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Wildlife in India is diverse making it a haven for wildlife enthusiasts. Statistics suggest that India is home to 7.6% of mammals and 14.7% of amphibians in the entirety of the Indomalayan realm. Getting to witness wildlife in their natural habitat is an entirely distinct experience. You get to venture into the wild world and interact with the animals but with optimal safety. This explains why jungle safari in India is gaining so much traction. Here are a handful of key jungle safari experiences that you need to explore once in your lifetime.
8 Places For Best Jungle Safari In India
India’s diverse national parks and sanctuaries provide an indelible experience for wildlife fanatics. Here’s a breakdown of the most popular ones to add to your bucket list.
1. Jim Corbett National Park
Photo: Soumyajit Nandy / Wikimedia Commons
Jim Corbett was built in 1936 and named after the famous British hunter and naturalist, Jim Corbett. It is regarded as the ‘oldest national park’ in India. This national park covers an area of 1,318 sq. km. and shelters the majestic Bengal tigers. To witness the wildlife up close, Jim Corbett National Park offers multiple safari options, including jeep safaris & canter safaris. There are five sections inside the national park – Bijrani, Dhikala, Jhirna, Durgadevi & Dhela. Each of these phases offers unique wildlife encounters and experiences for visitors. Besides tigers, the national park also houses leopards, deer & various bird species.
Location: Ramnagar, Uttarakhand, India
Best Time To Visit: November to June
Cost / Person: ₹2500 onwards
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2. Ranthambore National Park
Next on the list of one of the best places for jungle safari in India is the Ranthambore National Park, which is located in the Sawai Madhopur district in Rajasthan. Covering an area of 392 sq. km., it is one of the largest national parks in North India. The Ranthambore National Park also has the remains of the historical Ranthambore Fort. The park offers jeep and canter safaris, with morning and afternoon slots. There are ten distinct zones in the national park, each offering a glimpse into a unique wildlife experience.
Location: Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan
Best Time To Visit: October to June
Cost / Person: ₹1800 onwards
3. Kaziranga National Park
Photo: Diganta Talukdar / Wikimedia Commons
Renowned for the one-horned rhinoceros, Kaziranga National Park is another popular national park that hosts jungle safari in India. Located in Assam, this national park was established in 1905 and covers an area of 1090 sq. km. that is filled with grasslands, wetlands, and forests alongside different species of flora and fauna. Apart from the rhinoceros, Kaziranga is home to elephants, wild water buffaloes, deer, and tigers. Central, Western, Eastern, and Burapahar are the four zones into which this national park is divided. Jeep safaris are more prevalent inside the national park to give a glimpse of the majestic inhabitants to the visitors.
Location: Golaghat and Nagaon, Assam
Best Time To Visit: November to April
Cost / Person: ₹4000 onwards
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4. Bandhavgarh National Park
Photo: Fitindia/ Wikimedia Commons
Bandhavgarh National Park is a popular national park for jungle safari in India. It is located in the Umaria district of Madhya Pradesh and is spread across an area of 1,536 sq. km. It also boasts a rich history of the Bandhavgarh Fort and various cave shrines. The national park is divided into three distinct sections for jeep safaris – Tala, Magadhi, and Khitauli. The majority of sightings of the glorious Bengal tigers are in the Tala region. The other two regions offer a glimpse of the remaining wildlife population like leopards, sambar deer, Indian bison & a variety of bird species.
Location: Umaria, Madhya Pradesh
Best Time To Visit: October to June
Cost / Person: ₹3000 onwards
5. Sundarbans National Park
Photo: Soumyajit Nandy / Wikimedia Commons
The Sundarbans National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the largest mangrove forests in the world. Spread across 1,330 sq. km., it boasts a large population of the Royal Bengal tigers, which have surprisingly adapted to the saline environment around. Due to the waterways through the middle of this mangrove forest, boat safari tours are more prevalent there. Beyond the elusive Bengal tiger, the unique ecosystem of the national park also houses saltwater crocodiles, spotted deer, wild boars & multiple bird species. The guided boat tours offer a closer look at the diverse flora and fauna here.
Location: Gosaba, West Bengal
Best Time To Visit: October to March
Cost / Person: ₹500 onwards
Suggested Read: Wildlife Sanctuaries In India
6. Gir National Park
Photo: Bernard Gagnon / Wikimedia Commons
Located in Gujarat, the Gir National Park is home to the famous Asiatic lion that thrives in an area of 1,412 sq. km. The entirety of this national park is covered in deciduous forests and grasslands and hence it is an ideal habitat for a wide range of wildlife. It is also home to leopards, sambar deer, chital, nilgai & over 300 species of birds. The park is divided into several zones for a controlled environment for wildlife viewing. Gir offers jeep safaris, which are conducted early morning and late afternoon, providing the best opportunities to spot wildlife in their natural habitat.
Location: Chitrod, Gujarat
Best Time To Visit: December to April
Cost / Person: ₹3500 onwards
7. Periyar National Park
Photo: Anand2202 / Wikimedia Commons
As you head towards the south of India, Periyar National Park offers a unique jungle safari experience for all wildlife enthusiasts. The national park spreads across 305 sq. km and is centred around Periyar Lake. Hence, making it a vital attraction for tourists. This national park has a diverse range of wildlife and bird species. So, a safari inside the national park is a wildlife enthusiast’s dream come true. Periyar offers a range of safari options, including boat safaris on the lake, jeep safaris, and guided nature walks. If you want a more unique experience, the boat safari is likely the best option.
Location: Thekkady, Idukki, Kerala
Best Time To Visit: October to March
Cost / Person: ₹150 onwards
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8. Nagarhole National Park
Photo: Vivek K Kaushik / Unsplash
The Nagarhole National Park is the last worthy mention when discussing unique jungle safari experiences in India. Known as the Rajiv Gandhi National Park, it is located in Karnataka’s Kodagu and Mysore districts. Covered in dense forests, swamps & numerous streams and rivers, the national park is home to a wide range of wildlife, including tigers, elephants, leopards, and unique bird species like the Malabar trogon, the great black woodpecker and the Indian pitta. Jeep safaris are more prevalent with slots usually during the morning and evening. There are boat safaris on the Kabini River as well.
Location: Kodagu and Mysore, Karnataka
Best Time To Visit: October to May
Cost / Person: ₹700 onwards
Exploring jungle safari in India lets you get a closer glimpse into the rich habitation, biodiversity, and wildlife that graces the country. Every wildlife sanctuary and national park offers a unique jungle safari experience and wildlife encounters that are one for the books. So, what are you waiting for? Gear up for your next jungle safari expedition. And, you can get the best deals and discounts if you make all your bookings sorted with TripXL.
Cover Photo: UPASANA SAIGAL / Unsplash
