38 places to discover
Amangarh Tiger Reserve is a 95 sq km protected forest in Bijnor district, Uttar Pradesh, near Dhampur town, forming the buffer zone of Jim Corbett National Park. Originally part of Corbett before Uttarakhand's formation in 2000, it was notified as a tiger reserve in 2012. Known for Bengal tigers, elephants, leopards and diverse birdlife, it offers jeep safaris through dense sal forests and grasslands along the northern edge of the state.
Badalkhol Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected forest area located in Jashpur District of northern Chhattisgarh, near the village of Badalkhol. Notified in 1975 and covering about 104.55 sq km, it lies on the Chhattisgarh-Jharkhand border. The sanctuary is known for its dry deciduous forests, hilly terrain and wildlife including leopard, sloth bear, wild boar, jackal and diverse bird species.
Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected forest area in Baloda Bazar-Bhatapara and Mahasamund districts of Chhattisgarh, about 100 km from Raipur. Established in 1976 and covering about 244.66 sq km, it comprises dry deciduous forests with teak, sal and bamboo. The sanctuary is known for leopards, sloth bears, wild boars, striped hyenas and over 150 bird species, offering jeep safaris and nature observation.
Bengal Safari Park, officially North Bengal Wild Animals Park, is an open-air wildlife safari park at 5th Mile, Salugara on Sevoke Road near Siliguri, West Bengal. Spread over 297 hectares adjoining Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary, it is the first safari park in North Bengal. It offers tiger, herbivore, elephant and leopard safaris, a gharial enclosure, aviary and nature interpretation centre focused on conservation and education.
Betla National Park is a protected wildlife area located in Betla village in Latehar district, Jharkhand, forming the core of the Palamau Tiger Reserve on the Chota Nagpur Plateau. Established as a national park in 1986, it covers about 226 square kilometres of dry deciduous forests, grasslands and hills. Notable for tigers, elephants, leopards, sloth bears and diverse birdlife, it offers jungle safaris and nature trails amid historic Palamau Forts.
Bhairamgarh Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected forest area located near Bhairamgarh town in Bijapur district of southern Chhattisgarh. Established in 1983 and spread over about 139 square kilometres, it is known for conservation of the endangered wild water buffalo, the state animal of Chhattisgarh. The sanctuary features dry deciduous forests, undulating terrain and seasonal streams, forming part of the larger Indravati landscape and supporting diverse flora and fauna.
Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area located in the Ambegaon and Khed talukas of Pune district, Maharashtra, within the Western Ghats. Established in 1985 primarily to conserve the habitat of the Indian Giant Squirrel, the state animal of Maharashtra, it spans approximately 131 square kilometers across Pune, Raigad, and Thane districts. The sanctuary features diverse flora and fauna, sacred groves, and serves as an important biodiversity hotspot in the Sahyadri mountain range.
Chandoli National Park is a protected area located at the junction of Sangli, Satara, Kolhapur, and Ratnagiri districts in Maharashtra. Established as a national park in May 2004, it forms the southern portion of the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site within the Western Ghats. The park encompasses moist deciduous forests, grasslands, and the Vasant Sagar Reservoir, providing habitat for species such as the Bengal tiger, Indian leopard, and Indian bison.
Dajipur Bison Sanctuary, officially known as Radhanagari Wildlife Sanctuary, is located in Dajipur, Kolhapur district, Maharashtra. Established in 1958, it was the first wildlife sanctuary declared in the state and is renowned for conserving the Indian bison (gaur). Situated in the Western Ghats, this UNESCO World Heritage Site buffer zone spans over 350 sq km of tropical evergreen forests, grasslands, and hilly terrain. It supports diverse flora and fauna, including leopards, sloth bears, and over 260 bird species.
Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected forest area in Uttara Kannada district, Karnataka, near the town of Dandeli on the banks of the Kali River. Established in 1956 and now part of the Kali Tiger Reserve, it covers about 866 sq km of deciduous and evergreen forests in the Western Ghats. Notable for rich biodiversity including tigers, leopards, elephants, black panthers and over 200 bird species including the Malabar pied hornbill.
Dehing Patkai National Park is India's only lowland tropical rainforest national park, located across Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts near Jeypore in eastern Assam. Notified as a national park on 9 June 2021, it covers about 231.65 sq km of Assam Valley tropical wet evergreen forest. Notable for rich biodiversity including hoolock gibbons, elephants and diverse birdlife, it forms part of the Dehing Patkai Elephant Reserve and is often called the Amazon of the East.
Delawadi Forest is a dense teak-dominated forest located near Delawadi village in Sehore district, Madhya Pradesh, forming a core part of the Ratapani Tiger Reserve. Situated about 40-50 km south of Bhopal, it is known for its rich biodiversity, scenic landscape and wildlife including tiger, leopard, sloth bear and deer. The forest offers nature trails, jungle safaris and a forest rest house, attracting nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts.
Dhupjhora Elephant Camp is a forest tourism complex managed by the West Bengal Forest Development Corporation on the fringes of Gorumara National Park in Jalpaiguri district, West Bengal. Established as an elephant camp for departmental elephants, it offers cottage accommodation amid tea gardens and forests. Notable for close elephant interaction, jungle safaris, and Dooars landscape, it serves as a base for exploring Gorumara, Chapramari and Murti River areas.
Farahabad Viewpoint is a scenic eco-tourism destination located at an altitude of approximately 914 meters within the Amrabad Tiger Reserve in Telangana. Once a hunting retreat for the Nizams of Hyderabad, it offers panoramic views of the Nallamala Hills and Mallucheruvu Lake. The area is known for its natural landscapes, wilderness, and biodiversity.
Kali Tiger Reserve is a protected tiger reserve in Uttara Kannada district, Karnataka, formed by merging Anshi National Park and Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary along the Kali River. Spread over about 1,300 sq km of dense evergreen and moist deciduous forests of the Western Ghats, it is known for tigers, black panthers, elephants and diverse birdlife. It offers jungle safaris, nature trails and river-based activities centered around Dandeli and Anshi ranges.
Kanatal is a small village and offbeat hill station in the Tehri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand, situated at an elevation of approximately 2,400 meters (7,900 feet). Located on the Chamba-Mussoorie road, it is surrounded by apple orchards, pine, deodar, and rhododendron forests. The area offers serene Himalayan views, adventure activities like trekking and camping, and access to nearby attractions such as Surkanda Devi Temple and Kodia Forest.
Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area and UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the Satara district of Maharashtra within the Western Ghats. Established in 1985, it covers approximately 423.55 square kilometers and forms the northern part of the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve. The sanctuary features dense forests, three rivers, and the Shivsagar reservoir catchment area. It supports diverse biodiversity including Bengal tigers, Indian leopards, gaur, and numerous endemic bird species across varying elevations.
Malik Talao is the smallest of the three main lakes inside Ranthambore National Park in Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan. Located within the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve near Ranthambore Fort, it is known for its tranquil waters, marshy surroundings and wildlife sightings. The lake attracts marsh crocodiles, deer and numerous bird species, and is a key stop during jungle safaris, offering scenic views of the forest and fort landscape.
Mayuri Eco Park, also known as KCR Eco Urban Park or Mayuri Haritha Vanam, is an eco-tourism destination located between Mahabubnagar and Jadcherla along NH-44. Developed by the Telangana Forest Department on the slopes of the Bontagattu mountain range, this park combines recreational facilities with environmental conservation. The park features adventure activities, wildlife enclosures, themed gardens, and educational exhibits spread across forest land.
Melghat Tiger Reserve is a protected wildlife area located in the Amravati district of Maharashtra on the southern offshoot of the Satpura Hill Range. Established as a tiger reserve in 1974, it spans approximately 2,768 square kilometers and serves as a critical habitat for Bengal tigers and diverse flora and fauna. The Semadoh zone acts as a primary eco-tourism hub offering jungle safaris, accommodation, and nature activities along the Sipna River within a rugged deciduous forest landscape.
Mrugavani National Park is a protected area located in Chilkur near Hyderabad, Telangana. Established as a national park in 1994, it spans approximately 1,211 acres of dry deciduous forest and grassland. The park is home to around 350 spotted deer along with diverse flora including teak, bamboo, and sandalwood, and over 100 bird species. It serves as an important green lung for Hyderabad's urban landscape.
Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve, also known as Darrah Wildlife Sanctuary, is a protected area in Rajasthan established as a tiger reserve in 2013. It spans across four districts and encompasses dry deciduous forests, ravines, and river systems including the Chambal and Kalisindh rivers. The reserve serves as an important habitat for tigers, leopards, sloth bears, and diverse wildlife species.
Nallamala Jungle Camp is an eco-tourism accommodation facility located at Bairluty village in Atmakur mandal, Nandyal district, Andhra Pradesh, within the Nallamala forest range of the Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve. Operated by the Andhra Pradesh Forest Department, it offers cottages and tented accommodation amid dense forest. It is notable for jungle safaris, trekking, birdwatching and proximity to Srisailam, providing visitors a managed forest stay experience.
Nandanvan Jungle Safari is a large man-made jungle safari and zoological park located in Sector 39, Nava Raipur Atal Nagar, Chhattisgarh. Spread over approximately 800 acres, it was developed by the Nava Raipur Atal Nagar Development Authority and opened in 2016. The park features separate safari zones for herbivores, bears, tigers and lions, along with a zoo, boating lake and landscaped green areas for wildlife viewing and recreation.
Nandanvan Nature Centre, also known as Nandanvan Jungle Safari and Zoo, is a forest department-managed nature park in Sector 39, Nava Raipur Atal Nagar, Raipur, Chhattisgarh. Spread over forested land, it combines a zoo, jungle safari, rescue centre and boating lake. Notable for its tiger safari, herbivore safari, diverse wildlife enclosures and eco-tourism facilities, it serves as a major recreational and educational wildlife destination near Raipur.
Navegaon National Park is a protected area located in the Arjuni Morgaon subdivision of Gondia district, Maharashtra. Established on November 22, 1975, it covers approximately 133.78 sq km and forms part of the Nawegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve. The park features diverse flora and fauna including tigers, leopards, sloth bears, and over 209 bird species. It encompasses the historic Navegaon Lake, constructed around 1300 AD, which serves as a significant habitat for migratory birds and supports boating activities.
Neora Valley National Park is a protected national park spread over 88 sq km in Kalimpong district of West Bengal, adjoining Lava. Notified in 1986, it preserves one of the last remaining pristine virgin forests in the Eastern Himalayas. Known for its rich biodiversity, dense subtropical to temperate forests, orchids and habitat for red panda, clouded leopard and Himalayan birds, it is a key ecological corridor near Sikkim and Bhutan.
Orchha Wildlife Sanctuary is a 45.02 sq km protected area on the banks of the Betwa River near Orchha town in Niwari district, Madhya Pradesh. Established in 1994, it encompasses dry deciduous forest with teak, kardhai and riverine vegetation along the Betwa floodplain. Known for diverse fauna including nilgai, jackal, sloth bear and over 200 bird species, it offers nature trails and river views adjacent to Orchha's historic monuments.
Parambikulam Tiger Reserve is a protected tiger reserve located in the Palakkad district of Kerala, along the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border in the Western Ghats. Spread over 643.66 sq km, it is known for its rich biodiversity, teak plantations including the giant Kannimara Teak, and scenic reservoirs. Declared a tiger reserve in 2009, it offers wildlife safaris, trekking and eco-tourism experiences within undisturbed evergreen and deciduous forests.
Periyar Tiger Reserve is a protected area in Kerala's Western Ghats, renowned for its rich biodiversity including tigers and elephants. Established in 1934 as Nellikkampatty Reserve and declared a tiger reserve in 1978, it spans 925 square kilometers across Idukki and Pathanamthitta districts. The reserve features Periyar Lake, formed by the Mullaperiyar Dam, offering unique boat safari opportunities to observe wildlife. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Western Ghats.
Pilibhit Tiger Reserve is a protected tiger reserve in Pilibhit District, Uttar Pradesh, along the India-Nepal border in the Terai lowlands. Spread over about 730 sq km, it forms part of the Terai Arc Landscape and is known for sal forests, grasslands and wetlands fed by the Sharda River. Notified as India's 45th tiger reserve in June 2014, it supports Bengal tigers, swamp deer, leopards and over 300 bird species, offering jungle safaris and nature tourism.
Sagareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary is a 10.87 sq km man-made protected area located at the convergence of Kadegaon, Walva, and Palus tehsils in Sangli district, Maharashtra. It is recognized as India's first artificially cultivated wildlife sanctuary, established without perennial water sources through community afforestation efforts. The sanctuary features dry deciduous forests, grassy hill slopes, and introduced fauna including sambar, chital, blackbuck, and peacocks. It also contains ancient Shiva shrines dating to the Chalukya period.
Semadoh is a village and eco-tourism center located within the dense Melghat Tiger Reserve in Amravati District, Maharashtra. Situated on the banks of the Sipna River, it serves as a primary base for jungle safaris and wildlife viewing in the reserve. The site features a Forest Jungle Camp with renovated cottages, dormitories, and a museum. It is notable for its biodiversity, including tigers, leopards, and sloth bears, and offers regulated tourism activities managed by the Forest Department.
Semarsot Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected wildlife sanctuary located in Balrampur-Ramanujganj district in northern Chhattisgarh. Established in 1978, it covers about 430.35 sq km of mixed deciduous forest in the Surguja region. The sanctuary is known for its dry deciduous sal and mixed forests, and supports fauna such as leopard, sloth bear, chital, sambar, nilgai and wild boar, offering a quiet nature experience.
Sohagibarwa Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected forest area in Maharajganj district, Uttar Pradesh, near Nautanwa town along the India-Nepal border. Established in 1987 and covering about 428 square kilometres of Terai landscape, it comprises sal forests, grasslands and wetlands. The sanctuary is known for its diverse fauna including tigers, leopards, sloth bears and numerous bird species, and forms part of the Terai Arc conservation landscape.
Suheldev Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected forest area spread across Shrawasti and Balrampur districts in northeastern Uttar Pradesh, near Tulsipur town. Established in 1988 and covering about 452 sq km along the Indo-Nepal border in the Terai region, it preserves sal forests, grasslands and wetlands. It is known for Bengal tigers, leopards, sloth bears, diverse deer species and rich birdlife, forming part of the Terai tiger corridor.
Tadvai Forest Reserve is a dense forest area located within the Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary in Mulugu district, Telangana. This eco-tourism destination features ancient trees over 100 years old, diverse wildlife including Malabar Giant Squirrel and rare birds, and basic forest huts maintained by the Forest Department. The reserve offers trekking, cycling, birdwatching, and jungle safari experiences in a pristine natural setting.
Tadvai Huts is an eco-tourism facility maintained by the Telangana Forest Department within the Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary in Mulugu district. The complex offers basic forest accommodation including concrete huts, dormitory, and tented lodging amidst ancient trees over 100 years old. Visitors can experience birdwatching, forest trekking, cycling, and jungle safaris in this pristine wilderness setting.