India has some of the most intricate and beautiful architecture in the world. You're standing in front of Agra's Taj Mahal, for example, it leaves you breathless. In awe. India's wildlife has this same impact upon your senses, leaving you breathless. The excitement of getting close to the Royal Bengal Tigers makes your heartbeat leap in front of you. They're magnificent animals.
In our guide we are going to walk you through 5 of India's best national parks. We'll also cover other national parks India has that didn't make our top five, for completeness.
Madhya Pradesh state has no less than 10 national parks and animal sanctuaries. Bandhavgarh is the most popular of the lot as the park has the largest population of tigers. The park is one of the most suitable landscapes too. It's thought the Bengal Tiger thrives at altitudes of 800m above sea level.
The parks' biodiversity ranges from grasslands, Sal forests, rich mixed forests. Many thickets of bamboo provide a home to the tigers and 37 other species of wild animals. If you see a spotted deer, then you may be in luck? The tigers' prey on the deer more than the others, there may be a chance a tiger is close by. Other prey for the tigers and leopards is the Sambar, barking deer, and nilgai.
There are restrictions placed on safaris in the national park. Many of India's national parks have restrictions to the numbers of tourists, by the way. Safari departures are twice daily, and each safari has limited number of vehicles. Policy is to protect the natural environment the wildlife depends upon. Also, no one can travel on their own in a national park, only with official guides.
Book in advance for a safari to this national park, and in fact for any Indian national park. A large park, it is split into 3 parts:
Tala and Magdhi are the most popular routes for those wanting to see the tigers. Khitauli is much more scenic with a better outcome for birdwatchers. Take note that you can only visit one part on any given safari tour, you choose which part to go to at the time of booking. For those who want to see everything, the park organizes safaris over several days. We visited the park when holidaying in Jabalpur City. Hiring a taxi in India is the fastest, most comfortable way to travel. We got to the park within 90 minutes.
Kaziranga National Park is much loved for its great Indian one horned Rhinoceros. The UNESCO World Heritage site is in the eastern Himalayas. That makes the park pretty much remote, and secluded. Is that something what you're looking for on a holiday to India? If so, it's perfect. Accessibility to the park from major cities involves travel. The park is a lush jungle paradise for wildlife and for adventure seekers.
If you want an amazing holiday experience like we got, a safari is an option. The park is popular for sightings of the great Rhino, because of the fewer tigers.
There is other wildlife to please most people, such as:
As with Bandhavgarh National Park, only authorized vehicles can enter the park. You cannot enter the park on your own terms. The park is split in four. One tour we took lasted 3 hours, which we were happy with. A plus point for you is you can book several tours, all for the same day. You have the opportunity to experience more of the park.
The park has the advantage of having a complex for accommodation, within the park. It's your choice to stay there or not. Guwahati City is the nearest major city to the park, which is quite some distance. Allow for 5-hours by private taxi. Jorhat City is much closer, which is a 2-hour drive. Both cities have airports accepting domestic flights from all other major cities.
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A magnificent reserve of bamboo forests and sprawling grassland meadows. The park has coverings of dense jungles, providing shelter for wildlife. This is the natural world that inspired the world-famous writings of "The Jungle Book".
Kanha National Park is home to the mighty Bengal Tiger. Not only the tigers, but many birds, reptiles and insect species call it home too. A vibrant array of fauna and flora, heightening the experience for nature lovers. The park has the best experience of India's central Highland tropics. It's our suggestion you travel between October and June, the following year.
Arrive at the park from Jabalpur City, a journey that's less than 4 hours. Or you can come from Nagpur City if you prefer? Nagpur City is further away, at 6 hours, but the nearest city with an international airport. For the best travel experience we recommend you should hire a private taxi.
Nagpur City is nearest to this national park, 150km away. Wherever you are in India, book accommodation in this city, for your safari visit. We flew in early morning to enjoy the city during the day. Staying one night, the safari was the following morning. Nagpur City is a top city in central India because of the city's international airport. You can use the city as a springboard for traveling to many other cities in outlying areas.
Jeep safaris available in the park are as expected. Yet, unique to Tadoba, they have a safari bus which works out to be cheaper. The safari bus has limitations, to the Moharali zone only. To enjoy the denser jungle, you'll need the jeep safari.
The park has 6 core zones and 6 buffer zones. The core zones, and their gates, are:
From one of these zones, you enter the park proper and have a chance of sighting one of the Royal Bengal Tigers. There have been sightings of tigers from the buffer zones too, from the parks 600km sq. core. As well as the tigers the other wildlife includes:
When not on safari, you can enjoy nature walks and treks into the forest jungles for grand viewpoints. The park also has a lake, Lake Tadoba. A boat safari is much sought after and recommended. Being on the water takes you closer to the birdlife as they congregate on the riverbanks, but there is more. You have a greater chance of seeing the crocodiles, in their natural environment.
Night safaris promise you sightings of hyenas, panthers, and owls. Accommodation in the park is found near to the following gates:
The accommodation comprises of luxury resorts and lodges. In our experience, this park is one of the most accessible. There are regular bus services to and from Nagpur with a journey time of 3 hours, or less. The park is also one of the most family friendliest.
Lush green forests and marshlands, create the perfect natural environment for the tiger. As your safari convoy moves along dirt tracks, your nostrils are met with an aroma of sandalwood and teak. This rich fragrance only adds to your enjoyment of the safari, and it does linger in your thoughts. Off the tracks, at distance thickets of bamboo interest you. Peering through binoculars you're eager for the elusive tiger, or an elephant. Anything, even a leopard would do, to glorify your safari holiday.
This park offers the explorer among you a lot of adventure. With 7 independent rivers and over 40 streams, the flora beneath the towering trees is thick and lush. It's the best eco system imaginable for the wildlife you seek. You have every chance of sighting many a wild animal with those common to the park:
Of course, sighting the elusive Bengal Tiger is the prize you've always want. Leave the jeep behind and get off the dusty tracks and onto the water. There are more than 250 bird species found in the park and being in a boat may reduce the odds in your favor. What excites the average birdwatcher enthusiast is the greater spotted eagle. Nagarhole National Park may be the best park for you capturing sight of the Bengal Tigers.
Be aware that the park can close during monsoon season, which happens to be July and August.
The number of national parks found in India is quite extensive. We have explored the 5 best parks and now we'll delve into the others. Over 100 national parks and conservation reserves throughout India, did you know? We've had the good fortune and pleasure of a good many safaris in India over the years, but which is our favorite? Manas National Park.
What are the reasons why India has so much protected land? The wildlife parks once were the playground for big game hunting by the maharajas. Those days are long over, and they'll never return. The task now is to protect and conserve these endangered species. The management of the parks does that, raising the populations. When you travel to India, for a safari holiday your park entrance fee sustains the parks efforts.
No matter where about in India you're planning on a holiday, there'll be a national park nearby. There are no excuses for not visiting one, they're a superb experience for families.
As with Kaziranga, Manas National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Kaziranga National Park was featured in our guide, before Manas National Park. That was because of the Great Indian one horned rhinoceros. The Manas National Park for us is worth a mention because it is far more than a national park. It's also a tiger reserve, a wildlife sanctuary and a Biosphere reserve. Besides, the park ensures the continued protection for 22 endangered mammal species.
Far smaller than India's other national parks. Dachigam National Park to your attention has the only place for red deer, the Hangul. Better known as the Kashmir Stag. The species was on the brink of extinction, but numbers are rising again.
To our knowledge, the park has no safaris but there are many trekking expeditions. The jungles promise you sights of the Himalayan wildlife, many waterfalls and meadows. One more reason you would wish to visit the park is for the Dal Lake.
The snow-covered mountains are an amazing backdrop to the houses on stilts and boats on the lake. But not only do the houses float, the gardens float also.
All featured parks in this guide have visitor accommodation available suiting most budgets. Accommodation in India seldom empties your bank account. There are 3-, 4- and 5-star resorts and lodges. One thing about India you love about the country, is their rail network. No matter how far off the beaten track a national park may be, there's a train station not far away. Train tickets in India are always cheap, great for when you are backpacking. Traveling as a couple, or with family?
No worries, hire a taxi instead. Taxis too, are inexpensive. The vehicles are modern, making them comfortable with air conditioning.
As with any big plan for a holiday where you could be heading to several destinations, book in advance. If you don't, and you do hit a snag, that ruins everyone's hope and dreams. Don't let it happen, book in advance because you can cancel later if you must. Each park limits the number of vehicles allowed in at any one time. And, in almost all cases you are not permitted entry on your own, only with a guide.
There is some distance to travel to any given park but the challenge of doing so rewards you in so many ways. That dream you've had of being on a safari in the wild, comes true. Your heart pounds faster as excitement builds up. The real sense of danger too, contributes to the wildlife's exhilarating.
Emotionally, unlike anything felt at a zoo. For even the slimmest of hopes of catching sight of the Bengal Tiger, it is very rare. And for most of us, it does only come once in our lifetime.
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Hello, we are George and Elle Mae Melyre.
Over the years, amidst work and family life, we have traveled extensively throughout Asia. Any chance to briefly escape or properly holiday in our beloved Asian destinations is eagerly seized, motivated by the enduring dream of leaving behind the UK's dreary cold for tropical climes.