The Madhav National Park is situated on the northern fringe of the Central Highlands of India. It is a part of the upper Vindhyan hills, forming plateaus, and having small and big nallas. The slopes are generally gentle, rarely steep. Spreading over an area of almost 355 sq.kms., the Madhav National Park is fascinating mix of natural splendors of history and architectural wonders. The park, one of the oldest, is situated in the northern part of Madhya Pradesh, near Shivpuri town. Madhav got the status of a National Park in 1958.

The park is unique in having both lake and forest ecosystems. Sakhya and Madhav Sagar are the two lakes in the park, which are important biodiversity support systems. These lakes not only add to the natural beauty of the area, but also provide a permanent source of water to the wildlife, and a fine wetland habitat to the aquatic fauna including thousands of migratory waterfowls. Marsh Crocodiles are in abundance in Sakhya sagar lake. Due to this, the lake looks like a "Crocodile Safari" and attracts special attention of tourists.

The park represents the Northern Tropical dry deciduous mixed forest type, as well as dry thorn forest, typical of North-Western Madhya Pradesh. The forests here are home to antelopes like Nilgai, Chinkara and Chowsinga and Deer including Chital, Sambar and Barking Deer. One can see animals like the Leopard, Wolf, Jackal, Fox, Wild Dog, Wild Pig, Porcupine, Marsh Crocodile and the Python.

Having a varied terrain of wooded hills, dry, mixed deciduous forests, and flat grasslands around the lakes, the park offers abundant opportunities of sighting a variety of wildlife.

A Peep into the Park History

Shivpuri town in the state of Madhya Pradesh was once the summer capital and the former hunting preserve of the Maharaja of Gwalior. Even before this, during the reign of the Mughals, its dense forests were the hunting grounds of the Mughal emperors. Large herds of elephants were captured here by Emperor Akbar. Since the area was a Royal shooting reserve, it was well protected, and abounded with wild life and was famous for its tigers. Tigers and other animals were known to wander in great numbers in the area. It is reported that in 1916, Lord Hardinge shot eight tigers in one day at Shivpuri. Lord Minto supposed to have shot 19 tigers during his trip to Gwalior state. The last of the resident wild tigers were seen in Madhav National Park around late 1970. Owing to dedicated efforts the habitat has become secure and improved now that the transient tigers are tempted to become resident. One male and one female tiger have once again made Madhav their home since october 2007.  

                   Lord Hardinge in April 1914, shot a tiger measuring 11 feet 6 inches.

On the shores of Sakhya Sagar lake which edges the forests, is a Boat Club, from where the park visitors can see a number of migratory birds especially in winter, when a large number of migratory waterfowls visit the area. A viewing lodge constructed  by the Maharaja called the Shooting Box, is situated above the Sakhya Sagar lake.  In the older days one could shoot wildlife, both with a gun and camera from here. Visitors could sit under cover and watch a tiger at a kill.

All around the lake (at suitable points), the Maharaja constructed boat landing areas, picnic shelters, watch towers, hides etc. and a network of well laid out metalled roads.

Deep inside the Madhav National Park, at its highest point, stands the exquisite George Castle at a height of almost 484 m (1597 feet). Interestingly the castle was built by Jivaji Rao Scindia of the Gwalior royal family for an overnight halt for tiger  shooting by the British King George V, when he was to pass that way during his visit to India in 1911. Ironically, it so happened that the emperor could shoot a tiger on the way itself and did not stop at Madhav. Tunda Bharka spring, Bhura-kho spring and watch tower, and Churanchaj ancient wall paintings are beautiful sites to visit.