Along the northern edge of Satpura National Park, the Denwa River flows in a wide arc, sustaining life in the forest. Amongst the many pleasures of visiting Satpura is taking a boat safari on the Denwa – an offering that sets the park apart from others in the state where jeep safaris are the norm. Sailing down the wide Tawa Reservoir and narrow water inlets of the Denwa allows one to access the depths of the forest’s core area by water. On a golden afternoon right after the monsoon, the water level is high and the vegetation closes in on our boat.
We spy the magnificent antlers of a sambhar high on a rocky outcrop and a crocodile disappears from the bank into the water, but it is the bird sightings that truly make the day. A huge woolly-necked stork on a branch stands sentinel over its nest with chicks. Pops of neon green atop bare branches turn out to be a group of noisy Alexandrian parakeets. Hundreds of egrets settle to roost on a tree, looking like fat fluffs of cotton within the foliage. Exploring the park by water is truly a novel wilderness experience, especially for birding enthusiasts.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Getting there
Boating takes place at the Madhai Gate of Satpura National Park, which is 130km/4hours from Bhopal.
Timings: The park is open from 1 October to June 30. During monsoon months, from July to September, it remains closed. All parks in Madhya Pradesh are closed on Wednesday afternoon.
Timings: 6.30am to 11am and 4pm to 6pm
Entry Fees: INR3,060 per boat (8 people) per hour