Top 12 Tiger Reserves in India: The Best Places to See Tigers
Are you a hardcore wildlife adventure lover? Whether you are a nature lover or a tourist, the Indian tiger reserves mentioned in this article will fascinate everyone in the same way. The tiger is India’s national animal and it plays a vital role in representing the country’s cultural and natural heritage. Not only do these majestic animals captivate every eye they see, but they are also considered a sanctuary charm.
While there are many national parks across the country, we’ve curated some of the best tiger reserves in India to help you help these beauties visit unfettered.
Top 12 Tiger Reserves and National Parks in India:
Tigers are already on the brink of extinction as their numbers dwindle. However, several tiger reserves have been established across India to provide natural habitats for tigers to thrive. Here is a list of some of the best tiger reserves in India to help you experience the beauty of these royal animals in the wild.
1. Ganha Tiger Reserve:
The Kanha Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh is considered one of the best tiger reserves in India because it looks like Mowgli’s Stampede, huge and picturesque. There are an estimated 6,000 tigers in the world, of which 500 live in the 30,000-square-kilometer area of the Kanha Tiger Reserve. It is considered the center of some of the most vulnerable tiger habitats, and one of the endangered species that can only be found in this park is the barracingha deer. You can also see various wild animals such as porcupines, golden kala, impala, bison, three-striped squirrels, langurs, jackals, wild boars, leopards, etc., with beautiful scenery and natural posture.
Nearest city: mandala.
how can I get there:
- air transport: The closest airport to the Kanha Tiger Reserve is Nagpur, Maharashtra. It is well connected to all domestic airports.
- By land: Daily buses depart from Jabalpur, Raipur, Bilaspur, Nagpur. You can also hire a private taxi, which takes 5 hours from Nagpur and 3 hours from Jabalpur.
- railway: Jabalpur, Gondia, Nagpur have railway lines connecting various cities to Kanha Tiger Reserve.
Best time to visit: November to June.
Special Attractions: Wildlife tour.
2. Bandipur Tiger Reserve:
Are you looking for the ideal getaway in Bangalore and Mysore? Well, the Bandipur Tiger Reserve in Karnataka might be a perfect fit. This tiger sanctuary has dense forests, making it one of the best tiger sanctuaries in South India, housing tigers in their natural habitat. In addition, relatively large tiger populations are easy to spot. Also, elephants, bison, antelope, lions breed and roam in their natural habitat, making it an unforgettable trip that attracts many tourists from all over the world.
Nearest city: mysore.
how can I get there:
- air transport: The closest airport to Bandipur Tiger Reserve is Bangalore International Airport, and you can take a taxi to the national park.
- By land: There are KSRTC buses that help you get to this park easily. It is also connected to national highways, making it easier for personal vehicles to navigate.
- railway: Mysore city is the nearest railway station and you can reach Bandipur National Park by bus or taxi.
Best time to visit: During the monsoon between July and September. In summer between March and May.
Special Attractions: You can see a lot of elephants.
3. Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve:
Another MP’s tiger reserve in the Umaria district is the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve. It is one of the best and most famous tiger reserves in India, with 63 tigers at last count, the highest density of tigers in the region. Again, you can pre-book your tickets to spot tigers in Tata 1. In addition, the reserve is home to 242 species of birds, rhesus monkeys, sloths, Bengal tigers, white tigers, lions, deer and more, making your trip an unforgettable one.
nearest city: Jabalpur.
how can I get there:
- air transport: The nearest airport is in the Jabalpur district, and you can take a taxi to the Bandavgarh Tiger Reserve.
- By land: Madhya Pradesh’s national bus connects to all major cities.
- railway: The closest railway station to Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve is in Umaris, which is connected to all major cities in India.
Best time to visit: October to June.
Special Attractions: By renting a car, plan your trip to Bandhavgarh Fort on a cliff overlooking the Vindhya Mountains.
4. Corbett Tiger Reserve:
The Corbett Tiger Reserve, located in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand, is one of the first reserves to protect the endangered tiger species under the “Tiger Project”. While Corbett is one of the famous national parks, it is also a less densely populated tiger sanctuary in India. The park is known for its large elephant population near the Ramganga River and has a dusty atmosphere. However, you can also observe a variety of mammals and a wide variety of terrain within Corbett National Park.
Nearest city: Nainital.
how can I get there:
- air transport: The nearest airport is Delhi and you have to reach the tiger reserve by train or road.
- By land: There are several buses and taxis that take you to the tiger reserve.
- railway: The nearest railway station to the reserve is Ramnagar, which is connected to all railways to Delhi.
Best time to visit: November to June.
Special Attractions: You can spot wildlife from the expansive grasslands and lookout towers.
See also: different types of tigers
5. Dudhwa Tiger Reserve:
UP’s Dudhwa Tiger Reserve spans the Bahraich and Lakhimpur areas. It is bounded by the Mohana River and shares its northeastern border with Nepal. The Dudhwa Tiger Reserve has an estimated population of 106 to 118 tigers and was included in the “Tiger Project” in 1987. You can enjoy the sights and wildlife of the reserve at the Jeep Safari, held annually from November to June.
Nearest city: Lucknow.
how can I get there:
- air transport: The nearest airport is Lucknow, and you can reach the national park by train or bus.
- By land: There are several buses and taxis from Lucknow that can take you to the Tiger Reserve.
- railway: The nearest railway stations are Dudhwa, Palia and Mailani, with connections to many other major cities.
Best time to visit: December to April.
Special Attractions: You can observe the best sal tree forest in the world in Dudwa
6. Tadoba Tiger Reserve:
Tadoba is one of the oldest tiger reserves in Maharashtra, established in 1955. The boundaries of the deep valleys extend to the plains of meadows and lakes, creating a picturesque place amidst densely forested hills. In addition to a thriving tiger population, it is also home to 200 species of sloths and leopards. Cliffs, caves and astragalus are natural refuges for many wildlife.
Nearest city: Chandrapur.
how can I get there:
- air transport: Nagpur’s Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport is 140 km from Tadoba National Park. You can rent a taxi to get to the park.
- By land: The closest cities to Tadoba National Park are Chimur and Chandrapur. All major cities are connected to this national park by road.
- railway: The closest railway station to this national park is Chandraaapur railway station, which has good connections to all major cities.
Best time to visit: February to June.
Special Attractions: You can glimpse the jungles of central India.
7. Nagarhole Tiger Reserve:
Nagarhole Tiger Reserve, officially known as Rajiv Gandhi National Park in the Mysore district of Karnataka, is home to about 48 royal tigers and a variety of flora and fauna. Adjacent Bandipur National Park, Madumarau National Park and Wayanad National Park form the largest protected area in South India. The pristine Kabini River Nagarhole National Park and Tiger Reserve is home to three major high-density predators: tigers, leopards and wild dogs. It is also home to the largest concentration of herbivores in Asia and the largest herd of Asian elephants in the world. Also, it is an ideal place for hiking and rafting as it is surrounded by waterfalls and rivers.
Nearest city: mysore.
how can I get there:
- air transport: Mysore is the nearest railway station and you can take a taxi to the Tiger Reserve.
- By land: KSRTC provides buses, 30 km from the national park, and you can then take a taxi to the park.
Best time to visit: October to April.
Special Attractions: You can view different flower vegetation, enjoy rafting, hiking.
8. Pench Tiger Reserve:
Pench Tiger Reserve, also known as Mouwgli Reserve, inspired Rudyard Kipling’s famous Book of the Jungle. Although the author has never been to the jungle, he finds inspiration in all the writings and stories about the rest of India. Located on the border of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, the 1,000-kilometer-long lush forest is home to many species of flora and fauna. The Pench Tiger Reserve is home to 25 tigers that you can spot on the banks of the Pench River.
Nearest city: Nagpur, Jabalpur.
how can I get there:
- air transport: Nagpur’s Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport and Jabalpurrr Airport are the closest to Penchi National Park.
- By land: Seoni is part of Madhya Pradesh and offers multiple ways to get to Pench National Park.
- railway: The closest railway station to Pench National Park is Seoni Railway Station.
Best time to visit: Between February and April. The reserve is closed in July, August and September.
Special Attractions: Hiking in the mountains.
9. Madumalai Tiger Reserve:
Madhumalai Tiger Reserve is located in the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu and is part of the Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve at the triangular junction of the three states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala It covers an area of 321 square kilometers. It forms a large protected landscape for flagship species such as tigers and Asian elephants, as it joins forces with the Wyanad Game Reserve in the west, Bandipur Tiger Reserve in the north, Nilgiris North in the south and east, ancient Southwest of the common border of the Darul forest region.
Nearest city: Uti.
how can I get there:
- air transport: The closest airport to Madumalai Tiger Reserve is Coimbatore, which has flights to all major cities.
- By land: There are several buses and taxis from Ooty to all major cities.
- railway: The nearest railway station is Ooty, which has regular connections to all major cities.
Best time to visit: October to May.
Special Attractions: It offers colorful migratory birds and fantastic bird populations.
10. Sathyamaangalam Tiger Reserve:
The Satyamaangalam Tiger Reserve is located at the intersection of the Eastern and Western Ghats in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The location of this reserve allows it to have a diverse flora and fauna. It is home to about 54 tigers and was declared a tiger reserve in 2013. Sandalwood trees are a common sight in the reserve, with vegetation from deciduous forests and thorns, tropical and riparian woodlands. Besides tigers, you can also see elephants, bison, blackbuck, four-horned antelope, leopards, hyenas and wild dogs. The 27 hairpin turns on the Sathyamangalam-Dhimbum ghat road make for an exhilarating drive.
Nearest city: Coimbatore.
how can I get there:
- air transport: The closest airports to the Tiger Reserve are Coimbatore, Mysore and Bangalore.
- By land: The closest railway stations to the Tiger Reserve are Chamrajnagar, Erode, Coimbatore.
- railway: There is a road network that provides transport to the Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve.
Best time to visit: October to January.
Special Attractions: You can observe different flora and fauna in this wildlife sanctuary.
See also: Famous wildlife viewing spot in India
11. Kaziranga Tiger Reserve:
Located in Kanchanjuri Assam, Kaziranga National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Kaziranga Tiger Reserve is not only home to tigers, but also a large number of birds. you…