Wildlife destinations in India
1. Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan
Stretched across 1,334 square kilometers, the Ranthambore National Park
is a home to the royal predators dwelling in the royal land of
Rajasthan. Tigers being the main attraction of the park easily fetch the
interest of wildlife photographers. While enjoying a safari in
Ranthambore, you will be enthralled by the sight of these cats prancing
freely and absorbing the warmth of the desert. In addition to the
tigers, there are various other wild beings like Sloth Bears, Wild
Boars, Sambar and so on that lure tourists. Best Time to Visit: The park remains open from October to June, but the ideal time to sight tigers is March – May.
2. Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand
The journey of the Jim Corbett began in 1936, when it was announced as
Asia’s very first National Park. Thereafter, in 1974 it was established
as the first Tiger Reserve under Project Tiger, and since then the saga
hasn’t seen a full stop. Residing in this oldest established national
park is the most furious member of the cat family, the Tigers. People
from different parts of the world visit Corbett just to get a glimpse of
these brilliantly dangerous cats. Besides tigers, Jim Corbett National Park is a habitat of Fishing Cats, Serow, Goral, Himalayan Tahr and several other fascinating wild species. Best Time to Visit: Visitors are welcomed from Mid November to June end, and the best time for tiger sighting is March to May.
3. Bandhavgarh National Park, Madhya Pradesh
Do you wish to get the spectacular vista of the Royal Bengal Tigers? If yes, come and bask in the wilderness of the Bandhavgarh National Park.
Owing to the presence of the striped cats and various other exotic
fauna species, Bandhavgarh is counted among the best places for wildlife
safari in India. In the past this place worked as a hunting ground for
the royalties, but with time the scenario has changed. Presently,
Bandhavgarh is a protected area wherein different wild beings can live
and prosper intrepidly. Best Time to Visit: You can
visit the park between mid October and June, but if you are there just
for the big cats, March to May is the ideal season.
4. Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh
While the Sher Khan of the Jungle Book roars in the pages, the tiger of
Kanha roars in the real woods. More popular as the Mogli land, Kanha is
the place that inspired Rudyard Kipling’s best ever classic – the
Jungle Book. Be it Bagheera (Black Panther), Baloo (Bear), Kaa (Python),
Hathi (Elephant) or Sher Khan (Bengal Tiger), every character of that
best seller emanated from the real time inhabitants of the Kanha National Park.
Thus, it would not be wrong to state that the wonderful terrain of
Kanha is among the perfect places that boast of rich and vivid wild
creatures. Best Time to Visit: The gate is set open from mid October to June, the peak time is March to May, as you get to see the royal cats.
5. Kaziranga National Park, Assam
Wish to get a glimpse of one of the most exotic animals – The One Horned Rhinoceros? If your answer is yes, visit the Kaziranga National Park.
Spread across 429.69 square kilometers, the Kaziranga National Park is a
home to world’s largest population of One Horned Rhinoceros. This place
is far away from the human inhabitance and perhaps that is why wildlife
is flourishing so beautifully here. Along with the giant Rhinos,
Elephants, Bears, Panthers and various pretty birds dwell in the
Kaziranga National Park. All this is quite sufficient to justify
Kaziranga’s title as one of the famous World Heritage Sites of UNESCO. Best Time to Visit: November to end of April is the ideal time to explore this park.
6. Sunderban National Park, West Bengal
Have you ever seen a tiger swimming in the water? Have you ever even
heard of it? If not, then you must travel around the Mangroves of the Sunderban National Park.
Be it the crown for cosseting world’s largest forest cover of the
Mangroves, or for forming India’s largest tiger reserve, or for boasting
a tiger populace that has adopted an amphibious lifestyle, Sunderban
owns them all. Perhaps no more words are required to state that this
park is certainly among the ultimate destinations for enjoying wildlife
holidays in India. Further, it is also UNESCO’s World Heritage Site, and
by now you know the reason behind this honor. Best Time to Visit:
The Park remains open throughout the year; however, for getting the
perfect glimpse of the amphibian tigers the best time is October to
April.7. Gir National Park, Gujarat
The Gir National Park is among the most sparkling jewels of Gujarat’s
treasure trunk. If you ask anyone about the Piece de Resistance (center
of attraction) of Gir, the unanimous answer would be – the Asiatic
Lions. The Gir National Park
is the only home to the populace of Asiatic Lions, and thus these big
cats considerably contribute to India wildlife tourism. Along with the
Lions, the park inhabits around 32 species of mammals, 300 of birds and
26 of reptiles. Hence, Gir is bestowed with rich biodiversity and the
same is responsible for the increasing number of visitors in the park. Best Time to Visit: October to May end is regarded as the best season to visit the respective park.
8. Pench National Park, Madhya Pradesh
Established as a National Park in 1983, Pench is one of the best places
to spot tigers frisking around with a carefree attitude in their eyes.
When the big and furious predators rumble, it is more like a declaration
stating ‘this is my kingdom’. In this kingdom of the tigers, reside
various other wild beings like Leopard, Wild Boar, Nilgai,
Crimson-breasted Barbet and so on. Further, Pench has been an
inspiration for BBC’s documentary – ‘Tiger: Spy in the Jungle’. This
documentary speaks a lot about the flourishing wildlife of the park. Best Time to Visit: The park’s gates are set open from mid October to June, and the best time to sight tigers is March to May.9. Satpura National Park, Madhya Pradesh
Be it the Spotted Dear, Leopards, Sloth Bear, Black Buck, Sambar, Four
Horned Antelopes, Porcupine, Smooth Otter or Pangolin, every member of
the wild world can be seen enjoying a wonderful stay in the Satpura
National Park. All those who simply fall for adventure must visit this
national park, as the terrain is very rugged and is further complemented
with peaks of sandstone, slender gorges, ravines and dense jungle. Best Time to Visit: October to April is the ideal season for visiting this park.
10. Tadoba National Park, Maharashtra
Declared as a National Park in 1955, Tadoba is a wonderful place to
enjoy wildlife safari holidays in India. Located within this park is a
beautiful lake encircled by lush mixed deciduous forests and undulating
hills. This lake is so stunning that it stands among the main
attractions of the place. Coming to the wildlife of this park, the
inhabitants of Tadoba include Tigers, Barking Deer, Hyenas, Gaur,
Leopards and so on. Best Time to Visit: Though the
park remains open from October to June, the best time to spot tigers is
March, April and May. As during this time the vegetation becomes dry and
animals make their way to the park.11. Bandipur National Park
Karnataka’s popular national park is an ideal place for a wildlife
safari holiday in India. This biodiversity rich wildlife reserve is
situated amidst the beautiful surroundings of the famous Western Ghats
on the Mysore-Ooty Highway and covers an area of about 874.2 sq km.
Bandipur is home to a sizable number of tigers and other animals like
gaur, sambhar, chital, mouse deer, four-horned antelope, wild dogs, wild
boar, jackal, sloth bear, panther, malabar squirrel, porcupines and the
black-knapped hare. The national park is also ideal for birdwatching as
it is houses numerous birds including jungle fowl and green pigeon.
Bandipur is also one of the top wildlife reserve known for efficient
eco-conservation. Best Time to Visit: Bandipur National Park can be visited between the months of October and June as the weather remains quite pleasant.12. Nagarhole National Park:
Spread in an area of over 643.39 sq. km, Nagarhole National Park is an
important wildlife reserve of Karnataka. The national park along with
Mudumalai National Park and Bandipur National Park make one of the
biggest biosphere reserves in India called Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
Nagarhole is known mainly for its surreal landscape that comprises of
rich forest cover, small streams, hills, valleys and waterfalls. The
park is home to wild animals like tiger, leopard, wild dog, sloth bear,
hyena spotted deer, sambar, barking deer, four-horned antelope , gaur,
wild boar and elephant and shelters about 250 species of avifauna making
it a perfect place for a wildlife safari vacation in India. Best Time to Visit:
The ideal time to visit Nagarahole is between September and May. During
the monsoon months the park undoubtedly becomes verdant, but the roads
are rain-soaked and muddy, and thus the access gets difficult.
