The Indian government designates national parks as category II protected areas by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. Jim Corbett National Park was India’s first national park, founded in Uttarakhand in 1936. There were just five national parks in India by 1970.
To ensure the survival of species dependent on conservation efforts, India passed the Wildlife Protection Act in 1972 and launched Project Tiger the following year. India now has 106 national parks.
In the 1980s, an additional federal law was introduced to tighten wildlife preservation further.
India’s 106 existing national parks cover an area of 44,372.42 km2, or 1.35 percent of the country’s total land area.
See also: National Parks in Madhya Pradesh for a fun-filled experience
Must-visit national parks in India for wildlife enthusiasts
Kaziranga National Park
In Assam’s Golaghat and Nagaon districts, Kaziranga National Park is praised for its work to protect the greater one-horned rhinoceros. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the well-known national park is home to two-thirds of the greater one-horned rhinoceros population in the world.
The 430 square kilometres national park is home to several one-horned rhinos, as well as elephants, swamp deer, wild water buffaloes, and tigers in significant numbers. In addition to being a prime location for observing wildlife in India, the national park is also recognised as an Important Bird Area (IBA), making it a birdwatcher’s heaven.
Source: Pinterest
See also: National Parks in Assam every nature lover must visit
Best time to visit
Kaziranga Park is closed from 1 May to 31 October every year. Therefore, the best time to visit Kaziranga National Park is between November and April.
Summer (April to May): During this season, the climate is dry and windy, and one can see animals near bodies of water.
Monsoon (June to September): From June to September, the region receives roughly 2,220 millimeters (87 inches) of precipitation; hence, the environment remains hot and humid. The park is closed from May to October owing to Brahmaputra river flood warnings.
Winter (November to February) is a great time to visit Kaziranga National Park due to the moderate and dry temperature. As the grass dies out and the background becomes clearer in the winter, rhino sightings are more likely.
Safari
For Jeep Safari: Jeep Safari is available from 1st November to 30th April and may be possible in May and October, depending on weather and road conditions.
Morning Jeep Safari: 07- 09:30 am
Afternoon Jeep Safari: 01:30- 3:30 pm
Elephant rides are available from 1st November to 30th April, beginning early in the morning and continuing for 1-1&1/2 hours.
How to reach
By rail
Guwahati is well-connected to the rest of India via train. Guwahati/Dibrugarh have trains to Jorhat. From Jorhat, drive to Kohora.
By road
Kohora is Kaziranga’s primary gateway from Guwahati. It’s on NH 37, which connects Guwahati and Jorhat. It’s road-accessible from Guwahati (NH 37). Depends on travel time and traffic. From Guwahati, travel to Sonapur, Khetri, Jagiroad, Nelli, Dharamtul, Nagaon (bypass), Puranigudam, Samaguri, Kaliabor Tiniali (junction for Tezpur), Jakhalabandha, Burapahar (Ghorakati), Bagori, and Kohora.
By air
Visitors from outside North-east India should fly to Guwahati. Guwahati serves Delhi, Kolkata, Imphal, Agartala, Bagdogra, Dibrugarh, Silchar, and Jorhat. Guwahati to Kohora/Bagori is a 4-5-hour drive.
Nagarhole National Park
Nagarhole’s 640 sq km dense forest is situated between the Mysore plateaus in Karnataka and the Nilgiris range in Tamil Nadu. The sanctuary, also known as Rajiv Gandhi National Park, is a Tiger Reserve as part of Project Tiger and Project Elephant. The sanctuary houses Bengal Tigers, Leopards, and the world’s largest herd of Asian elephants.
It is home to migrating birds, reptiles, jaguars, deer, antelopes, wild dogs, bears, and a variety of other smaller, common, and unusual creatures and birds. The Black Panthers have garnered immense renown and attracted a large number of tourists. It takes a stroke of luck to spot this beautiful and uncommon wildcat. The tall rosewood and teak trees, together with other trees such as sandalwood and Silver Oak, dominate the jungle.
Source: Pinterest
Best time to visit
Forest vacations are the most popular among tourists, travellers, and explorers alike. Nagarhole is a popular destination for nature lovers, wildlife photographers, birdwatchers, children, and even senior persons. Even though March, April, and May are pretty dry, there is a good chance of spotting wildlife, especially elephants, near the riverbanks. The monsoon months are lush and mushy, giving a variety of adventures and perspectives. However, animal sightings are relatively uncommon. Winter months are cool and offer excellent visibility.
Safari
You may select your lodging based on your budget and level of comfort. There are two different forms of safaris: Jeep and boat. In the Kabini backwaters, safari is conducted by motorboat. Even though the Forest Service organises safaris, the safaris performed by Jungle Lodges Resorts are an unforgettable experience. Each safari lasts between two and two hours and occurs twice every day.
It is recommended to book the safari in advance.
How to reach
By air
You can fly to Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport and connect to Mysore. The distance from Bengaluru airport to Nagarhole National Park is 261 kilometres. There are buses and cabs from Mysore airport to Nagarhole National Park.
By rail
From Bengaluru, Jaipur, Chennai, Kolkata, Ajmer, Varanasi, and Mumbai, trains stop at Mysore Junction. From Mysore, you can take a bus or cab 89 kilometres to Nagarhole National Park.
By road
The bus station is 30 kilometres from the park. From the bus station, take a cab to the Park. Bengaluru or Mysore also provides automobile rentals. Kutta is one of Nagarhole National Park’s four access sites. It is 14 kilometres from Kutta.
Ranthambore National Park
Ranthambore National Park is a wildlife sanctuary and the largest tiger reserve in the northern Indian city of Sawai Madhopur in the southeastern region of Rajasthan. Tigers, marsh crocodiles, sambhar, sloth bears, chinkara, wild boar, and leopards once hunted there. In 1955, the park was designated a game sanctuary, and in 1980, it was elevated to national park status. Following the 1973 beginning of Project Tiger, the sanctuary was designated a tiger reserve.
It is particularly well-known for the majestic Ranthambore Fort, which dates back to the 10th century, and for the Ganesh Mandir, which is located on a hill (Temple). Padam Talao Lake is also well-known for its profusion of water lilies.
The core area of Ranthambore is approximately 400 square kilometres despite the park’s total expanse of 1,334 square kilometres. The park is located in the eastern Aravalli range. The park is named after the Ranthambore fort, which overlooks it. There are two rivers and three lakes located within the park.
Source: Pinterest
Best time to visit
The park is closed during the monsoon season, which is also the breeding season for the animals, from July through September. April to June is the best time to visit Ranthambore for animal viewing, just before the monsoon season.
Safari
Elephant safari is a fantastic way to explore the park. Additionally, jeep safaris are available. The likelihood of spotting a tiger in the park is greatest in the early morning and just before dusk, as the predator is most active in the early morning and evening hours. During his 2000 visit to Ranthambore National Park, former U.S. President Bill Clinton spotted a tiger.
How to reach
By air
Ranthambore Park’s nearest airport is Jaipur International Airport in Sanganer, a Jaipur suburb. The airport and park are 160 kilometres apart and can be reached by car or train. All major Indian cities fly to Jaipur. Jaipur’s international airport connects the city to many foreign cities. From the airport, direct bus and taxi services go to Sawai Madhopur, where Ranthambore Park is.
By rail
The train is the easiest way to reach Ranthambore. Ranthambore Park’s closest train station is Sawai Madhopur. Sawai Madhopur station is 11 kilometres from Ranthambore Park; tourists can take a local bus, taxi, or cab. Jaipur, Delhi, Mumbai, and other cities have direct trains to Sawai Madhopur. The heritage station is India’s most tourist-friendly. Palace on Wheels, Royal Rajasthan on Wheels, Maharaja Express, and The Indian Maharaja stop here.
By Road
Ranthambore Park is accessible by road from all major Indian cities. Tourists can reach Ranthambore Park from Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, Delhi, Agra, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Ajmer, etc., by state bus or private bus and cab.
Periyar National Park
Periyar National Park & Wildlife Sanctuary, situated in Thekkady, is the epitome of nature’s wealth in terms of scenic splendour and biodiversity. In this awe-inspiring region of Kerala, Periyar National Park is regarded as the safest habitat for elephants and tigers. The Western Ghats are home to one of the most known national parks in South India, Periyar National Park. The protected area encompasses an area of 925 square kilometres (357 sq mi). In 1982, the remaining 350 square kilometres (140 square miles) of the core zone were designated as Periyar National Park.
The park is ornamented with a lovely lake in the centre of the sanctuary, which is an artificial 100-year-old lake in Thekkady. The park is mostly renowned for its wild elephants and dense Western Ghats forests. Numerous Periyar valleys are covered with tropical evergreen forest that is so dense that few sun rays can enter.
These trees reach astounding heights of 130-140 feet at maturity. Some portions of the park have marshy grasslands adjacent to the lake and other sources of water. Also dispersed throughout the park are pockets of semi-deciduous woodland that provide crucial cover for many of the animal species.
Source: Pinterest
Best time to visit
The optimum time to visit the Periyar wildlife sanctuary is between October and June.
Safari
In Periyar, there are numerous opportunities to experience the sanctuary’s wilderness. At Periyar Lake, the availability of Jeep Safari, elephant safari, and the most lovely boat excursions will enrich the wildlife experience.
To explore the wilderness of Periyar Sanctuary, boat tours are the finest alternative. Today, Periyar Lake is a good boating location for tourists. Although it is uncommon to observe many animals from the boats, you glimpse a family of elephants, wild boars, and sambar deer along the water’s edge, as well as a few bodies of water. The upper deck is ideal for seeing animals while on a boat ride, but you should arrive half an hour beforehand to secure the best seat.
Tourists can also board the 7:00 a.m. boat to increase their likelihood of sightings. In addition, they can reserve their boat (on rent).
Boat Cruise Safari Timings: 7:25 AM, 9:15 AM, 11:15 AM, 1:30 PM, 4:00 PM
Jeep Safari Timings
Night safari: 11 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Full-Day Safari: Max 03.00 PM Last entry
Elephant Safari: Daily for a Half-Hour: 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
How to reach
By air
Cochin International Airport is near Periyar. Thekkady is 190 kilometres away. Madurai airport is 140 kilometres from Periyar.
By rail
By train, Kottayam is 110 km away. Taxis, private cabs, and buses can take travellers to Periyar from the train station. Local, express, and superfast trains connect the city to other regions of the country.
By road
Periyar is road-accessible from all major Kerala cities. The highway connects Kochi, Kottayam, Kothamangalam, Munnar, and Trivandrum. Kerala tourism operates buses throughout the state, and private taxis are also available.
Read also: National Parks in Jammu and Kashmir
Gir National Park
The only area outside of Africa where a lion can be observed in its natural habitat is Gir National Park. The average length of a Gir lion is 2.75 metres, and he has a longer tail tuft, bushier elbow tuffs, and pronounced belly folds than his African relative, which has a greater mane. There are forty species of animals and 425 species of birds in Gir.
Source: Pinterest
Best time to visit
Since the protected area is closed from June to October, the best time to visit Gir is from November to March, during the winter. April and May are the hottest months of summer but are perfect for wildlife photography and observation.
Safari
Sasan Gir Safari is one of the rare sanctuary locations where you can observe lions and other animal species moving freely from one location to another. Sasan Gir has arranged for open-air, expertly-operated jeeps to be available to visitors so they can take in this magnificent view. Gir jungle trail can only be explored via jeep safari. this sanctuary does not permit horse, camel, or elephant rides.
How to reach
By flight
Keshod is 70 kilometres from Gir National Park. However, Rajkot’s airport is 160 kilometres away. Sasan Gir is best reached from Mumbai through Diu. The 97-km drive from Diu to Sasan takes nearly 2 hours.
By rail
Junagadh and Veraval are the closest train stations to Gir National Park (72 km). Rajkot railway station is another significant railhead 165 kilometres from the Gir forest. These stations around Gir National Park serve the country’s biggest cities. Cab services are also available.
By road
Good roads connect Gir National Park to major cities in Gujarat. From several sections of the state, state and commercial buses serve the national park. Ahmedabad, Surat, Nashik, Junagadh, and Rajkot are well-connected to Gir National Park by national and state roadways. Taxis are available. The national park is driveable.
FAQs
How many national parks does India contain?
India contains 106 existing national parks.
Which Indian national park is the largest?
Hemis national park is the largest national park in India.
What is the most recently opened national park in India in 2022?
The most recently opened national park in 2022 is Raimona National Park.
