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. Best time to visit October to June while tiger sightings happen between March and May.

2. Hemis National Park, Ladakh

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.

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.

4. Bandhavgarh National Park, Madhya Pradesh

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. Best time to visit October to June.

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. Best time to visit December to April.

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.

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. Best time to visit October to mid-June with March to May.

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.

10. 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.