10 Wildlife Sanctuaries in India That You Should Visit for a Thrilling Experience

Planning to explore the diverse wildlife and unique flora and fauna of India? What could be better than visiting some of the most well-kept Wildlife sanctuaries in India? These would provide you with a profound glimpse into the world of wildlife in India in a comfortable manner.  To help travellers, we have curated this list of some of India's most widely visited wildlife sanctuaries. This list would help you in planning your excursion in India with ease.

1. Ranthambore National Park

Situated In Swai Madhopur, the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve is one of the most renowned national parks in Northern India. This wildlife sanctuary in Rajasthan is located at a distance of only about 130 km from Jaipur. The park was once famous for being the hunting ground of maharajas in Jaipur. However, over Time, the park has gained its own recognition due to the diverse wildlife and flora and fauna it houses. The park has proven to be a haven for wildlife photographers and other explorers. The park's unique terrain has become a constant muse for researchers and Geomorphologists.  Tourists can indulge in bird watching, at the Gyspy Tiger Safari in Ranthambore or the Canter Safari. The park houses a huge variety of birds, reptiles and mammals. Most of the visitors here plan to travel through the park to catch a glimpse of the majestic predator tigers in their natural habitat.  As per a report Status of Tigers 2022, 70% of the world's tigers reside in India, which comes to around 3,167 Tigers.  Ranthambore is one of the most prominent national parks, and it houses a vast majority of the Tigers in India.  

Best Time To visit Ranthambore

Best Time to visit Ranthambore would be from October to June, the safaris are generally conducted in the morning as well as in the afternoon. The national park is divided into 10 Safari Zones. April to June are hot and dry while October to March are pleasant to travel around in.

2. Jim Corbett National Park

One of the Oldest National Park in India and a part of the largest Corbett Tiger Reserve. The furtive and majestic landscape of Jimm Corbett suits the tigers pretty well. Established in the year 1936 as the Hailey National Park, Corbett has gained the glory of being  India's oldest and most well-renowned National Park.  It was at this place that the save Tiger project was launched in the year 1973. Here travellers can prebook their  Safari's, tours and also choose to book overnight stays in the premises of the park.

Corbett National Park has been divided into six major zones, each with its own specialities. These areas have been specially developed to ensure that visitors and wildlife can interact safely with pre-ordained confines. The zones are as follows.

Bijrani Safari Zone

The Zone is known for its verdant greens and beautiful open grasslands. In this section, you can expect to witness rabbits, deer, and wild hogs.

Jhirna Safari Zone

An important part of the national park open to tourists throughout the year, Jhirna Gate is about 18 km from Ramnagar City.

Dhela Safari Zone

This zone was formerly part of the Eco-Tourism zone but was later included in the Tiger Reserve Zone in 2014. The diverse biodiversity engages onlookers' attention and enthrals them throughout the year. The said zone is only about 13 km from Ramnagar City. Travellers can enjoy Elephant Safari as well as Jeep Safaris in Jim Corbett National Park. 

3. Kaziranga  National Park

Home to the Indian one-horned Rhinoceros, the Kaziranga National Park spans an area of 430 Square kilometers. The park is known for its diverse terrain: a traveller can easily find Grass Meadows, Swampy Lagoons, dense forests, and lakes. According to a recent count, the park houses around 2,200 Indian One-horned Rhinoceros, which is approximately 2/3 of the total population in the world.

This Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam was formed in 1908 on Mary Curzon's recommendation. Travellers can easily find Elephants, Wild Water Buffalo, and Swamp Deer. It was also declared a Tiger Reserve in 2006.

Best Time to Visit Kaziranga  National Park

If you plan to visit in summer, April to May would be the best Time. You would be able to spot animals around water reserves. If you plan to visit the place during Monsoon, don't, as the park stays closed from May to October due to warnings of Brahmaputra River Floods. Winters would be the best Time to visit the national park, as the climate is mild and dry, and the chances of spotting rhinos are pretty high during the period.  

Safari Timings

Morning – 8:00 AM to 10:00 Am

After Noon Jeep Safari – 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm

4. Bandhavgarh National Park

The Umaira district of Eastern Madhya Pradesh is famous for housing one of the most famous tourist destinations for wildlife enthusiasts.  Spread over the Vindhiya Hills in Madhya Pradesh, Bandhavgarh National park spreads across an area of about 105 Sq. Km. The terrain consists of steep ridges, forests and green meadows. Apart from the famous Royal Bengal Tiger ( whose population is the highest known in India compared to the world around), you can also find White Tigers. Other attractions of the Bandhavgarh National Park Include Bandhavgarh Fort and the Sheesh Shaiya.

Best Time to Visit Bandhavgarh National Forest

October to March remains to be the best tIme to visit the Bandhavgarh National park. November to February is most preferred amongst the visitors.

5. Gir National Park

Often considered to be a natural Habitat for world popular Asiatic Lion. The Gir National Park is the only wildlife sanctuary in Gujarat that gives you a glimpse of Hyenas, Gir Foxes, Pygmy woodpeckers, Black Bucks, and the majestic Asiatic Lion. The overall area of the park is spread across 1412 square kilometres, of which around 258 km is the core area. Thanks to the government's concentrated efforts, the population of Asiatic lions in India has risen from 20 in 1913 to 523, according to a 2015 census. The park also becomes a humble adobe for migratory birds such as the Crested serpent Eagle, Long Billed Vulture and the Egyptian Vulture.  Further, you can also spot a vast variety of Monitor Lizards, Indian Rock Pythons, as well as King Cobra's and Marsh Crocodiles.

Best Time to Visit Gir National Park

The park remains closed every year from 16 June to 15 October. December to March would be the best period to visit the park.    

6. Sundarban West Bengal  

Considered to be a biosphere reserve, a tiger Reserve as well as a National Park, the Sundarban National Park spreads across an area of about 40,000 sq km between India and Bangladesh. The national park was declared to be a UNESCO World Heritage sight in the year 1987. Apart from the Royal Bengal tiger, travellers can also witness animals such as the Indian Grey Mongoose, Wild Boar Flying Fox, and the great Indian Grey Mongoose. Apart from these animals, you would be able to witness the vivid diversity in marine life that is present in the park such as water monitor lizard, King Cobra,  and the Rock Python. Some of the most popular tourist spots in Sundarbans includes  Sajnekhali Watch Tower, Kalash Island, Henry Island as well as Burirdabri. The park offers Boat safaris only, the timings are from 8:30 am in the morning to 4:00 Pm in the evening. No boats are allowed entry into the area after 6:30 in the evening.

Best Time to visit Sundarbans would be from November to March and creates the perfect conditions for tiger sightings. And provide you a scenic view of the most beautiful  Mangorve forests in India.

7. Kanha National Park

The Kanha National Park is situated in the Malikal Range of Satpuras in Madhya Pradesh, the heart of India, which forms the central Indian highlands. The national forest is often considered to be one of the finest wildlife areas in the world.  The forest was declared a forest in 1879 and revalued as a Wildlife sanctuary in 1913. Travellers can indulge in jeep safari's to witness the wide range of animals that call this place to be their home. You can expect to see Barasingha as well as the mighty Asiatic Elephant.

8. Sariska Tiger Reserve

Famous for its wide diversity and varied terrains such as mountains, grasslands, dense forests and cliffs this place is widely renowned for its picturesque beauty.  The National forest laps around in the foothills of Aravali hills. Travellers can expect to find animals such as Jungle Cats, Rhesus Macaque, Sambhar, Chital and wild boar.  The reserve is a haven for bird watchers and enthusiasts with the sightings of Crested Serpent eagles, Harbor Quails, and Sand Grouse. You can book yourself a jeep safari while being here,

The best Time to visit the place would be October to March.

9. Periyar Wild Life Sanctuary

Spread across an area of 777 sq km, the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is a humble adobe to at least 40 tigers. The place is known for its cascading hills and green meadows. Travellers can expect to witness elephants as well as majestic tigers while on a trip here. The authorities here provide a wide range of tourism opportunities for travellers, such as a Nature Walk, the Periyar Tiger Trail, Bamboo Rafting, Night Camping, and Tribal Heritage Programs.  

The Best Time To visit the place would be – October to June.

10. Hemis National Park

Hemis National Park is famous for being the humble abode of the Snow Leopard. It is spread across an area of about 3000-3000 sq km, which is the highest in the country. The park was established in 1981 and is flanked by a few villages such as Shingo, Chillinga, Yurutse, and Rumbak. Travellers can expect to witness Tibetan Wolves, Euroasian Brown Bears, and Red Foxes.

Best Time to Visit Hemis National Park Would Be from May to Early October.