Top Wildlife Sanctuaries in North East India

by Ashish Gupta · Published June 10, 2014 · Updated December 6, 2018

Rich with natural splendor, cultural resilience and charming with simple ways of life, the wildlife sanctuaries in North East India are simply awesome. One such factor that attracts tourists from far-off places is the wildlife. People who have a penchant towards wildlife and wish to experience the wilderness of nature must visit this fascinating region of India. Offering fantastic opportunities for spotting wildlife, including the endangered species, this place is a great choice in terms of rich Bio-diversity.

Nestled in the Eastern Himalayas, the regions comprise of eight states namely Assam, Mizoram, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Tripura, Meghalaya and Nagaland. Each of these states is blessed with natural beauty and abundant flora & fauna. Explore the dense forests of these destinations and you can have remarkable wildlife holidays in India.

Kaziranga National Park, Assam

Kaziranga national park is one of the richest, picturesque wildlife habitats of Assam, Northeast India

Home to 2/3rd population of the endangered One-horned Rhinoceros in the World, Kaziranga National Park is a famous UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the finest wildlife sanctuaries in North East India. It is also a tiger reserve boasting of the highest number of tigers amongst the protected areas in the world.

This National Park is also quite rich in terms of flora and fauna. Apart from One-horned Rhinoceros, Kaziranga National Park allows you to scout the wild forests while sitting atop the mammoth elephant. Then there is Jeep Safari, which allows you to go inside the deep forests and explore the great number of wild species. November to April is the best time to visit the Kaziranga National Park.

Manas National Park, Assam

Manas is the most stunning, perfect wildlife habitat in Northeast India

Also acknowledged as Manas Wildlife Sanctuary, Manas National Park is counted in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Nestled in the foothills of the Great Himalayas, this national park is a place where you can sight amazing endangered species such as Assam Roofed Turtle, Pygmy Hog, Hispid Hare and Golden Langur. Here you can witness a diverse range of wildlife.

The name of the park is derived from the great River Mansa, which is also the name of the serpent goddess ‘Mansa’. It is the major offshoot of the Brahmaputra River, which passes through the heart of this national park. The best way considered for watching the wildlife in the Manas National Park is to use the powerful binoculars. Apart from four-wheeler jeep ride, you can take a boat ride from Mathanguri that ends at the distance of 35 kilometers away. November to April is the best time to explore Mansa National Park.

Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary

Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary is popular for rhinos & deers

A small sanctuary for Rhinoceros, Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, along with Kaziranga National Park and Manas National Park, form the three most important reserves for the conservation of Indian Rhinos. The sanctuary stretches over 38 kilometers and has a marshy landscape which is a perfect habitat for the Rhinos, wild boars and the wild buffaloes.

There is a legend which says that the king of Mayong gave the name Pobitara to the forests after his lovely daughter who died at a very young age. In 1971, the forest was declared a reserve forest for the protection of Rhinoceros. Due to its rich birdlife, the sanctuary is also known as the ‘Bharatpur of the East’.

Eagle’s Nest Sanctuary, Arunachal Pradesh

An Indian protected area in the Himalayan foothills of West Kameng District, Arunachal Pradesh, Eagle’s Nest Sanctuary is home to the stunning biodiversity such as birds, frogs, butterflies, moths and lizards. Eagle’s Nest is noteworthy as a prime birding site due to the good variety of numbers and accessibility of bird species.

The sanctuary is home to around 15 species of mammals which include Bengal Tiger, Asian Elephant, Asiatic Black Bear, Red Panda, vulnerable Arunachal Macaque and Gaur. It is also home to around 165 species of butterflies such as Bhutan Glory, White Owl and Grey Admiral among others. October to April is the best time to visit Eagle’s Nest Sanctuary.

Sessa Orchid Sanctuary, Arunachal Pradesh

Spread over an area of 100 square kilometers, Sessa Orchid Sanctuary is one of the most popular sanctuaries located in Arunachal Pradesh. It is home to around 200 species of exotic orchids, out of which 5 belongs to endemic species. In addition, the sanctuary is home to various animals. Most spotted species are such as Red Panda, pheasant and goral along with some other endangered species of animals. Due to the Sessa, Arunachal Pradesh is also recognized as the ‘Orchid Paradise’ of India. They are mainly used by the tribal community who has their habitat near the sanctuary. The best time to visit Sessa Orchid Sanctuary is October to April.

Namdapha National Park

Namdapha, a tiger reserve and national park in Arunachal Pradesh.

Nestled on the banks of the turbulent Noa-Dihing River in Arunachal Pradesh, Namdapha National Park is the largest wildlife sancturaies in North East India. It attracts visitors from various parts of India and abroad. It covers an area of 1,985 square kilometers and houses a rich diversity of flora and fauna.

Namdapha is also famous for having four species of the Cat Family. The natives include Leopard, Snow Leopard, Clouded Leopard and Tiger. It is also a paradise for bird lovers with major species such as Jungle fowls, Indian hornbills, White bellied herons, Blue-naped Pittas and Snowy-throated Babblers residing here. October to March is the best time to visit Namdapha National Park.

Gumti Wildlife Sanctuary

Gumti wildlife Sanctuary is the second largest Sanctuary in Tripura

Located in the south-east corner of Tripura, Gumti Wildlife Sanctuary houses a very large variety of birds. Pay a visit to winter visitors, especially found in the Gumti Hydel Reservoir. This huge water body attracts many resident and migratory birds from distant places. The sanctuary houses a good variety of bison, elephants, barking deer, Sambhar, wild goat and sarow.

Around 230 varieties of large species of plants exist in this sanctuary. It includes over 150 special of climbers, climbing shrubs and more than 400 specialties of herbs. The best time to visit this sanctuary is during winters.

Rowa Wildlife Sanctuary

Rowa wildlife sanctuary is famous wild reserve in Tripura, Northeast India

Situated in the North District of Tripura is Rowa Wildlife Sanctuary. Easily accessible from Panisagar, it is next to the National Highway. The small wildlife sanctuary spans across an area of 85’85 hectares. The sanctuary is open for tourists from all around. It offers ample scope for students to study wildlife ecosystem.

Keibul Lamjao National Park

Keibul lamjao national park is the only floating park in the world

48 kilometers away from Imphal, Keibul Lamjao National Park is home to several rare and endangered species of animals. Especially Brow Antlered Deer make it home. The verdant greens and moderate temperature give a pleasant experience to the visitor. The fauna in the park is also rare and unique. The area is home to the endangered Brow-Antlered Deer or Sangai. The entire Loktak Lake was protected and declared a sanctuary in October 1953, mainly to save the Sangai Deer. December and May are the best time to visit Keibul Lamjao National Park.

North-East India is truly a paradise for wildlife lovers. As it provides the rare opportunity to rub shoulders with the endangered wildlife species. If you’re travelling to North-East India for wildlife excursion, do read this post.

[ Plan your holiday to one of these top wildlife sanctuaries in North East India with these tastefully crafted Tour Packages in North East India ]

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Ashish Gupta

Ashish Gupta is a travel writer by profession who earns his bread and butter by writing and uses his skills to market holiday destinations in India. Beware and brace yourself for a 30 minute lecture on travel, if you happen to mention about Kerala and Goa in front of him.