Top Wildlife Sanctuaries in India for 2022 Safari Excursion

India boasts unique flora and fauna species, which makes wildlife sanctuaries a retreat to visit. From the first national park in Asia to the only national park with endangered species of animals – there are many wildlife sanctuaries in India. Exploring ample greenery with natural reserves, species, and wildlife can be more satisfying than any other thing. If you are soon planning to see nature and large species of animals from that close, these are the perfect place for you. Here we have curated the best wildlife sanctuaries in India for 2022 safari excursion.

Top 20 Wildlife Sanctuaries in India with Images:

1. Ranthambore National Park- Rajasthan

Spread over 1,334 square kilometers, Ranthambore is home to many animals that include tigers. The place is very close to Sawai Madhopur in Rajasthan. One of the interesting facts is that this place is used by Rajputs for hunting. The place is ideal for wild photography. Besides wild cats, you might also spot wild bears, sloth bears, sambar, leopard, and many to name. You can also find 40 mammal species, 40 reptile species, and more than 300 flora species. If you are passionate about tigers, this place is surely for you. It has around 63 tigers. Among these 63 tigers, around 40-45 are the adults, and the remaining are young ones.

Best time to Visit: October to June and March to May

Timings: 06.00 am to 9.30 am and 3.00 pm to 6.30 pm.

Entry Fee: Rs 100 per head

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2. Jim Corbett – Uttarakhand

Jim Corbett is one of the best wildlife sanctuaries in India. It is the first national park in Asia. In this national park, you will find the furious members of the cat family. People from around the world visit the place just to see the endangered species. Besides wild cats, if you are lucky, you might spot other animals like Serow Goral and Tahr Himalayan. The park is settled on the foothill of the Himalayas and is known for endangered Bengal tigers. Interestingly, the park is split into four safari zones Dhikala Zone, Jhirna Zone, Bijrani Zone, Durga Devi Zone, and one bonus Sitabani. Although Sitabani doesn’t fall in the park’s reserve, it is also a zone famous for temples. Every zone has unique landscapes, wildlife, and time to explore it.

Best time to Visit: Mid November to June and March to May

Timings: 6:30 AM to 9: 30 AM and 16:00 PM to 18:00 PM

Entry Fee: Rs. 200 per person

3. Hemis National Park- Ladakh

If you are looking for an ultimate thrill that, too, at high altitude, Hemis National Park should be your next go destination. The national park spans over 4400 sqm, and the park boasts more than 16 species of animals and over 70 species of birds. On your trip to Hemis National park, you might find Snow leopards, Blue Sheep, Tibetan Argali Sheep, and other endangered animals that you might not find across the country. The national park also hosts the Hemis festival which is a retreat for every tourist. It is a dream destination for wildlife explorers. The scenic beauty you will find here is matchless. The park is confined within six villages Rumbak, Kaya, Sku, Shingo, Urutse, and Chilling. Also, you can find a monastery inside the park that’s interesting to explore!!

Best time to Visit: May to September

Timings: 06:30 am to 9: 30 AM and 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm

Entry Fee: Rs. 20

4. Bandhavgarh National Park- Madhya Pradesh

In case you want to see the Royal Bengal tigers, the Bandhavgarh National Park in Madhya Pradesh is your next destination. The place is amongst the best wildlife sanctuaries in India. This place is known for its density of tigers, which is the highest in the world. The park is also settled at the foothill of the Vindhyachal Mountains. With Jeep and Elephant safari, you can explore these animals closely. If you are on a Jeep safari, then you should drive slowly and enjoy your trip thoroughly without interfering with the wildlife. You can also use elephant safari as a second-best option. Even an elephant safari is better than a jeep because you will get sufficient time for sightseeing. Simultaneously you can enjoy this majestic creature ride.

Best time to Visit: October to June and March to May

Timings: 6:30 am to 11:00 am.

Entry Fees: Rs. 2200 per person.

5. Manas Wildlife Sanctuary- Assam

Next on the list of top wildlife sanctuaries in India is Manas Wildlife Sanctuary. This, too, is listed as a UNESCO world heritage site. This wildlife sanctuary is located at the Assam and Bhutan border, which is almost 4 hours’ drive from Kaziranga. You can go for jeep tours, elephant rides, and excursions on the water. It boasts a wide variety of wildlife that includes pygmy hog, tiger, Indian elephant, and Indian rhinoceros. You can explore rich biodiversity and amazing landscapes. The wildlife sanctuary is located at the foothills of the high Himalayas. In the sanctuary, you will find around 60 mammal species, 500 bird species, and seven amphibians.

Best Time to Visit: October to April and January to March

Timings: 6 am-3 pm

Entry Fees: Rs.20 per person

6. Sasan-Gir Wildlife Sanctuary- Gujarat

Sasan-Gir Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the top wild sanctuaries in India. The place is ideal for Jeep safari. Here you will spot different species of tigers, lions, leopards, jackals, hyenas, and foxes along with several birds and reptiles. This place is famous for its Asiatic Lions. The wildlife sanctuary covers a total area of 1412 square kilometers. If you seriously love lions and want to see some, you need to be here. It has a lion population of around 523, and that is according to the 2015 census. The sanctuary also has a safari park in it called Devaliya Safari Park. Visitors can also take a safari tour in a minibus that helps you to explore more areas in just 20 to 30 minutes.

Best time to Visit: December to April

Timings: 6 am–5 pm

Entry Fee: 4000 Rs. Up to 6 persons

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7. Pench National Park, Madhya Pradesh

Located on the border of Madhya Pradesh, Pench National Park has spread over 464 sq km. The topography of the place has vegetation ranging from the moist, dry forest, valley to open. Some of the beasts that you will find here are Leopards and wild boars. This park also has several mentions in various bestselling books. One such renowned example is the ‘The Jungle Book’ written by Rudyard Kipling. The place also offers boat rides for a better experience. Even you can enjoy the jeep safari and explore the most in less time.

Best time to Visit: October to June

Timings: 6.00 AM – 8.00AM and 2.30pm – 4.30pm

Entry Fees: Rs. 15

8. Kaziranga National Park- Assam

Kaziranga national park is one of the best wild sanctuaries In India as it covers approximately 429.69 square kilometers. It is also home to the largest population of the one-horned rhinoceros. The place has flourishing flora and fauna with distinguished animals like elephants, bears, one-horned rhinoceroses, panthers, and many birds. It is also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. This park has a green forest, river, wetlands, and grasslands that offer a complete feel of exploring wildlife. The jungle is dense and lush green that looks mysterious and a perfect place for jeep safari. One of the best things is that you can book all your safari rides and hotels online.

Best time to visit: November to April.

Timings: open 24 hours

Entry Fees: Rs. 100 per person

9. Kanha National Park- Madhya Pradesh

From black panthers to pythons and elephants to tigers, you will find most of the species of animals at Kanha Tiger Reserve. Besides spotting animals, the place is perfect for nature lovers and wildlife photographers. The park is snuggled in the maikal hills range of Satpuras, Madhya Pradesh. It is also one of those national parks that inspired Rudyard Kipling to write his book “The Jungle Book.” The reserve has developed proper infrastructure for travelers to offer a smooth exploring experience. If you visit this place, then wait for the sunset, you will love it.

Best time to Visit: October to Mid-June and March to May

Timings: 8 am–10 pm

Entry Fees: Rs. 100 per person

10. Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary- Kerala

This is one of the picturesque wildlife sanctuaries in India, which is spread over 192,000 acres. It is located on the Western Ghats laps, which makes these places ideal for nature lovers. Periyar wildlife sanctuary has tigers, elephants, and many others. The place is also apt for bird watchers as they would be able to spot different species of the birds and boat around to make the most of the place. This wildlife sanctuary is known for its tiger reserve and elephant reserve. If you want to have some forest fun with some famous fauna, you should visit it. Also, you’ve got plenty of activities that you can do here like trekking, jungle patrol, bamboo rafting, and jungle camp, etc.

Best Time to Visit: September to October is the best time to visit. However, the park is open round the year.

Entry Fees: Rs. 20

11. Sundarbans National Park, West Bengal

While traveling around the Sundarbans National Park mangroves, you might catch up with tigers in the water. The national park covers approximately 4624 sqm. And is home to wide species of reptiles, saltwater crocodiles, birds and royal Bengal tiger, fishing cats, wild boars, and many others to name. This national park is known for its natural beauty and Royal Bengal Tigers. The unique thing is that you can use a boat for a nature walk and explore the wildlife closely. This national park is named based on Sundari trees that are found in bulk in this area. Don’t forget to take a camera with you. Otherwise, you miss some of the best memories to capture.

Best Time to Visit: October to April

Timings: 08:00 am and 5:00–5:30 pm.

Entry Fees: Rs. 600

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12. Tadoba National Park- Maharashtra

Tadoba is one of the amazing places to enjoy flora and fauna. It is home to stunning lakes that are amongst the best attractions of this national park. Amongst wildlife, you will find animals like Tigers, Gaur, Barking Deer Hyenas, and many more to name. This is Maharashtra’s one of the oldest and largest national parks. The national park spans over 1,727 Sq.km. The word “Tadoba” is derived from the name of God “Taru,” which is praised by local people of the region. If you love mountains, hills, and forests, then this is the place for you. It has a dense forest, a deep valley, and many hillocks.

Best time to Visit: October to June and March to May

Timings: 5:30 AM to 7:30 AM and 10:00 AM

Entry Fees: Rs. 200 per person.

13. Bandipur National Park – Karnataka

This national park is settled in the western ghats of Karnataka. It is a part of the Nilgiri biosphere and was known as the hunting grounds of the Maharaja of Mysore. The park has around 115 tigers and also a home of 350 avifauna species. You can easily see elephants, gaur, sambar, Malabar squirrel, and other animals here. It is one of the best places to enjoy your holidays. It shares boundaries with three national parks, so you have options to explore more. If you ever visit Karnataka, do plan a trip to hill stations in Karnataka.

Best time to Visit: October to June.

Timings: 6 AM to 6 PM

Entry Fees: Rs. 300 per person  

14. Mount Abu National Park – Rajasthan

The national park is located in the Aravalli ranges of Mount Abu, Rajasthan. The mountain range is considered to be one of the oldest in India. You can find a gamut of endangered species of mammals and birds. Commonly you see a lot of small Indian civet, wolf, hyaena, jackal, Indian fox, and other creatures. The place is home for more than 250 bird species and famous for the regional bird grey jungle fowl. If you are an adventure lover, then you can go hiking and trekking as well.

Best time to Visit: October to March.

Timings: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Entry Fees: Rs. 300 per person

15. Panna National Park – Madhya Pradesh

The park is located in the district of Chhatarpur and Panna. You can find mesmerizing waterfalls and rivers. The combination of wildlife, forest, and waterfalls makes it one of the most beautiful national parks. You can also do boating and see the forest from a closer view. This national park is a home for 200 different bird species and other creatures like tigers, sambhar, sloth bear, chital, and other animals. The management also offers night safari, which is a great option to explore the park fascinatingly.

Best time to Visit: October to June.

Timings: 6:00 AM to 9:44 PM

Entry Fees: Rs. 300 per person

16. Sariska National Park – Rajasthan

It is one of the best national parks to visit. You can find many monuments inside the park to explore. Even it has abundant wildlife that includes Bengal tiger, striped hyena, sambhar, four-horned antelope, and other animals. The park is also known for its bird species like Indian eagle owl, grey partridge, and crested serpent eagle. If you are here, you will surely explore a lot. Also, you can do fun activities by setting up your camp or doing trekking.

Best time to Visit: October to June.

Timings: 6:00 AM to 9:44 PM

Entry Fees: Rs. 80 per person

17. Eravikulam National Park – Kerala

The park is located in the western Ghats of the Idukki district of Kerala. Also, it is the first national park in the state, Kerala. The park offers bus safari, which is very uncommon, and you also have the option of jeep safari. It has around 26 species of mammals in which the Nilgiri tahr has a total population of 750. The other amazing creatures you will find are gaur, jungle cat, leopard, sambar deer, ungulates, and Indian porcupine. Even it is one of the places to spot a gamut of bird species. 

Best time to Visit: March to May and July to September

Timings: 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Entry Fees: Rs. 125 per person

18. Bharatpur National Park – Rajasthan

The park is located in the Bharatpur district of the Rajasthanand also known as Keoladeo Ghana national park. It is a World Heritage Site and even a protected sanctuary and home to around 366 bird species, 50 fish species, seven amphibian species, and other species. This park is not too big area wise but has different species living in it. You can spot nilgai, Indian porcupine, fishing cat, Asian palm, smooth-coated otter, and more animals.

Best time to Visit: October to March.

Timings: 6 AM to 6 PM

Entry Fees: Rs. 50 per person

19. Kudremukh National Park – Karnataka

The national park is quite famous for predators like tigers and leopards. It is located in the Chikmagalur district of Karnataka. If you visit this place then ensure to indulge in trekking, you will surely love it. Try exploring the most area of the park you will discover waterfalls and a great wildlife spotting. You will easily find tiger, leopard, wild dog, Malabar giant squirrel, common langur, sloth bear, and other creatures. If you are a bird lover, then you should see Malabar whistling thrush and imperial pigeon. Even the national park accommodation is quite commendable; you will find forest houses in between the park.

Best time to Visit: October to March

Timings: 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Entry Fees: Rs. 200 per person

20. Bannerghatta National Park – Bangalore

If you are an adventure-loving person, then this national park should be your go-to option. The park has Lion safari, Tiger safari, Herbivorous safari, and Bear safari. This means you got a lot of opportunities to explore. Even they have an inside zoo, butterfly park, animal rescue center, elephant sanctuary, snake house, and other small parks. The only thing is that they keep all service closes for Tuesday, so check your day before leaving.

Best time to Visit: November to June

Timings: 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM

Entry Fees: Rs. 80 per person

Conclusion

India is home to a bounty of flora and fauna that includes wildlife sanctuaries and national parks, which are the perfect place to see nature from close. These sanctuaries are known for endangered animals and dense forests. These parks and sanctuaries are the ideal places to find peace and a clean environment from your daily city life. So, it is time to take a break from your hustled life. Check our list of the best wildlife sanctuaries in India and decide your next trip to nature. Do tell us where you plan to visit next?