National Parks in India You Shouldn’t Miss

The exotic wildlife is one of the many attractions of India, alluring nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts from all across the globe. Over 100 national parks in India and 200 wildlife sanctuaries are home to these animals and birds as their natural habitat. These protected areas let you have a safe rendezvous with the Indian wilderness by organizing wildlife safaris and nature walks. Here are some of the most popular national parks in India, which you must visit.

National Parks in India You Shouldn’t Miss

1. Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand

The Jim Corbett National Park is named after legendary tiger hunter Jim Corbett, and is sprawled over 520 square kilometers. It is one of the most famous national parks in north India. Around 200 tigers and 300 wild elephants reside here. This national park is also known to be the oldest national park of India. Gharials, peacocks, otters, sambar, sloth bears, rhesus macaques and various species of deer can also be spotted here. One of the best things to do at Jim Corbett is bird watching as the park has around 586 species of birds, and as many as 499 plant species.

Practicalities

Best time to visit

• Jhirna and Sonanadi Zones: throughout the year; Dhikala Zone: 15^th November to 15^th June
• Bijrani Zone: 1^st October to 30^th June
• Durga Devi Zone: 15^th November to 15^th June

Safari Timings

05:45 AM to 08:45 AM and 01:00 PM to 04:00 PM

Distance from airport and railway station

Pantnagar Airport 80 km

Ramnagar railway station 12 km

Activities

Jungle safari, elephant ride, Corbett Museum, Corbett waterfall, river rafting, visit to Garija Temple, angling (fishing) in catchment area of Kosi

2. Kaziranga National Park, Assam

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Kaziranga National Park is known to the home of the ‘Big Five’- rhinoceros, swamp deer, tiger, wild buffalo and elephant. This national park houses two-third of world’s population of the great one-horned rhinoceros. It is spread over 378 square kilometers and was founded in 1905. This national park is also known for its scenic natural surroundings. In 2006 it was designated a Tiger Reserve. It also has a vast variety of local as well as migratory birds.

Practicalities

Best time to visit

November to April

Safari Timings

07:00 AM to 9:30 AM and 01:30 PM to 03:30 PM

Distance from airport and railway station

Jorhat Airport 74 km

Jorhat railway station 90 km

Activities

Jeep or elephant-back guided tour, bird watching, visit to nearby tea estates

3. Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan

Popular for being home to a good number of tigers, the Ranthambore National Park is one of the largest national parks in India. Offering wildlife, nature and history, this national park has 539 species of plants. During wildlife safaris, other animal species that can be spotted here include sloth bears, wild boars, hyenas, chital, leopards, rhesus macaques, spotted deer, gray langurs and more. The former hunting grounds of the Maharajas of Jaipur, it is pretty popular with wildlife photographers. The 10^th century Ranthambore Fort also must not be missed.

Practicalities

Best time to visit

October to March

Safari timings

07:00 AM to 10:30 AM and 02:00 PM to 05:30 PM

Distance from airport and railway station

Sanganer Airport 157 km

Sawai Madhopur railway station 13.6 km

Activities

Jeep safari, bird watching, Ranthambore Fort, sightseeing including Bakaula, Kachida Valley, Rajbagh Talao, ruins of chhatris (cenotaphs), Jogi Mahal, Trinetra Ganesh temple and Ranthambore School of Art

4. Periyar National Park, Kerala

One of the 27 tiger reserves in India, Periyar National Park is one of the most popular national parks in south India. Covering an area of 925 square kilometers, it is a storehouse of widespread, rare, endemic and endangered flora and fauna. Located in the heart of Pandalam Hills and Cardamom Hills of the Western Ghats, this national park has tigers, Nilgiri langurs, sambars, barking deer, elephants, gaur, and wild pigs. Known for its immense natural greenery, it also has the Giant King Cobra. The highlight of this national park is boat safaris.

Practicalities

Best time to visit

October to March

Boat Safari Timings

07.30 AM – 09:00 AM, 09.30 AM – 11:00 AM, and 11.15 AM – 12.45 PM, 01.45 PM – 03.15 PM and 03.30 PM – 05:00 PM

Distance from airport and railway station

Madurai Airport 140 km

Kottayam railway station 104 km

Activities

Boat cruises, bamboo rafting, hiking, guided nature walks, visit to Kumily, Cardamom Hills

5. Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh

The largest national park of Madhya Pradesh, Kanha National Park is a part of Project Tiger and houses a significant population of Royal Bengal tigers. It is also considered one of the best administered parks in Asia. Sprawled in an area of 942 square kilometers, this national park has more than 1000 species of flowering plants. Along with the ‘Jewel of Kanha’ (swamp deer), other animal species that can be spotted here include leopards, jackals, black bucks, hyenas, sloth bears and a number of migratory birds. Do not miss visiting Bamni Dadar sunset point. Visitors do not only enjoy memorable sunset views, but the panoramic views too.

Practicalities

Best time to visit

October to March

Safari Timings

Sunrise to 11:00 AM and 02:00 PM to sunset

Distance from airport and railway station

Jabalpur Airport 170 km

Gondia railway station 145 km

Activities

Jeep safari, Bamni Dadar sunset point, Kanha Museum, sightseeing in Jabalpur and Kawardha Palace

6. Gir Wildlife Sanctuary, Gujarat

The only place in India that has the mighty Asiatic Lion, Gir National Park is close to Junagarh and Somnath. According to the latest statistics, the park is the habitat of 523 lions and over 300 leopards. The former hunting grounds of the Nawabs of Junagadh, it is also home to two varieties of deer. Golden jackals, desert cats, nilgai, sloth bears, striped hyenas, chital, cobras and four-horned antelopes can also be seen here. In total, 38 mammal species, 300 bird species, over 200 insect species, and 37 species of reptiles can be found here.

Practicalities

Best time to visit

December to March

Safari Timings

06.00 AM to 09.00 AM and 09.00 AM to 12.00 PM and 03.00 PM to 06.00 PM

Distance from airport and railway station

Keshod Airport 38 km

Junagadh railway station 65 km

Activities

Wildlife safari, bird watching, sightseeing in Sasan Gir including Somnath temple, Kamleshwar Dham, Girnar Mountain, Nalsarovar Lake etc.

7. Sundarbans National Park, West Bengal

The swamp forest of Sundarbans National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Spotted deer and Royal Bengal tigers can be found here in abundance. Though the tigers here are known as man-eaters, their magnificence brings tourists from all around. Spread over 10,000 square kilometers in India and Bangladesh, it is the world’s largest delta of mangrove forest. There is also an abundance of avifauna, flora reptiles and marine life. Bengal tigers, wild boars, saltwater crocodiles, foxes, huge turtles, leopard cats, Ganges river dolphins etc. can be found here.

Practicalities

Best time to visit

December to February

Safari Timings

Time of the boat safari varies, as per the tour operator.

Distance from airport and railway station

Kolkata Airport 140 km

Canning Railway Station 29 km

Activities

Bird watching at Sajnekhali Bird Sanctuary, Sudhanyakhali Watch Tower, boat wildlife safaris, and sightseeing including Bharat Sevashram Sangha Temple.

8. Bandhavgarh National Park, Madhya Pradesh

Famous for its rich biodiversity, Bandhavgarh National Park has around 40 species of mammals and as many as 250 avifuana species. This jungle is the former hunting grounds of the Maharajas of Rewa. The park has a high density of Bengal tigers, thus increasing your chances of spotting a cat. Sambar, Indian bison, wild boars and barking deer are also spotted here. Bandhavgarh Fort is known to have a connection with the Ramayana, the great Hindu epic. The park also has a large breeding population of langur, 250 species of birds, and 80 species of butterflies.

Practicalities

Best time to visit

November to May

Safari Timings

06:00 AM to 11:00 AM and 03:00 PM to 06: 00 PM

Distance from airport and railway station

Jabalpur Airport 200 km

Umaria railway station 35 km

Activities

Wildlife spotting, Bandhavgarh Hill, Bandhavgarh Ancient Caves, Baghel Museum, trek to Bandhavgarh Fort, explore Tala village, bird watching

 

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