India is one of the best places in the world for wildlife safaris, with more than 40 tiger reserves, 100 national parks, and 400 wildlife sanctuaries. The diverse geography of the country along with rich wildlife make it a great destination for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts. Read on to find out the best wildlife safaris in India for foreigners.
1. Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra
Known as the “Jewel of Vidarbha”, Tadoba National Park is one of the best tiger reserves in India, and the oldest and biggest in Maharashtra. If you want a rich wildlife experience without the crowds, this is the place to visit.
With a rich population of tigers, leopards, Indian bison, and sloth bears, the Tadoba Jeep Safari is worth every penny. For the best chance of seeing tigers, visit the park from March to May. The park is open throughout the year, but the core zones are closed during the monsoon season from July to September.
Nearest airport: Nagpur (107 km)
Nearest railway station: Chandrapur (36 km)
See also: A safari trip to Tadoba National Park
2. Pench Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh
Pench Tiger Reserve sits on the border of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, believed to have inspired Mowgli’s adventures in “The Jungle Book”. Home to the majestic Bengal tiger, the national park covers 750 square kilometers with stunning landscapes and a diverse environment. Other wildlife species include leopards, wolves, spotted deer, Indian bison, and wild dogs, along with many species of birds.
The best time to visit Pench National Park is from October to June. While October to February offers pleasant climate, March to May offers the best chances of tiger sightings.
Nearest airport: Nagpur (103 km)
Nearest railway station: Seoni (86 km) and Nagpur (84 km)
3. Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh
Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh is also known as the inspiration behind Rudyard Kipling’s “The Jungle Book”. With dense sal and bamboo forests and beautiful meadows, the park is home to panthers, bears, elephants, and pythons. This is one of the few places where you can spot the Barasingha, an endangered deer species.
October to June is the best time to visit this national park, but you will spot more animals from March to June, when more animals gather around the watering holes due to the heat.
Nearest airport: Jabalpur (130 km)
Nearest railway station: Gondia (122 km)
4. Bandhavgarh National Park, Madhya Pradesh
Bandhavgarh National Park in Madhya Pradesh has one of the highest densities of tigers in India. Established in 1968, the small national park has a diverse landscape, with forests, meadows, as well as ancient ruins and caves.
The park also has leopards, sloth bears, striped hyenas, and the common langur, along with more than 250 species of birds. October to June is the best time to visit this park, but for more animal sightings, visit between March and May.
Nearest airport: Jabalpur (180 km)
Nearest railway station: Umaria (32 km)
5. Satpura National Park, Madhya Pradesh
Satpura National Park is a greatly underrated national park in India. This works well for travelers and wildlife enthusiasts looking for an offbeat experience, since you will find fewer tourists here. The hilly terrain of the park houses leopards, sloth bears, wild dogs, and over 300 species of birds. While the park has tigers and elephants, it would be a rare sighting.
A unique feature of this park is that it offers river safaris as well as walking safaris. The best time to visit this park is from October to April.
Nearest airport: Bhopal (115 km)
Nearest railway station: Itarsi (14 km)
6. Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand
Jim Corbett National Park is probably one of the most popular national parks among Indians as well as foreigners. Named after the conservationist Jim Corbett, it is India’s oldest national park. It houses the Royal Bengal tiger, elephants, and other wildlife, as well as more than 650 species of birds like the fish eagle and Himalayan griffon.
More than for animals, the park is known for its idyllic landscape, forest lodges, and wildlife conservation efforts. It also features the Jim Corbett Museum and the Corbett Waterfall.
The park is open throughout the year, but a few zones are closed during monsoons. You need to book a safari here well in advance.
Nearest airport: Pantnagar (83 km)
Nearest railway station: Ramnagar (15 km)
Read: Best wildlife sanctuaries in North India
7. Kaziranga National Park, Assam
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kaziranga National Park is home to the largest population of the endangered one-horned rhinoceros. You can also spot elephants, panthers, bears, and a variety of birds in this stunning park spread across 429 kilometers. The wetland landscape of the park is rich with dense forests, rivers, and grasslands.
The best time to visit this park is from November to April. February to April offer perfect weather and high chances of animal sightings. The park is closed during the monsoon season due to heavy rains.
Nearest airport: Jorhat (102 km)
Nearest railway station: Furkating (86 km)
8. Sundarban National Park, West Bengal
Sundarbans in West Bengal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site lying in the delta of the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers. The biosphere reserve houses many endangered species like the Royal Bengal Tiger, Ganges and Irrawaddy dolphins, and crocodiles.
This enchanting park showcases beautiful mangrove forests, rivers, and islands, with boat safaris through the small inlets and narrow creeks.
The best time to visit this park is from October to March, when the weather is cool and pleasant.
Nearest airport: Kolkata (100 km)
Nearest railway station: Canning (48 km)
9. Sasan Gir National Park, Gujarat
The Sasan Gir Wildlife Sanctuary is the only place in the world apart from Africa where you will find the Asiatic lion in its natural habitat. You can also spot leopards, striped hyenas, and jackals here. The diverse landscape includes dry forests, scrublands, and villages, offering a beautiful experience for nature lovers.
The park is open from October to June. April to June is the best time for lion sightings.
Nearest airport: Diu (67 km)
Nearest railway station: Veraval (45 km)
Read more: Best wildlife sanctuaries in Gujarat
10. Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan
Ranthambore Tiger Reserve and National Park is probably the most widely known national park of India. This park is spread across 1334 square kilometers and is home to the Royal Bengal tiger. You can also spot leopards, sambar deer, wild boars, and sloth bears here.
The royal charm of Rajasthan spreads to this park through stunning landscapes and rich history. The Ranthambore Fort is also a part of the national park and worth a visit.
The park is closed from July to September due to the monsoon season.
Nearest airport: Jaipur (180 km)
Nearest railway station: Sawai Madhopur (11 km)
11. Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala
Nestled in the Western Ghats of Kerala, Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary has elephants, tigers, and many tropical species of birds. You can also take a boat ride in the Periyar Lake and spot animals from there.
The park also offers forest treks and activities like bamboo rafting, perfect for foreigners who want a peaceful wildlife experience. The park is open throughout the year, but the best time to visit is from September to December.
Nearest airport: Madurai (140 km)
Nearest railway station: Kottayam (110 km)
See also: Wildlife sanctuaries in South India
12. Hemis National Park, Ladakh
Hemis National Park is the highest-altitude national park in the world and the best place to see the elusive snow leopard. Spread over 4400 square kilometers, the park also includes Tibetan sheep, Ibex, Golden eagles, and Blue sheep.
May to September is the best time to visit this national park. Some trekking routes are closed from November due to heavy snow and only reopen in April or May.
Nearest airport: Leh (48 km)
Tips for foreign tourists
- Choose a national park according to your preferences. Every national park in India is famous for different types of wildlife, so do your research and choose accordingly.
- Book in advance. Popular wildlife sanctuaries like Ranthambore and Bandhavgarh start their bookings early and sell out quickly.
- Most national parks are divided into different zones and some zones have a higher probability of animal spottings. Ask for the best zones before booking.
- The best time to visit most national parks in India is from October to April, since the climate is cooler and comfortable for wildlife safaris. However, March to May is the best time for tiger spotting. The climate is extremely hot, but this is the time when tigers gather more around the watering holes. Many national parks are closed during the monsoon season from July to September.
- You will need to keep your passport handy for a safari booking. Bring cameras, binoculars, hat, and sunglasses. Apply plenty of sunscreen and mosquito repellent during the safaris.
- Wear earthy colors like beige, olive green, and brown. For early morning and night safaris, wear layered clothes.
So, which wildlife adventure would you like to go on first? Let us know! At India Someday, we curate personalized itineraries to India for you based on your likes and preferences. Contact us and together we can plan the perfect trip to India for you!
