10 Best Jungle Safaris in India to Experience Incredible Wildlife

With more than 99 national parks, 40 tiger reserves and 450 wildlife sanctuaries, India has sheltered enchanting species of fauna and flora. Be it the mountains of Uttarakhand or the deserts of Rajasthan, every corner and gap of India embraces rich wildlife. Especially, if you are eager to get a sight of the big striped cats the tigers, India is the ultimate destination to visit.

Check out these Top destinations in India for experiencing wildlife.

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1) Bandhavgarh, Madhya Pradesh:

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Bandhavgarh National Park being a dry deciduous and tropical land brings amazing dense forest trails where one can discover many glittering species of wild creatures amidst the lush surroundings. Surrounded by the Eastern Satpura range, Bandhavgarh National Park’s sal and bamboo forest provides shelter to the sambar, Indian wolf, python, and tiger.

Open Jeeps with groups of tourists, individuals accompanied by naturalist are allowed into the park at fixed timings. Wildlife safari timing in Bandhavgarh National Park is just like most parks in the country. Timings for entry into, and exit from, the park vary according to the season. In winters, due to the shorter duration of daylight hours, the morning entry time is later and evening exit time is earlier.

Nearest Airport: Bandhavgarh can be visited by flying into Jabalpur or Khajurao.

Nearest Railway Station: Closest stations would be Jabalpur(170kms), Katni(102kms), Satna (112kms), Umaria (35kms).

When: October to June

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2) Gir, Gujarat:

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In Gir, you touch the history of India before humanity itself. Gir National Park is a restricted area in Asia and is the habitat of the pure Asiatic Lions. The next most important animal of the locality is the Leopard. The park is situated in the south west of Gujarat, India. Climate in Gir remains soothing round the year for you to have a comfortable visit to the Gir National Park in Sasangir, Gujarat. This beautiful park is dotted with an abundance of flora and fauna.

Nearest Airport: Keshod

Nearest Railway: Junagadh Amreli

When: October to June

3) Pench, Madhya Pradesh:

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The inspiration behind Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book, nestling in the minor southern reaches of the Satpuda hills is named after Pench River, spread through the park from north to south. It is situated on the southern edge of Madhya Pradesh, bordering Maharashtra, in the states of Seoni and Chhindwara .In Pench, Sambar, Cheetal, Nilgai are usually seen grazing on the free land on roadsides and river banks & reservoir. Herds of gaur can be marked near streams and bamboo patches regularly in summer months. Sloth beer occupies hilly, stony out crops and Chinkara are rarely present and are mostly found near the open areas around Turia & Telia.

Pench Tiger Reserve is a nature's paradise. Visited it so many times and was always mesmerized by its serene beauty and calmness. It’s a must visit for wildlife enthusiasts.

Nearest Airport & Railway station: Nagpur and Jabalpur

When: November to June

4) Ranthambore, Rajasthan:

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Being considered as one of the famous and former hunting grounds of the Maharajas of Jaipur, today the Ranthambore National Park terrain is major wildlife tourist attraction spot that has pulled the attention of many wildlife photographers and lovers in this destination. 

Ranthambore is a Tiger reserve, which is located in the district of Sawai Madhopur that is in the south-eastern part of the state of Rajasthan. Ranthambore National park is mainly famous for the Tigers living within this national park. Moreover, it is one of the finest locations within India to capture the majestic predators in a natural habitat. These Tigers can be easily spotted during the day busy in their daily quest of hunting and taking legitimate care of their budding ones. Ranthambore is also being counted as one of the famous world heritage sites because of the photographic ruins and the Historical fort that compliments the natural wildlife park.

If you go in the summer when the vegetation is dried up the chances of seeing a tiger are higher. The backdrops are jaw dropping.  Certainly, a visit to Ranthambore National Park is a treat for every wildlife and nature lover. The time spend on watching tigers roaming around, verdant greenery, a gamut of other species of chirpy birds and animals is priceless and worth enough to be explored at least once in a life.

Nearest Airport: Jaipur

Nearest railway station: Sawai Madhopur

When: October to June

5) Tadoba, Maharashtra:

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Located in the Chandrapur District of Maharashtra, India, it is one of the prominent and unique tiger reserves in India and is also one among India's Project Tiger Reserves. Tadoba National Park is an abode of flora and fauna. A must see for every wildlife buff. There is surprise waiting for you at every nook and corner. Tadoba is often referred to as the jewel of Vidharbha because of its rich flora and fauna. A great variety of wildlife abounds in the deep valleys, grassy meadows and winding river beds besides, many other perennial water resources.

And, you might even have a date with the royal one in his/her royal paradise. A dry deciduous forest with a beautiful topography, Tadoba offers some of the best sightings of tigers, wild dogs, leopards, and other fauna. The jungle and areas surrounding the Lodge are excellent terrains for birding and walking safaris.

Nearest Aiport: Nagpur

Nearest Railway station: Chandrapur

When: October to June 

6) Jim Corbett, Uttarakhand:

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The first recognised nature reserve in mainland Asia, Corbett National Park offers great sightings of Bengal tigers, bears and pythons. The Jim Corbett National Park is one of the most popular and travelled tourist spots of India. You can also enjoy the beautiful sound of birds at the Corbett. There are over 500 birds here and almost double the number migrate to the Jungles of Corbett every year. The Jim Corbett national park is a paradise for bird watchers. Right from the tiger’s roar that gives you goose bumps, to the chirping of the birds that is like music to the ears. Wildlife at its best can be found flourishing in Corbett. The wild beings not only reside here, they nurture here.

Nearest Airport: Phoolbagh in Pantnagar

Nearest Railway station: Ramnagar

When: November to June

7) Nagarhole, Karnataka:

Also known as the Rajiv Gandhi National Park, this is a famous wildlife sanctuary located in Coorg. A Tiger Reserve, the Nagarhole National Park is also a place to see wild elephants. Apart from tigers and elephants, this national park is home to wild dogs, gore and deer. The park is essentially a dense tropical forest. Through the jungle, there are streams that run through. Where you can spots wildlife activity.

The best season to visit the park is during the summer. Wild animals are seen resting beside water bodies. Tigers are almost always seen near water bodies. Visiting Nagarhole National Park during the rainy season is a damp experience. The rain creates muddy roads. And animals are not seen out in the open.

Nearest Airport: Bangalore

Nearest Railway station: Mysore

When: October to June

8) Sunderbans, West Bengal:

Sunderbans National Park, the land where entire wildlife embroidered to the perfection, is situated in South 24 Parganas at the most charismatic location of Sunderban delta which is largest delta of the world. The Sunderbans are a part of the world's largest delta formed by the rivers Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna. Sundarban is a vast area covering 4262 square kms in India alone, with a larger portion in Bangladesh. 2585 sq. kms of the Indian Sundarban forms the largest Tiger Reserve and National Park in India.

The four Sunderbans national parks have been lumped together as they all share common features of the estuarine mangrove ecosystem. The main attractions of the Sunderbans are the Tiger, of which the delta harbour large reptiles like the Monitor Lizard, Estuarine Crocodile and the Olive Ridley Turtle, for which there is a conservation programme in the Indian park. The Leopard, Indian Rhinoceros, Javan Rhinoceros, Swamp Deer, Hog Deer and Water Buffalo have all become locally extinct from the delta in recent decades.

Nearest Aiport: Kolkatta

Nearest Railway station: Howrah

When: December to February

9) Kanha, Madhya Pradesh:

Kanha National Park is one of the best national parks of India and stretched across Banjar and Halon valleys within the Mandla and Balaghat districts of state of Madhya Pradesh. Kanha National Park offers great odds of a tiger sighting, as well as 300 species of bird, including crested serpent eagles.

A heightened attraction within the Park is Bamni Dadar, popularly known as Sunset Point that offers the most awe-inspiring backdrop of the sunset against grazing Sambhars and Gaurs, magnifying the natural splendour of the area. Aside from its diverse wildlife and bird population, the frequent sightings of Tigers roaming in the wild at Kanha Wildlife Sanctuary remain the most popular draw.

Nearest Airport and railway: Nagput and Jabalpur

When: November to June

10) Kaziranga, Assam

Stretching along the edge of the Brahmaputra River, Kaziranga National Park is a World Heritage site and one of the last unspoiled wildernesses in eastern India. Kaziranga National Park a world heritage site, the park hosts two-thirds of the world’s Great One-horned rhinoceros. Kaziranga also boasts the highest density of tigers among the protected areas in the world and was declared a Tiger Reserve in 2006. The park and its environs have been designated a tiger reserve and a Birdlife International Important Bird Area. Explore the varied landscapes by elephant and venture through fields of elephant grass, marshlands, and dense forests to find tigers, greater one-horned rhinoceroses, Asian elephants, water buffalo, and more than 300 species of birds. Buffalo and more than 300 species of birds.

Nearest Airport: Jorhat

Nearest Railway: Guwahati

When: November to April

Please note (Park Timings): All national park operate from 6:30am - 9:30am, 1:30pm - 5:30pm. But it is best to confirm with the national park directly before planning your trip.

Have you been to any of these national parks? How was your expirience ? Comment below and let us know! 

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