Madhav National Park
One of Madhya Pradesh's oldest parks, around the lakes of Shivpuri, and India's 58th tiger reserve since March 2025.
- Established
- 1958 (national park) · 2025 (tiger reserve)
- Area
- About 355 km² (national park)
- District
- Shivpuri
- Status
- MP's 9th tiger reserve
- Season
- Open most of the year; best October to March
- Nearest cities
- Shivpuri (town), Gwalior about 2 hours
How the park came to be
Madhav was the summer capital and hunting ground of the Scindia rulers of Gwalior, who built lakes, roads and lodges across the forest around Shivpuri. It became a national park in 1958, one of the first in Madhya Pradesh.
Tigers had disappeared from the park decades ago. They were reintroduced in March 2023, and in March 2025 Madhav was declared a tiger reserve, India's 58th and the ninth in Madhya Pradesh.
FloraForest & landscape
Dry deciduous and thorn forest of kardhai, khair and dhaora, with open grassland around Sakhya Sagar and Madhav Sagar lakes.
FaunaWildlife you can see
- Bengal tiger
- Leopard
- Sloth bear
- Chinkara
- Chausingha
- Nilgai
- Sambar
- Chital
- Wild boar
- Indian wolf
- Mugger crocodile
- Indian python
Birds: Waterbirds on Sakhya Sagar and Madhav Sagar, migratory ducks in winter, and grassland birds around the lakes.
Things to do
Drives through forest and around the lakes.
Crocodiles and birds from the lake shore.
Hilltop lodge built by the Scindias for a 1911 royal visit, with forest views.
Marble cenotaphs blending Rajput and Mughal styles.
Travel tips
- Good half-day stop between Gwalior and Kuno
- Visit the lakes in early morning for birds
- Combine with Kuno for a two-park Madhya Pradesh trip