Area | About 646 sq km (Wikipedia, citing MPENVIS) |
| Elevation | About 300–1,352 m (BirdLife/KBA factsheet) |
| Part of | Satpura Tiger Reserve core, with Satpura NP and Pachmarhi sanctuary |
| Reserve-forest history | Bori Reserve Forest created 1865 (official Satpura TR history) |
| Main habitat | Moist teak forest, bamboo, riparian strips along the Tawa |
| Main access | Churna range (from Itarsi); boats from the Madhai side |
| Season | Roughly October–June; monsoon closure 16 June–30 September |
The 1865 reserve forest and Satpura Tiger Reserve
The Bori Reserve Forest was created in 1865, according to the official Satpura Tiger Reserve history timeline, which is why Bori is so often described as one of India’s oldest reserve forests. Wikipedia goes further and calls the Bori Reserve Forest “India’s oldest forest preserve,” established in 1865 along the Tawa River, while the Key Biodiversity Areas factsheet, citing Pai (1993), describes the site as “the first forest reserve declared in India.” Treat the superlative as an attributed claim rather than settled fact: these are the sources that make it.
The forest was valued for timber. According to the KBA factsheet, the area was worked intensively for teak and bamboo until 1991. The wider Satpura landscape entered colonial records earlier still: the official timeline credits Captain James Forsyth with exploring nearby Pachmarhi in 1862.
The protection layers were added over more than a century. Per the official Satpura timeline, the Bori Sanctuary was declared in 1931 and the Bori Wildlife Sanctuary “came into existence” in 1975; Wikipedia’s infobox instead gives 1977. Satpura National Park was created in 1981 by combining the Satpura, Pachmarhi and Bori sanctuaries, per Incredible India. The whole landscape was brought under Project Tiger as the Satpura Tiger Reserve around 1999–2000. The official site records the critical tiger habitat (core) of 1,339.26 sq km notified in 2007 and the buffer of 794.04 sq km in 2010.
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1862 | Capt. James Forsyth explores Pachmarhi |
| 1865 | Bori Reserve Forest created |
| 1931 | Bori Sanctuary declared |
| 1975 (1977 per Wikipedia) | Bori Wildlife Sanctuary comes into existence |
| 1981 | Satpura National Park formed from Satpura, Pachmarhi and Bori (Incredible India) |
| 1999–2000 | Declared a tiger reserve under Project Tiger |
| 2007 / 2010 | Core 1,339.26 sq km / buffer 794.04 sq km notified |
Wildlife and birding
Bori and the surrounding Satpura Tiger Reserve protect tiger, leopard, Indian gaur (the large wild cattle) and dhole (the Indian wild dog), among others. Wikipedia’s species list for Bori adds wild boar, muntjac (barking deer), chital (spotted deer), sambar and rhesus macaque, with smaller mammals such as the Indian giant squirrel, flying squirrel, common mongoose, small Indian civet and Indian porcupine. Incredible India’s Satpura page also lists sloth bear and Indian giant squirrel for the reserve.
Tiger sightings here are harder-won than in Kanha or Bandhavgarh, and most visitors come for the whole forest rather than one animal. The reward is a landscape where you can walk, boat and drive, and where gaur and dhole are genuine highlights.
For birders, the numbers are strong. The BirdLife/KBA factsheet reports more than 230 species and notes the site may hold the most Biome-11 (Indo-Malayan tropical dry zone) species of any Important Bird Area in central India. Both Critically Endangered Gyps vulture species have been recorded, along with Malabar pied hornbill, Malabar whistling thrush and Indian scimitar babbler. Incredible India cites more than 300 bird species across the reserve, including paradise flycatcher and crested serpent eagle.
| Group | Species |
|---|---|
| Big cats and carnivores | Tiger, leopard, dhole (wild dog), sloth bear |
| Large herbivores | Indian gaur, sambar, chital, muntjac, wild boar |
| Other mammals | Indian giant squirrel, flying squirrel, rhesus macaque, common mongoose, porcupine |
| Birds | Malabar pied hornbill, paradise flycatcher, crested serpent eagle, Gyps vultures (230–300+ species) |
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Bori and the Satpura Tiger Reserve is roughly October to June, with the Madhai and Churna zones closed from 16 June to 30 September for the monsoon, per the MP forest FAQ. The forest reopens in mid-October once the rains ease.
Within the open season, the character changes month to month. December to February is cool and pleasant and, per Incredible India, suits the walking safaris. March to June turns hot but concentrates wildlife near water, which can improve sightings. The approach roads to Churna are rough and can be a problem in the rains, per the official site, so avoid the shoulder of the monsoon.
| Period | Weather | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-Oct–Nov | Mild, green after the rains | Reopening, birdlife, comfortable drives |
| Dec–Feb | Cool; December about 11–31°C | Walking safaris, birding, families |
| Mar–Jun | Hot; May about 20–42°C | Wildlife near water; mammal sightings |
| 16 Jun–30 Sep | Monsoon; Madhai and Churna closed | Closed to tourists |
How to reach Bori and the Churna range
The nearest railway station is Itarsi Junction, about 70 km from the Madhai gate, per Incredible India; the official site also lists Sohagpur, Pipariya and Narmadapuram as nearby stations. Itarsi is a major junction with trains to Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Bhopal, which makes it the simplest arrival point for most visitors.
By air, the closest airport is Bhopal (Raja Bhoj), about 140 km from the Madhai gate per Incredible India; the official Satpura site quotes 220 km for the Bhopal airport approach and notes Jabalpur as a further option. From the airport or railhead you continue by road.
For Bori’s Churna range specifically, the official site gives Itarsi to Churna as 65 km and Bhopal to Churna (via Itarsi) as 106 km, along the Narmadapuram–Itarsi–Bhaura–Betul road; from Bhaura it is a further 50 km to the Churna rest house. The Madhai gate, the main boat-and-jeep entry, sits about 19 km inside from the Pipariya–Narmadapuram road and around 100 km from Pachmarhi. Hire a vehicle with good ground clearance, as the approach roads are rough. For orientation across the state, see our Madhya Pradesh travel guide, and for the usual arrival city our Bhopal travel guide.
| From | To | Approx distance |
|---|---|---|
| Itarsi Junction | Madhai gate | About 70 km (Incredible India) |
| Itarsi | Churna | 65 km (official site) |
| Bhopal | Churna (via Itarsi) | 106 km (official site) |
| Bhopal airport | Madhai | About 140 km (Incredible India) |
| Bhaura | Churna rest house | 50 km (official site) |
| Pachmarhi | Madhai | About 100 km (official site) |
Safaris, permits and fees
Safari permits for the Madhai and Churna zones cost ₹250 per single adult, ₹125 per child aged 5–12 and ₹1,500 for a full-vehicle permit, per the MP forest FAQ (as of October 2026); those figures apply to both Indian and foreign visitors and do not include guide and vehicle charges, which are extra. Permits are booked online on the MP forest portal, forest.mponline.gov.in; a guide is mandatory. Treat the gypsy and boat totals you see on tour-operator sites as indicative planning estimates, and reconfirm current rates on the portal or at the gate.
Safaris run twice a day, in the morning from 06:00 to 11:00 and in the afternoon from 15:00 to 18:00 in the Madhai and Churna zones, per the official FAQ, which also caps the Madhai zone at 24 vehicles per day across both drives. At Madhai the forest department’s eco-development committee vehicles are used; in Churna, visitors may take their own pollution-free vehicle. Churna full-day jeep safaris, which run deep into the Bori landscape, start around 6 am.
Satpura is unusual among Indian tiger reserves. According to Incredible India, it is the only national park where visitors can walk through the core forest, accompanied by armed forest guards and naturalists, and boat and canoe safaris run on the Denwa river and its backwaters. The boat approach also brings you toward the Bori/Tawa side of the reserve.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Adult permit (Madhai/Churna) | ₹250 per person |
| Child permit (5–12 yrs) | ₹125 per person |
| Full-vehicle permit | ₹1,500 (guide and vehicle charges extra) |
| Morning safari | 06:00–11:00 |
| Afternoon safari | 15:00–18:00 |
| Madhai vehicle cap | 24 vehicles per day |
| Booking | forest.mponline.gov.in; guide mandatory |
Where to stay
The two practical bases are the Madhai side, with resorts and MP Tourism’s properties, and the remote Churna rest house inside the forest for the Bori core. The official site presents three entrances: Madhai, Churna (Bheemkund side) and the Tawa Resort on the Tawa dam near Narmadapuram town.
Government and private options sit side by side. MP Tourism runs the Tawa Resort on the Tawa dam, which overlooks the reservoir, and resorts cluster near the Madhai gate; private safari lodges also operate here. For the Bori core itself, the Churna forest rest house is the classic stay, but it is basic and must be arranged with the forest department in advance. Book well ahead for the December–February peak.
Prices move with season and demand, so the bands below are indicative planning estimates (as of October 2026) rather than quoted tariffs; confirm with MP Tourism or the lodge before you commit. The reserve office can advise on the Churna rest house on 07574-254394 or ddsatnp.hbd@mp.gov.in.
- Forest rest house (Churna): basic rooms inside the forest, booked via the forest department; limited facilities, book early.
- MP Tourism (Tawa Resort, Madhai area): government-run, reservoir views; book on the MP Tourism portal.
- Private safari lodges (Madhai): mid-range to premium, often with safari packages.
Budget breakdown
A two-night Bori/Satpura trip for two from Bhopal runs roughly ₹18,000–40,000 depending on your stay and how many safaris you take, as an indicative planning estimate (as of October 2026). The fixed costs are permits and transport; your lodge choice swings the total most.
The table below assumes two people, two nights near Madhai or Churna, a return road transfer from Bhopal or Itarsi, and two to three safaris. Permit figures use the official MP forest FAQ; lodging, transport and guide/vehicle charges are planning estimates to reconfirm.
| Item | Budget | Mid-range |
|---|---|---|
| Stay (2 nights) | ₹5,000–9,000 | ₹12,000–22,000 |
| Safari permits (official) | ₹500–1,000 | ₹1,000–1,500 |
| Guide + vehicle (estimate) | ₹5,000–8,000 | ₹7,000–12,000 |
| Road transfer (Bhopal/Itarsi return) | ₹4,000–6,000 | ₹6,000–9,000 |
| Food and extras | ₹2,000–3,000 | ₹3,000–5,000 |
| Approx total | ₹16,500–27,000 | ₹29,000–49,500 |
Responsible-wildlife rules and practical tips
The core rule at Bori is simple: book permits in advance, keep to timings and gates, and let the mandatory guide lead. Per the MP forest FAQ, hiring a guide is compulsory and vehicle numbers are capped, so last-minute walk-ups are not reliable. Carry a photo ID matching your online booking.
- Stay in your vehicle except on sanctioned walking safaris, keep quiet, and never feed or crowd animals. Wildlife viewing is a privilege, not a guarantee.
- Carry out all plastic and litter; central Indian reserves take plastic and noise rules seriously.
- Network and ATMs are patchy in the forest, especially around Churna. Carry cash, confirm UPI coverage won’t be relied on, and download offline maps.
- Churna’s approach roads are rough; use a high-clearance vehicle and avoid the monsoon shoulder, per the official site.
- For medical needs, Itarsi and Narmadapuram towns have the nearest hospitals; carry a basic kit, sun protection and, in winter, warm layers for early drives.
- Solo women travellers generally find organised lodges and forest-department safaris straightforward here; stick to booked transport and daylight transfers to the remote gates.
- No separate inner-line or special entry permit applies to Bori for Indian travellers beyond the standard safari permit; foreign visitors pay the same permit rates per the MP forest FAQ. Confirm any drone or professional-filming rules with the reserve office before travel.
Nearby places
Bori pairs naturally with the rest of the Satpura Tiger Reserve and the Pachmarhi hill station, so most visitors combine two or three of these in one trip. All lie within a few hours’ drive.
| Place | Approx distance | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Satpura NP / Madhai | Adjacent core | Walking, boat and jeep safaris; the main gate |
| Pachmarhi | About 100 km from Madhai | Madhya Pradesh’s only hill station; waterfalls, viewpoints |
| Tawa dam / reservoir | Near Narmadapuram | Reservoir views, MP Tourism Tawa Resort, boating |
| Bhopal | About 140 km | Lakes, museums, airport and rail hub |
Frequently asked questions
Where is Bori Wildlife Sanctuary located?
Bori Wildlife Sanctuary is in Narmadapuram district (formerly Hoshangabad), Madhya Pradesh, on the southern slopes of the Satpura hills beside the Tawa reservoir. It borders Satpura National Park and, with Pachmarhi sanctuary, forms the core of the Satpura Tiger Reserve. Its area is about 646 sq km, per Wikipedia citing MPENVIS.
Is Bori really India’s oldest reserve forest?
The Bori Reserve Forest was created in 1865, per the official Satpura Tiger Reserve history, and Wikipedia calls it India’s oldest forest preserve while a Key Biodiversity Areas factsheet (citing Pai, 1993) calls it the first forest reserve declared in India. The “oldest/first” label is best treated as an attributed claim rather than settled fact.
What is the best time to visit Bori and Satpura?
The best time is roughly October to June, with the Madhai and Churna zones closed from 16 June to 30 September for the monsoon, per the MP forest FAQ. December to February is cool and good for walking safaris; March to June is hot but concentrates wildlife near water, improving mammal sightings.
How much does a safari permit cost at Bori/Satpura?
Safari permits for the Madhai and Churna zones cost ₹250 per adult, ₹125 per child aged 5–12 and ₹1,500 for a full vehicle, per the MP forest FAQ as of October 2026, for both Indian and foreign visitors. Guide and vehicle charges are extra, and a guide is mandatory. Book on forest.mponline.gov.in.
How do I reach the Churna range of Bori?
Reach Churna by road from Itarsi, about 65 km away per the official Satpura site, along the Narmadapuram–Itarsi–Bhaura–Betul road; from Bhaura it is a further 50 km to the Churna rest house. Itarsi Junction is the nearest major railhead and Bhopal (Raja Bhoj) the nearest airport, about 140 km from the Madhai gate.
Can you see tigers at Bori Wildlife Sanctuary?
Yes, tigers live in Bori and the wider Satpura Tiger Reserve, but sightings are less frequent than at Kanha or Bandhavgarh. Most visitors come for the whole forest, with gaur, dhole, leopard and rich birdlife as highlights, and for Satpura’s walking and boat safaris rather than a guaranteed tiger.
Last updated and sources
Bori suits travellers who want a quiet, walkable Satpura forest with history and birdlife rather than a tiger tick-list. Go between October and June, base yourself near Madhai or at the Churna rest house, and book permits ahead.
Last updated: 20 October 2026. Fees, timings and permits change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: Satpura Tiger Reserve official history and how-to-reach pages (satpuratigerreserve.org/history, how-to-reach); MP Forest/MPOnline Satpura FAQ (forest.mponline.gov.in); Incredible India, Satpura National Park (incredibleindia.gov.in); Wikipedia, Bori Wildlife Sanctuary (en.wikipedia.org); Key Biodiversity Areas / BirdLife factsheet, Bori (keybiodiversityareas.org); MP Tourism Tawa (mptourism.com). Accessed September 2026.
