The Mukundpur White Tiger Safari, formally the Maharaja Martand Singh Judeo White Tiger Safari and Zoological Park, sits at Mukundpur village about 15 km from Rewa city in Madhya Pradesh. It is India’s first and the world’s first dedicated safari built around the white tiger, the pale Bengal tiger whose story begins in the old forests of Rewa. This guide covers how to reach it, what it costs, when to go, and how to see the animals responsibly.
The Mukundpur White Tiger Safari is a government wildlife park in Amarpatan tehsil near Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, that opened to visitors on 3 April 2016. It pairs an open drive-through white tiger enclosure with a larger zoological park, and it is named after the Rewa ruler linked to Mohan, the first white tiger.
Key takeaways
- The Mukundpur White Tiger Safari is about 15 km from Rewa city, in Amarpatan tehsil (Satna/Maihar district), Madhya Pradesh; it opened on 3 April 2016.
- It is the world’s first dedicated white tiger safari, named after Maharaja Martand Singh Judeo of Rewa, who captured the white tiger cub Mohan in 1951.
- The Central Zoo Authority sheet lists adult entry at ₹120 per head (children free); the park is closed on Wednesdays. Reconfirm fees before you travel.
- Rewa now has its own airport at Chorhata (flights began November 2025); Satna Junction, about 50 km away, is the larger railhead.
- The whole complex covered 121.99 hectares as of July 2026, with a 20-year master plan (2026-27 to 2045-46) to expand it to 241.86 hectares.
- October to March is the comfortable window; the park stays open through the year except on its weekly closed day.
About the safari and quick facts
The Mukundpur White Tiger Safari is a drive-through tiger enclosure attached to a full zoological park, run by the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department and recognised by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA). It stands at Mukundpur on the Bela-Govindgarh road, in Amarpatan tehsil near Rewa, in the Vindhya region of Madhya Pradesh. The village historically fell in Satna district; after the 2023 reorganisation it comes under the new Maihar district, though the park’s own website still lists Satna.
According to Wikipedia’s park listing and the official site, the complex holds more than 100 species, described as about 40 endangered and 60-plus non-endangered species, plus 90-plus bird species and 30-plus reptile species. The headline attraction remains the white tiger, shown in a large naturalistic enclosure that visitors pass through in a vehicle. The park also keeps a butterfly park, a gallery and an interpretation area.
| Full name | Maharaja Martand Singh Judeo White Tiger Safari and Zoological Park |
| Location | Mukundpur, Amarpatan tehsil, near Rewa, Madhya Pradesh (PIN 485778) |
| Opened | 3 April 2016 (zoo established June 2015) |
| Area | 121.99 hectares (July 2026), with plans to reach 241.86 hectares |
| Weekly closed day | Wednesday |
| Distance from Rewa city | About 15 km |
Mohan and the white tigers of Rewa
The white tiger is a colour variant of the Bengal tiger, not a separate species, and its story in Rewa runs back to 1951. According to the park’s namesake history and Encyclopaedic accounts, Maharaja Martand Singh Judeo of the former Rewa princely state captured a white cub in the Vindhya forests that year and named him Mohan. Mohan was bred in captivity at Govindgarh, and reports widely state that almost all white tigers in captivity today descend from him.
The safari honours that lineage. The park keeps white tigers in an enclosure rather than in the wild; captive white tigers are the product of repeated breeding for a recessive gene, and conservation bodies do not treat them as a wild population to be restored. See them as animals in managed care, keep noise down, and do not expect the behaviour of a free-ranging tiger. The original trio shown at the 2016 opening were a male, Raghu, and two females, Vindhya and Radha; the living roster changes over time, so check on arrival.
Best time to visit
October to March is the most comfortable time to visit the Mukundpur White Tiger Safari, when Vindhya-region days are mild and animals are active in the open. Summer from April to June turns hot and harsh on both visitors and animals; the monsoon brings greenery but also heavy, humid spells. The park stays open through the year except on Wednesdays.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | October-March | Pleasant, cool mornings; best for a relaxed visit and photography |
| Summer | April-June | Very hot; go early at opening and carry water; animals rest in shade |
| Monsoon | July-September | Lush and humid; occasional heavy rain; pleasant lower crowds |
How to reach Mukundpur
The quickest route is to reach Rewa first, then drive about 15 km to Mukundpur on the Bela-Govindgarh road. Rewa is the regional hub for air, rail and road, and the safari has no public transport of its own, so a taxi or private car covers the last stretch.
By air, Rewa now has its own airport at Chorhata, about 11 km from Rewa city, inaugurated in October 2024. Alliance Air began Rewa-Delhi flights in November 2025 (reported as thrice weekly), and IndiGo announced a daily Rewa-Indore service from 22 December 2025; a Rewa-Bhopal link has been on-and-off, so reconfirm schedules with the airline. Jabalpur and Prayagraj airports are larger alternatives with wider connections. By rail, Satna Junction (about 50 km from Rewa) on the busy Mumbai-Howrah route is the main railhead; Rewa also has its own station on a branch line.
| From | Distance | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Rewa city | ~15 km | Taxi / car, 30-40 min |
| Rewa Airport (Chorhata) | ~25 km | Taxi / car |
| Satna Junction (rail) | ~45 km | Taxi / car |
| Jabalpur | ~230 km | Road, half-day drive |
What to see and do
The one unmissable experience is the white tiger drive-through, where a vehicle carries you through the open enclosure for a chance to see the animals at distance. Beyond it, the zoological park rewards a slow couple of hours on foot or by the park’s internal options.
- White tiger safari drive: the headline attraction; a guided vehicle pass through the enclosure. Timed slots during opening hours; sightings are never guaranteed.
- Zoological park: enclosures for deer, antelope, carnivores, primates and more; the official site lists walk, cycle and golf-cart options to move around.
- Butterfly park and gallery: a quieter stop good for families and photography.
- Interpretation centre: panels on the white tiger story and Vindhya-region wildlife; a useful first stop to set context.
| Experience | Time needed | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| White tiger safari drive | 30-45 min | Separate ticket; book on arrival; no guaranteed sighting |
| Zoological park walk | 1.5-2.5 hr | Walk, cycle or golf cart per the official site |
| Butterfly park / gallery | 30-45 min | Shaded; good midday option in summer |
A suggested itinerary
Mukundpur works well as a half-day or full-day trip from Rewa, and comfortably as a day within a wider Madhya Pradesh route. Our Madhya Pradesh travel guide helps slot it into a larger plan.
- Half-day: arrive at opening, do the white tiger drive first, then the butterfly park and a short zoo loop; drive back to Rewa for lunch.
- Full day: add a slow zoo walk, the interpretation centre and a second relaxed drive in the afternoon, with a packed lunch and plenty of water.
- Two days in the region: combine Mukundpur with Rewa’s forts and waterfalls; base yourself in Rewa city.
Where to stay
There is no large hotel cluster at Mukundpur itself, so most visitors stay in Rewa city, about 15 km away, and drive out in the morning. Rewa offers budget lodges, mid-range hotels and a few better-equipped properties; book ahead on weekends and school holidays.
- Budget (around ₹800-1,500 a night, indicative/planning estimate – reconfirm): simple lodges and guesthouses in Rewa city.
- Mid-range (around ₹2,000-4,000, indicative – reconfirm): business hotels with air-conditioning and in-house dining.
- Higher-end (₹4,500 and up, indicative – reconfirm): the better hotels in Rewa; genuine luxury is limited in this region.
Check Madhya Pradesh Tourism (MPT) listings for any state-run option and for current tariffs before you book. For a city-break alternative with more choice, the state capital is covered in our Bhopal travel guide.
Food to try
Expect hearty Vindhya and Bagheli home cooking in and around Rewa rather than a dedicated food scene at the park. Carry your own water and snacks for the visit, since options inside are limited.
- Dal-bafla (baked wheat dough balls dunked in ghee, served with lentils) – a Madhya Pradesh staple.
- Bhutte ka kees (grated corn cooked with milk and spices) – a regional favourite in season.
- Poha-jalebi (flattened-rice breakfast with a sweet fried coil) – the classic MP morning plate.
- Local sweets such as khoya-based preparations from Rewa’s bazaars.
Budget breakdown
A visit is inexpensive: the entry fee is small, and the main costs are the taxi from Rewa and the separate safari-drive ticket. The table below is a per-person planning estimate for a one-day trip based in Rewa, as of October 2026; reconfirm every figure before travel.
| Item | Estimate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Park entry (adult) | ₹120 | As listed by the CZA sheet; children free; reconfirm |
| Safari drive ticket | Reconfirm on site | Separate from entry; tiered walk/cycle/cart/safari options per official site |
| Taxi share (Rewa return) | ₹400-700 | Shared; indicative |
| Meals and water | ₹200-400 | Carry your own; limited options on site |
| Rough day total | ₹750-1,300+ | Excludes the unconfirmed safari-drive fee and stay |
Rules, tickets and conduct for the Mukundpur White Tiger Safari
No special permit is needed to enter the Mukundpur White Tiger Safari; you simply buy a ticket at the counter. The CZA information sheet lists adult entry (above 5 years) at ₹120 per head with children free, a weekly closed day on Wednesday, and timings of 9:30 am-4:30 pm from November to February and 9 am-5 pm from March to October. That sheet reflects older figures, and the safari drive is a separate ticket, so reconfirm all fees and timings on the official site or by phone before you go.
- Do not feed, tease or shout at animals; keep hands and arms inside the vehicle on the drive.
- Follow staff instructions and stay in your vehicle in the tiger enclosure at all times.
- Carry a valid photo ID; the CZA sheet noted online booking was not available, so counter tickets may be the norm – confirm locally.
- Avoid single-use plastic and carry your litter out; Madhya Pradesh enforces plastic restrictions.
Practical tips
Treat Mukundpur as a short, calm outing rather than a wilderness expedition, and plan around the heat and the Wednesday closure. A few practical notes make the day smoother.
- Timing: arrive at opening for the best light and more active animals; avoid the midday heat in summer.
- Cash and UPI: carry some cash for tickets and the taxi; UPI is widely accepted in Rewa but can be patchy at rural counters.
- Network: mobile coverage is generally fine in Rewa; expect weaker signal on the rural approach.
- Health: the nearest full hospital facilities are in Rewa city, including the government medical college hospital; carry basic medication and sun protection.
- Solo and women travellers: the park is a family destination and generally comfortable; keep to opening hours and arrange a return taxi in advance.
- Packing: sun hat, water, light cottons in summer; a light layer for winter mornings; binoculars help.
Nearby places
Rewa makes a sensible base, and the district around it has waterfalls and heritage worth a half-day each.
| Place | Distance (approx.) | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Rewa city and fort | ~15 km | Base town; the Rewa Fort and Venkat Bhavan museum |
| Purwa Falls | ~40 km | A seasonal waterfall on the Tons river, best in and after monsoon |
| Keoti Falls | ~40 km | One of the region’s tall waterfalls; monsoon-dependent |
| Govindgarh | ~20 km | Historic Rewa-state site tied to the white tiger story and lake palace |
For wider routing across the state’s parks, cities and heritage, see our Madhya Pradesh travel guide.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Mukundpur White Tiger Safari?
The Mukundpur White Tiger Safari is at Mukundpur village in Amarpatan tehsil, about 15 km from Rewa city in Madhya Pradesh. The site historically lay in Satna district and now falls under the new Maihar district. It sits on the Bela-Govindgarh road and is reached by taxi or car from Rewa.
What is the entry fee and is there a closed day?
The Central Zoo Authority sheet lists adult entry at ₹120 per head (above 5 years), with children admitted free, and the park closed on Wednesdays. The safari drive is a separate ticket. These are older figures, so reconfirm the current fees, drive charges and timings on the official site before you travel.
What are the opening timings?
Per the Central Zoo Authority sheet, timings are 9:30 am to 4:30 pm from November to February and 9 am to 5 pm from March to October, with Wednesday as the weekly closed day. Hours can change seasonally, so arrive early and confirm the day’s schedule at the ticket counter or by phone.
Why is it called a white tiger safari?
It is built around the white tiger, a pale colour variant of the Bengal tiger, and traces its name to Mohan, the cub captured by Maharaja Martand Singh Judeo of Rewa in 1951. The park keeps white tigers in a large drive-through enclosure, making it the world’s first dedicated white tiger safari.
How do I reach Mukundpur from outside Madhya Pradesh?
Fly or take a train to Rewa, then drive about 15 km to Mukundpur. Rewa Airport at Chorhata opened in 2024 with flights to Delhi and Indore; Satna Junction, about 50 km away, is the larger railhead on the Mumbai-Howrah line. There is no direct public transport to the park, so hire a taxi.
Is a permit needed to visit?
No special permit is required to visit the Mukundpur White Tiger Safari; you buy a ticket at the counter. Carry a photo ID, follow the park’s conduct rules inside the enclosure, and reconfirm whether online booking is available, since the Central Zoo Authority sheet noted it was not offered at the time it was compiled.
Last updated and sources
Mukundpur suits families, wildlife-curious travellers and anyone routing through the Vindhya region who wants to understand the white tiger story at its source. Go between October and March, early in the day, and treat the animals as residents in managed care.
Last updated: 23 October 2026. Fees, timings and permits change – reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: Maharaja Martand Singh Judeo White Tiger Safari and Zoo official site; Central Zoo Authority zoo information sheet (fees, timings, closed day); Wikipedia: White Tiger Safari & Zoo, Mukundpur; Drishti IAS on the 2026 expansion master plan; Deccan Chronicle on the expansion and breeding centre; Wikipedia: Rewa Airport; Outlook Traveller on Rewa Airport. Accessed October 2026.
