wildlife safaris in India

A haven for Tigers, Rajasthan's iconic Ranthambore National Park is one of the best wildlife holiday destinations in India. Located close to the town of Sawai Madhopur, the wildlife sanctuary is a wonderful getaway in the wild owing to its amazing wildlife population, a gamut of wildlife resorts and properties and an incredible tale to take home. Ranthambore's proximity to Jaipur, a popular tourist destination in North India and a point on the Golden Triangle Tour establishess its populartity among tourists in India.

Previously the hunting grounds of the royal family, it is now a reserve for many species of the animal kingdom. The winter season in India, between October and March is considered the best time to visit this park due to the pleasant weather condition when the temperature ranges between comfortable 10℃ and 30℃. During winter, animals can be seen in the broad daylight basking under the sun. 

Well, here we have listed out five more interesting reasons to visit this stunning wildlife reserve on your next trip during Winter holidays.

1. A Birdwatcher’s Haven
This stunning wildlife reserve is home to many beautiful bird species like flamingos, flycatchers, waterfowl, sarus crane, grey hornbills, cormorant, serpent eagle, bronzed-winged jacana, painted spurfowl and nightjars among others. A huge number of migratory birds flock near the enormous water bodies at the park.

2. Easy Wildlife Spotting

Here comes the fun part! You can take a safari ride through the Ranthambore National Park and spot absolutely gorgeous and elegant Bengal tigers and leopards, who roam around freely and bask under the sun during Winter season. Apart from the large tiger population, the place is replete with chital, nilgai, wild boar, sambar, rufous tailed hare, toddy cats, sloth bear, mugger crocodile and more.

3. Mesmerising Nature's Beauty

The Aravalli and Vindhya ranges pass through this iconic wildlife reserve, overlooking stunning lakes like Padam Talao, Malik Talao, Rajbagh Talao and Surwal Lake. The hilly terrains also house many ancient temples like the Chamatkar Jain Temple, Kala Gaura Temple and Amreswar Mahadev.

4. Ancient Banyan Tree – Perfect Spot For Insta-Worthy Pics

Clicking Instagram-worthy pictures have become a part of traveller’s life. Don’t you agree? There is a gigantic Banyan tree in the Ranthanthambore National Park, which is known as the second-largest banyan tree in India. It sits near the Padam Talao lake and is one of the best places to click social media-worthy pictures!

5. The ancient Ranthambore Fort

For the unversed, the Ranthambore National Park is named after the 10th-century Ranthambore Fort, that is perched on the hilltop and sits within the park. Earlier, the Chauhans were on the authority of this fort. The Delhi Sulnature captured it in the 13th century. Now, it stands as a striking old-world edifice, in the middle of the wilds. It is counted among the Hill Forts of Rajasthan, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India.

Ranthambore park opens in the mid of October every year. So, get your family members, siblings or friends together and enjoy a wildlife jeep safari through the stretches of the beautiful jungle.

India abounds in jungles and with it the exciting thrill of wildlife safari. The vast and diverse country is home to many wild species of the animal kingdom. Jungle safaris are very popular in India as you enjoy a wide diversity of flora and fauna. While most species of the animal kingdom abound in the landscape, there is a particular fondness for Tigers. Along with spotting the wild species in their natural habitats, get to enjoy at eco-friendly wildlife resorts, campsites, treehouses, etc. Go for jungle treks, bird watching, elephant rides, jeep rides and even boat rides which adds to the fun of the wildlife holiday.

To enjoy the pleasures of wildlife tours in India, here are the top choices:

1. Bandhavgarh National Park

The most popular wildlife sanctuary in India, Bandhavgarh National Park in Madhya Pradesh has the highest density of  tigers the country’s national animal. Besides the Royal Bengal Tigers, this park was also famous for white tigers. Other animals inhabiting the jungles are sambar, chital, wild boar, wild dog, Indian fox, leopard, bison, blue bull, antelope, nilgai and others.

Wildlife safari in Bandhavgarh includes options of jeep or elephant rides, stay at the jungle resorts, visit to the Bandhavgarh Fort and certainly exciting memories.

2. Ranthambore National Park

Once the hunting grounds of the royal family of Jaipur, Ranthambore is the most popular option for wildlife tours in India. The favourite resident of the jungle, tigers bring visitors in huge numbers from all across the globe. The many water sources in the jungle are home to a huge number of crocodiles, nilgai, sambhar, birds and more.

Stay at the heritage jungle resorts, the very ones used by the royalty on their hunting trips is particularly exciting as is exploring the 10th century Ranthambore Fort atop a hill overlooking the wilderness.

3. Gir National Park

The exclusive home of Asiatic lions in the natural habit, Gir National park in Gujarat is among the most visit places for a wildlife getaway. Besides, the king of the jungle, there are many inhabitants such as leopards, jackals and the Indian fox. Jeep safari brings you close to the lions.

4. Kanha National Park

Said to be the inspiration of Rudyard Kipling’s Jungle Book, Kanha National Park lures quite a huge number of wildlife lovers and animal enthusiasts. Apart from spotting tigers, you can find gaur, palm squirrel, striped hyena, chinkara, mouse deer, black buck, jackal, porcupine, sambhar and others. The best way to spot tigers is by taking the early morning elephant safari from Mukki entrance of the park.

5. Keoladeo Ghana National Park

The bird sanctuary with a status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Keoladeo Ghana National Park, earlier known as Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary is one of the best places to go for jungle safari in India. Bird watching is a pleasure here as the nature reserve is home to more than 450 species of birds including migratory species that fly in for a winter visit as far as from Siberia and other cold countries. Keeping the natural beauty intact and noises at the minimum, safari at the bird paradise is available only on cycle rickshaws.

6. Periyar National Park

Settled in God’s Own Country of Kerala, Periyar National Park is one of the most popular places in for wildlife safari in India. Elephant’s and tigers are the most popular residents but there is the Indian wild dog, sambar, wild pig, barking deer, mouse deer, Nilgiri Langur, Nilgiri Tahr and others.

Early morning safaris are known for the decent chance of getting close to the wildlife as is boating in the Periyar Lake where the beasts come to quench their thirst. Eco-lodges and treehouses are popular options to stay while the national park also offers the chance to explore spice plantations of Thekkady.

7. Jim Corbett National Park

The oldest wildlife sanctuary in India, Jim Corbett National Park is settled on the mighty foothills of Himalayas. The residents of the jungle include tigers, sloth bear, goral, fishing cat, leopard, chital, barking deer and others. The best way to spot tigers is jeep safari in the Bijrani zone while some glimpse of the wildlife is also available from the watchtowers in Dhikala and other regions.

India is home to fabulous wildlife. From roaring Royal Bengal Tigers to Asiatic Lions, herds of mighty Asian Elephants to one-horned rhinoceros, deer, gaur, flocks of birds’ even ones visiting from distant lands, India is blessed with wildlife. Besides coming close to the wilderness, wildlife holidays in India includes stay at jungle resorts, jeep safaris, elephant rides, nature walk with experts and other incredible experiences. India’s wildlife safari season is traditionally between the months from October to June, with the exception of monsoon season when most of the wildlife sanctuaries and national parks remain closed. Even in the wildlife safari season, there is a best time for the thrilling adventure.

When making plans for a wildlife holiday in India, here is to understand the best time and suitable weather conditions.

Tiger watching between November and February, the mornings can be very cold, so bring hats and gloves. A hot water bottle even. Although be prepared to take off layers later in the day, when temperatures go up to the mid twenties.

The opposite is the case if you go in search of tigers between March and June, when the temperatures can hit mid 40s centigrade. You need to be veary well prepared, and know that you can stand such heat for long periods of the day.

Most national parks in India close July, August, September and through until about mid October for monsoon season, so always check with your tour operator.

Periyar National Park, however, stays open all year round. The most popular time to visit is during the cooler, drier months from October to February. It is particularly vibrant just after monsoon, and there are fewer people. Periyar is always packed at weekends, however, so try and stick to weekdays.

The best time for viewing elephants in Kerala is during the hotter months of March and April, when they spend the most time in the water.

The only time to see snow leopard in Ladakh is between November and March, when they come down from the snow covered peaks in search of food. February and March are a bit more accessible for visitors though, so best to travel during those times.

In Gujarat, Gir National Park is closed mid-June to mid-October for monsoon season. November until March are more bearable climate wise, but for top animal watching April and May are best – but boiling. However, witnessing the Rann of Kutch Desert fill up during monsoon season is a sight to behold too.

National parks can pack out during Indian public holidays and festivals, and there are many of them. So do check in advance if you are going to clash with one. Which would be fun, but it will be busy. The big ones include 26th January for Republic Day, and Diwali which falls October or November.

In many of the parks, the vegetation is high after the monsoon around mid-October, which means that wildlife can be harder to spot. However, the landscapes look stunning during this time.

For bird watching in Northern India, October to May is a good time for resident and migratory species, post and pre monsoons. In Kerala, March to May is blazing hot.

India is blessed with wildlife, infact the lure of iwildlife safaris drwas visitors from all over the world. With the incredible chance to spot wildlife in their natural habitats India's national parks and sanctuaries are not just known for the flora and ffauna but are known for unique ecology. Several of  India's national parks are exemplary models in the preservation of several endangered species, while also providing a natural habitat for the others. Many such parks are enlisted as UNESCO Wolrd Heritage Sites, which are nothing short of a treat to explore.

From Kaziranga National Park in Assam famed for its one-horned rhinoceros, to the Great Himalayan National Park in Himachal Pradesh, these parks offer a perfect dose of entertainment and surprises. No wonder, they teem with tourists throughout the year. One experiences thrills in many ways here, from penetrating deep into the forest through an elephant ride to enjoying a trek through the all-encompassing wilderness.

Have you visited any sanctuaries and parks throughout the country? If not, you have missed out on a delightful and fascinating experience. Through this blog, we tell you the UNESCO World Heritage National Parks & Sanctuaries in India which should be visited at least once in a lifetime.

Kaziranga National Park

Kaziranga National Park was declared a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site in 1985. It’s the most important and natural habitat for in-situ conservation of biological diversity which also includes the threatened species of universal value. Considered to be a nature’s gift to mankind, it’s worth visiting at least once in a lifetime.

The foremost attraction is the one-horned rhinoceros, characterized by its enormous body and massive horn. On a lucky day, one may also come across a herd of elephants with their majestic tuskers. The other attractions here are hog deer, sambar and swamp deer. Kaziranga also boasts a rich avifauna, and is a paradise for birdwatchers. It’s also common to see hornbills and cranes here.

Manas National Park

Manas National Park, located in the Himalayan foothills of Western Assam, was a game reserve since 1928 until it became a Tiger Reserve in 1974, a World Heritage Site in 1985 and finally, a Biosphere Reserve in 1989. It was ultimately declared as a National Park in 1990. This famous wildlife sanctuary in India is also part of the Chirang-Ripu Elephant Reserve which serves as the international corridor for elephant migration between India and Bhutan. The park harbors more than 20 endangered species.

The golden langur, considered to be the one of the world’s rarest simian species, was first spotted in Manas in the mid-20th century. The mammals commonly found here are rhesus macaque, tiger, pygmy hog, the large Indian civet and Himalayan black bear, besides others.

Keoladeo National Park

Keoladeo National Park, formerly known as the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, is acclaimed for being one of the world’s most important bird breeding and feeding grounds. It originally served as a royal hunting reserve during the 1850’s besides being a game reserve for Maharajas and the British. Keoladeo was declared a national park in 1982 and later listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985.

The park is home to over 370 species of birds and animals such as the basking python, painted storks, deer, nilgai and so on. Salim Ali, the noted Indian ornithologist and naturalist, used his influence to garner government support to create this park. This park is home to a number of well-defined treks which can be covered either on foot, cycle or rickshaw.

Nanda Devi National Park

Nanda Devi National Park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. In the year 2004, it was further notified as a World Network of Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. It’s dominated by the Nanda Devi Peak which is India’s second highest peak. An abundance of unique flora and fauna here like Brahma-Kamal and Bharal (blue mountain goat) makes this park one of its kind.

The Nanda Devi Sanctuary is divided into two parts – inner and outer. Together, they are surrounded by the main sanctuary wall. The common kinds of mammals found here are Himalayan musk deer, mainland serow and Himalayan Tahr. It’s also home to a wide variety of flora, some of which are fir, birch and rhododendron, among others.

Kanchendzonga National Park

Khangchendzonga National Park is one of the most famous wildlife sanctuaries in northeast India. Spread across an area of 1,784sq.km, it’s the largest wildlife reserve in Sikkim, and gets its name from Khangchendzonga, which straddles the western boundary of the park. The reserve is also home to the Zemu Glacier and has been blessed with one of the most magnificent eco-systems in the world.

This national park is home to the snow leopard, Himalayan black bear, Tibetan antelope, wild ass, barking deer, musk deer, flying squirrel and the red panda, among others. The vegetation here includes giant magnolias, rhododendrons and pine forests.

Sundarbans National Park

Sundarbans National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the largest reserves of Bengal tigers in the world. Part of the Sundarbans on the Ganges Delta, it’s also home to a variety of birds, reptiles and invertebrate species, including saltwater crocodiles. It derives its name from the Sundari trees, which are a kind of mangrove tree found in large numbers here.

This area is most famous for the Royal Bengal Tigers, which are found in large numbers. They can be seen bathing on the river banks, or swimming in the saline waters. Apart from the tiger, the other kinds of fauna found here are leopard cats, fishing cats, Indian grey mongoose and chital, besides others. Some of the birds found in this area are open bill storks, black-headed ibis, herring gulls, Caspian terns and white-bellied sea eagles, apart from others.

Great Himalayan National Park

The Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area (GHNPCA), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh. It houses a wide range of flora and fauna, and a major part of the national park is permanently under glaciers and ice.

The park boasts an impressive variety of flora including ban oak forest, moist deodar forest, western mixed coniferous forest and rhododendron scrub forest. The fauna too is as impressive as the flora. The major wildlife species found in the area include snow leopard, musk deer, wolf, ibex, common langur and Himalayan black bear, among others.
 

India is home to a healthy population of tigers. In fact, the country is the habitat of about half of the world’s tiger population (about 2,226), in the protected environments of national parks. There are 47 tiger reserves across India which also home to other wildlife. Tiger spotting is a true delight. The majestic beasts in their natural habitat brings nature lovers from all over the world. The ideal season for wildlife safaris in India, is October to March when the weather is cooler and the animals more active. March to May the parks remain open and the weather gets hot; it is the ideal time to spot wildlife at their watering holes. Given India’s diversity and wealthy tiger population, there are a wide range of options in wildlife reserves all over India.

Here are our top options of wildlife safaris to go tiger spotting!

Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan

Rajasthan’s Ranthambore National Park is one of the best places to spot tigers in India. A former game reserve for the royal family of Jaipur, it is now a wildlife reserve. Besides tigers, the park is home to crocodiles, birds and other species of the animal kingdom. Wildlife safaris are available in early morning and late afternoon hours. Stay at wildlife resorts of Ranthambore adds to the thrill of wildlife holiday.

Bandhavgarh National Park, Madhya Pradesh

Central India’s popular Tiger Haven, Bandhavgarh in Madhya Pradesh is among the world’s best places for tiger spotting. The blessed biodiversity in the nature reserve includes tigers, elusive white tigers, leopards, deer, bird species, including the fine eagles. Once the hunting grounds of the royal family of Rewa, the national park is now a popular tiger reserve.

Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh

Kanha is a popular place for tiger safaris in India. Located in Central India in Madhya Pradesh, Kanha is referred to as ‘tiger land’. Besides tiger spotting, there are options go on jeep safaris, bird watching and stay at the nature-friendly wildlife resorts.

Pench National Park, Madhya Pradesh

Believed to be the inspiration of Rudyard Kipling’s popular creation ‘The Jungle Book’, Pench is a popular tiger reserve in India. Located in Central India, at the foothills of Satpura range, divided by river Pench, the natural reserve is truly blessed. Along with tigers, spot 285 resident and migratory birds including the endangered species of vultures, reptiles, fish, insects and many more at the national park.

Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand

The first national park in the country, Jim Corbett gets its name from well-known British hunter and naturalist. Nestled in the foothills of the lower Himalayas, the Corbett National Park comprises hills, rivers, marshes, grasslands, etc. A variety of birds, fishes in the Ramganga River, reptiles, amphibians and more also call it home.

Nagarhole National Park, Karnataka

Part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, the Nagarhole National Park and Tiger Reserve is among the most popular of sanctuaries in South India. Nestled in the mountains the lush wilderness includes sandalwood and teak trees. The Kabini River flows through jungle lending beauty beyond words and also boat rides. The green landscapes is home to tigers, Asian elephants and a variety of birds.

Sundarbans National Park, West Bengal

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sundarbans National Park is a popular haven for tiger sighting in India. The Sundarbans are mangrove formed by the confluence of Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna Rivers in the Bay of Bengal. The wilderness is habitat of royal Bengal tigers in huge numbers, and almost 42 other mammal species, 290 species of bird, 120 varieties of fish species, 35 reptile and eight amphibian species.