India offers an incredible diversity in terms of flora and fauna, making it one of the premier places for wildlife enthusiasts to visit. There are hundreds of sanctuaries scattered throughout its borders which house various unique species. Wildlife sanctuaries to visit in India attract millions of tourists each year. Here are a few popular ones you should add to your travel bucket list.
Ranthambore National Park
Ranthambore National Park in Sawai Madhopur district of Rajasthan is an expansive wildlife reserve and former royal hunting ground that houses tigers, leopards, marsh crocodiles and much more. Ranthambore National Park covers an area of 1,334 km2, or 515 square miles. Known for its dense deciduous forests and open grassy meadows, this popular tiger reserve in India is famed for its diverse population of Bengal tigers. Book Maharajas Express
This UNESCO-listed national park offers visitors plenty to do, including safaris and hiking trails. Additionally, Ranthambore Fort dates back to 10th-century India while Trinetra Ganesha Temple provides historical landmarks. Apart from tiger sightings, the park is also well known for its natural landscapes – specifically Kachida Valley as a popular visitor spot.
The Jogi Mahal is another historic landmark to discover within the park, and can still be seen from Padam Talao Lake. Additionally, early morning wildlife sighting opportunities exist around this lake.
Bandipur National Park
Bandipur National Park, situated near the border between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, is an acclaimed wildlife reserve that contains an array of flora and fauna species. One of the best wildlife Sanctuaries to visit in India for seeing tigers, it also hosts elephants, deers, gaurs and antelopes among many other creatures. Bandipur offers plenty of things to see and do, and one great way to experience all these sights and attractions is with a mini bus safari ride. This 90-minute journey will give you the chance to get up close with various animals that inhabit this magical land.
Bandipur National Park offers another exciting activity: touring Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta Hill. Offering stunning vistas of the forest and landscape around it, Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta features magical mist-clad hills that make this visit truly remarkable! Other activities available here include trekking, fishing, professional angling, coracle boat rides and river rafting – best time of visit being October to May! Additionally, Mysore city (80 km away) and Ooty hill station can make for an exciting vacation! Book Wildlife Tour Packages
Bandhavgarh National Park
Bandhavgarh National Park in India is an increasingly popular tourist destination, especially among those hoping to witness Bengal tigers in their natural environment. This central Indian forest also contains leopards, deer, and numerous bird species – as well as being home to local residents like Leopards.
The park’s main draw is its high density of tigers, offering you a better chance of seeing one here than elsewhere in India. But you’ll also have opportunities to spot other mammals and birds here such as chowsingha (four-horned antelope), jackals, sambar, chinkara and dhole – as well as its various bird species! Book Bandhavgarh National Park Tour from Delhi
This biodiverse forest offers visitors a varied landscape consisting of tropical forest, Sal trees and grassland. Visitors can take jeep safaris in search of tiger, deer and other forms of wildlife. Location. Situated close to Umaria, this park can easily be reached via car or train. Dhuandhar Waterfall and Khajuraho Group of Temples are also within close range for added accessibility.
Jim Corbett National Park
Jim Corbett National Park, situated in Uttarakhand state of India is an iconic wildlife reserve dating back to 1936. Popular among wildlife enthusiasts for its abundance of tigers, this picturesque environment also provides tourists with many activities they can enjoy while visiting this amazing site.
The Park covers 1318 square kilometers of grassland, Sal woods and riverine belts and provides shelter to an assortment of animals including Bengal tigers, leopards and wild elephants. Jim Corbett National Park offers many attractions for visitors to enjoy, with one being the Durga Mandir Temple being among them. This pilgrim-favorite draws thousands of devotees every year.
Kosi River, part of the national park, provides another attraction as it is home to various animal species and offers visitors a glimpse into life beyond human society. Along with being an attractive tourist spot, the river serves as an essential water source during periods of drought for wild animals living nearby.
Corbett National Park features several attractions worth seeing, with Dhikala Zone located on its eastern side being known for its large tiger population and many migrating birds.
Kaziranga National Park
Kaziranga National Park in Assam offers visitors an excellent way to witness India’s rich and diverse wildlife. Here you will find one-horned rhinoceroses, Royal Bengal Tigers and various species of other animals that call this park home. There are various activities you can engage in while visiting this fantastic park, including taking a river cruise along the Brahmaputra, taking part in cultural programs, or visiting Kakochang waterfalls. Book Kaziranga National Park Tour
Participate in jungle safaris as another great way to discover the splendor of this UNESCO World Heritage Site and witness Indian One Horned Rhinoceros and Royal Bengal Tigers in their natural environments. Your stroll through the forest trails allows you to spot different species of birds found here, such as egrets, herons, storks, red jungle fowl, bar-headed goose and whistling teal – plus much more! Plus the park hosts numerous reptiles and insects too!
Pench National Park
Pench National Park, situated between Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, has long been revered as a wildlife sanctuary. Additionally, its inclusion in Rudyard Kipling’s 1894 novella ‘The Jungle Book’ made its presence known. Pench National Park should be on every nature lover’s bucket list. Boasting an abundance of flora and fauna – such as tigers, leopards, jungle cats and jackals – as well as offering scenic walks through its lush forests, it offers something special.
Tiger safaris are among the top activities to do at Pench National Park. To take part, simply book a jeep and let it transport you around the park. Entry and exit times depend on the season, with early morning or late night safaris often providing optimal viewings of Tigers. Bookings open up 120 days prior for tours in Madhya Pradesh parts of the park while 60-90 days ahead in Maharashtra parts.
Pench National Park is best-known for its wildlife safaris; however, its bird population boasts over 125 species including barbets, bulbuls, minivets, wagtails, munias and mynas.
Kanha National Park
Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh’s Mandla District offers an ideal environment for wildlife enthusiasts and nature enthusiasts. Renowned for tiger sightings and an abundance of species such as deer, this park provides visitors with a rewarding wildlife experience. Covering 940 km2, this vast region comprises two distinct core zones and surrounding buffer zones. Dotted with Sal and bamboo forests, lush rolling grasslands, and stunning streams – it makes up one of the world’s great ecosystems.
Kanha National Park offers an amazing diversity of wildlife for safari tours and elephant safari tours alike, from tigers, leopards, sloth bears and wild dogs to Barasingha (Indian swamp deer) that provide endless hours of animal encounters for animal enthusiasts.
Kanha National Park is also an amazing birder’s haven, boasting over 300 different bird species that call this land home, many rare and stunning specimens included. One of the best ways to experience the park is with a jeep safari. A single day tour can be divided into two shifts: morning in an open vehicle seating six passengers; and afternoon with three-seater cars.
Nagarhole National Park
Nagarhole National Park is a 247 square-mile long wild reserve situated between Kodagu and Mysore districts in Karnataka, India. A great place for nature enthusiasts and home to an abundance of animal life species, Nagarhole offers visitors an unforgettable experience. India is home to numerous National Parks that are famed for their magnificent flora and fauna, such as this park in Rajasthan. Here you will find Indian Tigers as well as Asiatic Elephants among many other animals!
Attractions to this park include its lush forest cover, small streams, hills, valleys and waterfalls; its healthy ratio between predators and prey as well as being home for other mammals make this park unique. Elephants, tigers, leopards, and deer are among the many wildlife species found here, in addition to wild dogs and sambar. Visit the park between October and May for the best experience, when the weather is more agreeable and you are most likely to spot various animals. Boating and hiking activities also can be enjoyed here.
Mudumalai National Park
Mudumalai National Park in India’s Nilgiris region offers visitors a spectacular wildlife sanctuary to admire in their natural environment. Visit and witness incredible animals flourishing here! The park is home to various species of animals including tigers, leopards and deer. Furthermore, you may spot several varieties of birds such as peacocks, jungle fowl and Malabar grey hornbills here.
Moyar River Gorge, situated along Masinagudi-Ooty road and frequented by various animals to drink water from this body of water, is another prominent draw to this park. Spend a day or two exploring this national park to get a closer glimpse of its wild inhabitants, including safari rides that provide close encounters. An experience at this sanctuary will leave you stunned! Take an amazing jungle safari to see tigers and other wildlife, or walk through its dense forest to observe its diverse eco system.
Sariska National Park
Sariska National Park in India is an amazing habitat for tigers. As India’s largest tiger reserve, this must-visit destination makes an unforgettable visit. A jeep safari is the best way to discover all its wildlife! Apart from tigers, visitors to this sanctuary may also encounter leopards, wild dogs, jungle cats, hyenas, jackals, sambar deer and chital deer as well as Rhesus monkeys – an abundance of which inhabit this sanctuary!
Attractions to see in this sanctuary include medieval temple relics dating back to the 10th and 11th centuries; additionally, Kankwari offers an attractive 17th century hilltop castle worth visiting. Sariska offers the ideal habitat to spot many different bird species during winter, particularly demiselle crane, ruddy shelduck and red-winged starling, among many others.
The park features predominantly deciduous trees like Dhok, Khair, Tendu Ber and Surwal that thrive in dry conditions. Silserh Lake, an attractive man-made lake, should not be missed; its shores teem with crocodiles and migrating birds, making it the ideal picnic spot for families.
Hemis National Park
Hemis National Park can be found nestled into the Himalayan mountains of Ladakh in India and is one of the country’s largest national parks; as well as being recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Park features many wildlife species, such as the snow leopard. There is also an abundance of bird species found here making this an excellent destination for nature enthusiasts.
The park is also well known for its ancient Buddhist monastery, home of the Drukpa Lineage of Tibetan Buddhism and located within Rumbak Valley region of the park. High-elevation national park that was the first one established in the Northern Himalayas. Considered an exceptional area for snow leopard protection, this national park ranks amongst the finest locations nationwide for such measures.
Kudremukh National Park
Kudremukh National Park spans 600 kilometers and is one of the largest wildlife sanctuaries to visit in India protected areas, featuring one of two tropical wet evergreen forests in the Western Ghats and being famed for its breathtaking pristine beauty. As an ideal combination of nature and wildlife, this place is an absolute delight for trekkers and nature enthusiasts. Boasting towering peaks covered in lush grasslands and picturesque trekking routes leading through dense forests, this park is sure to take your breath away!
The park provides habitat to numerous endangered species such as tigers, leopards and wild dogs as well as an incredible diversity of animals such as sambar, chital deer, Malabar giant squirrel, sloth bear, gaur and porcupines – to name but a few! There are also multiple waterfalls within Kudremukh National Park, including Kadambi Waterfalls and Hanumangundi Falls. For optimal conditions and best foliage viewing experience, the ideal time for visiting is October to February when weather and foliage are both pleasant.
Bannerghatta National Park
Kudremukh National Park, one of top premier wildlife sanctuaries to visit in India, provides an unforgettable experience. Situated in Chikkamagaluru district, this park is home to numerous endangered and endemic species that provide a memorable visit. The National Park boasts several waterfalls and is an ideal destination for nature enthusiasts. Go trekking here and experience lush greenery!
Gangamoola, situated amidst dense forest, is another iconic attraction within the national park. Encircled by green foliage, this picturesque spot marks the source of three significant rivers: Tunga, Bhadra and Nethravathi. Attractions at this destination include a shrine dedicated to Goddess Bhagavathi and an image of Lord Varaha in a cave, both popular tourist spots. It serves as an ideal pilgrimage and tourism spot.
Kudremukh National Park offers visitors an ideal opportunity to view an array of animals, such as tigers, leopards, wild dogs, Malabar giant squirrels, common langurs, sloth bears, gaurs porcupines sambar and spotted deers. You’ll also find plants such as eucalyptus casuarinas silk oaks in this park.
Desert National Park – one of the top wildlife sanctuaries to visit in India
Desert National Park in Rajasthan, covering an area of 3,162km2, is one of largest wildlife sanctuaries to visit in India, covering 31622 square kilometres. Located close to Jaisalmer and Barmer in Rajasthan.
This park provides an outstanding example of the Thar desert ecosystem, an intimate yet delicate habitat which is home to numerous plant and animal species. It features rugged rock formations and compact salt lake bottoms as well as intermedial areas and fixed dunes in its landscape.
Sand dunes make up approximately 20% of the park and provide an ideal habitat for many animals and birds, such as camels, chinkara, antelopes and foxes. The park is also well known for its migrating bird population, including species such as Great Indian Bustard. Additionally, winter months provide the ideal location to observe Himalayan and Eurasian Vultures soaring overhead.
Dudhwa National Park
Dudhwa National Park in Uttar Pradesh is home to some of India’s most stunning and rare wildlife, featuring dense forests, grasslands, and marshes that have made this park one of the premier wildlife destinations in India. Tigers are the star attraction of this forest, though other animals such as swamp deer and leopards are easily visible here as well. Furthermore, this park serves as home for over 450 different bird species!
Visitors to the park have two great ways of exploring it: jeep safaris or elephant rides – both offer excellent wildlife spotting opportunities and are highly recommended by wildlife enthusiasts. The park is an important tourist attraction in Uttar Pradesh and well connected to other cities via road, air and railway networks. Visitors are typically welcome from November to June.
Eravikulam National Park
Eravikulam National Park is located near Munnar and home to numerous wildlife species. Established as a protected area in 1978 in order to conserve endangered mountain goat species such as Nilgiri Tahr (endemic to Western Ghats). This park covers an expansive region consisting of grasslands, forests and rocky terrain – an ideal setting for nature enthusiasts looking to discover and appreciate all that its wildlife offers.
Eravikulam National Park can best be explored with a safari tour, providing the ideal opportunity to witness its rich flora and fauna without the inconveniences associated with driving into its sanctuary. Eravikulam Park is home to many species, such as elephants, sambar deer, leopard cats and gaurs as well as over 130 bird species, 101 butterfly varieties and 19 amphibians – not forgetting 19 amphibians!
Park is one of the few locations in India where plastic items are prohibited and special programs for trekking and picnicking are organized by management. Visitors should plan ahead if they intend on visiting.
Bharatpur National Park
If you’re planning a visit to India, make sure you spend some time exploring its wildlife sanctuaries to visit in India. Here you can spot rare and exotic species of both plants and animals living there. Bharatpur National Park (also known as Keoladeo Ghana National Park ) is an internationally acclaimed bird sanctuary situated in Rajasthan state and easily accessible from major cities like Agra, Delhi and Jaipur.
National Park is an absolute haven for wildlife enthusiasts as it boasts the greatest diversity of animal life found anywhere in India – including tigers, elephants, deer, crocodiles and many other breathtaking species. Do not miss visiting this enchanting national park on your journey through India!
At this park, one of the most famous animals you’re likely to come across is a Bengal tiger – only found here! With any luck, you could witness its majestic presence during a game drive through this remarkable space.
Panna National Park
Panna National Park in Madhya Pradesh is renowned for its wild cats and lush landscape, making it one of premier wildlife sanctuaries to visit in India. Here you’ll find tigers as well as rare species such as sambhars, sloth bears, chitals, nilgais and chinkaras – not forgetting rare reptiles such as snakes.
Panna is also an oasis for bird enthusiasts with over 200 species inhabiting its reserve, the Ken River flowing through and creating stunning waterfalls. Established in 1981 and designated a Tiger Reserve in 1994 – becoming India’s 22nd Tiger Reserve at that time – Panna Tiger Park serves as an area protected by forests that used to be hunting preserves of princely states like Panna, Chhatrpur and Bijawar.
This park provides a vital home to various wildlife species such as Bengal Tigers and leopards as well as many endangered ones such as gharials (long-snouted crocodiles) and muggars (marsh crocodiles).
Tadoba National Park – One of the best Wildlife Sanctuaries to Visit in India
Tadoba National Park in Maharashtra state in India is known for being home to tigers as well as many other exotic wildlife species. Part of Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, it has long been an attraction for visitors eager to witness them in their natural environment. Apart from tigers, the park also provides sightings of leopards, striped hyenas, jungle cats, dhole and marsh crocodiles; other animals to look out for include gaur, wild dogs sloth bears chital barking deer and sambar deer.
Summer (March-June) is the best time to visit this park as temperatures tend to be milder, making it easier for visitors to spot tigers and other wildlife. In addition, the park features several watering holes that attract wildlife during hot months. When traveling through this park, make sure you bring plenty of bottled water along, and wear clothing such as cotton or linen to help beat the heat without becoming sweaty.
Mount Abu National Park
Mount Abu is a picturesque hill station located in Rajasthan that has many spectacular tourist attractions that draw travelers from around the country. At nearly 5000 feet above sea level, this destination is famed for its pleasant climate and lush surroundings. If you are seeking to escape the bustle and stress of city living, this place offers picturesque sights and scenic views to help ease stress from daily life.
Honeymoon Point in Mount Abu is an exquisite destination, ideal for couples and families who wish to admire beautiful sunset views. Situated near Nakki Lake, this scenic viewpoint boasts breath-taking panoramas of both its waters as well as lush green surroundings.
Gaumukh Temple, dedicated to Saint Vashishth and built over 500 years ago by him according to legend, should also be visited when visiting this tourist spot. Here he performed a yagna that led to four major Rajput clans being created at that time.