A number of National Parks in India are home to the wide variety of flora and fauna found in the sub-continent. The vast land of India is endowed with the most varied geographical divisions and climatic variations. Naturally, the diverse landscape and climatic conditions serve as natural habitats to its vast variety of flora and fauna. This is the reason each state has a wildlife sanctuary in India. These Wildlife Sanctuaries, tiger reserves, and National Parks have been established all over India with the objective of securing the future of endangered species of flora and fauna by conserving them in their natural environments. Indian holiday provides you detailed information on the Top 10 Wildlife Destinations in India so that your Wildlife Tour in India remains a most memorable one.
Scattered all over the country, the Top 10 Wildlife Destinations in India offer an enormous range of habitats ensuring an exciting jungle safari tour. They extend from the majestic Himalayan peaks in northern India, through forests, lakes, and deserts, to the moist Nilgiri hills in the south, where the coastline is lapped by warm waters of the Indian Ocean. These parks and reserves occupy a place of pride among the wildlife sanctuaries in India.
Ready for Wildlife holidays? Here's a list of Top 10 National Parks and Wildlife sanctuaries in India 2020.
1. Bandhavgarh National Park -The largest population of Royal Bengal Tigers
Bandhavgarh National Park is one of the top wildlife sanctuaries in the state of Madhya Pradesh in India. Also known for the Royal Bengal Tigers, the park is located in the heart of the Umaria district in Madhya Pradesh. Bandhavgarh National Park is famous for tiger safari and photography among wildlife lovers. Former hunting grounds of the Maharajas of Rewa, it is now famed for being the natural habitat of the White Tigers.
- Best time to visit Bandhavgarh: October to March
- Famous For: Highest density of Royal Bengal tigers
- Things to Do in Bandhavgarh: Jeep Safari, Canter Safari and Elephant Safari
- How to Reach Bandhavgarh National Park
Bandhavgarh national park in India Madhya Pradesh is accessible by air, rail, and road. You can easily reach the park from nearby cities by road. The nearest railway stations are at Umaria and Katni from where you can hire a cab to reach the park. If you prefer to travel by air, fly to Jabalpur domestic airport and hire a taxi to reach the park. Read More...
2. Jim Corbett National Park -The pride of Kumaon Hills
Famous for Royal Bengal Tigers, Jim Corbett National Park situated in the Nainital, Uttarakhand is one of the biggest tiger reserves in India. It is one of the oldest national parks in India and the best place for enjoying jungle safari, Tiger safari, & elephant safari. The awe-inspiring landscapes and diverse wildlife attract a large number of tourists from all over the country to take a tiger safari in Jim Corbett.
- Best Time to Visit Jim Corbett National Park: October till March
- Famous For: Royal Bengal Tigers & Great Indian Elephant
- Things to Do in Jim Corbett: Jeep Safari, Canter Safari and Elephant Safari
- How to reach Jim Corbett National Park
Jim Corbett National Park in North India is easily accessible from other cities by road, air, and rail. The nearest railway is at Ramnagar located around 12 km away from the park. Ramnagar railway station is connected to Delhi and other cities by daily and express trains. Well maintained road offers an excellent journey from Delhi to Jim Corbett by road. The nearest airport is also Delhi airport from where you can board a luxury bus or hire a shared cab to reach Jim Corbett. Read More...
3. Ranthambore National Park -Where tigers are playful with humans
Ranthambore National Park is one of the largest national parks in Northern India located 14 km away from Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan. Ranthambore National Park is famous for tiger spotting in India for photographers and wildlife lovers. From November to March, it is the best time to enjoy the jungle safari and jeep safari in Ranthambore National Park. Ranthambore has received the status of a national park in the year 1980. Also, at the same time, the park has been conferred the status of a tiger reserve in India.
- Best Time to Visit Ranthambore National Park:November to March
- Famous For: Royal Bengal Tigers & Great Indian Elephant
- Things to Do in Ranthambore: Jeep Safari, Canter Safari, Elephant Safari and photography
- How to reach Ranthambore National Park
This famous tiger reserve in Rajasthan is easily accessible by air, rail, and road. The nearest railway station is at Sawai Madhopur which is connected to the major cities of India like Jaipur, Delhi, Mumbai, and others by direct trains. The nearest airport is Jaipur international airport from where you can hire a cab to reach the park. Ranthambore Park is directly connected by the road with all the major cities such as Delhi, Jaipur, Agra, Jodhpur, Kota, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Ajmer, etc. Read More...
4. Sundarban National Park - Where tigers take a sunbath on the riverbank
Sundarban National park is one of the largest national parks in India & famous for Royal Bengal Tigers. The present National Park was declared as the core area of the Sundarban Tiger Reserve in 1973 and a wildlife sanctuary in 1977. In 1984, it was declared as the National Park. The best time to visit the national park is from October till March. Tourists come here not only to enjoy the gorgeous sceneries but also to spot the Royal Bengal Tiger into its natural habitat. This national park is home to a large number of wildlife species consist of 55 species of reptiles, 250 species of birds and 58 species of mammals.
- Best Time to Visit Sundarban National Park: October till March
- Famous For: Bengal tiger and UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Things to Do in Sundarban: Boat safari rides and Birdwatching, photography
- How to reach Sundarban National Park
The best way to visit Sundarban from Kolkata which is the nearest airport is a cruise ship from Kolkata to Sundarban. The nearest railway station is Canning from where you can take a 48 Km road trip to reach Sundarban. Read More...
5. Gir National Park - Home to the Asiatic Lions
The only home of the endangered mighty Asiatic Lion, Gir National Park, and Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the most popular attractions of Gujarat. In 1965, Gir forest was titled as a wildlife sanctuary, and in 1975, it was declared as a National Park. Spread in a huge area of 1412 square km, the national park houses around 38 species of mammals, 300 avifauna species, and 37 species of reptiles and over 2000 insect species which is the main attraction in Sasan Gir jungle safari.
- Best Time to Visit Gir National Park: October to March
- Famous For: Asiatic Lions, Leopard, Jackals, and Antelope
- Things to Do in Gir National: Jeep Safari, Canter Safari, and photography
- How to reach Gir National Park
The Gir National Park is well-connected to some of the major cities of Gujarat by road. The nearest railway stations are Junagadh and Veraval from where regular cabs are available. The nearest airport to Gir National Park is Keshod, located at a distance of nearly 70 km. You can take a cab from Keshod to Gir National Park. Read More...
6. Kaziranga National Park- Home to one-horned Rhino
Located in the North-East Indian state of Assam, the Kaziranga National Park is home to one-horned rhinos and tigers along with other species of flora, avifauna, and fauna. This makes the national park one of the best wildlife sanctuaries in India. The best time to visit Kaziranga National Park is between the months of November to April. These attributes have also made the park get listed amidst the UNESCO’ World Heritage Site List. It also provides shelter to about 35 mammalian species, which includes 15 species of mammals that are categorized as threatened under the IUCN Red List.
- Best Time to Visit Kaziranga National Park: October to March
- Famous For: Great one-horned rhinoceroses and UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Things to Do in Kaziranga National Park: Jeep Safari, Canter Safari, and photography
- How to reach Kaziranga National Park
You can reach Kaziranga National Park from Guwahati, Tezpur, and Dimapur. The nearest railway stations are at Helem (30km) Jorhat (90km). Rowriah Airport in Jorhat is the nearest airport from Kaziranga located at a distance of almost 74km. Read More...
7. Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary - Bird watcher's paradise
Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary is also known as Keoladeo National Park in Bharatpur, Rajasthan. The largest Bird Reserve in India was declared as a protected sanctuary in the year 1971 and was included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site list by the year 1985. It is also home to more than 230 resident and migratory bird species in a protected area of 29 sq. km. The national park is open throughout the year for bird watching and jungle safari.
- Best Time to Visit Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary: October to March
- Famous For: Bird watching
- Things to Do in Bharatpur: Jungle safrai, rickshaw ride and cycling
- How to reach Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary
You can easily reach this national park in Rajasthan by air, rail, and road. The Nearest airport to Bharatpur bird sanctuary is Agra located 54 km away. Bharatpur Junction is located only 5 km away from the national park which is the most convenient way to reach the park. Also, Bharatpur is well connected by road with Agra, Mathura, Delhi, and Jaipur. Read More...
8. Kanha National Park - One of the earliest tiger reserves in India.
Located in the centermost state of India, in Madhya Pradesh, Kanha National Park, which was established in the year 1955, is protected land that stretches for approximately 940 km. Kanha National Park is famous for various wildlife conservation schemes initiated by its management, particularly regarding Barasingha and Tiger species.
- Best Time to Visit Kanha National Park: October to March
- Famous For: Royal Bengal Tigers & Great Indian Elephant
- Things to Do in Kanha: Jungle safrai, rickshaw ride and cycling
- How to reach Kanha National Park
Nagpur, located about 266 km from Kanha is the nearest airport to reach Kanha in Madhya Pradesh. The nearest railway station is at Jabalpur, at a distance of about 175 km from Kanha. Regular buses run from Jabalpur to Kanha and from Nagpur to Jabalpur via Khawasa for Pench. You can hire Taxis and other vehicles from Jabalpur, Nagpur, Bilaspur, and Raipur to reach Kanha National Park. Read More...
9. Periyar National Park - The Best place to experience the wild beauty
One of the best National Parks in Kerala, Periyar National Park is a protected wildlife reserve. The area covering 350 sq km right in the middle of serene Periyar Lake was declared as a National Park in the year 1982. The Periyar National Park in Kerala is situated right at the heart of Pandalam Hills and Cardamom Hills of Southern Western Ghats.
- Best Time to Visit Periyar National Park: October to March
- Famous For: Royal Bengal Tigers & Great Indian Elephant
- Things to Do in Periyar: Jungle safrai, rickshaw ride and cycling
- How to reach Periyar National Park
The nearest airports from Periyar are Kochi (Cochin) at 200-km and Madurai in Tamil Nadu at140 Km. Kottayam at 114-km is the nearest railhead from Periyar. Kottayam at 114-km is the nearest railway station from Periyar. Bus and taxi services are available from nearby cities like Kottayam, Ernakulam, and Madurai in Tamil Nadu. Read More...
10. Pench National Park - The real spot of ‘Jungle Book’
Located in the Chhindwara & Seoni districts, Pench national park is a famous tourist spot in Madhya Pradesh and it is the best place to plan a wildlife tour. The park is divided into two equal parts by Pench River after which the park was named.
- Best Time to Visit Pench National Park: October to March
- Famous For: Royal Bengal Tigers & Great Indian Elephant
- Things to Do in Pench National Park : Jungle safrai, rickshaw ride and cycling
- How to reach Pench National Park
The Sonegaon airport in Nagpur is nearest to the Pench National park. Regular flights connect Nagpur to all other major cities in India. The nearest railway station to Pench is Seoni Railway Station and regular trains connect the place to Mumbai and other places. Buses and jeeps are available from Seoni which is linked to all places in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra by a good network of Roadways. Read More...
