14 Exhilarating Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks in India

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Be it exploring the beautiful sanctuaries or getting a glimpse of the rare animals in the parks, India has always been known for being rich in its wildlife. However, owing to the recent deforestations, most of these animals have become endangered, and hence the wildlife sanctuaries and national parks in India have come to their rescue. So far, all these wildlife sanctuaries and national parks have been successful in preserving all the animals that might go extinct anytime soon. Apart from the animals, these parks are also an ideal place to get an amazing view of the beautiful lush greenery and the never-ending range of the wildlife.

So, if you are an ardent fan of wildlife and seek wildlife photography, then these wildlife sanctuaries and national parks in India are the ultimate destinations to get the best of the wildlife in the country. Pack your bags and dust your cameras to capture these living beasts that roam around majestically in their natural habitats!

Here is a list of wildlife sanctuaries and national parks in India that you need to visit

1. The Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand

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The oldest and one of the best national parks in India, the Corbett National Park is a home for the gracious Bengal tigers. Named after the popular writer Jim Corbett, this national park located amidst the Himalayan ranges in the beautiful Uttarakhand, is a favourite among the lovers of wildlife.

• Distance from the airport: Pantnagar Airport is the 120 km away from the park. It will take you roughly 3-4 hours to reach.
• Highlights: You can witness the stunning and royal Bengal tigers within this park.
• Opening hours: It is open all days of the week from 6 am to 5:30 pm.
• Location: Nainital District, Ramnagar, Uttarakhand.
• Trip Advisor rating: 4/5

Must Read: Discover The Best Time To Visit Jim Corbett National Park

2. Rajasthan’s Ranthambore National Park

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One of the most royal national parks in India, the Ranthambore National Park is the perfect weekend getaway for all the people in Rajasthan. This park features all kinds of animals like Nilgai, Sambar, Leopard, Wild Boar, Hyena, and the Royal Tigers.

• Distance from the airport: The Sanganer Airport in Jaipur is roughly 160 km away from the park. It will take you 3-4 hours to reach approximately.
• Highlights: Its majestic tigers are a sight to witness!
• Opening hours: It is open all days of the week from 6 am to 10 am and 3 pm to 7 pm.
• Location: Prempura, Rajasthan.
• Trip Advisor rating: 4/5

3. Bandipur National Park in Karnataka

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This beautiful national park in South India is a home for most of the endangered species. The lush forest lands in the majestic Western Ghats and the Deccan Plateau make the best habitat for the Elephants and many other animals that are getting almost extinct.

• Distance from the airport: The Mysore Airport is roughly 69 km away from the park. It will take you 1-2 hours approximately to reach there.
• Highlights: This park is famous for its majestic Elephants.
• Opening hours: It is open all days of the week from 6 am to 8 am and 3 pm to 5 pm for the Safari.
• Location: Hangala Village, Chamarajanagar District, Bandipur, Karnataka.
• Trip Advisor rating: 4/5

4. The Keoladeo Ghana National Park in Bharatpur

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This man-made wetland which is now declared as a national park was earlier known as the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. This national park in the beautiful land of Bharatpur is the perfect place to witness exotic birds and many other migratory birds including birds within India.

• Distance from the airport: The Agra airport is roughly 57 km away from the park. It will take you 1-2 hours approximately to reach there.
• Highlights: The exotic and migratory birds of this sanctuary.
• Opening hours: It is open all days of the week from 8 am to 5 pm.
• Location: Agra-Jaipur Highway, Bharatpur, Rajasthan.
• Trip Advisor rating:5/5

5. Nagarhole National Park in Karnataka

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Located in Mysore, this national park is a famous tourist destination in Karnataka for spotting tigers. Also known as Rajiv Gandhi National Park, this park in Karnataka bears a significant number of Leopards, Sloth Bears, Bisons, and Elephants.

• Distance from the airport: The Mandakalli Airport in Mysore is roughly 93 km away from the Nagarhole National Park. It will take you 2-3 hours approximately to reach the place.
• Highlights: Sloth Bears, Elephants, Leopards, and Bisons.
• Opening hours: This park is open from 6:45 am to 8:45 am and 4 pm to 6 pm every day.
• Location: Madikeri Road, Hunsur, Karnataka.
• Trip Advisor rating: 4/5

6. Sariska National Park in Rajasthan

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Located in the Alwar district of Rajasthan, this national park was the first park in the world that was adopted by the Bengal Tigers as their natural habitat. Apart from the Royal Bengal Tigers, many other rare species like the Jungle Cat, Golden Jackal, Leopard, and the Striped Hyena can also be found in this national park.

• Distance from the airport: The Sanganer airport in Jaipur is roughly 112 km away from the Sariska National Park. It will take you 2-3 hours approximately to reach there.
• Highlights: Apart from the Royal Bengal Tigers, there are also many other animals like the Leopards, Striped Hyenas, Jungle Cats, and Golden Jackals.
• Opening hours: It is open from 6 am to 8 pm every day
• Location: Shubhas Chowk Station Road, Alwar, Rajasthan.
• Trip Advisor rating: 4/5

7. Kaziranga National Park of Assam:

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The only natural habitat of the almost extinct One-Horned Rhinoceros, this National Park located in the Golaghat district of Assam is one of the largest wildlife sanctuaries in India. This highly visited national park in Northeast India is a real visual treat. It also has many migratory birds that come over during the winters.

• Distance from the airport: The Jorhat airport is roughly 113 km away from the Kaziranga National Park. It will take you 2-3 hours approximately to reach there.
• Highlights: This park is famous for its endangered one-horned rhinoceros.
• Opening hours: This park is open for 24 hours.
• Location: Kanchanjuri, Assam.
• Trip Advisor rating: 5/5

8. Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka:

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Made up mostly of the dry deciduous forests and some semi-evergreen forests, this wildlife sanctuary is a must-visit place for all the travellers to get a glimpse of nature. They have a fantastic wildlife safari to go to, which gives a great experience for all the wildlife photographers and explorers.

• Distance from the airport: The Mangaluru Airport is approximately 190 km away from the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary. It will take you 4-5 hours approximately to reach there.
• Highlights: The greenery is a big highlight of this place.
• Opening hours: This is open from 6 am to 6 pm every day.
• Location: Behind Ranganathaswamy Temple, Lakkavalli, Chikmagaluru, Karnataka.
• Trip Advisor rating: 4/5

9. Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh

Known for saving the almost extinct Barasingha, this national park in the vicinity of Madhya Pradesh is one of the most sought-after tourist destinations. This park is gorgeous with various wild animals in their natural habitat which makes it a sight to witness.

• Distance from the airport: The Jabalpur airport is 160 km away from the Kanha National Park. It will take you 4-5 hours to reach there.
• Highlights: The Swamp Deer or Barasingha is a favourite attraction of this park.
• Opening hours: It is open from 8 am to 10 pm every day.
• Location: Near Surpan River, Mandla, Madhya Pradesh.
• Trip Advisor rating:5/5

10. Sundarbans National Park in West Bengal:

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Sharing its borders with Bangladesh, the Sundarbans National Park is one of the largest among the Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks in India. Filled with mangrove forests that make it a green wonder, this place is an amazing place to witness the Royal Bengal Tigers.

• Distance from the airport: The Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport is roughly 16 km away from the park. It will take you 50-60 mins approximately to reach there.
• Highlights: The Royal Bengal Tigers in the Sunderbans are a sight to witness.
• Opening hours: It is open from 8 am to 6 pm from Monday to Saturday. Closed on Sundays.
• Location: Dayapur, Gosaba, West Bengal.
• Trip Advisor rating: 4/5

11. Bandhavgarh National Park in Madhya Pradesh:

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Another name in the list of the most sought-after Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks in India, the Bandhavgarh National Park is another abode for the Tigers. Located in Madhya Pradesh, this is one of the largest national parks in India with a rich abundance of the tigers, leopards, and deer. The best attraction of this park, however, is the white tigers.

• Distance from the airport: The Jabalpur airport is approximately 200 km away from the national park. It will take you 4-5 hours approximately to reach there.
• Highlights: White tigers, deer, leopards.
• Opening hours: 6 am to 11 am and 3 pm to 6 pm from Thursday to Tuesday; 6 am to 11 am on Wednesdays.
• Location: State Highway 10, Bandhavgarh, Umaria, Madhya Pradesh.
• Trip Advisor rating:5/5

12. Sasan Gir Sanctuary and Gir National Park in Gujarat:

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The only wildlife sanctuary in India with the Asiatic Lions, this national park and sanctuary of Gujarat is a perfect place to witness the lions. These majestic beasts stroll in their territories within these elegantly preserved areas that are made especially for the Asiatic Lions.

• Distance from the airport: The Keshod Airport is roughly 38 km away from the national park. It will take you 2-3 hours approximately to reach there.
• Highlights: The Asiatic Lions are the best attractions of this park.
• Opening hours: It is open from 6 am to 9 am and 3 pm to 6 pm every day.
• Location: Junagadh, Gujarat.
• Trip Advisor rating: 4/5

13. Periyar National Park in Kerala

With an artificial lake that flows through the forests, this evergreen wildlife sanctuary is one of the best among the Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks in India. It is located in the hills of Western Ghats and boasts a huge abundance of tigers. Apart from tigers, there are many other wild animals like the Nilgiri Langur, Wild Pigs, Elephants, and Barking Deers.

• Distance from the airport: The Madurai Airport is 140 km away from the Periyar National Park. It will take you 4-5 hours approximately to reach there.
• Highlights: Nilgiri Langur, Barking Deer, Wild Pigs, Tigers, Sambar, Elephants, and Gaur.
• Opening hours: It is open from 6 am to 6 pm every day.
• Location: Kumily, Thekkady, Kerala.
• Trip Advisor rating: 4/5

14. Pench National Park in Madhya Pradesh:

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Also known as the Mowgli Land, this national park is famously known for featuring the surroundings of Rudyard Kipling’s famous writing, ‘The Jungle Book.’ This beautiful park in Madhya Pradesh is one of the sought-after Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks in India.

• Distance from the airport: The Nagpur airport is roughly 120 km away from the national park. It will take you 2-3 hrs approximately to reach there.
• Highlights: Tigers, Sloth Bears, Leopards, Barking Derrs, and Wild Dogs including many birds.
• Opening hours: 8 am to 10 pm from Monday to Friday, and 8 am to 6 pm on Saturday and Sunday.
• Location: Near Turia Gate, Turia Post, Kurai Tehseel, Seoni District, Kurai, Madhya Pradesh.
• Trip Advisor rating:5/5

These 14 Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks in India are just a glimpse of the number of parks in the country. Apart from these, there are several other parks which grab the attention of tourists from all over the world. However, before visiting them, make sure you check with their opening hours as most of them are closed for a minor part of the year.

FAQs:

1. What are the six best wildlife sanctuaries and national parks in India?

• Corbett National Park
• Ranthambore National Park
• Bandipur National Park
• Sundarbans National Park
• Kaziranga National Park
• Gir National Park and Sasan Gir Sanctuary

2. Are these parks open all the time?

No, most of the parks will be open for only a few months in a particular year. So, make sure you check the schedule before you plan to pay a visit to them.

3. What are the major animals you can find in most of these parks?

Tigers are the most famous animals you can find in almost every park. Apart from them, there are Asiatic Lions, One-Horned Rhinoceros, Sambars, Wild Boars, Nilgiri Langurs and many other amazing animals.

4. What is the best time to visit the wildlife sanctuaries and national parks in India?

The best time to visit these parks is generally in the summers or the springs.