Best Places To Explore the Wildlife of India

Known For : Jim Corbett Waterfall Stay Inside the Forest – Dhikala Forest Lodge Jungle Safari in Corbett National Park

Jim Corbett National Park, situated in Uttarakhand, is India's oldest national park and is famed for its rich biodiversity, particularly the Bengal tiger. The park covers an expansive area of about 520.8 square kilometers and comprises hills, marshy depressions, grasslands, and a large lake. The diverse landscape offers a home to a wide array of wildlife and makes for an excellent destination for safaris and bird-watching.

Best Time: Mid October to Mid June

19 Jim Corbett Attractions

Kaziranga National Park, located in Assam, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a renowned refuge for the endangered one-horned rhinoceros. Spanning across the floodplains of the Brahmaputra River, the park boasts a rich biodiversity, including tigers, elephants, wild water buffaloes, and various bird species. Its diverse landscapes, ranging from tall elephant grass to dense tropical forests and wetlands, make it a unique ecosystem and a must-visit for wildlife enthusiasts.

Best Time: October to June

Bannerghatta National Park, situated near Bangalore, Karnataka, is a sprawling wildlife reserve offering a diverse range of fauna, including lions, tigers, and elephants. Established in 1971, the park encompasses a butterfly park, a zoo, and a biological reserve, making it a popular destination for both tourists and locals. With its rich biodiversity, the park serves as a crucial corridor for elephants migrating between the Eastern and Western Ghats, and offers safari experiences for visitors to witness wildlife in their natural habitat.

Sanjay Gandhi National Park, located in Mumbai, Maharashtra, is a unique protected area within the city limits, providing a green oasis amidst urban sprawl. Established in 1996, the park boasts the ancient Kanheri Caves, a rich diversity of flora and fauna, and the picturesque Vihar and Tulsi lakes. Offering walking trails, boating, and a mini train ride, the park is a perfect escape for city dwellers, nature enthusiasts, and history buffs.

Bandhavgarh National Park, situated in Madhya Pradesh, is renowned for its high density of Bengal tigers and is a significant hub for wildlife lovers. Established in 1968, the park sprawls across Vindhya Hills and also houses historical monuments, including the Bandhavgarh Fort. With its rich biodiversity, the national park offers jungle safaris, bird watching, and the mesmerizing sight of animals in their natural habitat.

Best Time: October to June

Known For : Ranthambore Tiger Reserve Ranthambhore Fort Jeep Safari in Ranthambore

Ranthambore National Park, located in Rajasthan, is one of India's most iconic wildlife destinations, known primarily for its population of Bengal tigers. The park, set amidst the Aravalli and Vindhya hill ranges, once served as the hunting grounds for the Maharajas of Jaipur. Beyond its famed tigers, the park is also home to historical sites such as the Ranthambore Fort and a picturesque landscape dotted with ancient temples and lakes.

Best Time: October to Apr

21 Ranthambore Attractions

One of the most bio-diverse regions in the world and the best-protected reserve area in the country, this place for wildlife of India has been able to gather quite a cult following of its lovers who are enchanted by its beauty, greenery and of course by the majestic Tiger. A place perfect for lovers of nature and adventure, a place famous for its Tigers - Periyar National Park is one of the major attractions of Kerala and one that should not be missed.

Nagarhole National Park, also known as Rajiv Gandhi National Park, is situated in the Kodagu and Mysore districts of Karnataka. This park is a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and is renowned for its rich diversity of flora and fauna, including tigers, elephants, and leopards. With its dense forest, small streams, hills, and valleys, the park offers a serene environment and a unique wildlife-watching experience for nature enthusiasts.

A delightful town situated in the district of Mandla, Kanha National park is the haven of an exceptionally wide variety of wild animals, including the majestic creature tiger. Wide open grass plains with a backdrop of the city scrapers, scattered bamboo forests play host to a wide variety of wildlife and diverse birdlife with over 300 species recorded. The present-day area stretches over 940-kilometre square which is divided into two sanctuaries: Hallon and Banjar.

Best Time: October to June

The Gir National Park, located in Gujarat, is the only natural habitat of the Asiatic lion. Spanning an area of 1,412 sq km, it is a mosaic of dry deciduous forests, acacia scrub, and grassland, providing diverse habitats. Revered as a conservation success story, Gir has played a crucial role in saving this species from the brink of extinction and offers visitors a unique opportunity to witness these majestic creatures in the wild.

Best Time: July to March

Known For : Marichjhanpi Ghoramara Island New Moore Island

The Sundarbans, stretching across the southern part of West Bengal, is the world's largest mangrove forest and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's a sprawling delta formed by the confluence of the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers in the Bay of Bengal. Besides its diverse flora, the park is globally renowned for its population of the elusive Royal Bengal Tiger, saltwater crocodile, and various species of birds and aquatic mammals.

Best Time: September to March

3 Sundarbans Attractions

Pench National Park, situated in Madhya Pradesh, is a lush green expanse inspired by Rudyard Kipling's classic "The Jungle Book". It's a habitat rich in flora and fauna, sprawled across the Satpura Hills. The park is home to a variety of wildlife including the majestic Bengal tiger, leopards, wild dogs, and a plethora of bird species, making it a haven for nature enthusiasts and wildlife photographers.

Best Time: October to June

Bharatpur National Park, also known as Keoladeo Ghana National Park in Rajasthan, is a famous avifauna sanctuary that hosts thousands of birds, especially during the winter season. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it's a mosaic of dry grasslands, woodlands, woodland swamps, and wetlands, making it an ideal habitat for its varied bird species, including the renowned Siberian crane. Besides birds, the park is also home to various species of mammals, amphibians, and reptiles.

Eravikulam (Rajamalai) National Park, located in Munnar, Kerala, is renowned for being the habitat of the endangered Nilgiri Tahr, a mountain goat species. Spread across the high ranges of the Western Ghats, the park is a spectacular expanse of rolling grasslands and shola forests. A unique blend of flora and fauna, including various endemic species, makes it a biodiversity hotspot and a must-visit for nature enthusiasts.

With about a 100 species finding habitat here, the Nehru Zoological Park is one of the most enjoyed attractions in the city. Neighbouring the Mir Alam tank, it is also known as Hyderabad Zoo and houses the Indian Rhino, Asiatic Lion, Bengal Tiger, Indian Elephant as well as panthers, pythons, deer, and antelopes. Given the Proximity to the tank, countless migratory birds also find a second home here. The zoo also hosts safaris and educational shows.

The National Zoological Park, situated in Delhi, is a sprawling green oasis in the heart of the city, offering a haven for various animal and bird species. Established in 1959, it was designed by Major Weinman of Sri Lanka and Carl Hagenbeck of Germany. This park not only serves as a popular recreational spot but also emphasizes the conservation of the endangered species found in India.

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, located in Karnataka, is a paradise for bird enthusiasts and nature lovers. Situated on the banks of the Kaveri River, it is the largest bird sanctuary in the state and plays host to a myriad of resident and migratory birds. The picturesque islets and boat rides offer visitors a chance to witness rare avian species in their natural habitat, making it a must-visit destination for photographers and ornithologists.

The first place that comes to mind as far as a family outing/picnic is concerned is a Zoo. Because let's be honest, kids love animals and becoming a kid once in a while has caused no harm to any adult ever. One such pleasing-to-the-eye place is the biggest zoo of South-East Asia: Arinagar Anna Zoological Park. It is situated in Vandalur, Kanchipuram District which is nearly 32 km away from Chennai city. The zoo is rich in its flora and fauna and supports as many as 138 different species.

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, located on the banks of the Vembanad Lake in Kerala, is a paradise for bird watchers and nature enthusiasts. This sanctuary is spread across 14 acres and provides a habitat for myriad bird species, both migratory and resident. Visitors can witness spectacular sights like the Siberian stork, egret, darter, heron, and teal, especially during the winter season when migratory birds flock to the sanctuary.

Categorised as a tropical deciduous forest, Achanakmar Tiger Reserve is breathtakingly beautiful with the most varied flora and fauna. This tiger reserve is a part of the huge Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve, and hence, it is home to more than 600 species of different medicinal plants. The scenic Maniyari River flows right from the centre of this reserve which is the forests lifeline.

Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve, located at the convergence of the Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats in South India, is a rich biodiversity hotspot covering parts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Spanning 3,500 square kilometers, this reserve houses the Agasthyamalai hills, which are not only recognized for their ecological significance but also as a sacred pilgrimage spot.

Dibru-Saikhowa National Park, located in Assam, India, is a haven of biodiversity nestled between the Brahmaputra and Dibru rivers. This expansive park, spanning over 340 square kilometers, is primarily known for its semi-wet evergreen forests, grasslands, and swampy marshes, offering a unique habitat for rare species such as the endangered white-winged wood duck.

Best Time: November to April

Dihang-Dibang Biosphere Reserve, situated in the northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh, India, spans a vast area encompassing misty hills, pristine rivers, and dense forests. As one of the richest biodiversity zones in India, it's home to a range of endangered animals, including the elusive snow leopard and the Mishmi takin.

The Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve, located on the southernmost tip of the Nicobar Islands in India, is a realm of unique biodiversity and stunning landscapes. Spanning across dense tropical forests, mangroves, and coral reefs, the reserve is a haven for many endemic and endangered species, including the Nicobar pigeon, the giant robber crab, and the Nicobar tree shrew.

The Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park, situated in Tamil Nadu, India, is a marine biosphere reserve of unparalleled beauty and ecological importance. Spread across a chain of 21 islands and the adjoining shallow waters, this park protects a rich variety of marine species, including corals, dolphins, sea turtles, and dugongs.

The Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary, located in Gujarat, India, is one of the largest seasonal saline wetland areas. The sanctuary is distinguished by its unique salt desert landscape, and during the monsoon season, it gets transformed into a vast saline sea, attracting flocks of flamingos and other migratory birds.

Khangchendzonga National Park, nestled in the state of Sikkim, India, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is named after the majestic Mount Khangchendzonga. This park is renowned for its rich biodiversity, encompassing pristine glaciers, alpine meadows, dense forests, and traditional sacred sites. Apart from its unique flora and fauna, it's also a habitat for the elusive snow leopard, red panda, and Himalayan tahr, making it a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts and trekkers alike.

Manas National Park, located in the northeastern state of Assam, India, is a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its unique biodiversity and scenic beauty. Stretching along the banks of the Manas River, the park is a haven for several endangered species, including the Indian one-horned rhinoceros, Bengal tiger, and pygmy hog. 

Nanda Devi National Park, nestled in the state of Uttarakhand, India, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site celebrated for its exceptional natural beauty and rich biodiversity. Situated amidst the majestic peaks of the Western Himalayas, including the second-highest mountain in India, Nanda Devi, the park serves as a sanctuary for several endangered species such as the snow leopard and the Himalayan musk deer.

The Nilgiri Mountains Biosphere Reserve, located in the Western Ghats of South India, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, renowned for its stunning montane landscapes and rich biodiversity. Spanning across the states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka, this biosphere encompasses the Nilgiri Hill Range and its surrounding environments, hosting a diverse range of flora and fauna, many of which are endemic to the region.