Great wild destinations – A guide to the best wildlife parks of India

The monsoon season is just about to end. If you are one of those who are fascinated by anything wild, then the time is ripe for you to start looking at the best wildlife parks of India. From October onward, all the most popular best wildlife parks of India will reopen for tourists. For this reason, people are likely to be clamoring in droves to get a chance to witness the wild wonders of India in the best possible weather conditions.

With a plethora of nature reserves spread over the length and breadth of the country, one might easily get confused as to which one wildlife reserve to visit in this season. With this in mind, we have prepared a list of the best best wildlife parks of India that one must visit this season.

Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand:

Widely regarded as one of most scenic best wildlife parks of India, the Jim Corbett National Park is a haven for nature lovers. Named after the legendary wildlife conservationist and author Jim Corbett, the national park is located close to the mountainous region of Nainital. The tiger, the elephant and the rhino are three of the most sought after animals here. However, the Jim Corbett National Park can also be savored for its majestic natural and luxuriant beauty. There is vibrant verdancy all around, there are sparkling rivulets at every corner and the forest is teeming with a wide array of magnificent flora and fauna. You are likely to encounter sloth bears, foxes, langur monkeys, rhesus macaques, peacocks, otters, gharials and a variety of other fauna while in the confines of the park.

It also must be remembered that the Jim Corbett National Park was established in 1936 and is India’s first national park.

Bandhavgarh National Park, Madhya Pradesh:

For the true tiger lover, the Bandhavgarh National Park is the place to be. Located in the heart of Madhya Pradesh, this beautiful forest reserve gets the best tiger sightings in India. While the park isn’t as huge compared to some of the other best wildlife parks of India, it has perhaps the highest population of the tiger in a wild reserve (close to 50 according to the latest estimates). The tiger sightings are fairly regular in the summer months. However, one can also catch the striped beauty in the winters here.

What is more is that Bandhavgarh also houses plenty if other mammals. Asiatic jackals, sloth bears, foxes, gray mongoose, ratels, jungle cats, deer, wild boars, Chinkara, Nilgai, and striped hyenas are found in good numbers here.  Another main attraction of the park is the leopard – close to 40 of the species can be found in the forest.

Sundarban National Park, West Bengal:

This isn’t just the most popular national park in West Bengal; it is one of the best best wildlife parks of India. Home to the Bengal tiger, the Sundarban National Park is a mysterious and bewitching place that has captivated wildlife lovers and researchers for decades. These mangrove forests are hard to be accessed on foot and one would need a boat ride to explore the rich flora and fauna found here. Over the past many years, several studies have been conducted on the Sundarban tiger. Its unusual height, its apparent man-eating tendencies, its mysterious nature and its fear among the local populace has fascinated wildlife researchers for years. Books have been written on it and many documentaries have been made on the subject as well. However, the Sundarban tiger continues to be an enigma for nature enthusiasts.

Other than the Bengal Tiger, Sundarbans is also host to Estuarine the Crocodile (Crocodilus porosus), the Fishing Cat (Felis viverrina), the Common otter (Lutra lutra), the Water Monitor lizard (Varanus salvator), and Gangetic Dolphin (Platinista gangetica), among a host of other magnificent animals.

Gir Forest National Park, Gujarat:

In the list of famous best wildlife parks of India, the name of Gir National Park will always be there. After all, it is the only place in Asia where you can get to spot the regal Asiatic lions. In the initial days, the area used to be a hunting place for the Nawabs of Junagadh. However, in 1990 the place was converted into a wildlife reserve. It was done with the view of conserving the Indian lion. When the part started, the lion count here was only 12. At the present time, however, the number has risen to close to 600. Over the years, the Gir National Park and its authorities have indeed done a stupendous job and today the lions truly rule the Gir National Park.

Unlike other famous best wildlife parks of India, however, Gir isn’t lush green in its expanse. In fact, it can be rather dry and barren in certain areas. On the positive side, you can get to see a wide variety of animals inside apart from the lions like sambar, chinkara, chital, porcupine, wild boar, and as well as the black buck.

Kaziranga National Park, Assam:

Home to the largest population of the Indian rhino (close to 1800 at the last count), the Kaziranga National Park in Assam is one of the most uniquely majestic best wildlife parks of India. While the one-horned rhino is the main attraction of this beautiful wildlife reserve, it also shelters the Tiger, Elephant, Wild Buffalo and Swamp Deer.

Spreading over an area over 378 sq km, the Kaziranga National Park is a massive landscape that offers a wealthy array of exotic natural beauty. Its sublime verdure, the jungle buzzing with animal sounds and the fine weather make it the perfect destination for wildlife enthusiasts. It is important to point out here that Kaziranga has been recognized as a Unesco World Heritage Site.

A point often overlooked about Kaziranga is that it also has a good population of tigers. In fact, it has the highest density of tigers among all identified wildlife parks and sanctuaries around the world. Furthermore, there are also about close to 2,000 elephants in the Kaziranga along with some truly extraordinary collection of birds.

Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan:

Amongst the best wildlife parks of India, the Ranthambore National Park has truly attained a cult status. This is primarily because of the several famous tigers it has housed over the decades – Machli and Ustab being the most celebrated ones – who have gone on to enrapture the world.

Located in the small town of Sawai Madhopur, about 130 kilometers from Jaipur, Ranthambhore National Park is spread over 392 sq. kilometers and was established way back in 1955. Over the past many decades, Ranthambhore has firmly established its name as one of the best wildlife parks of India primarily because of its healthy tiger population. Various celebrities from the world over have been enthralled by its charm and majestic beauty and love to visit it over and over again. The park owes its existence to one Fateh Singh Rathore – the late but legendary forest officer of this park. It was because of his relentless and tiring efforts that Ranthambhore became the magical land it is currently.    

Apart from the tigers though, there is a wide variety of animals and birds that you can see at Ranthambhore. Leopards, Sloth Bears, Crocodiles, Antelopes, Peacocks, Monkeys are some of the famous animals among others that you are sure to come across whilst your visit there. Additionally, other than the national park itself, there are other things to do as well when you are inside Ranthambhore. You can have a glimpse of the enchanting Ranthambhore fort or have a relaxing time in the banks of the Padma Talao.

As has been noted above, there are a number of amazing options when it comes to picking the best best wildlife parks of India. Apart from these, you can also consider places like Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, Bandipur National Park, The Great Himalayan National Park, Dudhwa National Park and Sariska National Park.

Which is your favourite among best wildlife parks of India? Comment below.