Top 7 National Parks in India for Wildlife Safaris
India is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, home to over one hundred national parks that protect a wide range of ecosystems, from tropical forests and grasslands to wetlands and mountain ranges. These parks are not only important for conservation but also offer some of the best wildlife safari experiences in Asia.
Whether you are hoping to spot a Bengal tiger in the wild, meet herds of elephants through thick jungle, or observe rare birds in their natural habitat, India’s national parks provide plenty of opportunities for nature and wildlife enthusiasts. Many parks also offer guided jeep safaris, boat rides, and walking tours.
If you are planning a wildlife-focused trip to India, here is a curated list of seven top national parks where you can enjoy the best safari experiences across the country.
1. Jim Corbett National Park
Where to go: Uttarakhand
Best time to visit: November to June
Established in 1936 as Hailey National Park, Jim Corbett National Park is India’s oldest national park and was the first to come under the Project Tiger initiative in 1973. Located in the Nainital district of the state of Uttarakhand, it spans over 1300 square kilometers, including core and buffer zones that feature grasslands, dense sal forests, and riverine belts. The park is named after the British conservationist Jim Corbett, who played a vital role in its establishment and in raising awareness about wildlife conservation in India.
Jim Corbett is best known for its population of tigers, that are relatively easier to spot here than in many other reserves. Apart from tigers, the park is home to over six hundred species of birds, fifty species of mammals, and twenty-five species of reptiles. Elephants, leopards, sloth bears, otters, gharials, and several species of deer can be found here.
2. Ranthambore National Park
Where to go: Rajasthan
Best time to visit: October to April
Ranthambore National Park, nestled in the Sawai Madhopur district of the state of Rajasthan, is one of the most popular and accessible national parks in northern India. Spread over an area of around 1,334 square kilometers, the park is part of the larger Ranthambore Tiger Reserve. It is also home to a wide range of wildlife including leopards, sloth bears, striped hyenas, marsh crocodiles, jackals, and over three hundred species of birds.
Ranthambore offers jeep safaris that take visitors through different zones of the park, each offering varying chances of wildlife sightings. You can visit the 10th-century Ranthambore Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located within the park boundaries.
3. Bandhavgarh National Park
Where to go: Madhya Pradesh
Best time to visit: October to June
Originally a hunting ground for the Maharajas of Rewa, the park was declared a national park in 1968. Bandhavgarh’s terrain is a mix of dense sal forests, open grasslands, and steep ridges that create a thriving habitat for diverse fauna. Bandhavgarh National Park is home to leopards, sloth bears, wild boars, Indian bison (gaur), spotted deer, and over 250 species of birds.
Safaris in Bandhavgarh are conducted in open 4×4 vehicles with local guides, primarily in three main zones, Tala, Magadhi, and Khitauli, with Tala being the most famous for frequent tiger sightings and scenic ruins, including the historic Bandhavgarh Fort.
4. Kanha National Park
Where to go: Madhya Pradesh
Best time to visit: October to June
Kanha National Park is particularly famous for being the inspiration behind Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book. Kanha is also the first park in India to have successfully implemented a scientific conservation program for the endangered hard ground barasingha (swamp deer). The landscape here is marked by vast meadows, sal and bamboo forests, and crystal-clear streams, creating a diverse and balanced ecosystem.
Kanha is home to a wide variety of wildlife including Bengal tigers, leopards, Indian wild dogs (dholes), sloth bears, Indian gaur, and several species of deer such as chital, sambar, and the barasingha. Bird enthusiasts can also spot over three hundred bird species here.
5. Sundarbans National Park
Where to go: West Bengal
Best time to visit: November to March
Accessible only by boat, in the Sundarbans, you glide through narrow tidal creeks in the world’s largest mangrove forest, peering through the foliage for crocodiles, water monitor lizards, and the elusive Royal Bengal Tigers.
Located in the southern part of West Bengal, Sundarbans National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most unique wildlife sanctuaries in India. What sets Sundarbans apart from other national parks is its dense network of tidal waterways, mudflats, and mangrove forests.
The park is also known for its population of the elusive and endangered Royal Bengal Tiger, which has uniquely adapted to the saline, swampy environment and is known to swim between islands.
6. Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
Where to go: Kerala
Best time to visit: October to March
Down in the southern tip of India lies Periyar, a peaceful sanctuary built around a serene lake in the Western Ghats. Elephants emerge from the forest to drink at the lake’s edge, while otters and wild boars scamper about.
Spread across approximately 925 square kilometers, the sanctuary is centered around the Periyar Lake, an artificial reservoir formed by the Mullaperiyar Dam. Designated as a Tiger Reserve in 1978, Periyar is more popularly known for its large population of Asian elephants that can often be seen bathing, feeding, or playfully interacting near the water’s edge.
7. Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve
Where to go: Maharashtra
Best time to visit: October to June
Maharashtra’s Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve is one of the oldest and largest national parks in the state. The reserve is named after the local tribal god “Tadoba” and the Andhari River that flows through the forest. The terrain is characterized by dry deciduous forests, bamboo thickets, and lakes.
Leopards, sloth bears, Indian bison, nilgai, marsh crocodiles, and over 195 species of birds including crested serpent eagles and paradise flycatchers can be found here. Tadoba is less commercialized compared to other tiger reserves, in case you are seeking a more raw and immersive wildlife safari.