Nature inherits something powerful which makes it so captivating and enthralling. It holds treasures and secrets that have not been explored or unravelled yet and the way everything works in nature really makes you wonder about its enigmas. Observing the plants and animal life and the way they interact with each other is a pure bliss and is something one should consider paying attention to once in a while.
The establishment of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in India has boosted this trend and has also contributed a big role in preserving the wildlife. They provide a safe haven to the endangered species and also play a great role in helping sensitize the public about their importance in maintaining a balance in our ecosystem. All in all they provide a wholesome experience and should be on the top of your list the next time you plan an adventure trip. So in order to make it easy for you, here are some of the famous wildlife sanctuaries of India.
Kaziranga National Park – Assam
Home to the famous one-horned rhinoceros, the Kaziranga National Park is an expansive stretch of unspoilt grassland, situated in the Golaghat & Nagaon district in Assam.
The largest wildlife sanctuary of Northeast India, Kaziranga was declared as a forest reserve in 1905, but was officially recognized as a national park only in 1974.
This park has numerous mammals such as Indian wild boar, white browed gibbon, Chinese ferret badger, Asiatic black bear etc. Along with thousands of birds and reptiles.
Besides having a huge breeding population of swamp deer, elephants and wild water buffalo, Kaziranga is also well-known for its tiger reserves, boasting of having the highest density of Tigers in this area.
Best Time to Visit
- The park is open for tourists between November and April and one could go boating, fishing and bird watching at any time in the day. Also as an added attraction, the authorities of this sanctuary have developed a separate children’s park.
Safari Tour
- Exploring this park in a jeep or booking an elephant safari, is the best way to enjoy this large stretch of untamed land.
How to get there
- The nearest airport here is Guwahati, from there, Kaziranga is 217kms and can be reached through private cars or buses.
Accommodation
- As for accommodation, there are plenty of comfortable hotels and resorts available.
Also note
- That hiking is prohibited in this area, to avoid human-animal conflict. And it is mandatory for all tourists, to have a guide authorized by the forest department to accompany them inside the park.
Nearby Attraction
- Organic Tea Gardens in Kaziranga are another attraction that are quiet popular among tourists.
Manas National Park – Assam
A renowned UNESCO Natural World Heritage site, Manas National Park, holds a unique distinction of being the only park in the country which has a Tiger Reserve, an Elephant Reserve and a Biosphere Reserve.
Owing to its diverse habitat and hilly terrain, this park is home to 380 species of birds, with the largest population of endangered Bengal Florican and the Great Hornbill.
The park is also famous for its population of rare Golden Langur, which is an old world monkey and is considered sacred by the Himalayan people.
Best Time to Visit
- The ideal time to visit this park is between November to April.
Safari Tour
- Within the park, you could go for an elephant safari or go boat riding on the rivers.
Accommodation
- There are state department run Forest lodges near the park and bungalows inside the forest, for accommodation. For food you need to hire local cooks or chefs, as there is no provision for catering at these lodges and bungalows.
How to get there
- The nearest airport here is Guwahati, located at about 176kms from Manas National Park. Whereas the nearest town with a railway station is 41kms away at Barpeta Road.
Jim Corbett National Park – Nainital – Uttarakhand
The most visited wildlife destination in India, the Jim Corbett National Park, which was established in 1936, is Asia’s very first National Park and also the oldest national park of India.
Well-known for its large population of Tigers, this park is home to 50 mammal species, 25 reptile species, 600 varieties of birds and is surrounded by abundant forest lands and trees.
The most notable birds in this area are the bunting bird, cormorant, Himalayan vulture and Himalayan grey-headed fishing eagle. The wildlife mostly includes elephants, ghural, Himalayan goral, rhesus monkey, hog deer, Himalayan black bears, etc.
Adventure Activities
- Rappelling, rock-climbing, river crossing, nature walks etc, are organized by the Park authority. You could also go fishing or enjoy different wildlife safaris.
Best Time to Visit
- This park is open throughout the year, but October to June is the best time to visit this place.
Accommodation
- You will also find plenty of budget hotels and home-stays around this place, but for a thrilling experience it is recommended that you stay in one of the Forest rest houses or lodges.
How to get there
- The nearest railway station is at Ramnagar, which is well connected to all major cities. New Delhi is the nearest International Airport, while the closest domestic airport is the Pantnagar Airport, which is 80kms away from the park.
Nearby Attractions
- The Corbett Museum, Sunrise Point, Corbett Water Fall, are some of the other places around this area that are worth visiting.
Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary & National Park – Tamil Nadu
Established in the year 1940, Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary is the first sanctuary of South India, on the north-western side of the Nilgiri Hills and is situated at the tri-junction of 3 southern states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka.
A part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, this sanctuary is another Periyar Tiger reserve and is an important wildlife habitat as it is a home to abundant wild animals, deadly reptiles and exotic birds.
Best known for its herds of Elephants, this place has other herbivorous animals such as spotted deer, Indian Gaur, four-horned antelope, along with predators like leopards, Indian wild dog and panther. While there are numerous birds that flock this sanctuary, the most popular and rare being Rufous bellied hawk eagle.
Safari Tour
- There are Elephant Safaris and Van Safaris conducted by the Tamil Nadu Forest Department.
Best Time to Visit
- The best time to visit this place is between February to May and September to October.
How to get there
- The nearest airport is Coimbatore at a distance of 164kms. While Mysore is the nearest railway station, from there Mudumalai is accessible via the NH – 67 route.
Accommodation
- The Forest Rest Houses located a little away from the park, run by the Forest department, is the only option for accommodation. They charge nominal fees for dormitory style accommodation as well as provide separate rooms, along with basic facilities and simple meals.
Nearby Attraction
- The Theppakadu Elephant Camp, which is an artificial enclosure where elephants are reared and trained in captivity, is located at about 9kms from the Mudumalai Sanctuary.
Also Know: Top 6 Wildlife Sanctuaries & National Parks in South India
Hazaribagh National Park & Sanctuary – Jharkhand
Situated in a low hilly terrain, Hazaribagh National Park & Sanctuary is a popular and significant sanctuary in India, known for its thick tropical forests and attractive wildlife. Also residing close to the sanctuary are Tribal communities that give you a glimpse of their life and culture.
The Sambar deer are spotted in large numbers in this area. There are also few tigers, along with variety of birds such as black ibis, pied hornbill, drongo etc.
Best Time to Visit
- October to April is the ideal time to visit this place.
How to get there
- The nearest airport is located at Ranchi in Jharkhand, from there the Park is about 91kms away. Whereas the nearest railway station is at Koderma, which is about 59kms from the town of Hazaribagh.
Accommodation
- There are accommodation options available on the park premises itself, which provide basic facilities with simple meals. For a more luxurious option, you could opt for one of the nearby hotels and resorts.
Nearby Attraction
- The Hazaribagh Lake, Surajkund – a natural hot spring and Canary Hill are some of the prominent places in this area.
Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park – Andaman Islands
Surrounded by stunning white sand beaches, crystal blue water and palm fringed coconut trees, the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park is famous for its coral reefs and as the largest diverse population of vibrant marine life in India.
Covered with tropical forest, the landscape of this park comprises of 15 islands, out of which only two islands i.e. the Jolly Boys and Red Skin are open for tourist and offer various water sporting activities such as Snorkeling, scuba diving, deep-sea diving etc.
Its rich marine life consists of Green Sea Turtle, Star fishes, Giant Clam Shell, 50 types of coral, Sea anemone, Parrot fishes, salt-water crocodile, Banded Sea Snakes and others.
Best Time to Visit
- October and April is the best time to visit this place and navigating the coast in a glass bottom boat, is the best way to explore the breathtaking richness of underwater aquatic life.
How to get there
- Located in Wandoor village, the nearest airport here is in Port Blair at around 30kms.
Accommodation
- For accommodation there is a forest rest house available in this area, but it is advisable that you book yourself in one of the hotels or resorts at Port Blair.
Please note
- You need to get a prior permit from the Forest Department to visit this island. Also there are limited number of passes issued everyday on first come first serve basis.
Kanha National Park – Madhya Pradesh
Termed as one of the finest wildlife sanctuaries in the world, the Kanha National Park is the largest national park in Madhya Pradesh, popular for its preservation of rare hardground Swamp Deer (Barasingha). It is also believed to have been the source of inspiration for Rudyard Kipling, the famous author who wrote “The Jungle Book”
A heaven for bird lovers, this park consist of 300 magnificent species of birds like the Asian Paradise Flycatcher, the Indian Pitta and the Pariah Kite.
This dense jungle is also populated with several wildlife animals such as Indian Tigers, Foxes, Barking deer and Wild dogs.
Best Time to Visit
- October to June is the ideal time to travel to this popular destination.
Safari Tour
- The Sunset Point is a popular location in this park, from where you can watch various animals roaming uninhibited in their habitat. While for a more thrilling experience a jungle safari is recommended.
How to get there
- The nearest town to this park is Jabalpur (133kms), which has an airport and railway station. Travelling by train to Jabalpur is the best option, as it is well connected with all major cities.
Accommodation
- There are several accommodation options available near the park and you can choose one based on your budget.
Nearby Attraction
- Pachmarhi a scenic hill station, which is located about 333kms from Kanha, is another popular tourist spot and is well-known for its caves and waterfalls.
Pench National Park – Madhya Pradesh
Situated at the Satpuda hills and named after Pench River, the Pench National Park in Madhya Pradesh, lies along the northern boundary of Nagpur District in Maharashtra and has the highest density of herbivores in India.
The peafowl is the most sighted bird in this area, along with blue kingfishers, bulbul, minivet, oriole, mynas, four endangered species of vultures etc.
How to get there
- If you are travelling here from Maharashtra, then the nearest airport and railway station is in Nagpur at around 60kms. As for people travelling from other parts of India, Jabalpur airport and railway station in Madhya Pradesh is another option to reach this park.
Accommodation
- For accommodation, there is the Pench Jungle Camp, which has modernized facilities, recreational centres and a multi cuisine Restaurant.
Namdapha National Park – Arunachal Pradesh
Blessed with stupendous natural beauty, the Namdapha National Park is the largest national park in India, comprising of a plethora of flora and fauna and surrounded by stunning snow-capped mountains.
Among the herbivores, this park includes the Takin, elephant, musk deer and Himalayan blue sheep. While slow loris, stump-tailed macaque, the endangered hoolock gibbons form the primates population.
Best Time to Visit
- The park is open throughout the year for tourists, but November to February is the best time to visit this place.
Accommodation
- This park is one of the few national parks in India, where camping is allowed inside the forest and thus it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, where you can get a chance to get up close & personal with nature and its inhabitants.
How to get there
- The nearest airport to this place is about 160kms away at Mohanbari in Dibrugarh, Arunachal Pradesh, but Guwahati airport, which is 600kms from this park and is better connected to most cities in India. If you are travelling by train then Tinsukia in Assam is the nearest railway station, from there you can hire private vehicles to reach this park.
Please Note
- You need to first procure an inner line permit to enter into Arunachal Pradesh and another permit from the park authority to visit Namdapha.
- Also since it is located at an altitude of 200mtrs to 4,500mtrs, this park is largely inaccessible and trekking is the only way through which you can explore this spectacular natural wild landscape.
Also Read: National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuary in Arunachal Pradesh
Bandipur National Park – Karnataka
Surrounded by the Western Ghat Mountains, Bandipur National Park located on the Mysore-Ooty highway, is one of the finest, well managed and accessible National Parks of India.
Among the 250 species of birds, the Great black woodpecker, Green imperial pigeon and the Malabar trogan, are some of the birds which are frequently sighted in this area.
Best Time to Visit
- This park is open for tourists throughout the year.
Accommodation
- Well maintained rest houses, lodges and cottages, run by the forest department are available at reasonable rates.
How to get there
- Bangalore is the nearest airport at about 204kms, while Mysore at 65kms is the nearest railway station from this Park.
Nearby Attraction
- The scenic hills of Biligiri Rangan, which is about 131kms from the National Park, is famous for its Temples, which are situated on the highest peak of the hill range.
National Chambal Sanctuary – Uttar Pradesh
Situated along the Chambal river, which is one of Northern India’s most longest, pristine and unpolluted rivers, the National Chambal Sanctuary, is a raw natural beauty that supports the largest population of Gharial Crocodiles.
Also, the rare Gangetic Dolphin can be spotted in this area, along with the endangered Indian Skimmers, which are found only in this place.
Best Time to Visit
- November to March is the best time to visit this place.
Accommodation
- For accommodation, there are several lodges nearby that provide rooms along with sumptuous meals and also organize nature and village walks.
How to get there
- Chambal valley is about 70kms from Agra and an hour’s drive from the Taj Mahal.
Nearby Attraction
- The intriguing town of Bateshwar, located about 70kms from Agra is an archaeological site comprising of 101 Shiva temples and hosts the largest animal fair in India during October and November.
Sundarbans Wildlife Sanctuary – West Bengal
The largest estuarine sanctuary in the world, the Sundarbans Wildlife Sanctuary is the most prestigious wildlife sanctuary of India and lies along the world’s largest Delta formed by the merging of three rivers namely Ganga, Brahmaputra and Meghna.
This sanctuary is named after the Sundari trees which are found in abundance in this region, and has been declared a Biosphere reserve and a Tiger reserve, with a population of over 400 Royal Bengal Tigers.
Best Time to Visit
- The best time to visit this place is between September and May.
How to get there
- Kolkata is the nearest airport from Sundarban at around 112 kms, while Canning is the nearest railway station at about 48kms. Another option is the Sundarban cruises, which are organized from Canning, Raidighi and nearby places that will easily get you to this sanctuary.
Nearby Attraction
- A 2 hours drive from Namkhana town in Kolkata, lies Bhagabatpur, well-known for its crocodile-breeding farm and home to a hatchery of the largest estuarine crocodiles in the world.
Tadoba Andhari National Park & Wildlife Sanctuary – Maharashtra
Referred to as the “The Jewel of Vidarbha”, the Tadoba Andhari National Park & Wildlife Sanctuary, is Maharashtra’s oldest and largest National Park, comprising of a unique eco-system and is endowed with rich biodiversity.
Best Time to Visit
- February to May is the best time to visit this place.
How to get there
- Nagpur (151kms) and Chandrapur (49kms), are the two nearest railway stations to this park, and the closest airport to this place is in Nagpur at a distance of 140kms.
Accommodation
- For accommodation, there are several state run budget hotels, guest houses and dormitory style rooms available. But for more luxurious options, you could stay at one of the Jungle Lodges or Safari Retreats.
Nokrek National Park – Meghalaya
A biodiversity hotspot, the Nokrek National Park in the north-eastern state of Meghalaya, is situated on the highest peak of Garo Hills and is home to many rare and endangered species of flora, fauna and avifauna.
Nokrek is also a National Citrus Gene Sanctuary, as it is the only place in the world where Citrus Indica (Memang narang), an endangered species, which is believed to be the most “primitive” citrus, is found.
Its wild inhabitants include the world famous Red Panda along with Hoolock Gibbons, Elephants, Clouded Leopard, Serow, Himalayan black Bear, Wild Buffalo etc.
Best Time to Visit
- October to May is the ideal time to visit this place.
How to get there
- The nearest airport and railway station is at Guwahati, at a distance of 128kms & 160kms respectively. From Guwahati, you can reach this park through private vehicles or local buses.
Accommodation
- There is no accommodation available within or nearby the park, the only accommodation is at the nearby town of Tura, which is about 26kms from the park.
Nearby Attraction
- An old Stone Age site, located near the banks of two rivers, in Tura town is a must visit.
Also Read: Most Popular National Parks & Wildlife Sanctuaries in Meghalaya
Ranthambore National Park – Rajasthan
Covered with tropical dry deciduous and tropical thorn forest, this park is one of the biggest and largest in northern India and is filled with lush vegetation & consist of many lakes, thereby providing a luxurious natural habitat for all animals and birds that reside in it.
The Indian Tigers are the major attraction of this place and can be spotted easily even during the day.
Also located within the park is an ancient fort, known as the Ranthambore Fort, built in 10th century AD by the Maharaja of Jaipur. Surrounded by large banyan trees, there are several ruins of temples and mosques around this fort, along with burial tombs and crocodile-filled lakes.
Best Time to Visit
- The park is open for tourists from October to mid June and a Jeep Safari is the ideal way to explore this vast terrain.
How to get there
- Located about 130kms from Jaipur, you can reach here through airplane or trains.
Accommodation
- Since it is a popular tourist destination, this area has many budget hotels and resorts available.
Periyar Wild Life Sanctuary – Kerala
Termed as South India’s most beautiful Wildlife Sanctuary, this place is also a well-known Tiger reserve and is a hotspot for wildlife photography, making it a popular tourist destination both amongst Indian and foreign tourist.
This sanctuary is home to the elusive Nilgiri Tahr, while barking deer, Indian Gaur, lion-tailed macaque, Sambar, dhole are some of its other inhabitants.
Best Time to Visit
- The best time to visit this place is between October and June.
How to get there
- Located in Thekkady, you could reach this place by rail, with Kottayam railway station being the nearest at 114kms. If you are travelling by air, then Kochi and Madurai, at the distance of 200kms and 140kms respectively, are the closest airports.
Accommodation
- For accommodation there are several options available from hotels to luxury resorts and also boat houses.
Nearby Attraction
- Kumily a small town just 4kms from Periyar, is another popular destination, famously known for its Cardamom Hills.
Sasan Gir National Park & Wildlife Sanctuary – Gujarat
An internationally acclaimed sanctuary, the Gir Wildlife National Park is the only remaining habitat of the big and regal predator Asiatic Lion, with a population of over 400 and growing.
Best Time to Visit
- The best time to visit the Gir Sanctuary is between November and May.
Accommodation
- For accommodation, you need to get a reservation done at the Sasan Gir Rest House or you could stay at one of the home-stays nearby.
How to get there
- Junagadh in Gujarat, is the nearest railway station to this park, at a distance of 50kms. While Rajkot and Keshod is the nearest airport at 40kms.
Please note
- There are no Jungle Safaris organized in this park, plus the park is opened only for a limited amount of time each day.
Nearby Attraction
- The Tulsi Shyam Temple with hot springs and the Crocodile breeding farm are other attractions around this place.
Also Read: National Parks of Gujarat for Wildlife Sanctuaries
Hemis National Park – Jammu and Kashmir (1981)
Home to the elusive Snow Leopard with a population of 200, this untamed land on the banks of the River Indus, comprises of different altitudinal habitat, along with rocky terrain and minimum vegetation.
Also, this place is the only habitat of the Ladakhi Urial, which is a highly endangered animal.
Best Time to Visit
- The best time to visit this park is during May and September, when the weather is pleasing, which will give you the opportunity to view some of the most elusive wild beasts.
How to get there
- The nearest airport to this place is at Leh, from there you can hire a jeep or contract a tour guide to take you to Hemis.
Accommodation
- There are no hotels nearby, and apart from camping and staying at the monastery, there is only homestay facility available, provided by the village with basic meals. Also there are limited options to eat around this area, so make sure you carry enough food supply along with you.
Nearby Attraction
- Besides the monasteries, there are several Gompas and chortens located within the park, along with 6 villages that are dotted around this park.
Also Check Out: Popular National Parks And Wildlife Sanctuaries Of J&K
Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary / Bharatpur National Park – Rajasthan
A bird watchers paradise in the literal sense, the Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary is India’s largest Bird Reserve and home to a plethora of exotic bird’s species, even some that you may have never known existed.
The Siberian Crane, which is one of the most endangered species of bird is found in this place.
While the wildlife of this park consists of animals such as the Blackbuck, Wild Boar, Golden Jackal, Nilgai, Sambar and others.
Best Time to Visit
- Though open throughout the year, August to November and November to March are the best time to visit this place.
How to get there
- The closest railway station to this park is 5kms away at Bharatpur and the nearest airport here is located about 190kms in Jaipur.
Accommodation
- Forest Lodges and Hotels are the nearby accommodation options that are available here.
Nearby Attraction
- The Bharatpur Palace, Lohagarh Fort and Deeg Palace are some of the other places around this area.
Bandhavgarh National Park – Madhya Pradesh
Spread across an area of 446 square kilometres, today, this park is well-known for its high density of Royal Bengal Tigers, and is a shelter to over 250 species of birds and 22 varied species of mammals.
Other Attraction within the Park
- The famous Bandhavgarh Fort, located on a hilltop is also a part of this park and within the park lies several natural waterholes along with ancient caves dating back to 1st century AD.
Best Time to Visit
- October to June is the best time to visit this sanctuary.
How to get there
- The nearest railway station from Bandhavgarh National Park is at Umaria district at 35kms, while Jabalpur is the nearest airport.
Accommodation
- For accommodation there are plenty of Hotels, Resorts and Jungle Lodges.
Nearby Attraction
- Some 200kms from this park lies the Bhedaghat town, famous for its Dhuandhar Falls, majestic Marble Rocks cliffs, and the Chausath Yogini temple
Bannerghatta National Park – Karnataka
One of the most splendid wildlife sanctuaries, the Bannerghatta National Park located just 22kms away from the city of Bangalore, is a popular tourist destination, and home to some of the most spectacular wild beasts and vibrant species of birds in India.
Another unique attraction of this place is the Bannerghatta Biological Park.
Established in 2002, this biological park is located within the sanctuary and is divided in different units such as the pet corner, aquarium, zoo, animal rehabilitation centre, along with a crocodile and snake farm & a fenced elephant sanctuary.
How to get there
- The closest town from here is Bangalore. And reaching here via train, air or bus, shouldn’t be a problem, as Bangalore is well-connected to all major cities in India.
Accommodation
- As for accommodation, there are state run Hotels, Jungle Lodges and Resorts, that offer delicious food at reasonable price.
Nearby Attraction
- The Lalbagh Botanical Garden, Nandi Hills and the Wonderla amusement park are some of the other popular attractions near this place.
Conclusion
A visit to a national park or a wildlife sanctuary is one of the best experiences that will stay with you forever. And with India’s geographical diversity, there is no shortage of thrilling terrain for adventure and fun.
The above mentioned national parks are the most notable and popular wildlife destinations of India. Visiting any one of these parks or sanctuaries, will surely leave you spellbound by its wild splendour and cast an impressive image on your mind.
So book a trip now, to explore some of the most fascinating natural wildlife habitats amidst such amazing natural beauty!
