A guide to India’s best national parks

India is home to a whopping 102 national parks, covering around 5% of its territory. Elephants, tigers, monkeys, rhino, antelopes, and leopards can all be spotted, amongst myriad other species of fauna – over 90,000, to be a little more specific, though you won’t necessarily encounter them all in the same park. Here we guide you through the best national parks of India, each one brimming with natural beauty and unique appeal.

Kaziranga National Park

Have you ever seen a herd of unicorns? If not, you might just be in luck when visiting Kaziranga National Park. This park gets our vote as one of the best national parks of India because of its impressive population of one-horned rhinos. Situated on the floodplains of the Brahmaputra River, with sprawling grasslands and dense woodlands, Kaziranga is rich in wildlife, boasting 17 species of mammals, 10 species of reptiles, and 23 species of birds.

The park’s claim to fame is that it’s an important refuge and conservation area for the great one-horned rhino. Activities include everything from jeep safaris to trekking and elephant safaris.

Bandhavgarh National Park

This park may be relatively small, but it has the highest concentration of tigers of any of India’s parks. While sightings are not guaranteed if you’re short on time, this is a good option. It’s also good for spotting deer, boar, langur, and leopards – these are rather shy though, and sightings are rare. Bandhavgarh is not a million miles from the Kama Sutra carvings which adorn the ancient temples of Khajuraho, and so combine well.

Dudhwa National Park

Dudhwa National Park encompasses 490 sq km of vibrant marshy grasslands in the northern stretches of Uttar Pradesh, right on the border of Nepal. It is part of the larger Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, which includes the Kishanpur and Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuaries.

Dudhwa is a paradise for wildlife safaris and a success story in the conservation of the Indian one-horned rhino, as well as many other species. The park is involved in habitat restoration and has reintroduced species such as the barasingha (swamp deer) and the critically endangered gharial (a fish-eating crocodile) into the mosaic of river systems within the park. You can also spot unique sloth bears, elephants, and the ever-elusive leopard.

Birdwatchers will be thrilled by the prospect of spotting over 400 species of birds in the park, including the rare Bengal florican. To gain a deeper appreciation for the wildlife and various conservation efforts, we highly recommend immersing yourself in the myriad activities on offer. These include jeep safaris that cover vast areas and guided walks along mapped-out routes.

Read more: Birdwatching in India

Mudumalai Tiger Reserve

Located between two cities, the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve is easily accessible and has the added advantage of being close to other major attractions, including Ooty and Bandipur National Park. This reserve fits perfectly into an itinerary exploring the Nilgiri Hills region.

With landscapes characterized by an interesting mix of dense tropical forests, swamps and grasslands, the reserve certainly provides a world-class natural habitat for tigers to roam. Indian elephants, Bengal tigers, leopards, and over 260 bird species (try spotting the rare Nilgiri flycatcher) roam freely throughout, making it an excellent area for wildlife-viewing.

We nominate Mudumalai as one of the top national parks of India because of its diversity and rating as a UNESCO-recognized biosphere reserve and essential conservation area.

Kanha Tiger Reserve

Home to around 80 tigers, Kanha is one of India’s largest national parks, in contrast to Bandhavgarh. It also has many leopards, deer and antelope, as well as wild boar, gaur (Indian bison), and langur monkeys. It’s not quite as easy to access as Bandhavgarh, and its size means that tigers can be harder to spot. The upside of this is fewer visitors, so this is the one to consider if you have a bit more time and patience.

Nagarahole Tiger Reserve

Those in search of the majestic Bengal tigers are encouraged to visit the sought-after Nagarahole Tiger Reserve, a protected forested region with significant tiger populations. The reserve is contiguous with the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary in the south and the Bandipur Tiger Reserve in the east. This entire area and its surrounds are geographically and ecologically diverse, offering birding and wildlife opportunities. Look out for the rare Oriental white-backed vulture and the Malabar gray hornbill while out birding.

Like most parks and reserves in India, there is an abundance of activities to enjoy. The most common options include boat safaris, bus journeys, and adventurous jeep safaris. However, the most unique activity of all is the lesser-known coracle safari, which offers a thrilling opportunity to explore the river’s edge in a distinctive round-shaped boat.

Panna National Park

Even closer to the temples of Khajuraho than Bandhavgarh is Panna National Park. Tigers have recently been reintroduced here, so you may see some – but if you want to maximize your chances, then you’re advised to choose a different park. You’ll have a better chance of seeing leopards here, instead.

It is also a good place to see crocodiles, and the park itself is peaceful and picturesque. We like its serenity, and it’s perhaps best seen as somewhere scenic to come and relax, where you will see some wildlife of one kind or another, rather than somewhere to go for guaranteed sightings.

Ranthambore National Park

Centered around the 10th-century Ranthambore Fort, this is an atmospheric park, scattered with ancient temples. One of the best places to see tigers in India, the park combines well with the Taj Mahal and Jaipur (the classic ‘Golden Triangle’ route). Tigers here are used to seeing visitors – the upside of this is that you’ve got a good chance of seeing them.

Periyar National Park

Located in the Western Ghats, in India’s southern state of Kerala, this park has superb mountain scenery and jungle walks, as well as a large artificial lake created by the British. Wildlife on display include over 1,000 elephants, around 50 tigers, as well as bison, sambar deer, boar and langur monkeys.

It is a popular park, with most people entering for the day only and seeing the wildlife from a boat on the lake. To avoid the crowds, consider staying in the park itself, and/or going on a guided jungle walk.

Top tips for exploring India’s best national parks

Planning ahead: the best time to visit for wildlife-spotting

When planning your visit, take into consideration the length of your trip, your budget, and the type of wildlife you’d like to see, all of which will help you determine the best time of year to travel. A quick word of advice, though: don’t have any major expectations – wildlife sightings are never guaranteed!

The climate in India ranges from tropical in the south to temperate in the north, with variations between regions. It can be humid, blisteringly hot, and there’s also the monsoon weather to consider. Typically, the dry season (December to March) is the best time of year for wildlife-viewing. During the dry season, you’ll see a higher concentration of wildlife, the weather is more moderate, and mosquitoes are less prevalent.

Another tip is to visit prime wildlife zones where sightings are frequent. Decide on the species you want to spot and head to parks and reserves that have high concentrations. Guided tours are often the best choice, as trained guides have on-the-ground knowledge of wildlife hotspots and the best time of day to see wildlife.

Read more: When to visit India on vacation

Essential packing tips

Here’s a simple list of essential packing tips when visiting India’s best national parks:

• Wear comfortable walking shoes and sandals for relaxing around your accommodation
• Pack insect repellent and bug spray
• Pack light and breathable clothing
• Consider wearing neutral colors like beige, greens and khaki – to help you blend in with the natural environment
• Pack wet-weather gear like umbrellas, ponchos, and raincoats for monsoon season (June to September)
• Don’t forget your hats, sunglasses and sunscreen!
• Binoculars and cameras with a huge zoom will come in handy – it’s not always possible to get up close to wildlife

Dos and don’ts of a wildlife trip in India

The general common sense rules of traveling to a new country apply (such as respecting cultures and customs), but there are some specific dos and don’ts that apply when visiting India’s national parks.

• Don’t litter: parks are protected and it’s important to keep the environment pristine
• Do dress properly – avoiding bright colors, as these will make you stand out (and not in a good way)
• Do book your stay in advance to secure permits and the best guides
• Don’t feed animals by hand
• Do keep the noise to minimum, respecting the wildlife in their natural habitat
• Don’t stray from the paths and permitted viewing zones – doing so can be dangerous!
• Don’t use flash photography, as it can scare and disorientate the wildlife

Make it happen

If you would like to explore some of the best national parks of India, then get in touch with our local experts. Their on-the-ground knowledge is invaluable when it comes to planning the perfect tailor-made trip to India.