Wildlife in India
There are many National Parks throughout India to visit, and some great jungle lodges and places to stay. Visits to Indian National Parks can be incorporated into a journey or itinerary of your choice.
As members of TOFT (Travel Operators for Tigers) all accommodation and safaris are carefully selected.
Bandhavgarh, Madhya Pradesh
Bandhavgarh is set amongst the Vindya Hills of Madhya Pradesh and its numerous tigers, their cubs and prey are spread over three separate sal and bamboo forest ranges, including Tala, Magdhi and Khitauli. The park has an impressive setting – the ruins of the ancient fort, from which this park derives its name, provide a stunning backdrop. There are also temples, 10th century shrines and hermit caves. Bandhavgarh was given national park status in 1968 and since this time it has developed into one of India’s finest tiger reserves.
Kanha, Madhya Pradesh
A landscape of grassy meadows and deciduous forest including the Indian Ghost Tree (kullu), sal and bamboo with meandering streams. There is a rich variety of wildlife including tiger, deer including sambhar, chital and barasingha, also leopard, sloth bear, Indian wild dog, python and nearly 300 species of birds. This is the setting that inspired Rudyard Kipling to write his Jungle Book, stories about animal behaviour and the laws of the jungle.
Pench, Madhya Pradesh
Named after the Pench river that runs north to south through the park, Pench has a fairly open canopy, mixed forest with shrub cover and open, grassy patches that is rich in wildlife. Tiger, leopard, sloth bear, hyena, jungle cat, Indian wild dog and many species of deer can be seen here.
Satpura, Madhya Pradesh
The Satpura National Park and Tiger Reserve is relatively unknown and represents nature at its very best. The terrain is extremely rugged and consists of sandstone peaks, narrow gorges, ravines and dense forests. With a limit on the number of jeeps allowed into the park at any given time there is the opportunity to witness a true wilderness experience. In addition the park offers elephant and boat safaris and also walking safaris within the reserve.
Tadoba Andhari, Maharashtra
The Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve is a forest that used to be famous as a favourite of shikari’s (hunters). Dominated by teak forest and bamboo, it is a rugged landscape comprising cliffs, caves, marshes, perennial lakes and boulder strewn streambeds that cater to many endangered species including leopard, sloth bear, ratel and gaur, and the Tiger, who are seen increasingly in its borders.
Ranthambore, Rajasthan
Like other parks in the region, Ranthambore was originally the hunting ground of Jaipur’s maharajas and you can see ruined pavilions standing on the banks of one of the three lakes in the park. Here you may get a glimpse of the endangered tiger but may also see panther, jackal, hyena and sloth bear, as well as species of deer. The many species of birds include the Indian Roller Bird and birds of prey such as the Crested Serpent Eagle.
Keoladeo National Park, Rajasthan
This wetland bird sanctuary is near Bharatpur in Rajasthan. Over 364 species of birds have been recorded in its old Maharaja-made wetlands, including the endangered Siberian cranes, painted storks and many migratory wetland and duck species.
Gir, Gujarat
The Gir Forest National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary is in Gujarat, India. Established in 1965, it is the sole home of the pure Asiatic Lions and is considered to be one of the most important protected areas in Asia due to its supported species.
Corbett, Uttarakhand
This was India’s first national park, and – under Project Tiger – became the first Tiger Reserve in 1973. Set in the Himalayan foothills, Corbett has varied terrain from savannah grasslands to hilly ridges of deciduous forests with the Ramganga River running through. Wildlife includes tigers, elephants, four-horned antelope (chausingha) and over 600 species of birds.
Periyar, Kerala
A huge lake covering an area of 10 sq miles makes an ideal habitat for elephants with its source of water throughout the year. Boat cruises on the lake give wonderful opportunities for spotting wildlife, especially herds of wild elephants, but also Indian bison (gaur) and sloth bears. Periyar is also known for its many species of flowering plants – including many species of orchids.
Nagarhole, Karnataka
A profusion of rivers and swampy grasslands keep this park green all year. Coracle rides on the Kabini River are a good way of spotting wildlife. This reserve forms one of the most important migratory corridors for animals such as the Asian elephant and the Indian bison.
Kaziranga, Assam
This magnificent National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is the home of the Indian one-horned rhinoceros. Beautifully situated on the banks of the Brahmaputra River there are huge grasslands and swamps where several animals migrate during the monsoon. Visitors can enter the park on the backs of elephant.
Sundarbans National Park, West Bengal
The Sundarbans is a cluster of low-lying islands in the Bay of Bengal, and the largest active delta in the world formed by the river Ganga and Brahmaputra. The region is well known for its unique Mangrove forests and the wide variety of biodiversity.