India has a healthy population of Tigers, one of the best in the world. The latest census revealed that India is inhabited by 2500 Tigers. The big cats thrive in the protected forest reserves all over India. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) of India has achieved a great feat of preserving tigers who were almost at the brink of extinction. Feel your heartbeat increasing as you spot these majestic beasts and hear their roar.
If you want to spot the majestic beasts and hear the roar of the Tigers, then here are the 8 most popular wildlife destinations in India.
Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan
The former hunting lodge of the Maharajas of Jaipur, Ranthambore Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan is one of the best places to spot tigers in India. Figures say there are around 70 tigers in the sanctuary. The popular ones are Mala, Slant Ear, Machli, and Sultan or T-72. Ranthambore is also the natural habitat of Nilgai, sloth bear, chital, langur, and rhesus macaque. Apart from jungle safari, do not miss exploring the ruins of the 10th century Ranthambore Fort.
Best time to visit: April to June
Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand
The earliest of its kind, Jim Corbett National Park is home to over 200 tigers. The Royal Bengal Tigers are the predominant inhabitants with 630 species of birds and 488 plant species. The national park is Uttarakhand is one of the popular wildlife places in India. It is distributed into 5 major zones - Dhikala, Jhirna, Bijrani, Durgadevi and Dhela. Apart form the big cats, it’s easy to spot wildlife species such as peacocks, elephants, sambar, sloth bear, barasingha, langurs and so on.
Best time to visit: April to June
Bandhavgarh National Park, Madhya Pradesh
The Bandhavgarh National Park, according to the latest statistics is home to 63 tigers. It is one of the most popular wildlife destinations in India. The former hunting grounds of the Maharajas of Rewa, this wildlife reserve was once inhabited by the rare white tiger. There are 250 avifauna species and 40 mammal species which also include also various types of deer, Indian bison, wild boar, langurs and wild boar. Take time out to explore Bandhavgarh fort and also learn about the famous Ramayana connections.
Best time to visit: October to June
Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh
The largest national park in Madhya Pradesh, Kanha National Park is one of the best tiger reserves in India. The Munna tiger is one of the most photographed big cat in area. Even if you miss a glimpse, you can easily see his pugmarks and hear his roar. Swamp deer, black buck, hyena, jackal, sloth beer, a variety of avians, reptiles and amphibians inhabit the scenic environs. Kanha has been awarded as the best administered parks in Asia and if you are thinking to
plan your wildlife tours to India, this is where you should go.
Best time to visit: October to June
Sundarbans National Park, West Bengal
The largest mangrove forest in the world, Sundarbans National Park is one of the best wildlife destinations to see Tigers in India. It is home to around 400 Royal Bengal man-eating tigers. Sundarbans is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Boat safaris will take you to explore its wealth of floral, reptile, avifaunal and marine life. Saltwater crocodile, Olive Ridley turtle, and Ganges river dolphins are the other attractions here. In Sundarabans you do not have to imagine a tiger lurking in the jungle waiting for its pray, you will witness it with your own eyes.
Best time to visit: November to February
Bandipur National Park, Karnataka
The former hunting grounds of the Maharaja of Mysore, the Bandipur National Park is now a sanctuary for tigers. Around 115 Big Cats inhabit the environs with varieties of deer, elephants, gaur, sambar, Malabar squirrel, jackal, elephants, langurs, black-knapped hare, wild dogs, jackal and 350 avifauna species. The best thing about the park is the picturesque setting against the backdrop of the Western Ghats. Spend a weekend away from cities in the scenic thrilling grounds, the view of a tiger makes it certainly worth remembering
Best time to visit: October to June
Pench National Park, Madhya Pradesh
The muse of Rudyard Kipling’s Jungle Book, Pench National Park is one of the best places in India to spot a tiger. The wildlife sanctuary has a good population of the elusive big cats. It also houses 4 endangered species of vultures among 285 kinds of birds and 37 mammal species including jungle cat and Indian Bison. Safaris, bird watching and staying in the wildlife resorts of Pench are the best way to experience thrilling adventures. The Collarwali tigress of Pench is a global celebrity having featured in BBC’s Spy in the jungle series.
Best time to visit: April to June
Periyar National Park, Kerala
Located in God’s Own Country, Kerala, the Periyar National Park is one of the most popular wildlife destinations in India. This sanctuary offers wildlife viewing through boat safaris. The verdant lands are nourished by the Periyar Lake. Rich in biodiversity, Periyar has around 40 tiger, 45 reptile species, 260 bird species and 45 reptile species. Apart from Tigers, the other dominant members in the sanctuary are elephants, jungle cat, gaur, Nilgiri Tahr, lion-tailed macaque, stripe-necked mongoose, a diversity of birds, reptiles and amphibians.
Best time to visit: October to June