Tala Zone is the oldest safari zone of Bandhavgarh and thus often considered as synonymous to Bandhavgarh National Park. The entry gate of the zone is Tala Gate located near Bandhavgarh Jungle Lodge at Tala village.

The zone got its name from the local village Tala where the entry gate is located. Tala is the most famous zone among day tourists as the chances of spotting the wild predators in their natural habitats is high in this zone compared to other zones. It is known for its abundant natural beauty and open grasslands. The density of tiger population in this zone is high. Famous Bandhavgarh Fort, Shesh Shaiya statue, the origin of Charanganga River and Three Cave Point is also located in Tala zone.

Elephant ride is rarely offered to tourists as the procedure is long and non-transparent. In other words, now only influential or rich persons can enjoy the elephant ride and normal tourists will not get the ride. Allotment of elephants for safari rides is now becoming subject of the discretionary power of Field Director of the tiger reserve. Visitors need to apply for an elephant ride, with a written application, describing name, purpose and ID details of proposed visitors. This application is to be first submitted to an official who forwards these applications to Field Director. He will check the availability of elephants, their health status, the purpose of the ride, etc. and takes a decision. Usually, decisions were disclosed 24hrs before your decided date thus one need to apply at least 24 hours before the planned ride date. Those visitors, who have booked full-day jungle safari, have some probability to get elephant ride. Those visitors who have political influence and shared a good relationship with Field Director may also have a high probability to get such ride.

The Maghadhi zone is the core zone forest area of Bandhavgarh tiger reserve. It is just adjoining to Tala zone in the south-east forest of the tiger reserve area. The entry gate of the zone is Magadhi Gate, located near Eco Lodge, Bandhavgarh.

Also referred as Gate No. 2, Maghadhi zone was opened after many years of Tala zone opening for tourists to share the tourism burden of Tala zone and also to offer new forest area exposure to wildlife lovers, visiting Bandhavgarh. Magadhi Zone is a large area with beautiful grasslands and dense forest cover. Just like Tala zone, this is also a popular core zone area as it has some of the highest concentrations of wildlife in Bandhavgarh after Tala zone. Famous Charger point of Bandhavgarh is also located in this zone. 

 The Maghadhi zone is the core zone of Bandhavgarh tiger reserve. It is just adjoining to Tala zone in the south-east forest of the tiger reserve area. The entry gate of the zone is Maghadhi Gate, located near Eco Lodge, Bandhavgarh.

Also referred as Gate No. 2, Maghadhi zone was opened after many years of Tala zone opening for tourists to share the tourism burden of Tala zone and also to offer new forest area exposure to wildlife lovers, visiting Bandhavgarh. Magadhi Zone is a large area with beautiful grasslands and dense forest cover. Just like Tala zone, this is also a popular core zone area as it has some of the highest concentrations of wildlife in Bandhavgarh after Tala zone. Famous Charger point of Bandhavgarh is also located in this zone.

Apart from Jeep Safari, Canter Safari or open-air Mini Bus Safari is the best way to explore the flora and fauna of Maghadhi Zone of Bandhavgarh. Maghadhi is a good zone for tiger, sambar and spotted deer sighting. Canter Safari is available only in Maghadhi and Khitauli Zones. It is an open bus safari with a seating capacity of 12 tourists. It is considered as a ray of hope for those helpless tourists who reaches Bandhavgarh without any advance booking safari tickets and when gypsy safari tickets get sold out. It is equally good safari option for those who have a low budget and wish to see the core zone of Bandhavgarh.

Khitauli is one of the three core zones of Bandhavgarh National Park. Popularly called Gate no.3, it is the forest area of the Western part of tiger reserve situated just opposite to Maghadhi Zone. The Khitauli entry gate is located near the Tiger Valley Resort.

Came into existence in 2010, Khitauli zone is more plane with no hilly terrains but the forest is beautiful and dense than Tala Zone. It is well known for Birding and herbivores animals sighting where one can spot the mammal species such as Leopard, Nilgai, Sloth Bears, Spotted Deer, Wild Dog (Dholes). During peak summers, probability of tiger sighting increases. Charki Dongri, Kumbhi Kachhar, Garhpuri Dam and Nigahi Nala are located in this zone.

Panpatha Zone is one of the buffer zones of Bandhavgarh National Park. Adjoining Khitauli zone, Panpatha zone is entered from Pachpedi village.

Three buffer zones were added to the Bandhavgarh National Park in 2015, with the aim of reducing tourism in the core zones and providing an opportunity for people who cannot afford to visit the core zones to experience the park. The buffer zones are spread over Umaria and Katni districts. Panpatha zone is one of them while the other two are Dhamokhar and Johila.

Johila Zone is one of the buffer zones of Bandhavgarh National Park. Sharing the boundary with Core zone of Tala, the entry to this zone is from Chechpur village.

Three buffer zones were added to the Bandhavgarh National Park in 2015, with the aim of reducing tourism in the core zones and providing an opportunity for people who cannot afford to visit the core zones to experience the park. The buffer zones are spread over Umaria and Katni districts. Panpatha zone is one of them while the other two are Dhamokhar and Johila.

Johila Zone boasts of dense forest cover, river, rivulets, waterfalls, and natural scenic spots, etc., which has a great potential for attracting tourists. The two waterfalls namely Johila Falls & Kuthulia Falls in this zone helps in maintaining the water level of the forest during the summers and also takes care of the thirst of wildlife. This is birdwatchers paradise, presence of migratory and residential birds are witnessed all-round the year due to the availability of the water and the flora of the forest. The route for this area starts from Chechpur and ends at Gajwahi.