Van Vihar National Park - Bhopal's Urban Wildlife Sanctuary

Manali, Madhya PradeshWILDLIFE

An urban national park in Bhopal on the Upper Lake's shore, housing rescued wildlife like tigers and sloth bears in large, naturalistic enclosures.

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WILDLIFE

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2-3 hours

Accessibility

Not Wheelchair Friendly

Parking

No Parking

Photography

No Photography

About the Destination

Overview

Van Vihar National Park is an unusual wildlife sanctuary located right in the heart of Bhopal, on the edge of the scenic Upper Lake. It's not a typical zoo; instead, it functions as a rescue and rehabilitation center for animals. The animals here live in large, open-air enclosures that mimic their natural habitats, separated from visitors by trenches and walls. The park is divided into two main zones: the carnivore area and the herbivore area. As you travel along the main paved road, you'll see tigers, leopards, sloth bears, and hyenas in their spacious enclosures.

Contact Information

Phone: +91-755-2674278

Email: dirvvnp.bpl@mp.gov.in

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Location & Address

Bhadbhada Road, Near Sair Sapata, Prempura, Shyamla Hills, Manali, Madhya Pradesh, India

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Best Time to Visit

The ideal time to visit is from October to March. During these months, the weather is cool and pleasant, making it comfortable to walk or cycle through the park. This period also coincides with the arrival of migratory birds, enhancing the birdwatching experience. Avoid the summer months of April to June when temperatures can be very high. The monsoon season from July to September brings lush greenery, but heavy rains can sometimes disrupt a visit.
Peak Crowd: December-January, weekends, and school holidays due to pleasant weather and tourist season.
Moderate Crowd: October-November and February-March, particularly on weekdays.
Low Crowd: April-June due to extreme heat, and during heavy monsoon days in July-August.

How to Reach

Air

Raja Bhoj Airport (BHO) in Bhopal is the nearest airport, located about 16 km away. It takes approximately 30-40 minutes to reach the park by taxi.

Train

Bhopal Junction (BPL) is the main railway station, about 9 km away. The recently developed Rani Kamalapati Station (RKMP) is about 11 km away. Both are well-connected to major Indian cities. Taxis and auto-rickshaws are available at the stations.

Road

Bhopal is well-connected by National Highways like NH-46. Regular state-run and private bus services connect Bhopal to cities like Indore (195 km), Ujjain (190 km), and Nagpur (350 km).

Local Transport

Within Bhopal, auto-rickshaws are a common mode of transport. App-based cab services like Ola and Uber are also widely available. Local city buses have routes that pass near the park.