Man started living in a jungle, domesticating his way through life, only to make the modern cities a jungle. If you are the rare breed who would rather leave the city behind and live in the jungles again, a trip through the wildlife India has to offer might be the closest you get to that dream! Here’s taking a look at some of the best wildlife safaris in India.
1. Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan
Spanning over 1,334 square kilometers, the Ranthambore National Park is a royal home to predators not short of royalty themselves – tigers. Being the main attraction, tigers capture the interest of wildlife photographers. While you enjoy a safari in Ranthambore, the wild cats come out to enjoy the warmth of the desert.
Additionally, if you can’t spot these majestic cats, you won’t be disappointed as you will get to see other wildlings like Sloth Bears, Wild Boars, Sambar to name a few.
Best time to visit – October to June while tiger sightings happen between March and May.
2. Hemis National Park, Ladakh
If you’re one who likes the ultimate thrill of the high altitude, chilly winds and animals, the Hemis National Park is your paradise. Spreading 4400 sq km, the park is home to 16 species of mammals and 73 of birds apart from the snow leopard.
It is best known for Snow leopards, Tibetan argali sheep, Ibex, Blue sheep, chukhar, snow cocks, golden eagles to name some. As many as 100 endangered snow leopards call this their home.
Best time to visit - May to September is the best time to visit. In November due to heavy snowfall, the park closes the safari.
3. Jim Corbett, Uttarakhand
Jim Corbett is perhaps one of India’s best known wildlife parks, being Asia’s very first National Park. Residing in this park are the most furious member of the cat family – the Tigers. People from different nations visit Corbett just to get a glimpse of these wild cats. Besides tigers, there are Serow, Goral, Himalayan Tahr among other fascinating wild species.
Best time to visit - Mid-November to June end with tigers best spotted from March to May.
4. Bandhavgarh National Park, Madhya Pradesh
If you want to see the majestic Royal Bengal Tigers then look no further than the Bandhavgarh National Park. Bandhavgarh is counted among the best places for a wildlife safari in India, presently being a protected environment wherein different wild beings can live and prosper. The tiger population is one of the most densely populated in India. In the past, it also served as haunting ground for the royals.
Best time to visit - October to June and tigers are sighted sound March to May.
5. Sasan-Gir Wildlife Sanctuary, Gujarat
Located on the western Gujarati peninsula, this park’s rugged scrubland and forests are best explored on a Jeep safari. King o the jungles, the lion makes its fearful presence felt here and this is the only place in the world where you can see Asiatic lions. Past from the lions and leopards, the Jackals, striped Hyenas, and India Fox are some of the smaller carnivores found here. Several birds and reptiles also find a home in the forests.
Best time to visit - December to April; the park closes mid-June through monsoon season in mid-September.
6. Kaziranga National Park, Assam
Spanning across 429.69 square kilometers, the Kaziranga National Park is home to largest population of One Horned Rhinoceros in the world. Being far away from the human inhabitance is perhaps the reason for the flourishing wildlife here. Apart from the rhinos, elephants, bears, panthers and various pretty birds traverse the landscape of the park. Kaziranga is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Best time to visit - November to April is the ideal time to visit.
7. Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh
Popularised by Rudyard Kipling as the Mowgli land, Kanha is the place that inspired the classic – the Jungle Book. The Black Panther, Bears, Pythons, Elephants and even the Bengal Tiger, found their space in the classic. Around 125 tigers dot the scenery of the park and it’s a real treat for book and nature lovers alike!
Best time to visit - October to mid-June with March to May being ideal to spot the tigers and panthers.
8. Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala
This picturesque, 192,000-acre wildlife sanctuary located in the lap of the Western Ghats in Kerela, offers a lush environment for its inhabitants. There are plenty of tigers to see apart from birdwatchers who enjoy the park for its tropical species. One can also boat around the park to see the animals up real close like the elephants.
Best time to visit - Open throughout the year, September to December is the best time to go here.
9. Manas Wildlife Sanctuary, Assam
A Project Tiger Reserve, UNESCO World Heritage site, Manas Wildlife Sanctuary is located at the border of Assam and Bhutan, a four-hour drive from Kaziranga. There are jeep tours and elephant rides across the area as well as raft excursions on the water. It is home to a great variety of wildlife, including many endangered species, such as the tiger, pygmy hog, Indian rhinoceros and Indian elephant.
Best time to visit - October to April with January to March being peak wildlife spotting time.
10. Sunderbans National Park, West Bengal
Travelling around the mangroves of the Sunderban National Park you will see sights like a tiger swimming in the water, a rarity found nowhere else! The Sundarbans area covers 4624 sq km incorporating a wide variety of birds and reptiles and including the salt-water crocodile. Apart from the Royal Bengal Tiger; Fishing Cats, Leopard Cats, Macaques, Wild Boar, Indian Grey Mongoose are also found in abundance here.
Best time to visit - October to April
11. Tadoba National Park, Maharashtra
Tadoba is a wonderful place to enjoy wildlife in India, with a lake encircled by forests and hills. The stunning lake is among the main attractions of the place. The wildlife here includes Tigers, Barking Deer, Hyenas, Gaur, Leopards to name some.
Best time to visit - October to June, tiger spotting happens in March to May.
12. Pench National Park, Madhya Pradesh
Located almost at the border of Madhya Pradesh with Maharashtra, the Pench National Park is a tiger reserve spanning 464 sq kms. The topography supports a mosaic of vegetation ranging from moist, sheltered valleys to open, dry forests. The Nilgai, Leopards, Wild Boars are just some of the fantastic beasts found here.
Best time to visit - October to June
13. Satpura National Park, Madhya Pradesh
Almost every willing you can imagine can be spotted at the Satpura National Park. The rugged terrain along with the dense jungle makes it the perfect habitat for the wild animals to flourish and makes for a challenging safari through the park for the adventure lover in you!
Some of the animals you can spot here are the Spotted Dear, Leopards, Sloth Bear, Black Buck, Sambar, Four Horned Antelopes, Porcupine, Smooth Otter so make sure your camera has plenty of space to capture it all.
Best time to visit - October to April
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