Tiger National Parks In India: An Ultimate Guide To Explore

An image of tigers spotted on a road in Kanha National Park, one of the top tiger national parks in India.

There are several tiger national parks in India that are known for tiger tourism. These national tiger parks in India offer safaris, tiger sightings and other wildlife species. While visiting, you can participate in sighting Bengal tigers in their natural habitat. India has the most tigers, making it a top destination for sighting tigers. The tiger national parks in India have well-preserved forests, and some are recognised for having the highest tiger population. These national parks offer the perfect opportunity for photographers and nature enthusiasts to explore their wildlife and beautiful landscapes.

Top 10 Tiger National Parks In India

In India, there are many tiger national parks for sightseeing as a tourist. Here is a list of the top tiger national parks in India:

1. Kanha National Park

An image of Kanha National Park, one of the India national parks which is perfect to visit for tiger spotting.

Photo: Ashishmahaur / Wikimedia Commons

Kanha National Park is one of the best tiger national parks in India. Kanha National Park is home to the largest population of the Royal Bengal tigers, birds, other mammals, and flora. The best time to visit Kanha National Park is October to March, as the area has amazing views. You can also visit during the summer, as tigers are searching for water, which is the perfect time to spot them.

Location: Madhya Pradesh
Opening Date: June 1, 1995
Timings: Summer 6 AM – 10 AM and 4 PM – 7 PM, Winter 6:30 AM -10:30 AM and 3 PM – 5:30 PM
Total Area: 1,945 km square

2. Bandhavgarh National Park

An image of Bandhavgarh, one of the top tiger national parks in India, offering tiger sightings.

Photo: Tom Thai / Wikimedia Commons

Bandhavgarh is one of the Indian national parks you can visit to see tigers and explore the extensive landscapes. The park’s grasslands, dense forests, and rocky hills are the perfect conditions for a tiger’s habitat. You can enjoy jeep safaris with a tour guide who is well-versed in the park’s surroundings, as there are high chances of spotting a tiger. The Bandhavgarh National Park has a historical past of being known for the Bandhavgarh Fort, making it a unique place to visit.

Location: Madhya Pradesh
Opening Date: 1968
Timings: 6 AM – 11 AM and 3 PM – 6 PM
Total Area: 1,537 km square

3. Ranthambore National Park

An image of a tiger in Ranthambore, one of the best tiger national parks in India, with a range of activities.

Photo: Aadishbahulikar18 / Wikimedia Commons

One of the top tiger national parks in India to visit in order to spot tigers and wildlife is Ranthambore. The park’s landscape of grassy meadows and deciduous forest makes it easy to spot wildlife. Tiger sightings during the winter are quite rare, making it preferable that you visit during the summer. You can also learn about the park as a home to the 10th-century Ranthambore Fort, making it a historical site. While visiting Ranthambore, you will get to see other animals like nilgai, wild boars, leopards, deer, bears, snakes and crocodiles.

Location: Rajasthan
Opening Date: November 1, 1980
Timings: 6:30 AM – 10 AM and 2:30 PM – 6 PM
Total Area: 1,334 km square

4. Kaziranga National Park

An image of a tiger in Kaziranga, one of the tiger national parks in India.

Photo: RAJEEV BASUMATARY / Wikimedia Commons

The best time to visit the Kaziranga National Park is between November and April. During this period, the vegetation is less dense, and the weather is clear, making it perfect for spotting tigers. Kaziranga, one of the best tiger national parks in India, also has other wild animals you will get to see while visiting. This includes elephants, wild water buffalo and one-horned rhinos. You will get to experience the sites in Kaziranga National Park through jeep safaris, which are preferable.

Location: Assam
Opening Date: 11 February 1974
Timings: 7:30 AM – 9:30 AM and 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Total Area: 430km2

5. Jim Corbett National Park

An image of Jim Corbett, one of the top tiger national parks in India with a wide range of wildlife.

Photo: Soumyajit Nandy / Wikimedia Commons

Jim Corbett is one of the well-known national parks, and you should visit it to enjoy exploring the landscape along with tiger spotting. Jim Corbett National Park is part of the government initiative Project Tiger, which protects tigers and their natural habitat. The national park hosts various animals and plants, including endangered species. While visiting, you can participate in various activities, including bird watching, nature walks, fishing, and elephant rides. Jim Corbett National Park is the perfect destination for nature lovers.

Location: Uttarakhand
Opening Date: 8 August 1936
Timings: Morning safaris from 6 AM and afternoon safaris from 2 PM
Total Area: 1,318 km square

6. Pench National Park

An image of Pench Wildlife, one of the destinations for tiger sightings.

Photo: Fitindia / Wikimedia Commons

Pench National Park is often called the “Land of the Jungle Book”, as the jungle’s landscape inspired Rudyard Kipling’s famous story. The various activities you can participate in while visiting include nature walks, bird watching, and jeep safaris, all of which you can fully enjoy and have a memorable experience. Apart from tigers, Pench National Park offers an opportunity to spot the rare Indian wild dog(dhole) and other wildlife. This includes sloth bears, leopards, Indian gaurs, deer, and various bird species.

Location: Madhya Pradesh
Opening Date: 1975
Timings: 6 AM – 11 AM and 3 PM – 6 PM
Total Area: 758 km square

7. Tadoba National Park

An image of a tiger in Tadoba National Park, with the best sight.

Photo: Asif N Khan / Wikimedia Commons

Tadoba, one of the tiger national parks in India, is surrounded by tropical dry forests, meadows, bamboo forests and lakes. This makes it the perfect destination for sightseeing. You can participate in lakeside picnics or jeep safaris, depending on what you prefer while visiting. During your visit, you will see various wild animals, including dholes, leopards, sambars, and many others. The best time to visit the Tadoba National Park is during the summer, when spotting wildlife is easy as they move towards water holes.

Location: Maharashtra
Opening Date: 1955
Timings: 6 AM – 8 AM and 2:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Total Area: 625 km square

8. Nagarhole National Park

An image of deer in Nagarhole, perfect for wildlife spotting.

Photo: Jessica Weiller / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only

Nagarhole is one of the national parks near Mysore. It offers jeep and bus safari experiences to its visitors for sightseeing and wildlife spotting. The national park’s strategic location is easily accessible by road, making it a convenient option for tourists. While visiting, you will get to see diverse wildlife and a significant number of tigers that roam the park. The best time to visit Nagarhole National Park is between October and May, when the animals are more active, and the weather is quite favourable.

Location: Karnataka
Opening Date: 1988
Timings: 6 AM – 9 AM and 3 PM – 6 PM
Total Area: 643 km square

9. Periyar National Park

An image of Periyar boat safaris, one of the top tiger spotting destinations.

Photo: Anand2202 / Wikimedia Commons

Periyar National Park is one of the top tiger national parks in India, offering a large variety of wildlife you can spot while visiting. The wildlife in this national park includes tigers, elephants, Indian bison, Sambar deer, birds, and reptiles. You can also participate in several national park activities like boat safaris, camping, rafting, trekking, and enjoying nature walks. The best time to visit Periyar National Park is during the winter, from October to February, the perfect time for outdoor activities and safaris.

Location: Kerala
Opening Date: 1982
Timings: 6 AM – 7 PM
Total Area: 925 km square

10. Sundarbans National Park

An image of the Sundarbans, perfect for wildlife spotting and sightseeing.

Photo: Dr. Raju Kasambe / Wikimedia Commons

Sundarbans National Park is home to the largest mangrove forests and Royal Bengal Tigers in their natural habitat. Being one of the best tiger national parks in India, you can visit the place and get great views like Sajnekhali and Netidhopani watchtowers. The national park is also home to the only crocodile project around its location. The best time to visit the Sundarbans National Park is from November to February to enjoy the tiger safari boat tours.

Location: West Bengal
Opening Date: 1984
Timings: 8:30 AM – 6 PM, boat safaris from 8:30 AM – 4 PM, entry is prohibited after 6:30 PM
Total Area: 4,260 km square

India’s national parks have a lot to offer, from wildlife to beautiful landscapes, and there is everything for each tourist. The top tiger national parks in India offer the perfect opportunity for tiger spotting. These also render a wide range of wildlife and various activities to ensure a memorable experience. Plan your trip today with TripXL and enjoy spotting wildlife in some of the top tiger national parks in India.

Cover Photo: Davidvraju / Wikimedia Commons

Frequently Asked Questions

The most visited national park in India is Jim Corbett National Park, which ranks higher than others.
Ranthambore is the better option as it offers a more varied safari experience, and tiger tracking can be done on a large, diverse landscape perfect for adventure.
Due to the temperatures and scenery, the best months to see tigers in India are February, March, and April.
Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve has the highest possibility of spotting tigers due to its high density.
It is recommended you stay for at least two nights as you will get three to four safaris around the national park.

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