Van Vihar National Park
Van Vihar National Park is a unique blend of a national park and a zoo, located in Bhopal, the capital city of Madhya Pradesh. It was declared a national park in 1979 and covers an area of about 4.45 km². The park is home to a rich variety of flora and fauna, with a landscape that includes wetland areas, meadows, water pools, rugged slopes, and mixed bamboo vegetation.
How to reach
By Air The nearest airport is Bhopal Airport, which is about 15 km away from Van Vihar National Park.
By Train The Bhopal railway station is just 6 km away from the Van Vihar National Park.
By Bus Van Vihar National Park is well connected by road. You can reach the park by bus from any part of Bhopal.
2 Days Itinerary
- day 1: you can explore the rich biodiversity of Van Vihar National Park. Start your day early with a morning walk or cycling while observing the majestic creatures like leopards, white tigers, royal Bengal tigers, and Indian bears in their natural habitat. After spending 2-3 hours in the park, enjoy a flavourful breakfast from vendors on the street. In the evening, visit the park again and then spend some time at nearby locations that including Bada Taalab, Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalay, Sair Sapata, and MPT Lake View Residency.
- Day 2: you can visit the nearby attractions such as Bada Taalab, Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalay.
Get Around
The park is easily accessible by road and has a well-maintained network of paths for visitors to explore. You can rent a cycle or take a walk to explore the park.
Things to Do
Visitors can enjoy a thrilling safari ride, watch the colorful and exotic birds, participate in a nature camp, adopt an animal, or watch a documentary on the park and its wildlife. You can also visit the nearby Upper Lake, the largest artificial lake in Asia, and enjoy the scenic views and the cool breeze.
Offbeat Places
Near Van Vihar National Park, you can visit Bada Taalab, a beautiful lake created by Raja Bhoj. It is a source of entertainment for all tourists, with roadside vendors, a few cafes, and boating facilities.
Do
Van Vihar National Park offers a range of activities for visitors. You can participate in bird-watching camps, photography competitions, and Wildlife Week celebrations. You can also take part in other activities like walk-in workshops and school trips.
Fairs and Festivals
Van Vihar National Park conducts events within its premises on specific occasions as well as regularly. Wildlife celebrations go on for a week starting from 1st October every year.
Shopping
There is a small souvenir shop in the park where you can buy Lapel Pins under the “Close to my Heart Campaign”.
Food
There are several restaurants near Van Vihar National Park where you can enjoy a variety of cuisines. Some of the popular ones include Cafe-Chino, TAO-Tattenham Across the Orient, Shahnama, and Under the Mango Tree.
Stay
There are numerous hotels near Van Vihar National Park where you can stay. Some of the popular ones include FabHotel HTC, Hotel Sarthak, The Vincent Inn, and Treebo Trend Johri Regency.
Go Next
After exploring Van Vihar National Park, you can visit other attractions in Bhopal such as the Bada Taalab and Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalay. You can also explore other national parks in Madhya Pradesh like Kanha National Park, Bandhavgarh National Park, and Pench National Park.