Spot The Big Cats At These Top Tiger Safaris in India For An Unforgettable Experience
Ferocious, magnificent, mighty, agile, and royal – these words best describe the attitude of a tiger. And a tiger safari in India offers the ultimate chance to witness this majestic beast in its natural habitat. Imagine yourself deep in a wildlife reserve, the jungle alive with sounds, your heart pounding as you spot a pair of amber eyes staring back. That’s the thrill of the best tiger safari in India – a raw, unfiltered encounter with the king of the wild.
Well, a proud moment here cause India is home to some of the best tiger reserves in the world. Ranthambore Tiger Safari and Jim Corbett National Park are among the top. Safaris across the Bandhvgarh National Parks and Tadoba Tiger Reserve are equally glorious with breath-taking views and excitement for everlasting memories. So, ready for the adventure of a lifetime? Check out our ultimate guide to jungle safari in India so you can go ahead to book the top safari packages.
In this Blog
Bandhavgarh National Park
Witnessing the Royal Bengal Tiger is like treasured and fantasy for many and people from different regions long to capture a glimpse of this majestic creature. And you know the best part? the Royal Bengal Tiger reigns supreme in Bandhavgarh National Park. Located in the Vindhya Hills, this hunting ground of Rewa’s Maharaja is now one of the best tiger reserves in India. With highest population of tigers across the globe, Bandhavgarh National Park is unmatched when it comes to serving a blend of wildlife and history. Every turn on your jungle safari in India could reveal a magnificent beast lurking behind the bushes, a spotted deer darting past, or a langur shrieking from the treetops. Apart from tigers, the national park contains ancient manmade caves, the wonders of Bandhavgarh Fort, and even the ancient sculpture Shesh Shaiya, where a 65-foot-long reclining Vishnu statue rests. It’s a jungle adventure straight out of a storybook!
Best Time to Visit Bandhavgarh National Park:
The best time to visit Bandhavgarh National Park is from October to June, with peak tiger sightings during the dry summer months.
Tiger Safari Tour Duration:
The duration of the tour can be adjusted depending on your need, however, a minimum of 6-7 nights is recommended for the best safari in India.
Highlights of Bandhavgarh:
- Tiger safari in India with the highest tiger density
- Bandhavgarh Fort with its panoramic jungle views
- Ancient manmade caves filled with history
- Shesh Shaiya – a giant reclining Vishnu statue
Best Way to Reach Bandhavgarh National Park:
The Jabalpur airport is the most convenient one as it connects with many cities across the country. From the airport you take a scenic road trip of around 3.5 hours to reach the Bandhavgarh National Park.
Tadoba National Park
In case you are looking for a splendid tiger safari in India, then Tadoba National Park is bound to exceed your expectations. This park is well-known for its wildlife reserve that offers great visibility. Because of its unique features, Tadoba National Park is among the best for tiger safari in India. Unlike the rest dense jungles of Ranthambore National Park or Jim Corbett National Park, you can watch a tiger stretch right before your eyes on a cool tarmac road or getting into a waterhole. In the hottest months, the parks majestic manmade waterhole becomes a favoured attraction for tigers to cool down. Watch out for the lore claiming that tigers in Tadoba possess the unique traits of unmatched grace, like Maya, Choti Tara, Bajrang and Sonam, along with legendary Madhuri.
Best Time to Visit Tadoba National Park:
Tadoba is open throughout the year, making it an excellent destination for a jungle safari in India no matter the season. However, summer months (March to June) offer the best chances of spotting tigers near water sources.
Tiger Safari Tour Duration:
The safari duration is tailor-made as per your preference, but a minimum of 6-7 nights is recommended for a truly immersive experience.
Highlights of Tadoba:
Tadoba is particularly notable for its Tiger safari in India, as the chances of sighting one is superb owing to the open landscape. The rare Black Leopard also adds more excitement to wildlife viewing in the park. Magan Khadi is a picturesque site for bird and nature lovers, while the Ramdegi Temple built deep inside the jungle serves as a lovely hideout in the midst of nature.
Best Way to Reach Tadoba National Park:
The nearest airport is Nagpur, which is well connected to major cities across India. From Nagpur, a three-hour drive through scenic countryside roads leads you to Tadoba. Private cabs and rental cars are easily available, making the journey smooth and convenient.
Kanha National Park
Kanha National Park is unlike any National Park India, and it happens to be the setting behind Rudyard Kipling’s ‘The Jungle Book’. This vast wildlife reserve is a mesmerising mix of sal forests, sprawling meadows, and dense bamboo groves, offering one of the best tiger safaris in India. The famed ‘king of the jungle’ is adored by many tourists, but the hardworking conservationists at Kanha have focused their efforts on saving the Barasingha or the Hard Ground Swamp Deer, which was once on the verge of complete extinction. Not only does the park contain deer, it is also home to leopards, guars, sambars, and countless chitals. Wildlife photographers have a reason to celebrate because Kanha National Park is known for providing some of the best tiger shots around.
Best Time to Visit Kanha National Park:
The best months to visit are October to June, especially if you are looking to spot tigers in their natural habitat during the summer.
Tiger Safari Tour Duration:
There are many safari packages with a minimum of 6-7 nights for an immersive safari experience.
Highlights of Kanha:
Even while having the experience of Bandhavgarh National Park, one is bound to get enthralled with the towering cliffs of Kanha, home to the famed Tiger Safari, Sal Forests, Barasingha Meadows, and more than 350 exotic species of birds. It is truly a gem among the best tiger reserves in India.
Best Way to Reach Kanha National Park:
The closest airport is in Jabalpur, roughly a 3-hour drive from the National Park. Jabalpur is also well connected to all parts of India which makes it an ideal entry point.
Pench National Park
Are you looking for jungle safaris in India that have some mythical attraction to them? Look no further than Pench National Park. With its dry deciduous teak forests, glimmering water bodies, and open meadows Pench offers a landscape that even a wildlife enthusiast would drool over. The park is home to a fascinating variety of animals including Tigers, Leopards, Sloth Bears, Wild Dogs, Nilgai, and Chinkara. Birdwatchers will also be pleased to find over 210 species of birds, including migratory wonders. Pench is also home to Collarwali, the world record holding tigress who had the most cubs in the wild.
Best Time to Visit Pench National Park:
October to June, and summer months (March–May) is ideal for tiger sightings.
Tiger Safari Tour Duration:
It is completely customised according to your liking, but a minimum stay of 6-7 nights is recommended.
Highlights of Pench:
The park offers an exciting Tiger Safari, a chance to spot elusive Leopards, Wild Dogs, and explore stunning Teak Forests.
Best Way to Reach Pench National Park:
Fly to Nagpur, which is well connected to major cities. From Nagpur, it’s a scenic 3-hour drive to Pench.
Panna National Park
After experiencing a severe drop in the number of tigers residing in the area, Panna National Park is now regarded as one of the leading parks in India for wildlife conservation. Panna National Park is different from other national parks in India because it has tiger reserves which include savannah woodlands, open forests, tall grasslands, more than 40 different mammal species, 300 unique bird species, and a variety of reptiles and butterflies. Panna is mostly known for its ever-growing tiger population and successful relocation project of tigers. In addition to it, the park also has Ken River which runs through opposite sides of the park and provides magnificent sights while on a boat safari in the park.
Best Time to Visit Panna National Park:
From November to March, particularly the winters which are suitable for discovering the varied ecosystems of the park.
Tiger Safari Tour Duration:
Tours can be customised, but a week-long stay is ideal to enjoy all parts of the park.
Highlights of Panna:
Tiger Safari, Leopards, Crocodiles, and the rare opportunity for Boat & Night Safaris make Panna a must-visit.
Best Way to Reach Panna National Park:
Fly to Khajuraho, which is well connected to Delhi via frequent flights. From Khajuraho, a short 45-minute drive takes you to Panna.
Sariska National Park
Sariska National Park, which is situated in the Alwar district of Rajasthan, is among the most renowned tiger reserves in India. Once a royal hunting ground, it was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1955 and later became the first-ever tiger relocation project in India. Covering an area of 274 square kilometres, Sariska’s dry grasslands, dense forests, and rocky terrains alongside the Aravalli Hills creates one of the most sought-after locations for a wildlife safari in India.
Best Time to Visit Sariska National Park:
The best time for a tiger safari in India at Sariska is from October to June, with the cooler months of October to December being the most comfortable for wildlife sightings.
Tiger Safari Tour Duration:
The duration of the safari is different for each visitor’s needs, although it is suggested to spend a minimum of six nights in order to make the most out of one of the best wildlife safaris in India.
Highlights of Sariska:
Sariska provides magnificent safaris and is a great place for a nature visit. The tourists get the opportunity to visit the world famous 22 Bengal Tigers, including the veterans of the first relocated tigers of India. The Kankarwadi Fort is one of the most majestic remnants of history lying right on the jungle’s center which impressively eagle eyes the skyline combined with a magnificent view of the entire thick forest. Siliserh Lake which is inside the park is one of the most eye-catching beauties of the region. Crocodiles are often sighted basking on the shores of the lake. The reserve also has some ancient temple ruins like Neelkanth Mahadev Temple increasing the cultural and historical context of the safari.
Best Way to Reach Sariska National Park
The easiest way to reach Sariska is by air travel to Jaipur, the nearest city with an airport which is 110 km away. From Jaipur, the park is a two-hour drive away. Sariska is also connected by road from Delhi, which is around 200 kilometres away. This makes it a perfect place for wildlife lovers who want to go for a short weekend trip.
In the heart of India, tiger safari tours lead you into the wild in an unapologetically exhilarating way. Be it the green expanses of Kanha or teak jungles of Pench, historical landmarks of Ranthambore or the harsh beauty of Sariska, each national park is unique and comes with its own thrill. Considering that over 70% of the world’s tigers live in India, the chances of witnessing these magnificent predators in their natural habitat are unparalleled. And the best part is that there is something for everyone on a tiger safari and you will return with memories that last a lifetime.
Image credit: Frida Lannerström via Unsplash
