Wildlife tourism in India has tremendous scope because the country is home to one of the richest and most diverse ecosystems in the world. From dense jungles with royal tigers to wetlands with birds, the country has diverse land cover for supporting gigantic vegetation and animal systems. Visiting best national parks in India offers not only the possibility to admire these species in their natural environment but also to learn more about the lifestyle, natural landscape, and conservation programs in this country. Read on for a brief guide to some of the best places in India for spotting wildlife at its best.
Best National Parks in India
1. Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan: The Land of the Tigers
Why Visit: Ranthambore National Park situated in Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan is amongst the most renowned national parks of India. In particularly for its number of Bengal tigers. This park provides one with the best vantage view of these magnificent animals in their natural habitat. Apart from tigers, there are many wild animals. Such as the leopard, the sloth bear, and a large number of birds found at Ranthambore.
Key Highlights:
- Tiger Safari: There is no greater excitement for wildlife lovers than a sighting of this reputed beast in the wild. Ranthambore is one of the successful destinations in India in this respect.
- Ranthambore Fort: This particular fort is listed under the UNESCO World Heritage site. It is a historic landmark that affords a bird’s eye view from above the park.
- Scenic Landscapes: This park has various terrains, which are the forests, the grasslands, and interesting features such as the lakes, thus making it an ideal park for photographers.
2. Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand: India’s Oldest National Park
Why Visit: Initially created in 1936 as Hailey National Park, Jim Corbett is not only the oldest national park in India but also part of the country’s history of wildlife preservation. This park is located in the sub-Himalayan region. It is famous for its geographical significance and being home to the tiger. The habitats that include riverine belts, grasslands, and others in the Corbett region enrich the fauna of the park.
Key Highlights:
- Tiger Safari: Tigers are very shy animals but the probability of spotting them is very high in Corbett.
- Elephant Safaris: This is a fun way to discover the park. It has dense forests and the vast grasslands on the back of an elephant.
- Birdwatching: Corbett is a bird watcher’s delight with over 600 species of birds. It is found here ranging from the crested serpent eagle to the red jungle fowl.
3. Kaziranga National Park, Assam: Home of the Great Indian Rhinoceros
Why Visit: Established as a wildlife sanctuary in 1905, it is a world heritage site and home to one of the most significant populations of one-horned rhinoceroses. This park is nestled in the northeastern part of the country. It is one of the best examples of successful conservation undertaking as it has preserved grasslands wetlands. It has many more to serve as home for rhinos, tigers, elephants, wild water buffalo, and many others.
Key Highlights:
- Rhino Safari: Kaziranga is the best place for seeing the one-horned rhinoceros. These are frequently sighted browsing the grasslands of the park.
- Elephant Safaris: Morning elephant back rides allow for an up close and personal view of the wildlife in the park and a different perspective.
- Diverse Ecosystem: Other animals found in the wetlands and forests of Kaziranga are otters, wild boars, and a range of bird species.
4. Sundarbans National Park, West Bengal: The Mysterious Mangrove Forest
Why Visit: Sundarbans National Park is one of the world’s largest mangrove forests with a UNESCO World Heritage Site situated at the delta of the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers. This is one of the only recognized habitats for the Royal Bengal tigers who are in turn perfectly suited for the hard and swampy terrain of the mangrove. It is also home to other animals like saltwater crocodiles, spotted deer, and birds of different kinds.
Key Highlights:
- Tiger Spotting: Some of the tigers are known to swim and adapt to the mangrove swamp. This makes sighting the Sundarbans tigers a very thrilling experience.
- Boat Safaris: Sundarbans are best explored on a boat since the area comprises a mangrove forest that is interspersed by a network of rivers and creeks.
- Biodiversity: Besides tigers, the Sundarbans are home to an extraordinary variety of wildlife such as Irrawaddy dolphins and the masked finfoot bird.
5. Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala: A Sanctuary in the Western Ghats
Why Visit: Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Kerala. It is one of the most beautiful and well-developed wildlife reserves in India. It is situated in and around the beautiful Periyar Lake. Hence provides a peaceful ambiance that is conducive to wildlife watching. Periyar is well-known for its elephants and the specular downfall of the forests, which can be seen grazing on the beach around the Lake.
Key Highlights:
- Boat Cruises: Boating can surely be availed in Periyar Lake where animals like elephants, deer, sambar, and rarely tigers can be sighted easily.
- Nature Walks: You can go hiking on foot around the sanctuary’s area. Engage in nature walks that offer information on the zone’s plant and animal life.
- Spice Plantations: The nearby region of Periyar is noted for its spice gardens. Here you can take a tour of spice fields including cardamom, pepper, cloves, etc.
Conclusion
Trekking across the Best National Parks in India is going deep into the spirit of this country’s surprisingly rich natural legacy. Each park is different from the others, starting from tracking the tiger through the jungles of Ranthambore, sailing through the forbidden mangroves of Sundarbans, or watching out for a horned Rhino in the Kaziranga. These areas of conservation are also important for tourism since people can visit. Such reserves forget about their problems, and immerse themselves in the incredible natural surroundings of India.
Well, grab your binoculars, throw caution to the wind, and step into the wild on an enthralling journey. Whether you are a wildlife shutterbug, a nature lover, or a tourist looking to get away from the noise of the city, India’s national parks and wildlife sanctuaries hold a treat for every traveler.
