Visit these 5 places to spot the majestic cats
Did you know that India is home to over 70% of the World’s Tiger Population? Yes, there are 47 Tiger Reserves across the country with varying levels of access and infrastructure for visitors. Thanks to the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) of India, the population of tigers in India has risen from 1,411 in the year 2006 to 2,226 in the year 2014, according to the report of Status of Tigers in India, 2014.
These reserves and national parks not only offer you a thrilling experience to watch these big cats relax in their habitat, but they also portray nature at their ultimate best. Here is a list of the best 5 places in India where the likelihood of spotting tigers is very high:
Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand – This is a place for all level of nature enthusiasts. Not only variety of flora and fauna, Jim Corbett National Park boasts of incredible landscape. Safari rides around this reserve provides a panoramic view of the lush grassland. Nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas, this National Park was set up in 1936. The National Park is also home to a variety of leopards, jungle cats, fishing cats, sloth bears, jackals, Himalayan tahr, sambal and barking deer. The Park is also popular for its large wild elephant population around the Ramganga River.
Best time to visit: Though the Park is open from October to June, the best time to spot tigers is from March to June.
Nearest airport: About 50 Kilometres away, Pantnagar, is the nearest airport to Jim Corbett National Park. It takes about one hour from the airport to the National Park, in a taxi or bus. To get the best prices, book your flight ticket to Pantnagar on Paytm.
Bandhavgarh National Park – Bandhavgarh National Park is a small national park with high density of tigers. There are estimated to be one tiger every 4 kilometres, which makes the likelihood of spotting them quite high. Located in the Umaria district of Madhya Pradesh, Bandhavarh was declared a national park in the year 1986. Do visit Tata Zone 1 as it’s the best area to spot tigers. Ensure that you book your tickets well in advance. Other animals that you can spot here include the Chittal and Sambhar deer, leopard, wild dog, blue bull, Indian bison, Indian fox, sloths, muntjac, rhesus monkeys and about 242 different species of birds.
Best time to visit: Though the park is open from October to June, the best time to spot tigers is from April to June.
Nearest airport: About 197 kilometres away, Jabalpur Airport is the nearest airport the National Park. You can take a taxi or bus from Jabalpur to reach the National Park. To get the best prices, book your flight ticket to Jabalpur on Paytm.
Ranthambore National Park: Once known as the hunting grounds for the royal Maharaja of Jaipur, today, Ranthambore is one of the country’s largest National Parks, covering an area of 1,134 sq km. The National Park is home to the rare diurnal tigers and that’s why this National park is a must-visit. This reserve also breeds many marsh reptiles that include tortoises, Indian python, Russell’s vipers and many other species. What makes this place interesting is that it contains ruins of history such as the ancient fort located in the reserve premises are a favourite spot of tigers and leopards.
Best time to visit: Though the park is open from October to June, the best time to visit is October to February.
Nearest airport: About 132 kilometres away, Jaipur Airport is the nearest airport to the National Park. You can take a taxi or bus from Jaipur to reach the National Park. To get the best prices, book your flight ticket to Jaipur on Paytm.
Kanha National Park: Kanha National Park instills nostalgia because the landscape here is straight out of Rudyard Kipling’s ‘Jungle Book’. The ‘Jungle Book’ was set here, which makes this park a stomping ground for Mowgli. The park has large open meadows where chances of spotting tigers, are high. The safari here is breathtaking and as the Park has two entrances and you can drive from one side of the park to the other. The picturesque scenery make this place a must-visit for nature enthusiasts.
Best time to visit: While the park is open from October to June, the best time to spot tigers is during the summer months of April to June.
Nearest airport: Jabalpur Airport is the nearest airport, located about 175 kilometers away from the National Park. You can take a taxi or bus from Jabalpur to reach the National Park. To get the best prices, book your flight ticket to Jabalpur on Paytm.
Sunderbans National Park: This popular park has a huge number of Bengal tigers – more than about two hundred. Here, you won’t be signing up for safaris in jeeps but in canoes, and that’s what makes this safari experience unique. Sunderbans is also famous for its men eating tigers and swamp tigers with a unique characteristic of swimming in the saline waters and walking on mudflats.
Best time to visit: Sundarbans are open for visitors from September to March but the best time for tiger spotting is from November to February.
Nearest airport: Kolkata Airport is the nearest airport, located about 109 kilometres away from the National Park. Sunderbans is well connected to Kolkata by road or rail. To get the best prices, book your flight ticket to Kolkata on Paytm.
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