Tiger Safari in India
Tiger Safari in India – Top 06 National Parks for a Tiger Safari in India.
Tiger Safari in India – Top 06 National Parks for Tiger Safari India as of 2024. As per the Tiger census conducted in India in 2018-2019, India had 2997 wild tigers residing in the 20 states in 52 Tiger reserves. This is approx. 75% of the world wild tiger population. Out of these 52 tiger reserves, 15 are very popular because of good Tiger sightings. This does not mean that there are no Tiger sightings in the other parks.
So which are the 6 best parks for a tiger safari in India? This is the first question often asked by almost all tourists who wish to do tiger safaris in India. The answer to this question is easy and tricky simultaneously. The reason this is tricky is that the answer to this question can change depending on a few extrinsic factors. I have done a separate blog on this, you may read it here.
As of May 2022 our naturalists and drivers are reporting tiger sightings in practically every tiger safari in these national parks. The doubling of the tiger population in these parks in the last 12 years has certainly helped to improve tiger sightings during tiger safaris in India.
Our recommendations to you of the best national parks for a Tiger Safari in India can change depending on how many days’ tour you wish to take. If you have five to six days, then we recommend focusing on one national park for a Tiger Safari India Tour. If you have about 10 days for a Tiger Safari India Tour, then you can cover two parks during your tour. In addition, if you have about two weeks, then three national parks can be covered comfortably depending on your appetite for tiger safaris.
Suggestions of the park can also depend on your other interests. In case your focus is, only on tigers while on a Tiger Safari in India tour, then the national park we recommend will be different. But if you wish to see species other than the tiger, then the choice of parks will change again. Therefore, it is important for us to know what you want from a tiger safari India tour. It is our constant endeavor to supersede your expectations by delivering the best services when it comes to your tiger safari in India.
Table of Contents
| S.No. | National Parks and Reserves | State | Tiger Population | Tiger Sightings |
| 1 | Bandhavgarh National Park | Madhya Pradesh | 104 | Very High |
| 2 | Kanha National Park | Madhya Pradesh | 88 | High |
| 3 | Jim Corbett National Park | Uttrakhand | 231 | Very Good |
| 4 | Ranthambore National Park | Rajasthan | 53 | Very High |
| 5 | Tadoba National Park | Maharashtra | 83 | High |
| 6 | Panna National Park | Madhya Pradesh | 50 | Moderate |
| 7 | Pench National Park | Madhya Pradesh | 87 | High |
Top 6 National Parks for Tiger Safari India Tours
1. Bandhavgarh National Park
Tiger Safari in India – One of the Top 06 National Parks for a Tiger Safari in India 2022, Bandhavgarh is located in the heart of India, in Madhya Pradesh. The state has maximum tiger numbers at 526 in the wilderness compared to any other state.
Bandhavgarh National Park has a high density of tigers, and it acts as a source of dispersing tigers to neighboring protected areas, like, Sanjay Dubri, Achanakmar, Kanha and as far as Palamu Tiger reserve. It is also the erstwhile home of the White Tigers, which can now be seen in Mukundpur White Tiger Safari near Rewa state.
A former hunting ground of the Maharaja of Rewa, Bandhavgarh takes the credit for starting tiger tourism in India, which eventually made it the most toured park for a Tiger Safari India Tour.
Interestingly, it has been two years since some 45 wild elephants including breeding females and calves have made Bandhavgarh their home. They have come from the neighboring state of Chattisgarh. Elephant sightings on tiger safaris are not so good currently as they are not used to tourism yet. But “presence of wild Elephants in a forest is huge respect for the forest, we must bow down to the elephants for they create and protect the forest”…The Jungle Book.
Bandhavgarh National Park, one of the most popular parks for tiger safaris in India, was also home to the Indian Gaur which disappeared in 1997, but due to continuous efforts of the forest department were reintroduced in 2011.
Today, there are about 200 Gaurs roaming free in Bandhavgarh National Park. Lately, sightings of Indian Leopards and Sloth Bears have also improved in Bandhavgarh.
Tiger Safari and Culture Tours
| National Park | Bandhavgarh National Park |
| Location | Madhya Pradesh |
| District | Umaria |
| Area | 1536 sq kms |
| Number of tigers | 104 (2018-2019) |
| Tiger density | 5.83 tiger per 100 sq km (2018-2019) |
| Chances of tiger sighting on tiger safaris in India | Very high |
| Unique points of Bandhavgarh | 1. Best chances of tiger sightings |
| 2. Good park for tiger photography | |
| 3. High tiger density | |
| 4. Apart from wildlife, the park is also known for historical caves and fort tour during tiger safaris in India | |
| Closest Airport | Jabalpur- 200kms, Khajuraho-275kms |
| Best time to visit | October-June |
| Park closed | July – September, on festival of Holi, Diwali, and Wednesday afternoons |
| Core tourism zones / entry gates | Magdhi, Tala, Khitauli |
| Buffer tourism zones / entry gates | Dhamokhar, Johila, Panpatha |
| When to book | Atleast 130 days prior to safari date |
| Suggested stay | Minimum 3-4 days |
| Other nearby tourist attractions and destinations | Sanjay Dubri, Mukundpur White Tiger Safari, Panna and Kanha National Parks, Khajuraho |
| Approx. cost includes – per person on twin sharing, 3 meals daily, bed tea, evening tea, exclusive safaris, guide, permit charges, transfers in air-conditioned cars, and taxes. | USD 687 – 922 |
| GBP 530 – 710 | |
| Euro 580 – 775 | |
| AUD 943 – 1262 | |
| CAD 903 – 1210 |
2. Kanha National Park
Tiger Safari in India – Second in the list for Top 6 national parks for a Tiger Safari in India 2022, is Kanha. Located in the state of Madhya Pradesh it has the highest tiger count in India as per the census and figures released in 2020. Over 526 tigers roam the state of Madhya Pradesh out of which about 108 tigers call Kanha National Park their home. Kanha has achieved tremendous success in providing a sound ecological haven to the rich floral and faunal diversity.
Kanha Tiger Reserve, one of the top parks for tiger safaris in India, has been the centre of many successful conservation stories, from the Hard ground Barasingha in Kanha itself, to the translocation of Indian Gaur from Kanha to Bandhavgarh (2011), Hard ground Barasingha translocation from Kanha to Satpura, tigers translocating from Kanha to other parks, and reintroducing blackbuck in Kanha. Saunf village in Kanha was the first village relocated out of any national park in India.
Kanha National Park has been home to many researchers and conservationists. George Schaller, spent considerable time in it’s jungles. Apparently Rudyard Kipling was also inspired by Kanha and Pench when he wrote The Jungle Book. Dr M K Ranjitsinh, the author of Wildlife Protection Act of India, and Life with Wildlife, is a Kanha lover and he was instrumental in adding the Mukki zone to Kanha National Park.
Kanha National Park and Tiger Reserve is known for good sightings of male tigers when on a tiger safari in India, which are exceptionally large when compared to tigers in any other park. Beside the landscape and wildlife, it is the simple indigenous Baiga tribes of Kanha which make this place really special. Kanha National Park is one of the best tourism managed parks in India for a tiger safari in India.
Tiger Safari and Culture Tours
| National Park | Kanha National Park |
| Location | Madhya Pradesh |
| District | Mandla, Balaghat |
| Area | 2100 sq kms |
| Number of tigers | 88 (2018-2019) |
| Tiger density | 4.40 tigers per 100 sq km (2018-2019) |
| Chances of tiger sighting while on tiger safaris in India | High |
| Unique points of Kanha National Park | 1. Popular for big male tiger sightings |
| 2. Ever green Sal forest, with scenic meadows and dense woodlands | |
| 3. Good sightings of Indian Gaur, Hard Ground Swamp Deer, and Indian Wild Dogs | |
| 4. Many successful conservation initiatives started in Kanha | |
| Closest Airport | Raipur, Jabalpur, Nagpur |
| Best time to visit | October-June |
| Park closed | July-Sept, festival of Holi, Diwali, and Wednesday afternoons. |
| Core tourism zones | Mukki, Kisli, Kanha, Sarhi |
| Buffer tourism zones | Khapa, Khatia, Phen Sijora |
| Entry gates to core zones | Mukki, Khatia, Sarhi |
| When to book | 120 days prior to safari date |
| Suggested stay | Minimum 3-4 days |
| Other nearby tourist attractions and destinations during tigers safari in India | Bandhavgarh, Ngzira, Tadoba and Pench national parks |
| Approx. cost includes; per person on twin sharing, 3 meals daily, bed tea, evening tea, exclusive safaris, guide, permit charges, transfers in air-conditioned cars, and taxes. | USD 687 – 847 |
| GBP 530 – 653 | |
| Euro 580 – 715 | |
| AUD 944 – 1164 | |
| CAD 903 – 1114 |
3. Jim Corbett National Park
Tiger Safari in India – Third in the list for the Top 6 National Parks for a Tiger Safari in India 2022, is Jim Corbett National Park. Named after the legendary hunter James Edward Corbett who shot only man-eating tigers of Kumaon and other regions, this was declared the first national park of India in 1936. It was initially named as Hailey National Park, then Ramganga National Park, and finally named as Jim Corbett National Park in memory of the famous hunter, turned conservationist, who also is a renowned author with the bestselling books on Indian Wildlife.
Corbett Tiger Reserve has the largest tiger population in any single protected area in the world. This park has close to 231 tigers as per the latest census done in 2018. It can most certainly be called as the mecca of Indian wildlife when it comes to fauna and flora diversity. Apart from tigers, Corbett is very good with sightings of wild Asian Elephants.
The Ramganga river flowing through the forest with a huge reservoir right in the heart of the park, is the life and light of Corbett. The two unique points for visiting this park are: Firstly, along with tiger safaris in India this place is a birder’s haven. For serious birders, there are close to 550 species of birds here. Therefore, a birding tour to this tiger park can also prove very fruitful. Then there are areas around Corbett like Nainital and Pangot which can be combined to add to the checklist of your birding tour.
Secondly, this is one park where you can stay in over 100 year old Forest Rest Houses, called the Dhikala Forest Rest House, inside the national park, right in the heart of the reserve. Overlooking the lower ranges of Himalayas, and on the banks of the Ramganga River, it is quite a pleasing experience to experience Indian wilderness. The booking inventory is highly limited and one must plan well in advance to book here. Other than Tigers, the park supports a population of leopards, leopard cat, fishing cat, rusty spotted cat, jungle cat, and yellow-throated martins. In the ungulates apart from the spotted and Sambar deer one can also see the hog deer, goral and serows. In reptiles, crocodiles, gharials, and King Cobra make Corbett National Park their home. Himalayan Black Bear have rare sightings here. Corbett Tiger reserve has one of the highest tiger densities in India. It thus acts as a source of dispersing tigers to neighboring protected areas of Lansdowne, Terai West, Amangarh, an Ramnagar.
Tiger Safari and Culture Tours
| National Park | Jim Corbett National Park |
| Location | Uttrakhand |
| District | Ramnagar |
| Area | 1100 sq kms |
| Number of tigers | 231 (2018-2019) |
| Tiger density | 14 tigers per 100 sq km (2018-2019) |
| Chances of tiger sighting on tiger safaris in India | Very Good |
| Unique points of Jim Corbett National Park | 1. The most scenic park in India |
| 2. Also see wild Asian Elephants here | |
| 3. You can stay inside the park in a 100 year old Forest Rest House | |
| 4. Over 525 species of birds are seen here | |
| Closest Airport | Jolly Grant, Dehradun |
| Best time to visit | November-May |
| Park closed | Mid-June till Mid November |
| Core tourism zones | Dhikala, Bijrani, Jhirna, Dhela |
| Buffer tourism zones | Sitamani |
| When to book | 90 days in advance |
| Suggested stay | 3-4 days |
| Other nearby tourist attractions and destinations during tiger safaris in India | Ranikhet, Rajajji National Park, Rishikesh, Haridwar |
| Approx. cost includes; per person on twin sharing, 3 meals daily, bed tea, evening tea, exclusive safaris, guide, permit charges, transfers in air-conditioned cars, and taxes. | USD 744 – 1645 |
| GBP 574 – 1269 | |
| Euro 628 – 1388 | |
| AUD 1023 – 2260 | |
| CAD 979 – 2162 |
4. Ranthambore National Park
Tiger Safari in India – Fourth in the list for Top 6 National Parks for a Tiger Safari in India 2022, is Ranthambore National Park. Located in the north-western state of Rajasthan, Ranthambore National Park is also known as the Land of the Tigers, making Ranthambore tiger safari in this park very special. Situated beautifully amidst the most popular tourism circuit known as the Golden Triangle, this park is perhaps the only park that faced serious assault by poachers in the previous century. however, it came out stronger every single time due to good wildlife management.
One of the best national parks for a tiger safari in India, the terrain of Ranthambore National Park is undulating and the vegetation is sparse, making tiger sightings comparatively easy. Ranthambore National Park is an island in an ocean of human-dominated landscape.
The park is away just 10kms from the Sawai Madhopur town which is also a big railway station. It is rather surprising that just 10kms away from such a bustling town you have tigers roaming free, and living in harmony with humans in the nearby villages. This proximity to dense human population reduces the chances of tiger disbursal to other nearby areas.
What it also means is that the population of large carnivores in this reserve are more vulnerable to changes in the immediate environment. It is important to have corridors to maintain a healthy gene pool of the animals especially the big cats. Ranthambore Fort stands tall at the entry gate of zone 3, and one can hike up to the fort to see a popular Lord Ganesh temple. A lot of locals visit the fort and the temple on foot, and do encounter famous tigers while doing so. It is perhaps a blessing of the almighty that never there has been a man and animal conflict with tigers on foot. With our expert guides, you get a chance to experience exclusive tiger sightings in the best zones in Ranthambore Tiger Reserve.
Ranthambore Tiger Reserve is also a good place to see the elusive India Leopard and Sloth Bears. The three big lakes in zone 3 are home to several migratory birds, and this is always a plus point while on a tiger safari in India, Ranthambore National Park. These lakes provide home to few hundred crocodiles also. It was here that the legendary Machli tigress who went on to live 19 years in the wild fought and killed a big crocodile in one of these lakes.
| National Park | Ranthambore National Park |
| Location | Rajasthan |
| District | Sawai Madhopur |
| Area | 1350 sq kms |
| Number of tigers | 53 (2018-2019) |
| Tiger density | 9.6 tigers per 100 sq km (2018-2019) |
| Chances of tiger sighting | Very high |
| Unique points of Ranthambore National Park. | 1. Beautiful lakes in zone 3, with high tiger desntiy |
| 2. Sparse vegetation, hence good tiger sightings | |
| 3. Well connected with Agra, Jaipur, New Delhi | |
| 4. A 1000 year old Fort stands at the entry of the Park. | |
| Closest Airport | Jaipur |
| Best time to visit | October-June |
| Park closed | Zone 1-5 July-September, zone 6-10 open round the year |
| Core tourism zones | Zone 1-5 |
| Buffer tourism zones | Zone 6-10 |
| When to book | 1 year in advance |
| Suggested stay | 3-4 days |
| Other nearby tourist attractions and destinations | Jaipur, Agra, Chambal river, Ranthambore Fort, Sariska national park, Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary |
| Approx. cost includes; per person on twin sharing, 3 meals daily, bed tea, evening tea, exclusive safaris, guide, permit charges, transfers in air-conditioned cars, and taxes. | USD 1107 – 1218 |
| GBP 854 – 940 | |
| Euro 931 – 1023 | |
| AUD 1514 – 1666 | |
| CAD 1453 – 1600 |
5. Tadoba National Park
Tiger Safari in India – Second to last in the list for the Top 6 National Parks for a Tiger Safari in India 2022, is the Tadoba Andhari National Park. Tadoba can be adjudged as the youngest park to shoot into the tiger tourism circuit. Located just two hours from the Nagpur International Airport, this is one of the most easily accessible national parks in India with some fantastic tiger sightings. It is a mixed forest with a huge water reservoir on the edge thus making it a good habitat for birds and crocodiles.
Tadoba is also good with sightings of Sloth Bears, Leopards, and packs of Indian Wild Dogs (Dholes). It is here that many encounter sights of tigers with sloth bears and tigers pulling down Indian Gaur. Why Tadoba has been good with tiger sightings is also due to the fact that there are a few small sanctuaries in the vicinity that have been accorded protection by the state and they have also opened several core and buffer areas for tourism.
Hence Tadoba along with Ranthambore National Park have become a role model of how to promote tourism and increase tiger numbers. Several experts will not conform to the fact that tourism plays a role in conservation, but deny they might, but ignore they cannot that the revenue generated by tourism brings in instant cash flow in the area thus showing benefit of conservation to the local community which otherwise would depend on the forest for their bio-mass requirements.
Explore a tiger safari in India to Tadoba National Park below. The source population in Tadoba is important to maintain the meta-population of the adjoining protected areas like Brahmapuri, Chandrapur, Central Chanda, Tipeshwar and Bori. One must include Tadoba National Park for their tiger safari in India. Tadoba is also good with sightings of Sloth Bears, Leopards, and packs of Indian Wild Dogs (Dholes). It is here that many encounter sights of tigers with sloth bears and tigers pulling down Indian Gaur.
| National Park | Tadoba Andhari National Park |
| Location | Maharashtra |
| District | Chandrapur |
| Area | 1727 sq km |
| Number of tigers | 83 (2018-2019) |
| Tiger density | 6.09 tigers per 100 sq km (2018-2019) |
| Chances of tiger sighting | High |
| Unique points of Tadoba Andhari National Park | 1. Good park for sighting packs of Indian Wild Dogs (Dhole) and Indian Gaur |
| 2. Close to Nagpur Airport, only 2 hour drive | |
| 3. The buffer zones of the parks are also good with tiger sightings | |
| 4. A mix forest, not dense so the tiger sightings are good here | |
| Closest Airport | Nagpur |
| Best time to visit | October-June |
| Park closed | July-Sept |
| Core tourism zones | Moharli, Tadoba, Kolsa-Zari, Khutwanda, Navegaon, Pangdi |
| Buffer tourism zones | Alizanza, Devada Adegaon, agarzari, Junona, Ramdegi, Kolar buffer |
| When to book | 120 days |
| Suggested stay | 3-4 days |
| Other nearby tourist attractions and destinations | Pench, Umred Karandla, Bor, Nagzira and Kanha National Park. |
| Approx. cost includes; per person on twin sharing, 3 meals daily, bed tea, evening tea, exclusive safaris, guide, permit charges, transfers in air-conditioned cars, and taxes. | USD 658 – 758 |
| GBP 509 – 586 | |
| Euro 553 – 636 | |
| AUD 901 – 1036 | |
| CAD 865 – 995 |
6. Panna National Park
Tiger Safari in India – Located in North Eastern part of the tiger state of India (Madhya Pradesh), this park has significant conservation importance. In 2009 it was declared that Panna had lost all its tigers due to poaching. The state forest department got into swift action and brought in one male tiger from Pench, and one tigress each from Bandhavgarh and Kanha. Dedicated efforts of the Forest department led by a committed Field Director in Shri Murthy, Panna became home to tigers again in just 3 years. This was the first national park, which was repopulated with wild tigers. Today this population is over 50 tigers in the national parks.
Panna is not as popular as Bandhavgarh, Kanha and some other premium tiger reserves as not many know that the tiger sightings in Panna have improved remarkably over last 3-4 years. This is the positive aspect as the tourist rush in this park is not as much, thus the tiger safari experience is good here.
Panna is also home to a good population of Leopards due to its topography. Hyenas are also seen on the periphery of the national park. Ken river passes through the forest, so you get an opportunity to do a boat safari in this park. The river has a healthy population of the Mugger Crocodile. There was once a good population of Gharials as well here, but that has reduced drastically.
Some advantages that Panna has over other parks is that the closest Airport is just 45kms, unlike other parks where one has to drive 4-5 hours to catch a flight. The heritage temple city of Khajuraho is just 30 minutes drive. So if you wish to skip a safari, you can go and see over 1000 year old temples in this quaint town.
Tiger Safari and Culture Tours
Tiger Safari and Culture Tours
| National Park | Panna National Park |
| Location | Madhya Pradesh |
| District | Panna and Chattarpur |
| Area | 542.67 sq. Kms |
| Number of tigers | 50 |
| Tiger density | 1.41 tigers per 100 sq km (2018-2019) |
| Chances of tiger sighting | Moderate |
| Unique points of Panna National Park | 1. Boat safari in Ken river |
| 2. Sightings of Crocodiles and Gharials | |
| 3. Close to World Heritage site of Khajuraho | |
| 4. First park where tigers were reintroduced successfully after they all got poached in 2006. | |
| Closest Airport | Khajuraho Airport at a distance of 22 kms. |
| Best time to visit | Winters (October -March) |
| Park closed | June, July, August, September |
| Core tourism zones | Madla, Hinouta |
| Buffer tourism zones | Jhinna, Akola |
| When to book | 120 days prior to safari date. |
| Suggested stay | Minimum 3-4 days |
| Other nearby tourist attractions and destinations | Bandhavgarh National Park, Kanha National Park, Khajuraho, Orchha |
| Approx. cost includes; per person on twin sharing, 3 meals daily, bed tea, evening tea, exclusive safaris, guide, permit charges, transfers in air-conditioned cars, and taxes. | USD: 724 – 1400 |
| GBP: 524 – 1000 | |
| EURO: 610 – 1200 | |
| AUD: 968 – 1800 | |
| CAD: 903 – 1750 |
7. Pench National Park
Pench National Park, nestled in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, is a wildlife sanctuary that offers a rich tapestry of natural beauty and biodiversity. With a history dating back to the 16th century, this park has evolved into a prominent destination for wildlife enthusiasts and photographers. The park takes its name from the meandering Pench River that cuts through its heart.
One of the park’s most iconic residents is the Bengal tiger. Pench boasts a significant population of these majestic creatures, making it a prime destination for tiger enthusiasts. Alongside them, Pench is also home to an array of wildlife, including spotted deer, sambar, and sloth bears. The park’s diverse habitats provide a haven for various species, and it’s not uncommon to spot elusive animals like the Indian leopard and the exceedingly rare black leopard.
Pench experiences three distinct seasons, with hot summers, monsoon rains, and mild winters. The best time to visit for tiger safaris and wildlife photography is during the dry winter months, from November to February. The temperature is more comfortable, and the lack of dense foliage makes it easier to spot wildlife. The park is open from October to June, and it remains closed during the monsoon season.
Pench National Park is divided into core and buffer zones. The core zone is more regulated and ideal for wildlife sightings, whereas the buffer zone offers a more relaxed atmosphere for visitors. Both zones provide unique experiences, but tiger sightings are more likely in the core area due to stricter regulations.
Reaching Pench is relatively convenient. The nearest airport is Nagpur, about 88 miles away, which is well-connected to major Indian cities like Delhi and Mumbai. The Nagpur railway station is also a major transit point, linking Pench to other cities via the Indian rail network. By road, Pench is accessible from Nagpur and other nearby towns, making it a flexible destination for travelers.
Pench National Park has become a haven for wildlife photographers and enthusiasts due to its splendid landscapes, stunning sunsets, and the abundance of Bengal tigers and Indian leopards. The thrill of capturing these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat is an experience that draws photographers from around the world. The park’s undulating terrain and pristine forests provide a breathtaking backdrop for photography.
Tiger Safari and Culture Tours
| National Park | Pench National Park |
| Location | Madhya Pradesh |
| District | Seoni and Chhindwara |
| Area | 758.85 sq. Kms |
| Number of tigers | Approximately 50 |
| Tiger density | 1.32 tigers per 100 sq km (2020-2021) |
| Chances of tiger sighting | Excellent |
| Unique points of Pench National Park | 1. Scenic Pench River |
| 2. Rich biodiversity, including Indian Leopards | |
| 3. Abundance of Sloth Bears and Spotted Deer | |
| 4. Varied birdlife, a paradise for birdwatchers | |
| Closest Airport | Nagpur Airport at a distance of 88 kms. |
| Best time to visit | Winters (November – February) |
| Park closed | July – September |
| Core tourism zones | Turia, Karmajhiri |
| Buffer tourism zones | Jamtara, Sillari |
| When to book | 120 days prior to safari date. |
| Suggested stay | Minimum 3-4 days |
| Other nearby tourist attractions and destinations | Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary, Nagpur, Ramtek, Nagpur |
| Approx. cost includes; per person on twin sharing, 3 meals daily, bed tea, evening tea, exclusive safaris, guide, permit charges, transfers in air-conditioned cars, and taxes. | USD: 700 – 1400 |
| GBP: 510 – 1010 | |
| EURO: 595 – 1190 | |
| AUD: 950 – 1890 | |
| CAD: 880 – 1760 |
Faqs on Tiger Safari in india
India has over 50 tiger reserves. We can arrange tiger safari tours in most of them. But to ensure that you get good return for your investment of your time, effort and resources we provide you the best national parks for a tiger safari in India which will go well with your other special interests if any. The experience of our team of close to 3 decades of doing a tiger safari in India plays a big role in choosing the right national park for you. It is possible that you would have heard or read about some parks but what is the ground reality today, or tomorrow when you will be doing the safaris is of great significance. Our team on the ground knows the tiger sighting happening in various zones of the national parks every season and every month. Hence we suggest to you those parks and those zones in the respective parks where you have the best tiger sightings chances when on a tiger safari in India.
We have tried to answer this question by listing the 6 best national parks for tigers and wildlife safaris in India. Depending on how much time you have on your India tour, or how many days you wish to do the safari for, we recommend these parks.
Nagarjunsagar Srisailem Tiger Reserve (3700 sq. km) is the biggest tiger reserve in India located in the state of Andhra Pradesh. The tiger sightings are not so good here, and the tourism infrastructure is still coming up. Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh, spread in 2100 sq. km is also a big park, and it has good chances of tiger sightings. Doing tigers safaris in Kanha is a joyful and soulful experience.
Jim Corbett National Park in the state of Uttrakhand has 231 tigers. This park also has the maximum tiger density, with about 14.5 tigers per 100 sq. km. This is followed by Nagarhole with 127 tigers, and Bandipur with 126 tigers. These figures are as per the tiger status report published by Government of India 2018-19.
This is really a tough question to answer, and I have provided several reasons in my blog above. But you have excellent chances of tiger sightings in the 5 national parks I have listed above.
India has over 410 mammals which is almost 9% of the world mammals, and about 1300 bird species which is about 12.5%. Almost 200 critically endangered animals have made India their home. Different parks have visibility of different animals. But animals that are present in the tiger reserves are Leopards, Sloth Bears, Indian Gaur, Asian Elephants, One Horned Rhinos, Indian Wild Dogs (Dholes), Indian Grey Wolf, Striped Hyenas, Jackals, India Fox, Sambar Deer, Spotted Deer, Blue Bull, Barking Deer, Four Horned Antelope, Black Buck, Wild Boar, Yellow Throated Martens, etc. Some parks also have the Mugger Crocodiles, Gharials, Smooth Coated Otters, Hard Ground Swamp Deer.
Wildlife is a state subject, and every state has its own set of rules to manage the forests, wildlife and tourism. While in one park you can book the zones one year in advance, in some other parks you can book four months before, or even two months before in some parks. We always recommend that you give yourself the best possible chances of getting best tiger safari in India experience by booking your tour at least 6 months in advance with us. This way we are able to choose the best park, best zone, and most importantly the right naturalist to be with you in those parks during tiger safari in India.
There is no fixed cost, as there are several factors that determine the cost, to list a few below:
> Number of days you choose to do safaris.
> Number of people in your group, or are you travelling solo
> The category of Hotel, Jungle Lodge, or rest you prefer to stay in during the safaris
> Whether you wish to do exclusive safaris, i.e. just you in the safari vehicle with a dedicated naturalist, or you want to share with other guests.
All the above information will assist us in providing you the best tiger and wildlife safari tour in India.
There are many tour operators doing Tigers Safaris in India. So why choose us? At Nature Safari India, we assist you in curating your own safari. The service differentiation we create in terms of your overall experience during a tiger safari will be remembered by you for long.
Though we have several popular programs, but we like to hear from you about your preferences in terms of number of days you wish to spend on a tiger and wildlife safari, type of hotels you prefer to stay in, whether you have some other bucket list points you wish to accomplish in your tour, or other important points like food preferences, allergies, medical condition if any. Once we have all the information we set up your Tiger safaris that suit you best.
As per Jim Corbett, “the air is crisp and laden with all the sweet scents that are to be smelt in an Indian Jungle in the early morning, it goes to the head like Champagne”. During a tiger safari in India the impact of the fresh air in the nostrils is heavenly. Breathing becomes deep, and slow. The pleasure of listening intimately to the language of the jungle in solitude, silence, and stillness has a deep meditative effect. Hence for city dwellers, wildlife enthusiasts and professional wildlife photographers who are seeking time in green space tiger and wildlife safaris in India are the ideal getaway in 2024.
Yes it is safe to do Tiger Safaris in India post Covid. Tiger safaris are conducted in and around the national parks which have less human population density. So, your interactions with others is limited. We recommend doing exclusive safaris, i.e. just you with our safari guide and driver in the vehicle, basically you do not share the safari vehicle with anyone else. Staying in small boutique hotels which are taking all precautions with respects to social distancing, sanitizing all facilities, including dining, and vehicles is recommended.
The importance of the right team of naturalists, drivers, and guides cannot be stated highly enough while doing the tiger safaris in India. One might fly first class, stay in the best of wildlife lodges, sit in most luxurious limousines, but if you do not have the right team with you, it can be frustrating tiger and wildlife safari experience. A good naturalist has good jungle knowledge. He understands the signs, sounds, and smells in a Jungle. He understands the alarm calls, to know more about the alarm calls please see the video below on what is an alarm call.
When a monkey calls, the naturalist with good jungle lore will know if the monkey is calling seeing the tiger or a leopard. When a chital calls he would know if he is seeing a tiger walk at a distance with belly full and not interested in a hunt, or in ambush. These are some fine points which can make or mar your tiger tour experience in India.
Though tiger sighting is a matter of luck, but you can increase your luck by choosing the right team to go with during the tiger safari tours in India and by choosing the Best Tiger Safari operator in India.
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Guest Testimonials
Our efforts have time and again been recognized by all our guests on TripAdvisor. With reviews that are 100% genuine, you can read them here or head on to our official TripAdvisor page to browse through in detail.
this was our second tiger safari at Corbett with Nature Safari and turned out to be worth every penny.We saw 7 tigers in 3 days and from quite close distance too. The best part was seeing a tigress wit her 2 grown cubs who crossed our path and walked...
I came to India for a business trip and spontaneously decided to do a tiger safari over the weekend. The Tiger Safari India team immediately came back to me with different great options and organized the 4-day tour to ...
We just returned from a great safari trip to Khana National Park, Bandavgarh and Kaziranga organized for us by Nature Safaris. Everything worked as we planned and we have been taken great care by the agency. The quality...
