19 locations rich in wildlife to discover…
The Kerala Backwaters are a self supporting ecosystem. Its network of 900km of canals and lakes are created by 44 rivers that drain into the Arabian Sea and provide access to many villages, surrounded by coconut palms and paddy fields, whose rural ways of life are best observed from overnight houseboat excursions
This park stands in an elevated position in the Kannan Devan Hills. Established to protect an endangered wild goat, the Nilgiri tahr, the area is known for its stark beauty. Anamudi Peak (2,695m), stands at the centre of the park, its hillsides covered in rare orchids and wild balsams
Ranthambhore National Park is renowned for its tigers and stunning scenery. The crumbling ruins of numerous temples and a hilltop fort, dry dhok forest and tranquil lakes evoke its princely splendour. There are good opportunities to see many mammals and is therefore a popular inclusion to an itinerary.
Kanha National Park offers some of India’s finest tiger viewing. The setting for Rudyard Kipling’s ‘The Jungle Book, the undulating grassland and deciduous forest also supports a further 22 species of mammal and its waterholes create tranquil spots for bird watching in the peace of the surrounding jungle.
This wildlife sanctuary, is a vast expanse of saline desert, which in the monsoon becomes a network of islands. Known as the last remaining home of the Asiatic wild ass, it is a conservation success story, with a population of over 2,000. Birdlife is rich, and the area is an official Ramsar site.
High in the Cardamom Hills, Periyar has a diverse range of flora and fauna, with 1,800 species of flowering plant, 44 reptiles, 112 butterflies, and a wide range of birds and mammals. A popular activity is a boat trip to see herds of wild elephants frolicking in the water.
Bharatpur consists of 29 sqkm of scrub, grassland and shallow wetland. The former duck-shooting reserve of the Maharajas it became a national park in 1982 and is now recognised as one of the finest waterbird sanctuaries in the world, home to more than 300 species, including the highly endangered Siberian cranes.
Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO world-heritage site, is located on the Brahmaputra River, and is famous for being the last stronghold of the one-horned Indian rhinoceros. The open country makes wildlife viewing at Kaziranga fairly easy, and it is also a paradise for birders.
Panna National Park is one of India’s least explored parks and works as a brilliant itinerary combination with Bandhavgarh. Its environment is one of teak and dry deciduous forest, inter spread with open grasslands, woodlands and thorny woodlands, that create diverse habitats for many mammals and over 300 bird species.
Corbett National Park lies at the base of the Himalayan foothills and it is this picturesque location that results in a rich variety of habitats ranging from lush green forests to high valley ridges, sustaining a good population of mammals, including tigers and exceptional birdlife with over 620 species recorded.
Bandhavgarh National Park has the highest known density of Bengal tigers in India and over the years our clients have maintained an excellent record of sightings. Its rocky hills, grassy swamps and forested valleys create a diverse eco system, also home to other predators and mammals as well as 250 bird species.
This beautiful sanctuary was established in 1979 along a vast stretch of India’s Chambal River. Numerous ravines, the product of centuries of soil erosion by flood and rain water, line its banks. The cliffs and vegetation shelter numerous birds, mammals and reptiles, and the river is one of India’s most pristine.
The forested Anamalai Hills contain one of Tamil Nadu’s most beautiful reserves. Its steep slopes are covered with deciduous jungle and bamboo thicket, where sightings of gaur, elephant and leopard are common. The birdlife is also prolific. You can join a game drive in a park vehicle or walk with a guide.
Pench National Park, is renowned for the richness of its flora and fauna. Nestling in the Satpuda Hills it takes its name from the nearby river, which winds through the park. Its most famous residents are tigers, but is also home to large herds of Indian bison and four endangered species of vulture
Nagarhole is a mixture forests and rolling hills criss-crossed by streams, waterfalls and swamps. Formerly a Maharaja’s hunting reserve, it is now dedicated to saving wildlife, and is considered one of the best places in India to see elephant. In the summer months they congregate in large herds along the river.
Satpura National Park is one of India’s most intriguing wildlife destinations. Walking safaris are encouraged here and hides have been built throughout its meadows, forested plateaux and mountains, which are shared by a number of mammal species, ensuring that the overall experience to be had makes it worth visiting
The world’s largest impenetrable mangrove forest covers 10,000 square kilometres of mudflats and tidal waterways in the Ganges Delta. Home to numerous birds and mammals – including over 250 tigers (albeit elusive) – the Sundarbans offer a unique wildlife experience, as game-viewing is done either by boat or from hides.
Velavadar is a peaceful sanctuary consisting of 35 square kilometres of savannah. Set between two rivers a few miles inland from the Gulf of Khambhat, the park is home to a couple of thousand endemic blackbuck. In former times these handsome antelopes were protected for hunting trips of the Maharajas of Bhavnagar.
Sasan Gir National Park preserves the remaining population of critically endangered Asiatic lion, whose territory once extended as far afield as Persia. The terrain is one of arid, rocky hills separated by deep, well-watered valleys, with beautiful stands of teak, acacia and dhak trees interspersed with grassy plains.
India has a wealth of wildlife to discover but here are the most popular animal species and wildlife events. Let us know the ones you would particularly like to see…
3 related trip ideas. Bear in mind that our trip ideas give you a sense of what’s possible but our strength is in tailoring your itinerary.
See all five of India’s big mammal species in three beautiful and contrasting national parks.
A fascinating introduction to some of north-west India’s lesser known wildlife in Mahatma Gandhi’s home state, Gujarat.
Our most popular tailor-made itinerary in the subcontinent visits India’s finest national parks and offers the best opportunity to see tigers.
The optimum time to visit India is between October and March, when the heat is much more bearable and you are outside the downpours and soaring humidity of the monsoon period.
20 related places to stay. But there are more options we can offer, just ask us for more details.
Perched on a bank of the Banjar River, on the periphery of Kanha National Park, this hotel makes an ideal base for exploring.
Tuli Tiger Resort is conveniently situated in Kanha National Park’s buffer zone, near the Ganghar River, just a few minutes drive from the park’s Kisli Gate (i.e. the western entrance).
This attractive jungle lodge is situated beside a stream in paddy fields and forest outside Kaziranga National Park, on the south bank of the Brahmaputra River, 200kms from Guwahati.
This lovely tented camp, one of India’s most luxurious wildlife properties, takes its inspiration – and its name – from the Madhuca indica or, as it is commonly known, the mahua or butter tree.
Tiger Moon Resort is a standard Indian jungle lodge located just outside Ranthambhore National Park in Rajasthan; about 10 minutes drive from the park entrance gate.
Nestling on the edge of Kanha National Park, this camp is an oasis of tranquility with six spacious canvas tents set in young woodland.
This exclusive property has its own swimming pool, lounge-library with an open fire, dining room and bar, and is perfect for any wildlife enthusiast who enjoys a touch of class.
This family-owned heritage property on an extensive wooded estate, surrounded by farmland, formerly provided accommodation for the annual cattle fair.
Khem Villas Camp is a first-class jungle lodge offering a peaceful oasis on the northern border of Ranthambhore National Park. The camp consists of 15 en-suite rooms, tents and cottages.
This is a luxury tented safari camp set in 22 acres of forest. It has eight air-conditioned tents each with en-suite facilities (two have double beds and six have twins).
This heritage property lies six kilometres from Bharatpur and 190 kilometres west of Agra on the road to Jaipur.
This lodge is the newest and highest quality accommodation available for visitors to Kaziranga National Park. With just 12 rooms, the atmosphere is intimate, friendly and relaxed.
Nestled beside the Banjar River on the Kisli side of the Kanha National Park, close to the Khatia/Kisli Gate, this intimate lodge has stunning views over the river and deep into the jungle.
An eco-friendly property, built with environmental and community considerations as foremost principles.
Named after one of India’s icons, the Bengal tiger (bagh means tiger, and van means forest), this relatively new and exciting property – one of India’s best – is located at the edge of Pench.
This a typical Indian safari lodge was formerly the hunting lodge of the Maharaja of Mysore.
This a rustic but comfortable lodge sits in 12 hectares of pristine jungle, on the banks of the Ken River, beside Panna National Park.
This eco-friendly jungle safari camp is located in famed Sasangir National Park – the last remaining bastion of the Asiatic lion.
Nilambagh Palace Hotel is an atmospheric heritage hotel located in Bhavnagar, a coastal city in the Saurashtra peninsula in Gujarat State, western India.
This comfortable lodge stands in an eight hectare private estate in the village of Rancha, just 10 minutes drive from the park gate, surrounded by forested hills.
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