56 places to discover
The Amagarh Leopard Reserve is India's second leopard conservation reserve, located in the Aravalli Hills near Jaipur. Spanning approximately 1,524 hectares, it was officially opened for tourism in May 2022. The reserve is home to a healthy population of leopards, along with diverse flora and fauna including striped hyenas, jungle cats, and over 250 bird species.
Amrabad Tiger Reserve is one of the largest tiger reserves in India, spanning approximately 2,611 square kilometers across Nagarkurnool and Nalgonda districts in Telangana. Located in the Nallamala Hills of the Eastern Ghats, it was notified as a sanctuary in 1983 and declared a separate tiger reserve in 2014. The reserve features rugged terrain with deep valleys and gorges forming the catchment of the Krishna River, and is home to Bengal tigers, leopards, sloth bears, and diverse endemic flora and fauna.
Anamudi Shola National Park is a protected area in the Western Ghats of Idukki district, Kerala, established in 2003. Covering 7.5 square kilometers, it comprises Mannavan, Idivara, and Pullardi sholas. The park features a unique montane shola-grassland ecosystem and provides habitat connectivity between Eravikulam, Mathikettan Shola, and Pampadum Shola National Parks.
Bandhavgarh National Park's Tala Gateway is the principal entry to one of India's most renowned tiger reserves in Umaria district, Madhya Pradesh, within the Vindhya Range. Notified as a national park in 1968 and later a tiger reserve, it covers dense sal forests, grasslands and hills centered on the historic Bandhavgarh Fort. The Tala Zone is noted for high Bengal tiger density, diverse wildlife, and rich birdlife, making it the core tourism zone of the reserve.
Bhadra Tiger Reserve is a protected tiger reserve spanning Chikkamagaluru and Shivamogga districts in Karnataka, with its main entry at Muthodi. Covering about 492 sq km of Western Ghats forests around the Bhadra Reservoir, it is known for its dense deciduous and evergreen forests, diverse wildlife including tigers, leopards, elephants and rich birdlife. Notified as a wildlife sanctuary in 1951 and declared a Project Tiger reserve in 1998, it offers jeep and bus safaris.
Bhigwan Bird Sanctuary is a wetland ecosystem located on the backwaters of the Ujani Dam along the Bhima River in Maharashtra. Situated approximately 100 km from Pune on the Pune-Solapur Highway, it is renowned for hosting large flocks of Greater Flamingos and over 230 species of migratory birds during winter. The sanctuary comprises shallow water bodies and mudflats that provide critical feeding grounds for avian wildlife, making it a significant birdwatching destination often referred to as the Mini Bharatpur of Maharashtra.
Bor Tiger Reserve is a protected wildlife area located near Hingni in Wardha district, Maharashtra. Originally notified as a wildlife sanctuary in 1970, it was declared India's 47th tiger reserve in July 2014. Covering approximately 138 sq km, it is recognized as one of the smallest tiger reserves in the country. The reserve supports diverse fauna including tigers, leopards, sloth bears, and wild dogs, centered around the Bor Dam reservoir.
Brahmagiri Hills is a mountain range in the Western Ghats situated on the border between Wayanad district in Kerala and Kodagu district in Karnataka. Rising to 1,608 meters, it is the highest peak in the region and offers a popular 10-kilometer trek starting from the Thirunelli forest camp. The hills are well-forested with rich wildlife including elephants and gaurs, providing scenic views and a moderately challenging trekking experience through streams and grasslands.
Chilla Range is a designated tourism zone within Rajaji Tiger Reserve in Uttarakhand, located between Haridwar and Rishikesh. Established as part of the merged Rajaji, Motichur, and Chilla wildlife sanctuaries in 1983, this 36-kilometer safari circuit traverses dense sal forests, riverbeds, and grasslands along the Ganga River. The zone is renowned for elephant sightings and hosts diverse wildlife including tigers, leopards, deer, and numerous bird species.
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.
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.
Desert National Park is one of India's largest national parks, spanning 3,162 sq km across Jaisalmer and Barmer districts in Rajasthan. It showcases the unique ecosystem of the Thar Desert with rolling sand dunes, fossilized remains dating back 180 million years, and diverse wildlife including the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard.
Durga Devi Zone is a hill safari zone within Jim Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand, India. Located on the north-eastern side of the reserve along the Ramganga and Mandal rivers, it offers unique wildlife viewing opportunities including elephants, otters, and diverse birdlife. The zone features hilly terrain with dense forests and is open from mid-October to mid-June, closing during monsoon season.
Gamgul Siyabehi Wildlife Sanctuary is a high-altitude protected area located in the Bhandal valley of Salooni tehsil in Chamba district, Himachal Pradesh. Established in 1962 and covering approximately 109 square kilometers, it borders the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The sanctuary is notable for hosting rare Himalayan wildlife including the Himalayan brown bear, musk deer, Himalayan tahr, and various pheasant species across its deodar forests, coniferous woodlands, and alpine pastures.
Gorumara National Park is a protected forest area in the Dooars region of northern West Bengal, near Lataguri in Jalpaiguri district. Established as a wildlife sanctuary in 1949 and declared a national park in 1994, it covers about 80 sq km of grasslands and riverine forests on the floodplains of the Murti and Jaldhaka rivers. It is notable for its population of Indian one-horned rhinoceros, Asian elephants, gaur, and diverse birdlife.
Great Himalayan National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh. Spanning over 90,540 hectares, it protects high alpine peaks, glacial sources, and diverse forest types ranging from riverine to alpine meadows. The park is recognized for its outstanding biodiversity, hosting numerous endemic plant species and threatened fauna like the Western Tragopan and Musk Deer. Sai Ropa serves as a key entry point and information complex for visitors accessing the Tirthan Valley zone.
Jaisamand Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area covering approximately 52 square kilometers on the shores of Jaisamand Lake (Dhebar Lake), located 50 km south of Udaipur in Rajasthan. Established in 1955 and declared a sanctuary under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972, it features dry-deciduous forests dominated by teak and other native species. The sanctuary serves as a habitat for diverse wildlife including leopards, sambar deer, chital, hyenas, and numerous bird species, while also preserving historical palaces built by the Maharanas of Mewar.
Jawai Bandh Leopard Conservation Reserve is a protected conservation reserve in the Sumerpur tehsil of Pali district, Rajasthan. Established in 2010, it safeguards a unique population of cave-dwelling leopards in a landscape of granite hills and scrubland. The reserve is notable for its high leopard density and the harmonious coexistence between wildlife and the indigenous Rabari community. Visitors can explore the area through guided jeep safaris, observing leopards, migratory birds, and mugger crocodiles near Jawai Dam.
Jhalana Leopard Reserve is India's first dedicated leopard reserve, located within the city limits of Jaipur. Established in 2017 and spread over 20 square kilometers in the Aravalli hills, it hosts a high density of over 40 leopards. The reserve offers jeep safaris through dry deciduous forests where visitors can observe leopards, striped hyenas, deer, and diverse birdlife in their natural habitat.
Dhikala Zone is the largest and most diverse safari zone within Jim Corbett National Park, India's first national park established in 1936. Located in the core area near the Ramganga River and Patli Dun valley, it offers exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities including Royal Bengal Tigers and Asiatic Elephants. The zone features historic forest rest houses and is accessible only through guided safaris or overnight stays.
Jorbeer Vulture Conservation Reserve is a protected area located approximately 12-15 km from Bikaner city in Rajasthan. Originally established as an official livestock carcass disposal site, it was designated as a conservation reserve by the Rajasthan government in 2008 to support vulture populations. The reserve attracts thousands of raptors during winter months, including endangered Egyptian Vultures, Griffon Vultures, and various eagle species.
Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected forest area spanning 30.69 square kilometers in the Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh. Established in 1958, it features dense deodar, pine, and oak forests at altitudes ranging from 1,185 to 2,768 meters. The sanctuary is home to diverse wildlife including Himalayan black bears, leopards, and various bird species, offering visitors trekking trails and panoramic mountain views.
Kannavam Forest is a reserve forest in the Western Ghats of Kannur district, Kerala, known for its rich biodiversity and historical significance. It served as a strategic base for Pazhassi Raja's guerrilla warfare against the British East India Company in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The forest features dense vegetation, rare medicinal plants, and a 14-kilometer trekking trail from Elapeedika. Visitors can explore historical ruins, observe wildlife, and experience the natural beauty of this ecologically important area.
Kawal Tiger Reserve is a protected wildlife area in northeastern Telangana, established as a sanctuary in 1965 and declared a tiger reserve in 2012. Located along the Godavari River banks near the Maharashtra border, it spans over 2,000 square kilometers across multiple districts. The reserve features dense tropical dry deciduous forests and serves as an important wildlife corridor connecting central Indian tiger landscapes.
The Agaratoli Eastern Range is the easternmost safari zone of Kaziranga National Park in Golaghat district, Assam, near Agaratoli village. Part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for the greater one-horned rhinoceros, this range is characterized by extensive wetlands, grasslands and water bodies including Sohola and Potahi Beels. It is noted for exceptional birdwatching, migratory waterfowl, and relatively less crowded jeep and boat safaris compared to the central range.
Kaziranga National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Golaghat and Nagaon districts of Assam, centered around Kohora on the southern bank of the Brahmaputra River. Renowned for hosting two-thirds of the world's Indian one-horned rhinoceros population, it spans approximately 1,090 sq km of tall elephant grass, marshland and dense tropical forests. Declared a national park in 1974, it is also a Tiger Reserve and biodiversity hotspot.
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.
Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected wildlife reserve in the Rajsamand District of Rajasthan, covering approximately 610 square kilometers of the Aravalli Range. Established in 1971, it surrounds the historic Kumbhalgarh Fort and features dry deciduous forests. The sanctuary is home to diverse fauna including Indian wolves, leopards, sloth bears, and over 200 bird species.
Maharaja Martand Singh Judeo White Tiger Safari and Zoo is a wildlife safari and zoo located in Mukundpur, Satna district, Madhya Pradesh, near Rewa. Inaugurated in April 2016, it is recognized as the world's first White Tiger Safari. Named after Maharaja Martand Singh Judeo of Rewa who discovered the first white tiger Mohan in 1951, the facility houses white tigers and other wildlife in naturalistic enclosures and a forested safari zone spread over about 100 hectares.
Majkhali is a small village located approximately 12-14 km from Ranikhet in Almora district of Uttarakhand. Situated at an elevation of around 1,662 meters, it offers breathtaking panoramic views of Himalayan peaks including Mount Trishul and Nanda Devi. The village is known for its serene atmosphere, pine and oak forests, and the Goddess Kali Temple.
Manas National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Project Tiger Reserve located in Baksa and Chirang districts of Assam, with its main entry at Bansbari on the foothills of the Eastern Himalaya along the Bhutan border. Notable for its biodiversity, it protects endangered species such as the greater one-horned rhinoceros, wild water buffalo, pygmy hog, hispid hare and golden langur, and features grasslands, semi-evergreen forests and the Manas River.
Mudumalai Tiger Reserve is a protected tiger reserve and wildlife sanctuary in the Nilgiris District of Tamil Nadu, on the Tamil Nadu-Karnataka-Kerala border along the Ooty-Mysore highway. Established in 1940 as one of India's first wildlife sanctuaries and declared a tiger reserve in 2007, it covers about 321 sq km of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. It is known for its deciduous forests, diverse wildlife including tigers, elephants and leopards, and safari-based tourism.
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.
Muthodi Nature Camp is an eco-tourism jungle lodge operated by Jungle Lodges and Resorts inside the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary near Muthodi village in Chikkamagaluru district, Karnataka. Surrounded by dense moist deciduous forest and the Bhadra Tiger Reserve, it serves as a base for wildlife safaris and nature activities. The camp offers cottage and tent accommodation and is notable for its proximity to diverse flora and fauna, including tigers, leopards, elephants and over 250 bird species.
Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area spanning approximately 152.81 square kilometers across the Bhandara and Gondia districts of northeastern Maharashtra. Declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1970 and later incorporated into the Nawegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve in 2013, it serves as a critical habitat for Bengal tigers and diverse flora and fauna. The sanctuary features rolling hills, valleys, and perennial water bodies, deriving its name from an ancient Nag temple and local water sources.
Nanda Devi National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site established in 1982 in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. Centered around India's second-highest peak, Nanda Devi (7,816 meters), the park encompasses a remote glacial basin surrounded by high Himalayan peaks. It is renowned for its pristine wilderness, rare wildlife including snow leopards and musk deer, and challenging trekking routes accessible only through Lata village.
The National Chambal Sanctuary is a tri-state protected area spanning Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh along the Chambal River. Established in 1979, it covers approximately 5,400 square kilometers and was created to protect endangered species including gharials, Gangetic dolphins, and mugger crocodiles. The sanctuary features river safaris offering wildlife viewing opportunities.
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.
Pakke Tiger Reserve, also known as Pakhui Tiger Reserve, is a Project Tiger reserve spanning 862 sq km in Pakke Kessang and East Kameng districts of Arunachal Pradesh, with its main entry at Seijosa. Bordering Assam's Nameri National Park and bisected by the Pakke River, it protects semi-evergreen and evergreen forests in the Eastern Himalaya biodiversity hotspot. Notable for its tiger, elephant and four hornbill species conservation, it is managed by the Arunachal Pradesh Forest Department.
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.
Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary is a small wildlife sanctuary in Morigaon district of Assam, about 30 km east of Guwahati near Mayong on the southern bank of the Brahmaputra River. Covering about 38.81 sq km of alluvial grassland and wetlands, it is renowned for having the highest density of Indian one-horned rhinoceros in the world, along with wild buffalo, leopards and over 200 bird species, making it a key rhino conservation site in Assam.
Raj Bagh Talao is one of three major lakes within Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan, India. Located in Safari Zone 3, approximately 6 kilometers from the park entry gate, this picturesque lake is surrounded by ancient ruins and dense forests. The lake serves as an important water source for wildlife including tigers, sambar deer, and various bird species. It is particularly renowned for tiger sightings during summer months when animals gather at water bodies.
Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve is India's 52nd tiger reserve and Rajasthan's fourth, notified in 2022. Spanning 1,501.89 sq km across Bundi, Kota, and Bhilwara districts, it connects Ranthambore and Mukundra Hills reserves. The reserve features rugged Aravalli terrain, Dhok forests, and the Mez River, supporting tigers, leopards, sloth bears, and diverse birdlife.
Rangana Fort, also known as Prasiddhagad, is a historic hill fort located in the Bhudargad taluka of Kolhapur district, Maharashtra. Situated on the Sahyadri mountain ridge at an elevation of approximately 2,227 feet, it lies on the boundary of Kolhapur and Sindhudurg districts. Built in the 12th century by King Bhoj-II of the Shilahar dynasty, the fort played a significant role in Maratha history under Shivaji Maharaj. It currently exists as ruins open to the public and is accessible primarily via trekking routes through dense forests.
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.
Sailana Kharmour Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary near Sailana town in Ratlam district, Madhya Pradesh, on the Malwa Plateau. Notified in 1983 and covering about 13 sq km of grassland, it was established to protect the endangered Lesser Florican, locally called Kharmour. It is one of the few sanctuaries in India dedicated to this species and also supports diverse grassland birds, reptiles and flora, notable for birdwatching and grassland conservation.
Sarahan Pheasantry is a conservation breeding centre located in Sarahan, Himachal Pradesh, dedicated to the endangered Western Tragopan, the state bird. It is recognized as the only facility in the world for captive breeding of this species. The sanctuary also houses Himalayan Monal and Cheer Pheasant amidst oak and deodar forests. It serves as a significant site for avian research and wildlife preservation within the Shimla district.
Satpura National Park — Madhai Gateway is the northern entry point to Satpura National Park in Madhai village, Narmadapuram district, Madhya Pradesh. Part of the 1,427 sq km Satpura Tiger Reserve established in 1981, it provides access to dense forests along the Denwa River and Tawa Reservoir. Known for jeep, boat and walking safaris, it offers sightings of tigers, leopards, sloth bears and diverse birdlife in a relatively undisturbed central Indian landscape.
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.
Sitabani Wildlife Reserve is a 58.25 sq km conservation reserve located in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand, near Ramnagar. Notified as a Conservation Reserve in December 2012, it features dense Sal forests and serves as an important wildlife corridor connecting Jim Corbett National Park with other forest divisions. The reserve is home to over 33 mammal species including tigers, leopards, and elephants, along with more than 365 bird species. It holds cultural significance from the Ramayana epic.
Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary spans 301.18 square kilometers of prime Shiwalik Terai forests in the Pauri Garhwal district. Founded in 1987 and integrated into the Corbett Tiger Reserve, it serves as a critical habitat for Asiatic elephants, tigers, and over 550 bird species. The sanctuary offers jeep and elephant safaris through dense woodlands and grasslands along the Sonanadi River.
Sorsan Grassland Conservation Reserve is a 41-square-kilometer protected area in the Baran district of Rajasthan, located approximately 50 kilometers from Kota. Popularly known as Sorsan Grasslands, this reserve preserves a semi-arid scrubland ecosystem that serves as a critical habitat for the great Indian bustard, blackbuck, and numerous resident and migratory bird species. The landscape features scrubby vegetation, seasonal wetlands, and shallow water bodies that attract diverse avifauna throughout the year.
Tal Chhapar Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary located in the Churu district of Rajasthan, situated on the fringe of the Great Indian Thar Desert. Originally a royal hunting reserve of the Maharaja of Bikaner, it was declared a sanctuary in 1966. The sanctuary features flat saline depressions with open grasslands and scattered Acacia trees, providing habitat for approximately 4,000 blackbucks and over 293 species of birds including raptors.
Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area spanning 148.63 square kilometers in the Pandharkawada region of Yavatmal district, Maharashtra. Named after the local Goddess Tipai shrine, it features hilly terrain with teak and red sandalwood forests. The sanctuary supports a significant tiger population alongside leopards, sloth bears, and diverse bird species. It serves as an ecological corridor linking Kawal Tiger Reserve in Telangana to Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra.
Ujani Dam, also known as Bhima Dam, is an earthfill and masonry gravity dam on the Bhima River in Solapur district, Maharashtra. Completed in 1980, it creates a large reservoir that supports irrigation and drinking water supply for the region. The dam's backwaters form the Bhigwan wetland ecosystem, which attracts over 230 bird species including migratory flamingos during winter. It serves as both critical infrastructure and a significant ecotourism destination near Pune.