Top 10 wildlife safaris in India for your 2022 getaway

The start of a new year beckons the start of new adventures. For the seekers of beauty and wonder, a trip into the lap of nature is one that simply can’t be ignored. India is a country rich in cultural diversity, heritage, and history, however, one aspect that is often overlooked is its rich biodiversity. The incredible number of wildlife species you can encounter in the Indian subcontinent paired with the equally rich flora make it an unmatched destination for nature lovers.

And if there is one way to experience nature at its finest, it is through a wildlife safari in India. There are plenty of wildlife safaris in India to choose from, each of them offering unique experiences. Here are our top picks for your 2021 adventures.

About Wildlife Safaris in India

Wildlife sanctuaries and conservation centers have been in India for over a century, yet the concept of a wildlife safari took form after 1972 when the Wildlife Protection Act came into effect. This law served as the catalyst for more conservation centers to be established throughout the country and gave rise to tourism opportunities as a means of managing the conservation efforts.

As of 2020, there are 553 wildlife sanctuaries in India, which cover a total of 74425 sq. miles of land (3% of the subcontinent’s landmass). This astounding achievement is all thanks to the consistent emphasis put on conservation efforts and improved wildlife safari tours each year.

2020 may have seen a dip in worldwide tourism, but that hasn’t stopped wildlife enthusiasts and nature experts from visiting and revisiting some of the best wildlife sanctuaries in India. With 2021 on the horizon, there are 10 National Parks in India that are back on the tourism radar.

Top 10 Parks for a Wildlife Safari

Tiger Safari in Corbett National Park

Year in, year out, the Corbett National Park never fails to impress. Regarded as the ultimate tiger safari destination, this park only has more to offer in the coming months. The sprawling, lively park is teeming with exotic flora and fauna – most naturally endemic to the region and some settling in just fine.

Tigers of course, continue to be the chief attraction, and their numbers have only increased over the past year. Wear your best camo outfit and carry a pair of binoculars for the hundreds of birds you’re bound to catch a glimpse of.

Take up a 4 Nights/5 Days wildlife safari tour of Corbett National Park between November and June to experience the park in all its glory.

Tiger Safari in Bandhavgarh National Park

Bandhavgarh was named after an ancient fort that rests on the hillock of the Vindhya range of Umaria. The place holds mythological significance, being referenced in the Ramayana epic.

Bandhavgarh’s wildlife is no less mystical. There are more than 22 species of mammals and 250 species of birds. Among them all, the majestic tiger continues to be a chief attraction, with the park’s scenic landscapes offering an elegant framing for your photos.

Bandhavgarh has the highest density of royal Bengal tigers in the world. You will surely spot this majestic beast on a jeep safari. Conservation efforts have also led to an increase in the number of gaurs, a once extinct species in Bandhavgarh. The ideal time to book a Bandhavgarh tour is between October and June.

Tiger Safari in Ranthambore National Park

Rajasthan has for the longest time been a prime destination for tourism in India. Add a wildlife conservation zone to the mix, and you’ve got yourself one of the most exciting and challenging wildlife safaris the country has to offer. The Ranthambore National Park offers something for both wildlife enthusiasts and casual tourists.

If you’re looking for a challenge, try trekking across the rough terrains of the many forts found around Ranthambore. If you’ve got time to spare, chill by the glistening waters of the Chambal Lake. And most exciting of all, is the ease in which a tiger can be spotted. These majestic beasts have gotten so used to human activity in Ranthambore, that they don’t mind posing for a quick snap in the open, bright daylight.

A 4 Nights/5 Days wildlife safari tour of Ranthambore is ideal for you to cover the expanse of the park.

Tiger Safari Tour in Kanha National Park

124 years since it inspired the creation of the acclaimed Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling, the Kanha National Park still continues to mesmerize both young and experienced explorers. It is an example of top-level park management and conservation efforts, which have only paved greater paths for consistent tourism in and around Kanha.

Tigers are not the only majestic sighting in Kanha. The Barasingha or Swamp Deer is the park’s marquee sighting, and their grace epitomizes Kanha’s significance as a top wildlife sanctuary to pick for a safari tour.

The best time to plan your trip is between October to June. A 5 Nights/6 Days wildlife safari tour of Kanha National Park is ideal to get the best out of your experience here.

Tiger Safari in Dudhwa National Park

Can one man prove to be the difference-maker in a park’s transformation? If that man was a prince, then for sure! It was Prince Billy Arjan Singh of Kapurthala who propelled Dudhwa into establishing itself as a prime National Park. After he introduced a tigress into the wilderness, the park’s wildlife just blossomed.

Today, Dudhwa is famed for its numbers in the Rhino population. An increasing number of elephants can also be seen. It is a park not mapped by many explorers, so make sure to mark it in your 2021 calendar, as you may be the first of few to be lost in the sheer serenity of Dudhwa. The best time to visit Dudhwa National Park is between November and June.

Tiger Safari in Pench National Park

Pench National Park is one of the few which can be accessed from two different states, namely Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. It is a neighbor of Kanha national park, making it another ideal Wildlife Safari choice if you’re planning to hit two birds with the proverbial stone.

Pench may not have an abundance of tigers, but it makes up for that with healthy numbers of wild dogs, wolves and gaurs. You can even spot over 300 species of birds. The best time to visit Pench national park is between October and June.

Tiger Safari in Tadoba National Park

While most of the wildlife sanctuaries mentioned are best experienced in the colder months, Tadoba is a summer-friendly National Park. The vegetation flourishes during the hot summer months, and its fauna are mostly tropical species.

Tadoba’s tiger population was dwindling till conservation efforts took over and began the mission to reverse the downturn. Today, the numbers are back to healthy levels and it is slowly transforming back into a safe haven for tigers. . A close cousin of the tiger, the leopard, also roams about in healthy numbers. This sanctuary is big cat supreme! The best time to visit Tadoba National Park is between October and June.

Tiger Safari in Kaziranga National Park

The Kaziranga National Park is Assam’s oldest wildlife sanctuary. It is one of the few parks that can be experienced in its entirety all year round. It is also the best park to try your luck in an elephant safari.

Kaziranga is the land of incredible mammal species and is known to house the world’s largest population of one-horned rhinos, Kaziranga is a sight to behold, especially if you get a good bird’s eye view.

The Kaziranga National Park can be visited any time of the year and a 5 day trip is ideal to explore the park’s beautiful trails.

Tiger Safari in Satpura National Park

Have a long weekend to spare? Opt for the Satpura National Park. Its rather small yet densely packed wilderness makes for an ideal weekend getaway from the urban hustle if you’re traveling from Indore or any place in Central India.

Satpura also offers the thrill of staying amongst the wild. The Churna campsite makes for a thrilling close encounter experience with tigers, sloth bears, leopards, and wild dogs. Another highlight of this short trip are canoe safaris.

Tiger Safari in Panna National Park

Last, but certainly, not least is the Panna National Park. This relatively unheard-of park is still making a name for itself and should feature in your 2021 list if you’re looking for a pristine wildlife park that’s off the beaten path. And one big reason is the incredible story of the tiger population – going from zero to healthy numbers in a span of a few years a testament to the tiger conservation efforts here. You can also sight Leopards here making it a great place to spot two big cats in a go. The best time to visit Panna national park is between November and May.

Planning Your Wildlife Safari

Now that you know the 10 wildlife safari hotspots for 2021, the big question is how to get there. Tiger Safari India offers curated Indian wildlife safari tours to each of these destinations. Get a detailed itinerary of your visit and tour highlights before booking. Browse through our tour packages, book your slot and get packing.

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve taken all necessary steps to ensure that you are protected and safe on your tour. Our staff is regularly tested and our equipment and vehicles are sanitized to ensure a COVID-safe trip. For more information on our COVID-19 safety protocol, read more here.

Sharad Vats

Born and brought up in New Delhi, it was Sharad’s childhood passion to play cricket for India. While on a holiday in 1990, he saw his first tiger. Little did he know that this one sighting would immerse him into a realm where forests and tigers were all that mattered.

Sharad’s experiences as a wildlife photographer have inspired him to observe the tiger’s behavior for over 30 years and motivated him on his own journey as an entrepreneur. He started Nature Safari India Pvt Ltd, with a focus on “Conservation through Tourism.” to align himself to the mission of saving the regal species and repopulating them in India’s forests. In 2006, he set up one of India’s premier jungle lodges in Kanha National Park.
Sharad believes that there are many lessons to be learned from a tiger that can be applied successfully to leadership—both in business and in life. Here’s a new book by Sharad Vats on management and leadership skills to learn from a Tiger.

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