Top 15 Wildlife Sanctuaries in India

The diversity of fauna in Wildlife Sanctuaries in India has attracted scores of visitors from all over world. Top 15 Wildlife Sanctuaries in India is an insight into wildlife tourism of India, with all the information you must have about the top national parks, the best tiger reserves and wildlife safaris in India. In this blog post we have covered almost everything like the best time to visit the top wildlife sanctuaries in India and how to reach there?, we have also given numerous links to best India wildlife tour packages for your convenience. If you still have any questions regarding India wildlife safari, it would be our pleasure to address the same too. Here is a list of 15 most famous national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in India to visit in 2024!

15. Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, Karnataka

Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area and a tiger reserve as part of Project Tiger, located 23 km south of Bhadravathi town and 38 km northwest of Chikkamagaluru town in Karnataka state, India Bhadra sanctuary has a wide range of flora and fauna and is a popular place for day outings.

Main Wildlife Attractions - Tigers, Leopards, Striped Hyenas, Sloth bears, Black Bucks, Indian Flying Foxes, Snub Nosed Marsh Crocodiles, Desert Monitor Lizards, Tortoise, Cobras, Indian Pythons, and Russel's Vipers.

Best time to visit Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary - 1st October to the 30th June every year. The park remains closed from July to September for visitors due to rainy season.

Bhadra National Park Safari Timings -

You might also like Top 10 National Parks in India

14. Dudhwa National Park, Uttar Pradesh

Dudhwa Tiger Reserve Located on the Indo-Nepal border in the district Lakhimpur-Kheri in Uttar Pradesh, Dudhwa National Park, together with Kishanpur and Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuaries, represent the best natural forests and grasslands left in the Terai region of Uttar Pradesh. The three Protected Areas, being the last viable home of the Royal Bengal Tiger in the state, have been jointly constituted into Dudhwa Tiger Reserve under Project Tiger.

Best time to visit Dudhwa Tiger Reserve - 1st October to the 30th June every year. The park remains closed from July to September for visitors due to rainy season.

Dudhwa National Park Safari Timings -

13. Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary, Karnataka

Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary is the second largest sanctuary in Karnataka. For adventure aficionados, Dandeli provides a perfect holiday destination or a weekend getaway. From white-water rafting in Kali river to mountain biking in the hilly terrains to even spotting tigers as well as rare species of birds, Dandeli has it all to appease you in the lap of nature.

Best time to visit Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary - 1st October to the 30th June every year. The park remains closed from July to September for visitors due to rainy season.

Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary Safari Timings -

View Packages - Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary Tour Packages

12. Nagarhole National Park, Karnataka

Nagarhole National Park (also known as Rajiv Gandhi National Park), is a national park located in Kodagu district and Mysore district in Karnataka state in South India. It is one of India's premier Tiger Reserves along with the adjoining Bandipur Tiger Reserve. The park protects the wildlife of Karnataka. The important predators and carnivores in Nagarhole National Park are the Bengal tiger, Indian leopard, Ussuri dhole (Cuon alpinus alpinus), sloth bear and the striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena). The herbivores are chital, sambar deer, barking deer, four-horned antelope (Tetracercus quadricornis), gaur (Bos gaurus), wild boar (Sus scrofa) and Indian elephant.

Best time to visit Nagarhole National Park - 1st October to the 30th June every year. The park remains closed from July to September for visitors due to rainy season.

Nagarhole National Park Safari Timings -

View Packages - Nagarhole National Park Tour Packages

11. Tadoba National Park, Maharashtra

Tadoba National Park is the largest Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra. It lies in the Chandrapur district of Maharashtra state and is approximately 150 km from Nagpur city. The total area of the tiger reserve is 1,727 Sq.km, which includes the Tadoba National Park, created in the year 1955. According to the 2010 National Census on Tigers, there are about 43 tigers in the reserve, which is one of the highest in India.

Best time to visit Tadoba National Park - 1st October to the 30th June every year. The park remains closed from July to September for visitors due to rainy season.

Tadoba National Park Safari Timings -

View Packages - Tadoba National Park Tour Packages

10. Sundarbans National Park, West Bengal

Sundarbans National Park is a large coastal mangrove forest, shared by India and Bangladesh. The area is home to the Royal Bengal tiger, plus other endangered species such as the estuarine crocodile and Ganges River dolphin. Boats from Khulna city travel south along the river to a quiet mangrove beach at Kotka. Here, a watchtower offers views of the forest and its birds and animals.

Best time to visit Sundarbans National Park - 1st October to the 30th June every year. The park remains closed from July to September for visitors due to rainy season.

Sundarbans National Park Safari Timings -

View Packages - Sundarbans National Park Tour Packages

9. Pench National Park, Madhya Pradesh

Pench Tiger Reserve or Pench National Park is one of the premier tiger reserves of India and the first one to straddle across two states - Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. Ordinarily, the reference to Pench is mostly always to the tiger reserve in Madhya Pradesh. It derives its name from the Pench River that flows through the park from north to south dividing the park into almost equal western and eastern halves, the well-forested areas of Seoni and Chhindwara districts respectively.

Main Wildlife Attractions - Tiger, Bison, Jungle Cat, Wild Boar, Chital, Jackal, Hyena, Wolf, Common Krait, Banded Krait, Indian Cobra, Russell's Viper, Echis Carinatus, Boiga Trigonata, Ahaetulla Nasuta

Best time to visit Pench National Park - October to June is the best time to spot wildlife. The chances of spotting animals increases in summers as the animals get out more often to drink water.

Pench National Park Safari Timings -

View Packages - Pench National Park Tour Packages

8. Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh

Kanha National Park, also known as Kanha Tiger Reserve, is a vast expanse of grassland and forest in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. Tigers, jackals and wild pigs can be spotted in Kanha Meadows. The elevated plateau of Bamhnidadar is home to birds of prey. Animals often gather at the watering holes of Sondar Tank and Babathenga Tank. The park's flora and fauna are documented in the park's Kanha Museum.

Main Wildlife Attractions - Tiger, Chital, Sambar, Barasingha, Barking Deer, Chousingha, Gaur, Langur, Wild Boar, Sloth Bear, Black Buck, Hyena, Rudd Mongoose, Indian Fox, Badger, Indian Monitor, Fan Throated Lizard, Russell's Viper, Python, Indian Cobra, Indian Krait, Rat Snake.

Best time to visit Kanha National Park - The best time to visit Kanha Tiger Reserve is the period from mid October to June end. The park remains closed from July to September for visitors due to rainy season.

Kanha National Park Safari Timings -

View Packages - Kanha National Park Tour Packages

7. Kaziranga National Park, Assam

Kaziranga National Park is a protected area in the northeast Indian state of Assam. Spread across the floodplains of the Brahmaputra River, its forests, wetlands and grasslands are home to tigers, elephants and the world's largest population of Indian one-horned rhinoceroses. Ganges River dolphins swim in the park's waters. It's visited by many rare migratory birds, and gray pelicans roost near Kaziranga village.

Main Wildlife Attractions - Indian Rhinoceros, Indian Elephant, Bengal Tigers, Indian Bison, Wild Water Buffalo, Swamp Deer, Gharial, Indian Water Monitor, Common Bengal Monitor, Khasi Hills Forest Lizard.

Best time to visit Kaziranga National Park - November to April is the best time to visit Kaziranga National Park. Kaziranga becomes inaccessible during rainy season from June to August.

Kaziranga National Park Safari Timings -

Range	Morning Session	Afternoon Session
Burapahar Range, Ghorakati	5:30 to 7:30	15:00 to 16:00
Eastern Range, Agaratoli	5:30 to 7:30	15:00 to 16:00
Kazirana Range, Kohora	5:30 to 7:30	15:00 to 16:00
Western Range, Bagori	5:30 to 7:30	15:00 to 16:00

View Packages - Kaziranga National Park Tour Packages

6. Gir National Park, Gujarat

Gir Forest National Park is a wildlife sanctuary in Gujarat, western India. It was established to protect Asiatic lions, who frequent the fenced-off Devalia Safari Park, along with leopards and antelopes. Gir Jungle Trail, outside the fenced area, traverses deciduous forest and is home to wildlife including vultures and pythons. The Kamleshwar Dam has marsh crocodiles and birds, such as Indian skimmers and pelicans.

Main Wildlife Attractions - Animals:The entire forest area of the Gir National Park is dry and deciduous which provides best habitat for Asiatic Lions. As per the new statics of 2015, the entire Saurashtra Region is inhabited by 523 Lions and more than 300 Leopards. Jackal, striped hyena, jungle cat, rusty-spotted cat, langur, porcupine, black-naped Indian hare are among the other mammals of Gir. Gir has a large population of marsh crocodile or mugger, which is among the 40 species of reptiles and amphibians recorded in the sanctuary.

Best time to visit Gir National Park- Gir National Park is remains closed from 16th June to 15th October every year. It is the period of when south west monsoon arrives. December to March is climatically the best season to visit the park. Though, April and May are very hot but considered as the best months for wildlife viewing and photography.

Gir National Park Safari Timings - Morning Hours 6:00 Hrs to 9:00 Hrs | 8:30 Hrs - 11:30 Hrs and Afternoon Hours 3:00 Hrs - 6:00 Hrs

View Packages - Gir National Park Tour Packages

5. Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand

Jim Corbett National Park is a forested wildlife sanctuary in northern India's Uttarakhand State. Rich in flora and fauna, it's known for its Bengal tigers. Animals, including tigers, leopards and wild elephants, roam the Dhikala zone. On the banks of the Ramganga Reservoir, the Sonanadi zone is home to elephants and leopards, along with hundreds of species of birds.

Main Wildlife Attractions - Small cats in the park include the Jungle Cat, Fishing Cat and Leopard Cat. Other mammals include Barking deer, Sloth and Himalayan Black Bears, Indian Grey Mongoose, Otters, Yellow-throated Martens, Himalayan Goral, Indian Pangolins, Langur and Rhesus Macaques. There are quite a number of reptiles also in Corbett National Park. Some of the common reptiles you will spot here are Gharials, Muggers, Monitor Lizards, Turtles, Cobras, Pythons, Sal Forest Tortoise, Russell's Viper and Kraits.

Best time to visit Jim Corbett National Park - The famous Birjani zone of this park welcomes the visitors from mid of October to mid of June months and Dhikala zone allows visitors to visit inside from November 15 to mid of June. During monsoon period, the road of Dhikala and Birjani zones get completely washed away.

Jim Corbett National Park Safari Timings - Morning Hours 6:00 Hrs - 9.30 Hrs and Evening Hours 15:00 Hrs - 18:00 Hrs

View Packages - Corbett National Park Tour Packages

4. Bandipur National Park, Karnataka

Bandipur National Park, an 874-sq.-km forested reserve in the southern Indian state of Karnataka, is known for its small population of tigers. Once the private hunting ground of the Maharajas of Mysore, the park also harbors Indian elephants, spotted deer, gaurs (bison), antelopes and numerous other native species. The 14th-century Himavad Gopalaswamy Temple offers views from the park's highest peak.

Main Wildlife Attractions - Tigers, Gaur, Sambhar, Chital, Mouse deer, Four-Horned Antelope, Wild Dogs, Wild Boar, Jackal, Sloth Bear, Panther, Malabar Squirrel, Porcupines, The black-Knapped Hare, Spectacled Cobra, Indian Rock Python, Vipers, Muggers and Flying Lizards.

Best time to visit Bandipur National Park - October to March is the best time to visit Bandipur National Park. The summer starts in March and ends in June, the park remains closed from July to September for visitors due to rainy season.

Bandipur National Park Safari Timings -

Bus Safari - Morning 6:30 Hrs and 9:00 Hrs and Evening 15:30 Hrs to 18:30 Hrs
Elephant Safari - Morning 10 Hrs and 11 Hrs
Jeep Safari - Morning 6:00 Hrs to 9:00 Hrs and from 16:00 Hrs to 18:00 Hrs.

View Packages - Bandipur National Park Tour Packages

3. Keoladeo Ghana National Park, Rajasthan

Keoladeo National Park is a vast bird sanctuary and former royal game reserve in the north Indian state of Rajasthan. South of the ancient city of Bharatpur, the park's woods and man-made wetlands protect over 350 species of migratory and resident birds, including herons, cormorants and eagles.

Main Wildlife Attractions - The main attractions for tourists visiting the Keoladeo Ghana Park are the migratory birds, which come from as far away as Siberia and Central Asia to spend their winters in Bharatpur, before returning back to their breeding grounds. Some of the migratory birds that visit Keoladeo /Bharatpur bird sanctuary include several species of Cranes, Hawks, Pelicans, Geese, Shanks, Ducks, Eagles, Warblers, Stints, Wagtails, Buntings, Wheatears, Flycatchers, Larks, Pipits etc. Besides the migratory and resident birds, other tourist attractions in Keoladeo Ghana bird sanctuary include the Bharatpur government Museum, Lohagarh Fort and Deeg Palace.

Best time to visit Keoladeo Ghana National Park - Bharatpur Wildlife Sanctuary or the Keoladeo Ghana National Park is open throughout the year; however the best time to visit Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary is from October till March for this is when the migratory birds from around the globe could be spotted here.

Keoladeo Ghana National Park Safari Timings - The Keoladeo National Park remains open round the year from sunrise to sunset.

View Packages - Keoladeo National Park Tour Packages

2. Bandhavgarh National Park, Madhya Pradesh

Bandhavgarh National Park is in Madhya Pradesh state of India. This park is among the best national parks of India where Asian tigers can be easily viewed. Area of this park is of around 448 km2. Bandhavgarh National Park was the former hunting preserve of the Maharaja of Rewa and at present is a famous natural hub for White Tigers. White Tigers, now a major attraction around the world's zoos, were first discovered in Rewa.

Main Wildlife Attractions - White Tigers, Bengal Tigers, Leopards, Sambar, Barking Deer, Nilgai, Wild Boar, Gaur, Chausingha and Chinkara, The Asiatic Jackal, Bengal Fox, Sloth Bear, Ratel, Grey Mongoose, Striped Hyena and Jungle Cats.

Best time to visit Bandhavgarh National Park - Mid October to Mid June is the best time to visit Bandhavgarh National Park. The park remains closed from July to September for visitors due to rainy season.

Bandhavgarh Safari Timings:

Morning Hours

15th October to 15th Feb - 06:30 Hrs to 11:00 Hrs
16th Feb to 31st March - 06:00 Hrs to 11:00 Hrs
01st April to 30th June - 05:30 Hrs to 10:00 Hrs

Afternoon Hours

15th October to 15th Feb - 14:30 Hrs to 17:30 Hrs
16th Feb to 31st March - 15:00 Hrs to 18:00 Hrs
01st April to 30th June - 16:00 Hrs to 19:00 Hrs

Note - Every Wednesday Jeep Safari afternoon shift remains closed for visitors. Morning and afternoon both the shift remain close on Holi festival (In the month of March).

View Packages - Bandhavgarh National Park Tour Packages

1. Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan

Ranthambore National Park is a vast wildlife reserve near the town of Sawai Madhopur in Rajasthan, northern India. It is a former royal hunting ground and home to tigers, leopards and marsh crocodiles. Its landmarks include the imposing 10th-century Ranthambore Fort, on a hilltop, and the Ganesh Mandir temple. Also in the park, Padam Talao Lake is known for its abundance of water lilies.

Best time to visit the Ranthambore National Park - October to June is the best time to visit Ranthambore National Park. The park remains closed from July to September for visitors due to rainy season.

Ranthambore Safari Timings - Morning hours from 6 AM to 9.30 AM and Evening hours from 3.30 PM to 7 PM

View Packages - Ranthambore National Park Tour Packages

Frequently Asked Questions

Travel is one of those things that naturally gives rise to queries, concerns and doubts, so we're here to put your mind at ease. Various "FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS" on your travel to India will be covered into the document. Kindly go through the same and if there are other unanswered questions and clarifications, it would be our pleasure to address the same too.

What is nature and wildlife tourism?

Wildlife tourism is an element of many nations' travel industry centered around observation and interaction with local animal and plant life in their natural habitats. The tourism include birdwatching, photography, stargazing, camping, hiking, hunting, fishing, or visiting national parks.

What is the best time to go on an India wildlife holiday?

There is no best time to go on an India wildlife holiday. India is a huge country with vast wildlife magic all year round. You just need to choose where and when to go? Generally, October to March is the best time to visit the National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries in India, as the temperature remains comfortable. You may also visit the national parks in April, May and June but at some places, the temperature is too hot. Most national parks in India remains closed from July to September for visitors due to rainy season.

Where are Tigers found in India?

There are 50 tiger reserves in India which are governed by Project Tiger and administrated by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). India is home to 70 percent of tigers in the world.

Where are Lions found in India?

Gir National Park in Gujarat is the only home to the endangered Asiatic Lions in India.

Where is white tiger found in India?

Bandhavgarh National Park was the former hunting preserve of the Maharaja of Rewa and at present is a famous natural hub for White Tigers. White Tigers, now a major attraction around the world's zoos, were first discovered in Rewa.