Wildlife Sanctuaries Of India

Nothing compares to the hope of spotting a rare, wild animal in its natural habitat and, we would all agree on it being the most exciting kind of hope. The feeling of taking a safari in these dense forests accommodating such rare wildlife species makes adrenaline rush through your blood. Sanctuaries in India and the animals that can be spotted make it a popular choice among wildlife enthusiasts not only from the country but from the world over. Wildlife safaris in India are adventurous and filled with thrill. India is home to a diverse range of wildlife from big cats to elegant lions and speedy cheetahs to imposing elephants. There are more than 160 National Parks in India that gives an ultimate experience of wildlife tour. These national parks have jungles along with the rare species of animals and those about to extinct such as Single Horned Rhinos, Royal Bengal Tigers and Asiatic Lions.

Are you one amongst the wildlife lovers and willing to take on a trip to wildlife sanctuaries in India? Then you must know about the top places of wildlife within India that have plenty of flora and fauna, different species of wildlife and lush greenery that make the places paradise for all of us wildlife lovers. Wildlife tours or safaris in India is a never to miss trip as it gives an adventurous experience. So stock up those supplies, throw in some mosquito repellant, and get started! Here is a list of what India considers as it’s 5 best Wildlife Sanctuaries.

1. Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand
   Jim Corbett National Park, situated in the foothills of the Himalayas, is a haven for wildlife lovers in India and covers an impressive area of about 1318 sq. km. The most talked about of Corbett's denizens are the Bengal Tiger and the Asiatic Elephant. Less talked about but more easily seen are the Wild elephant, Langur Monkey, Rhesus Macaque, Peacock, and several types of deer including Chital, Sambars, Hog Deer, and Barking Deer. There are also Crocodiles, Gharials, Monitor Lizards, Wild Boars, and Jackals. Panthers also prowl this land but aren't as easy to lay eyes on. Corbett is also one of the richest bird regions of India with over 600 different species of birds nesting here.

   

   This is India’s first national park, named after Jim Corbett, hunter-turned-conservationist, who was instrumental in establishing this park. It spreads over 520 sq. km and is most sought after destination by wildlife enthusiasts. It has a healthy population of the majestic Bengal Tigers. This is where the Project Tiger was first launched to protect these endangered species. It is also called a birder’s paradise as it is home to more than 650 species of resident and migratory birds. With abundant wildlife and picturesque location, you can enjoy the safari on a jeep or on an elephant. The main focus of the park remains protection of wildlife, but the reserve management has also promoted ecotourism. For the travel junkies, there are three safari zones in the park: Jhirna, Birjani, and Dihakala. Clear your schedule and join the 70,000+ visitors that come to the park every season!

   Famous For: Royal Bengal Tigers & Great Indian Elephant
   Safari options: Jungle Safari, Elephant Ride, Bird watching
   Best time to visit: November to June, while the Tigers are best spotted from March to May.
   



2. Sundarbans National Park, West Bengal
   The ultimate pride of West Bengal- The Sundarbans, deriving its name from the widespread Sundri trees, the Sundarbans National Park is a mangrove forest that is spread across the West Bengal region of India. It is home to the majestic Royal Bengal Tigers and it is marked as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. This plush greenland is spread across the east Indian territory and continues into Bangladesh. Take a wildlife safari into this forest turned sanctuary, and maybe you can be lucky to witness a Bengal Tiger cross your way.

   

   If wildlife adventure is your calling, Sundarbans National Park definitely must be on your list as it without a doubt one of the best wildlife sanctuaries in India. Listed as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India, Sunderbans is a world where it’s the law of the jungle. Located on a river delta, formed by the river Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Meghna, the nature reserve is intriguing. The mangroves of Sundari trees are a unique attraction of the national park as these floating roots give them an eerie look. Named among the natural wonders of India, Sunderbans is home to the Royal Bengal Tigers, rare salt-water crocodiles, Olive ridley turtles, a wide variety of birds and reptiles. Other inhabitants of river delta forests are fishing cats, leopard cats, macaques, wild boar, Indian grey mongoose, etc. The national park is exportable on a boat cruise.

   Famous For: Bengal tigers, UNESCO World Heritage Site
   Safari options: Boat safari rides, bird watching
   Best time to visit: October to April
   



3. Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan
   Club a desert and wildlife expedition in one go! The majestic Tigers are the pride of this national park. Surrounded by the Banas and Chambal River, this park serves as an ideal habitat for predators and other animals of this park. Leopard, Nilgai, Wild Boar, Sambar, and Hyena are some of the major animals found in this park. Tiger Safaris are immensely popular among the visitors of Ranthambore National Park. The large appealing site of Ranthambore National Park is Sawai Madhopur District of Rajasthan is simply majestic as the stunning combination of nature and wildlife attracts tourists from different parts of the world. It is the most interesting wildlife sanctuaries in India that is surrounded by the Banas and Chambal River. The best place to view animals here is from the Vindhya and Aravalli hill junction. The park covers an area of 400 sq Km. Different water bodies located in this park along with the unique mix of nature, wildlife and history is highly engaging for the visitors.

   

   The park was established in 1980 with a focus to protect endangered tigers. The tiger roams between the tall grasslands and dense forests are quite enthralling here. The three and a half hour Canter or Jeep Safari is wonderful for capturing different sights of the jungle. If you are lucky you may spot a tiger, but there are good chances to spot tigers and leopards near the three lakes. Ranthambore wild reserve is also known for a wide variety of trees, plants, birds, and reptiles in India. Embark upon a safari in the early morning, stay at one of the luxury wildlife resorts like royalty and have a thrilling adventure. Meanwhile, also pay a visit to the 11-century Ranthambore Fort, now in ruins but listed as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites for Hill Forts in Rajasthan.

   Famous For: Royal Bengal Tigers
   Safari Options: canter, gypsy & jeep
   Best time to visit: October to June, while the months of March to May are better for tiger sighting.
   



4. Bandhavgarh National Park, Madhya Pradesh
   Nestled among the Vindhyas, Bandhavgarh was used by the Maharajas of yester-years as a hunting park. Today, it is a highly protected area and boasts of the highest density of tigers in the country. The park is also a large breeding ground for Panthers and various species of deer including Nilgai and Spotted Deer. A number of luxury Safaris are organized in this park where tourists are taken around through the foggy jungle in open jeeps at the crack of dawn. Located in Central Indian State MP, Bandhavgarh National Park is an attractive place for enjoying lush greenery of the forest regions and variant wildlife species. The organized elephant and jeep safari opportunities offer an incredible experience to the visitors for taking a closer look of the splendid creatures which includes Royal Bengal tigers, the hub of astounding White tigers, Gray Mongoose, Sloth Bear, Nilgai, Chinkara, Sambar, Gaur, deer, Leopard, Jungle cat and much more.

   The typography is equally exhilarating along with the wildlife views. Following the guide, staying quiet and not making any rapid movements is the key. For more adventure, you can take an elephant safari instead of a jeep safari and as soon as the tiger is spotted, the elephant will take you to it. It is the utmost thrill to take a closer look at these wild creatures. It is nothing to worry about for the Tigers here are used to the tourists around them so your presence won’t annoy the tigers. The famous white tigers of Rewa were discovered in this forest and Bandhavgarh is considered to be the home of these tigers. However, no white tigers have been spotted since 50 years here. This forest is spread over 105 sq. km on the Vindhya Hills in Madhya Pradesh. It boasts of having the highest density of the royal Bengal tiger population in the country. Apart from the tigers, you can get spectacular views of other majestic creatures like Nilgai, Chital, Chinkara, Wild Boar, Chausingha and more. With 250 species of birds and 22 different species of mammals, this national park has a lot to offer for nature lovers.

   Famous For: Highest density of Bengal tigers
   Safari Options: Jeep / Car Safari and Elephant Safari
   Best time to visit: October to June and tigers are spotted from March to May.
   



5. Gir Wildlife Sanctuary, Gujrat
   The only home of Asiatic Lions, Gir Forest National Park, and Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected sanctuary located in Gujrat. It totals a huge area of around 1412 square kilometers and is a major site of preservation due to its immense diversity of flora and fauna. In the mid-1900s, trophy hunting led to a decline in the population of the Asiatic lions to around 15. In 1965, the combined efforts of NGO’s and wildlife activists ensured that Gir was protected and established as the Gir National Forest Park. The April 2010 census recorded the lion count in Gir at 411. A trip to Gir is going to be filled with a lot of fun, and a visit to the king of all animals is pretty adventurous. Find a Gir National Park Travel Guide below to start jotting down your holiday plan.

   

   The Gir National Park and the Sasan Gir Sanctuary of Gujarat are the only wildlife sanctuaries in India that have Asiatic Lions. October-June is the ideal time to visit the place and watch these majestic beasts strolling in their territories. The park was established on 18th September 1965 and it is one of the largest and elegantly preserved areas for the Asiatic Lions. Rivers and streams flowing through this national park remain occupied by the dwellers of the park.

   Famous For: Asiatic Lions, Leopard, Jackals, and Antelope
   Safari Options: Jeep
   Best time to visit: December to April, though the national park is open from 16th October to 15th June.
   

India is home to some of the unique flora and fauna species which make wildlife sanctuaries in India a paradise for nature and wildlife lovers. India boasts rich biodiversity, as the geography of the country is dotted with thick forests, serving as the habitat of a huge number of wildlife species. Rare and exotic species that can be sighted on Indian territory are Asiatic Lion, Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, One-Horned Rhinoceros and many more. Did you know that 4% of India’s land is under forests? There are about 515 wildlife sanctuaries in India which are home to 1180 different species of birds, 350 species of mammals, 30000 different kinds of insects and more than 15000 varieties of plants. Phew! You are sure to be mesmerized by the natural beauty at wildlife sanctuaries. India, with its high diversity of flora and fauna, is home to about 515 wildlife sanctuaries, 1180 species of birds, 350 mammal species, 30000 insect species, and more than 15000 varieties of plants! The list is far too extensive for us to note down all these parks and sanctuaries. If you are an admirer of wildlife and love to watch the birds then you should visit these sanctuaries and parks and experience the wildlife in its true form.

The visit to these top wildlife sanctuaries in India has always provided complete relaxation to the public. Thanks to these places that have been able to keep the natural environment intact for open-air recreation. Taking a break from hectic life and immersing in the laps of nature along with some enjoyable exercises like walking and running is a complete escape from the city life. So, plan a few days trip to these massive jungles for combating stress and enjoying a pollution free environment. The five top wildlife sanctuaries in India are so amazing that they warrant more than one trip! So pull out those binoculars, pack those bags and give us a buzz. Your Safari India experience of a lifetime awaits. So, without waiting any longer to step out in the wild and going anywhere else, book your train as well as airplane tickets right from the Trainman app. Download Trainman App to check pnr status, seat availability or running status of any train and to book train ticket, and much more.