Top 10 Wildlife Destinations in India, Wildlife always remains an integral part of India since ancient times. Our religion also teaches us to feed animals on various occasions to ensure their protection. We have associated each wildlife animal with the mount of different gods and goddesses. The major objective behind all these cultural and religious beliefs is to protect and preserve our wildlife from extinction. The modern time, the government has established different wildlife sanctuaries in India.
India is a nation that is famous for its rich biodiversity and eco-tourism. We have a rich blend of flora and fauna that cannot be found anywhere in the world. We can be proud of our rich wildlife because each of our states is having at least one wildlife sanctuary that is visited by a large number of tourists.
Below is the list of the top 10 wildlife sanctuaries in India that you must visit to get a thrilling and adventurous experience.
Keoladeo Ghana National Park, Bharatpur, Rajasthan
Keoladeo Ghana National Park, also known as Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary because of the 230 species of birds found here, is the most important breeding and feeding ground in the world. This park has over 37 species of animals as well. This national park has gained recognition for migratory birds like green sandpiper and cranes. Birds from Afghanistan, China, and Turkmenistan come here. The critically endangered Siberian cranes are also found here in the winters. It is the only place in India where this happens.
Exotic birds like spotted bill duck, cranes, pelicans, white-breasted kingfisher, painted stork, partridge, magpie robin, honey buzzard, rose-ringed parakeet, and green footed pigeons reside in this park. It is a beautiful destination to visit as it is made up of 2873 hectares of wetlands, grasslands, woodlands, and woodland swamps. Sambar, chital, nilgai, Indian porcupine, Indian gray mongoose, jungle cats, jackals, and hyenas make up the wildlife in this sanctuary. The best time to visit this place is between August to November to see the birds that reside here and from October to February to witness the migratory birds.
Park timings : 6:30 am to 5 pm.
Address : Bharatpur, Rajasthan.
Sariska National Park, Rajasthan
Stretching over an area of 881 kms, the Sariska National Park used to be a hunting reserve until it was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1955. Located in the Alwar district, this national park comprises scrub-thorn arid forests, dry deciduous, rocky hills, and grasslands. The dense forests here make it a good habitat for the tiger. However, there was a point when there were absolutely no tigers living in this national park. That’s when two tigers from Ranthambore National Park were relocated and shifted to this one in the year 2008 to recreate the tiger population here. Over the years, the tigers reproduced and now 20 tigers are residing in Sariska.
Apart from tigers, wildlife in this national park include leopards, jungle cats, golden jackals, striped hyenas, wild boar, nilgai, sambar deer, small Indian civet, ruddy mongoose, and honey badger. Sariska is also an excellent location for bird-watchers as this park houses some of the rarest feathered species like the white-throated kingfisher, Indian peafowl, sandgrouse, golden-backed woodpecker, and crested serpent eagles. The best time to visit is from September to March.
Park timings : 6:00 am to 8 pm.
Address : Subhash Chowk, Station Road Malakhera, Alwar, Rajasthan 301406.
Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand
Located in the district of Nainital, Jim Corbett National Park is one of the most famous wildlife sanctuaries India has to offer. This sanctuary is profoundly known for its magnificent royal Bengal tigers. Apart from these exquisite animals, this place has abundant flora and fauna, making it popular worldwide. It is truly a remarkable wildlife sanctuary where you can spot endangered animals, enjoy waterfalls, visit temples and dams. Not only can you have an amazing camping experience, but you can also hop on various safaris to create adventurous memories for a lifetime.
Best Time to Visit : October to July
Address : Nainital district, Ramnagar. Uttarakhand 244715.
Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan
The Ranthambore National Park, located in the state of Rajasthan, is the largest wildlife sanctuary in India. It serves as a national reserve for the tigers. However, peacocks, blackbucks, and spotted deer are also seen in this sanctuary, along with 270 species of birds. The best time to visit this place is in the summers from April to June. The extreme heat during this season causes the animals to move out in search of water, making it the best time to spot all of them. This park consists of many lakes but the Padam Talao is the largest one highlighted by the Jogi Mahal, a former royal hunting lodge. This park is also home to the largest banyan tree in India.
Safari Timings : 7 am to 11 am & 2 pm to 5:30 pm.
Address : Rajasthan
Kaziranga National Park, Assam
Kaziranga National Park, famous for its vast diversity of natural wildlife beauty, is located in the Eastern state of Assam. The main attraction of this wildlife sanctuary is their one-horned rhinoceros. But it also houses different species of fauna like elephants, Asiatic water buffaloes, swamp deer, and many more. You can also witness the Ganges dolphins here. This national park is also an excellent location for bird-watching. Here, tourists can enjoy elephant safaris or cruises in a boat over the Brahmaputra River in the park. The best season to visit this national park is between November to April Top 10 Wildlife Destinations in India.
Safari Timings : 6 am onwards to 10 am and 2 pm to 5 pm.
Address : Kanchanjuri, Assam.
Kanha National Reserve, Madhya Pradesh
Popular for its Tiger Reserve, Kanha National Park is situated in the Maikal range of Satpuras in Madhya Pradesh. This being the central highlands of the country, it possesses a lush habitat of wild creatures. It has many varieties of fauna and flora. Along with the Bengal tigers, barasinghas and the swamp deer is also a major attraction here. Sighting of the Indian leopard, wild dog, foxes, jackals, and sloth bears is also looked forward to at Kanha. Other than these wildlife creatures, this national park also has over 1000 species of flowering plants and 300 species of birds Top 10 Wildlife Destinations in India.
Black ibis, grey hornbills, bee-eaters, cattle egret, blossomed-head parakeets, and drongos and some of the most often sightings of birds. Jeep safari and elephant safaris are the different modes of sightseeing in this park.
Best season to visit : October to June
Address : Madhya Pradesh
Periyar National Park, Kerala
Protected in the evergreen, deciduous forests of God’s own country, Kerala, the Periyar National Park serves as a reserve for mainly elephants and tigers. This park is spread over 925 sq kms in the districts of Idukki and Pathanamthitta. There are about 40 tigers present in this area. Other than this, there are 49 species of mammals, 246 species of birds, 28 species of reptiles, 8 species of amphibians, 22 species of fish, and 112 species of butterflies that are found in this national park.
A trip to Periyar National Park promises visitors sightings of Bengal tigers, white tigers, Indian elephants, gaur, sambar, and sloth bears. Another major attraction here is the exclusive sighting of nilgiri tahr and nilgiri langur. The Periyar Lake flows through the forests. Boat safaris and elephant safaris are available here as well. The best time to visit is between October to June.
Safari Timings : 6:30 am to 11 am and 1:30 pm to 4:00 pm
Address : Idukki and Pathanamthitta, Kerala.
Bandhavgarh National Park, Madhya Pradesh
Spread over the Vindhya Hills of Madhya Pradesh, the Bandhavgarh National Park consists of 105 sq kms of forests and meadows. This national park forms a natural hub for the magnificent white tigers. There are elephant and jeep safaris available for you to get a closer look at these beautiful beasts. Tourists also visit the famous Bandhavgarh Fort, Badi Gufa, Bagheli Museum, and the three cave points. Birds like a sapphire flycatcher, yellow-crowned woodpecker, purple sunbird, little cormorant and many more make it a good destination for bird watching as well. The best season to visit Bandhavgarh is between October to March.
Safari Timings : 6:30 am to 11:00 am and 2 pm to 6 pm.
Address : Bandhavgarh, Madhya Pradesh, 484664.
Pench National Park, Madhya Pradesh
Located in the heart of India, Madhya Pradesh, Pench National Park has gained attention after its mention in ‘The Jungle Book’ by Rudyard Kipling. After the success of the Jungle Book, Pench has become a prominent wildlife tourist destination in India and the world. Spanning over an area of 758 kms, Pench has rich wildlife consisting of Sheer Khan (Royal Bengal Tiger), Baloo (Sloth Bear), Akela (Indian wolf), and Raksha (female wolf) Top 10 Wildlife Destinations in India.
Apart from these animals mentioned in The Jungle Book, the Indian leopard, jackals, fox, striped hyenas, four-horned antelope, and barking deer are also worth watching sights available here at Pench. Winters are the best time to visit this national park, which is from November to February. Due to the heavy rainfall and breeding season, the park remains closed from June to October.
Safari timings : 6:00 am to 11:00 am and 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
Address : Madhya Pradesh, 480661.
Gir National Park, Gujarat
Also known as Sasan Gir, the Gir National Park & Wildlife Sanctuary is home to regal Asiatic lions. This sanctuary is widely credited for saving these lions who were on the brink of their extinction. Gir forest is the only place where this race of lions are found in their natural habitat. It consists of about 109 males, 201 females, and 213 cubs. These big cats are tolerant of human presence as they frequently come in contact with human settlements in and around the vicinity. Here, one is guaranteed to spot the Asiatic lion in all its glory.
Apart from these beautiful creatures, Gir also houses several reptiles, mammals, birds, and insects along with flora and fauna. The best season to visit Gir is between December and March. This national park remains closed from mid-June to mid-October every year Top 10 Wildlife Destinations in India.
Safari Timings : 6 am to 5 pm.
Address : Gujarat.
