Best places to go tiger spotting in India

How many of us know that India is home to the maximum number of big cats in the world? Many of us don’t, I suppose. Well, India monopolizes over 70% of the total tiger population (exciting, right?) . Also, exhilarating enough to make you hop into an open jeep and watch this majestic beast on its home turf? If yes, then read on to go on a virtual tour to the top five tiger reserves in the country. Let’s go tiger-spotting into the wild.

Bandhavgarh National Park, Madhya Pradesh

Image Credits: bandhavgarh-national-park.com

Spread over an area of 694 square kilometers, Bandhavgarh National Park is one of the most popular places to spot the tiger. This wildlife sanctuary is nestled amidst Vindhayan Hills in Madhya Pradesh, and is home to more than 100 tigers. Along with tigers, other animals that can be seen in the park include Indian Bison, Wild Dog, Leopard, Blue Bull, Chital Deer, Sambar Deer, Barking Deer, Indian Fox, Wild Boar, Nilgai Antelope, Four-Horned Antelope and Bear.

When to visit: February to June

Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan

Image Credits: facebook.com/ranthamborenationalpark

One of the largest tiger reserves in the country, Ranthambore National Park is spread over an area of 1,334 square kilometers. Being a major wildlife destination in Rajasthan, it is also a favourite among wildlife photographers. Other than tigers, you can spot Leopards, Sambar Deer, Sloth bears, Black bucks, Rufoustailed Hare, Longeared Hedgehogs, Ratels, Indian Wild Boar, Indian Flying Foxes and Small Indian Civets here.

When to visit: February to May

Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh

Image Credits: mindfreshtrips.com

Popularly known as the Mowgli’s stomping ground, the Kanha National Park is a leaf out of Rudyard Kipling’s ‘The Jungle Book’. With large open meadows and the forest covered with Sal and other trees, this wildlife sanctuary is a shelter for many tigers. Some other animals that are the pride of the national park are Swamp Deer or Hard Ground Barasingha, Indian Gaur, Sambar, Barking Deer and the Four-Horned Deer.

When to visit: January to June

Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand

Image Credits: facebook.com/pg/corbettnationalpark

Nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas, Jim Corbett is one of India’s oldest national parks. Covering an area of approximately 1288 square kilometers, Corbett is sprawled across two districts of Uttarakhand i.e. Pauri and Nainital. Rich in biodiversity, the wildlife sanctuary has around 488 species of flora, 500 species of birds and more than 50 species of wild animals (including wild elephants). Corbett is also one of the few national parks that offer accommodation inside the forest area.

When to visit: November to May

Tadoba National Park, Maharashtra

Popularly known as ‘The Jewel of Vidharba’, Tadoba National Park is the largest national park in Maharashtra. It is set in the hilly areas of Maharashtra with plenty of hillocks and meadows to spy and catch a glimpse of the big cats roaming in their abode. Tadoba is also home to a variety of other mammals including Leopard, Sloth Bear, Gaur, Striped Hyena, Nilgai, Dhole, Sambar, Barking Deer and Four-Horned Antelope.

When to visit: November to April

So what are you waiting for? Choose your pick of national park for your next travel expedition and get ready to hit the road. The fearless jungle cat is waiting!