Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh is dotted with a host of tourist attractions that acts majorly in attracting the attention of the tourists. There are monuments, museums, holy places and a number of lakes and gardens in Bhopal that have found pride of place in the tour itinerary of the visitors trooping into Bhopal. Indeed, the plethora of tourist attractions in Bhopal have played a key role in increasing its importance as one of the most visited tourist destinations in India. The Van Vihar Safari Park, Bhopal, India is on of the popular tourist highlights in Bhopal and warrants a special visit.

The Van Vihar Safari Park, Bhopal languidly sprawls across an area of 445 hectares. The park is located on a hill close to the Upper Lake. The Van Vihar Safari Park in Bhopal houses a diverse variety of animals of both herbivorous and carnivorous species and a host of colorful birds. Bhopal’s Van Vihar Safari Park has ascribed the status of the natural park in 1983. The park provides the perfect ambience where the animals can move about freely. They are not incarcerated and allowed free movements. The wildlife enthusiasts can look forward for having a great time at the Van Vihar Safari Park, Bhopal where they can watch closely the movements of the animals in their natural habitat. The birds that are commonly spotted comprises of peacocks, barlets, bulbuls, munias, orioles and wagtails. If you are lucky enough you might also stumble upon Blue Kingfisher, Phakta, Bhura Teetar, Kala Teetar and migratory birds like the Tree Pie and Drongo.

If you are a wildlife conservationist or a lover of wild life, you would surely be full of praise for the initiative taken by the Van Vihar Safari Park, Bhopal in ensuring a safe asylum for a variety of animals. Some of the animals that you get to come across at this place comprises of white tiger, leopard, Hyena, Cheetal, Sambar, Neelgai, panthers, jungle cats and Blackbuck.

The Van Vihar Safari Park, Bhopal also boasts of a rich flora. Among the popular trees that grow here are teak, Kardhai, salai, palas, tendu and gurajan. Among the creepers that are commonly spotted are the gomachi, harjudi, bangoon creeper and malkangni.

The Van Vihar National Park is situated in the heart of Bhopal City. 445.21 hectares degraded hillock along with private village land that was initiated in 1980 and finally notified as a National Park in 1983. Funding from the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) started in 1993-94 and also granted Van Vihar as a medium sized zoo on the same year. With the dedicated efforts of the Park management this area has now been transformed into an oasis of greenery. The area today serves as the green lung for Bhopal City.

Although, having status of a National Park, the Van Vihar is developed and managed as a modern Zoological Park, following the guidelines of the Central Zoo Authority. The animals are kept in their near natural habitat. Most of the animals are either orphaned brought from various parts of the state or those which are exchanged from other zoos. Contrary to the common belief not a single animal is deliberately captured from the forest.


Objectives of Van Vihar

* To harbour the wildlife of Madhya Pradesh under near natural habitat to serve as a repository of genes.

* To provide the visitors an opportunity to enjoy, experience, understand and appreciate nature and the need to conserve wildlife through a well-designed conservation awareness programme.

* To carry out appropriate studies on captive fauna to strengthen both in-situ and ex-situ wildlife management.

* To act as rescue center for orphaned, weak, diseased, injured and aged animals.

Biodiversity in Van Vihar

* 207 species of birds.

* 60 species of butterflies.

* Animals like - Tigers, Leopards, Hyenas, Sloth bears etc.

* All reported antelopes of Madhya Pradesh.

* Gharials, Crocodiles etc.

* Several species of Tortoise.

Other Activities

* Serpentorium as an extension programme.

* Rescue centre for animals in distress.

* Volunteer service for Van Vihar along with Friends of VanVihar and Care for Wild (INDIA).

Van Vihar - A place for Visitors

The Van Vihar remains open throughout the year. About 2.50 lakh visitors come to Van Vihar every year. Free entry for school, college students and Senior citizens.

According to Champion and Seth's classification this area comes under the Southern dry deciduous scrub forest with Dry deciduous species.

The main species included are Bel (Aegle marmelos), Amaltas (Cassia fistula), Babul (Acacia nilotica), Reunjha (Acacia leucophloea), Doodhi (Writea tinctoria), Lendia (Lagerstroemia parviflora), Saja (Terminelia tomentosa), Amla (Emblica officinalis) and Tendu (Diospyros melenoxylon).

In the closed areas of fodder farm and plantations different palatable grass species like Chrysopogan fulvus, Themeda triandra, Heteropogon contortus, Dicanthium annulatum, Chloris dolichostachia etc. are gradually coming up.

Hilly portion of park is heavily infested with Lantana whereas lower plains with Parthenium and Cassia tora weeds.

The Van Vihar National Park harbours a variety of herbivores and carnivores which have been re-introduced to this area. The carnivores include Tiger (Tigris tigris), Lion (Panthera leo), Panther (Panthera pardus), Hyena (Hyaena hyaena) and Sloth bear (Melursus ursinus). The albino Sloth bear and the White tiger are the star attractions of Van Vihar. The herbivores includes Sambhar (Cervus unicolor), Cheetal (Axis axis), Nilgai (Boselaphus tragacamelus), Black buck (Antilope cervicapra), Chousingha (Tetracerus quadricornis), Common Langur (Presbytis entellus), Rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta), Wild-boar (Sus scrofa), Porcupine (Hystrix indica), Hare (Lepus nigricollis) etc. In addition to this the Park also houses Ghariyal (Gavialis gangeticus), Mugger (Crocodylus palustris), Turtle (Trionyx gangeticus), Star tortoise (Geochelone elegans) and Python (Python molurus). Tiger, Panther and Crocodile have bred successfully here under captive conditions.

* 1st April To 30th September: 7.00AM To 7.00PM

* 1st October To 31st March: 7.00AM To 6.00PM

The mean annual rainfall is 1,173 mm coming mostly in the rainy season (middle June to September). The temperature ranges from a maximum of 42 degree Celsius in May and June to around  degree Celsius in winter, casual summer clothing of natural colors is best from March to May. Sunglasses and sunhats are preferable. From November to February carry warm clothing for chilly mornings and misty evenings. The ideal season for tiger spotting is from November to June. The park is closed form July 1 to September 30.

(a) Children up to 5 years of age.

(b) School and college students on pre organised education tour.

Note: - Production of certificate for school student and identity card/certificate from the College is mandatory.

The Park remains closed on the following holidays:

1. All Fridays.

2. Holi (February - March)

3. Rangpanchami (March-April)

4. Deepawali (October- November)