Stretching across 3,200kms in length, it is not surprising that India has a variety of climates, influences and even wildlife. India has a number of wildlife sanctuaries and national parks which are home to tigers, elephants, rhinoceros’, dolphins and some very exotic birds. Here I’ve handpicked some of the very best for sightings and holiday experiences; so you can switch off the Discovery Channel and go make some of your own discoveries.
- Sit on the back of a 3000kg elephant to go see a 2000 kg Rhinoceros in Kaziranga, Assam: Situated along the Brahmaputra river, the 430 sq. km Kaziranga National Park is one of two homes for the one horn rhino in India. With visits guaranteeing rhino sightings, huge open spaces, and a variety of animals, it is no wonder that the park is often compared with wildlife sanctuaries in Africa. In addition to rhinos, you may see India’s only ape the Hoolock Gibbon, the Barahsingha (swamp deer), the wild water buffalo, tigers and a variety of birds. With convenient places to stay and enough wildlife to fill up a picture book, Kaziranga is the perfect family vacation. So pack your (and your kids) bags, and get ready to visit the 2000kg beasts. Weighing scale anyone?
- Tip: Travel around Assam before or after your visit to the National Park
- Get your fill of greenery, rivers and tigers in the lush forests of Kabini, Karnataka: Situated within the beautiful Nagarhole National Park, on the banks of the river of the same name, the Kabini Wildlife Reserve is popular because of its frequent wildlife sightings, luxurious staying options and its easy accessibility. Kabini has gained popularity in the last few years, and is rather expensive to visit; but the frequent tiger, leopard, elephant, wild boar and langur sightings make it well worth it.
- Tip: Depending on whether you want luxury or a simple stay, you can choose from a variety of options
- Contribute to turtle nesting in the Cuthbert Bay Wildlife Sanctuary in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands: Such is the flora and fauna of the Andaman islands that unique experiences are guaranteed with every visit. One of the many rare experiences you can have in the Andamans is seeing a large variety of turtles come to shore to lay their eggs, and help in the nesting process by releasing the eggs to the sea. This is of course in addition to the unimaginable marine life and fauna you get to see on any visit to the islands. Go ahead, book that ticket and contribute to making a beautiful species grow.
- Tip: Take your scuba diving gear for the best holiday experience in the Andamans.
- Visit Bagheera, Bhallu and all your favourite Jungle Book characters in Pench & Kanha, Madhya Pradesh: Being Rudyard Kiplings inspiration for Mowgli and all his friends, Pench and Kanha in Madhya Pradesh still boast of a storybook-like beauty. Having a high density of herbivores (including sloth bears, porcupines, monkeys and barking deer), and of course some tigers, it is no wonder that Mowgli had such an exciting childhood. So go visit Mowgli land, and write your own story.
- Tip: Drive down 2 hours from Nagpur to reach Pench; Kanha is just 2 hours away from Pench
- Visit river dolphins in the Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary, Bihar: Located in the Bhagalpur district of Bihar, this sanctuary stretches 50kms of the Ganga from Sultanganj to Kahalgaon and is home to a very rare species of dolphins. You can visit here on rafts made by locals, and attempt to catch a glimpse of these playful creatures jumping in and out of the water.
- Tip: Be patient, it may take 2-3 days for just 1 dolphin sighting.
- Wait for tigers, and even crocodiles in Tadoba, Madhya Pradesh: Like most safaris, you need lots of patience here. If you have the patience, you may see a tiger strolling right in front of you, giving you the perfect photo opportunity. Or, you may catch a crocodile killing its prey. Add to that the beautiful forests, the high chances of seeing wild dogs, langurs, barking deer and a variety of birds, and you can see that this really is the perfect place to see nature in all its glory.
- Plan to see tigers, land up visiting bears in Ranthambore, Rajasthan: A beautiful wildlife park in Rajasthan, Ranthambore actually has a record of their tigers increasing in number rather than dwindling. With 61 tigers in the park, tiger sightings are common during safaris. Tigers are the reason to visit Ranthambore, but if you are really lucky, you may even see a rare black bear. The tigers here are familiar with safari jeeps driving by, and they often walk by, as if posing for you to take the perfect picture. So pack that camera, and make some memories.
- Tip: Drive down from Delhi or Jaipur to visit Ranthambore
- Visit the home of snow leopards in snowy Manali: If it’s an adventure trip with treks and wildlife spotting you are looking for, the Manali Wildlife Sanctuary is perfect for you. The park allows camping and trekking around it, and if you are lucky, you may see brown bears, flying foxes, flying squirrel and leopard pug marks. If you venture higher, you may even see ibex. Given how stealthy leopards are, the chances of seeing a leopard are slim.
- Tip: Though the wildlife park is really small, given the variety of animals, do check with a tour operator on safety before your visit.
- Go bird watching in the hills in Chimmony, Kerala: With over 160 species of birds including the Malabar Grey Hornbill, the Sri Lankan Frogmouth, the Malabar Whistling Thrush, and a beautiful location in the middle of the hills, right by the Chimmony lake, this makes for a beautiful and peaceful break. Activities during your visit can include bird trails, bamboo rafting and nature walks.
- Tip: Go in a large group, Chimmony is a great place to go camping
- Enjoy a rainbow of colours with blue peacocks, orange tigers and green trees in Sariska, Rajasthan : Home to the largest number of peafowl in the country, Sariska National Park almost guarantees sightings of these magnificent birds in their natural habitat. Add to that a chance sighting of tigers, leopards, wild dogs, langurs and hyenas, and Sariska is definitely worth a visit.
- Tip: Don’t miss out on camel rides while you are here.
- Bow down to the king of the jungle in Gir, Gujarat: As the sole home of the beautiful Asiatic Lion, Gir is the only place you can visit these beautiful cats up close, and see why they have been christened King. With at least 300 lions, Gir is the perfect place to spot packs of lionesses go out for a hunt, bringing back a kill for the male lion. Go on then, visit his highness.
- Tip: While booking a safari, ask if you can see a ‘Lion Show’ which can organise a lion sighting at a close range
- Enjoy the unique views of the mangroves in the Sunderbans, Bengal: This area of thick impenetrable mangrove forests is shared by India and Bangladesh. Sunderbans is home to 250 tigers, and because it is by the sea, these adaptable tigers are able to swim long distances and even feed on fish. Tigers here are far more aggressive and dangerous than tigers elsewhere, perhaps because drinking saltwater leaves them in a state of constant discomfort. Tour operators are cautious, and tiger sightings are rare.Yet, a holiday to the Sunderbans makes for a unique experience, with simple campsite stays and kingfishers and other beautiful birds flying all around.
- Tip: Stay safe, and don’t ask your tour guide to go further than they are allowed. Campsites have watch towers which you can look through, and you may be lucky to spot a tiger through this.
- Visit paradise with waterfalls, lush green forests, elephants and tigers in Simlipal, Odisha: Known more for its natural beauty than likelihood of a tiger sighting, this beautiful nature park actually looks like a picture from your storybook. With 12 rivers cutting across the plain area, and the beautiful waterfalls of Joranda and Barehipani, you may not see tigers, but you are guaranteed to have some beautiful memories from this trip. So if its pictures you want to add to your already beautiful collection, go visit Simlipal.
- Tip: Be prepared for a very basic stay, because the options are simple government run hotels
- Visit the historical Bandhavgarh, Madhya Pradesh and catch a glimpse of a tiger: This historic jungle has a fort right in between, which is said to have been built during Lord Ram’s time. In addition to the parks’ history, there are a number of tigers which are frequently spotted, as well as chinkara, leopards, blue bulls, antelopes and foxes. Over 240 species of birds just add to this historical and natural treasure.
- Tip: You need half an hour to complete the formalities at the gate of the park so plan your time accordingly
Do note, most of these parks are closed through the monsoon and can be visited from October to May only.
Images Courtesy Google;
Kaziranga Rhino Photo Credit- Chunchreek Singhvi
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