India is known for its buzzing cities, but it is also a wonderful destination for nature lovers. It is enough to know that the Bengal tiger is the national animal of the country to realize that wildlife is surely blooming. The truth is that in India, you can spot countless beautiful wild animals in grasslands, teakwood forests, rivers, mountains, and other countless natural spaces.
What few people know is that India now has over 100 national parks. This means 15,600 square miles are protected land. Obviously, some regions that you can visit are better than others. We thus recommend the following incredible locations that allow you to experience the wonderful wildlife in India.
Nagarahole National Park – Karnataka
This park is also known around the world as Rajiv Gandhi National Park and stands out as the main tiger destinations of the country. The region is filled with marshlands, lush forests, and stunning hills. You will see numerous teak trees, bamboo, winding streams, and fragrant sandalwood. Just organize a jeep safari, and you will be able to spot large cats and many other animals, including leopards. You can also go on a boat trip to see crocodiles, Indian elephants, and aquatic birds.
While the Nagarahole National Park is open every single day of the year, remember that it can be closed during July and August because of flooding. This is the monsoon season. The best time to visit is between October and February.
Kaziranga National Park – Assam
Right on Brahmaputra River’s floodplains, the Kaziranga National Park can be visited. This forest preserve was inaugurated in 1905 and tries to protect the beautiful one-horned rhinoceros. These rhinos are a huge target for poachers, so Kaziranga protects 2 thirds of the entire population of one-horned rhinos in the entire world. There are also numerous tigers, buffalos, river dolphins, and endangered swamp deer.
Kaziranga was named an official UNESCO World Heritage spot and stands out as one of the few Eastern India areas that are untouched by the actions of humans. Plan your visit between the months of November and March.
Keoladeo National Park – Rajasthan
The Keoladeo National Park lies between Agra and Jaipur. This is a dream location for ornithologists because of hundreds of different bird species, all placed in a very compact size.
During the nineteenth century, maharajas went duck-hunting here, with the reserve becoming a national bird sanctuary starting in 1976. The official title of national park was gained in 1982. Right now, the park is a very important UNESCO World Heritage site and protects migratory birds. Many endangered species spend their winter here.
You want to visit between the months of October and February, with most visitors coming from Agra. The closest airports are located in Jaipur and Delhi.
Satpura National Park – Madhya Pradesh
If there is just one word to describe the Satpura National Park, it has to be picturesque. Perfectly located in central India’s highlands, this is a paradise for photgraphers. You will be able to enjoy malachite green forests, grasslands, slot canyons, waterfalls, temples, and ravines. Tourists can enjoy sloth bears, birds, leopards, antelopes, and countless other species.
Safaris are available at the Satpura National Park by motorboat, foot, kayak, and jeep. Make sure to visit between the month of November to February, and if you are looking for easy access, it is available by road from Nagpur, Chhindwara, and Jabalpur.
Hemis National Park – Kashmir and Jammu
Hemis National Park is located high in the Himalayas, in the northern part of the country. The best time to visit is between the months of January and March. Visiting during winter is best since landscapes look better, and you get the opportunity of seeing the lovely snow leopards. There are around 5,000 of them in the park, some of the last ones in the entire world. Even so, sightings are quite rare, so you need to be patient during your visit.
