Best National Parks in India
The beauty of this country is in its national parks. Almost every state and union territory in this country has a national park. Like the people in this country, the flora and fauna and animals are also diverse and different in different parts of the country. You must make a trip to each one of these places to experience diversity. Sometimes you might have spottings, at others, you may just go on a jeep with a hope to see the park. Either way, just getting the fresh breath of the park, listening to the beauty of nature, and watching the wonders of the forest all make it worth the trip. It makes it one of the best getaways from what we know as the concrete jungles. There are many National parks in India, but here is a list of 20 National Parks in India that may be great for you to visit.
Table of Contents
Top 20 National Parks in India
1. Kaziranga National Park, Assam, India
This park is declared as the UNESCO’s World Heritage Site. It is a park that allows jeep safaris in the mornings and afternoons. It is a beautiful park that resides in the Eastern Himalayas. There are many animals that you can see here, but certain particular ones you want to come here to see include wild animals such as tigers, elephants, rhinoceros, wild buffalo, and swamp deers. It covers over 378 sq km and is a place where you can also spot bears, leopards, and other birds and animal species.
2. Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand, India
If you want to spot tigers, this is certainly the place to be. This national park in India is also a place to spot deers, leopards, sloth bears, black bears, red foxes, jackals, and more. It is a place when you can take a jeep safari to look at the beautiful animals in their natural habitat. This park is divided into multiple zones such as Dhikala, Durgadevi, Jhirna, and Bijrani. It is a part that has over 520 sq km. November to June is considered the best time to visit this park.
3. Nagarhole National Park, Karnataka, India
This beautiful national park in India is located in the Mysore District in Karnataka. Often this park showcases its animals including elephant, civet cat, sambar deer, jackal, mongoose, tiger, gaur, panther, spotted deer, sloth bear, and hyena, and more. It is also home to hundreds of varieties of birds. Karnataka is a host to rich flora and fauna and Nagarhole is one of those places that showcase it with vigour. It also has a host of reptiles including the king cobra, Indian rock python, Russell’s viper, and more.
4. Periyar National Park, Kerala, India
This special national park in India is in Thekkady, Kerala, and is spread over 257 square miles. It is the home to the royal tigers, the elephants, and more. The beauty of this park is that it is open to the public and includes a lot of eco-tourism activities. You can go hiking, rafting, walk the trails, and more. It offers both adventure and breathtaking views. It attracts tourists all year but is considered best visited between November and February. The closest airport is Madurai which is about 136 km away.
5. Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan, India
Sprawled across over 392 sq km, Ranthambore National Park in India is certainly a place to try and spot the Royal Bengal Tiger. Apart from tigers, this park can also showcase its leopards, bears, jackals, elephants, bison, deers, and more. The tiger specifically here is believed to not be afraid of humans and will go about their business even in your presence. So you can see them in their natural behavior here.
6. Sunderban National Park, West Bengal, India
This is one of the biggest mangrove forests in the world. Sunderban National Park in India is also the home to the royal Bengal tiger. This park is considered a UNESCO world heritage site and is a host to multiple birds and reptiles. You can also spot saltwater crocodiles. It has springs, rivers, estuaries, and creeks. The beauty of this place is that it showcases a host of endangered species including batagur baska, olive ridley, king crabs, and turtle.
7. Bandipur National Park, Karnataka, India
This picturesque national park in India was established as a protected reserve in 1974. You can go there to get a look at a variety of greenery. It has a host of sandalwood trees and is considered the first biosphere reserve in India. Bandipur national park is the home to many endangered species. The park shares its borders with Tamil Nadu and is called Mudumalai National park. This park takes many safety precautions to protect its animals and vegetation. Bangalore is the closest airport to this place.
8. Tadoba National Park, Maharashtra, India
The Tadoba National park is also known for the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve. It is in Maharashtra in the Chandrapur district. It is a must place to go if you want to do tiger sightings in that state. Go there to also see a host of many rare species of flora and fauna. There are the Erai dam and Khosla village, amongst others, as important attractions. If you are visiting Maharashtra, Tadoba National Park has to be a place that you take the time to visit.
9. Wandoor Marine National Park, Andaman, India
Also called the Mahatma Gandhi National park, the Wandoor Marine National Park is considered one of the most important national parks in India. It is located about 25 km away from Port Blair in Andaman and is a place that you must visit. Explore the ocean here through snorkeling to see the wonders of the universe that is in the ocean. Find breathtaking views of underwater life. It was established in 1983 to help conserve marine life in the area.
10. Wayanad National Park, Kerala, India
Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is known for being the host of endangered species. This beautiful national park in India sprawls over 345 square kilometres and is divided into two parts, lower and upper Wayanad. Muthanga lies in the south and Tholpetty is in the north. They are both beautiful and are a must-see if you are planning for a trip to Kerala. It was founded in 1973 and is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Amongst the interesting vegetation, this park is a host to eucalyptus and bamboo trees that are grown in this region.
11. Panna National Park, Madhya Pradesh, India
Located in Madhya Pradesh, this beautiful national park is in Panna and is about 543 square kilometres wide. You can spot multiple animals here including deer, blackbuck, the Indian gazelle or panthers. If you are lucky enough you may even spot tigers and antelopes too. You can get to Panna through Khajuraho and Satna. It is said that the best time to go there is during November to April.
12. Silent Valley National Park, Tamil Nadu, India
Sprawled over 89 square kilometres, the silent valley national park in India is certainly a beauty to visit. You can go here to see lion-tailed macaque, panthers, elephants, gaur, tigers, wild pigs and more. It is a host to flora and fauna that is rich and vibrant. The Silent Valley National Park is in the Kundali Hills. It is in the Western Ghats in Kerala in southern India. People from around the world come here to experience the view and also tropical forests.
13. Kudremukh National Park, Karnataka, India
Located in the western ghats, this beautiful park was given the status of a national park in 1987. It sprawls at about 600 square kilometres. It is one of the best-preserved parks in the state. This peak that looks like a horse face (as suggested by its name kudre-mukh) is the home to mammals. Visitors, if lucky, can see and spot tigers, leopards and dogs that are wild. Additionally, they also get the best views and a plethora of greenery. Also, if trekking interests you, this place is perfect in the south.
14. Kanchenjunga National Park, West Sikkim, India
That the Himalayan range is a breathtaking beauty is no new story to be unravelled. However, named after the third highest peak in the world, this beautiful Park in West Sikkim is called Khangchendzonga National Park in India. It shares its borders with Nepal and Tibet and spreads over 850 sq km. It has been included into UNESCO’s World Heritage sites, for its sheer beauty. Breathtaking views, diverse landscapes to trek on, sightings of Snow Leopard and Himalayan Tahr are just some of the attractions it promises.
15. Dachigam National Park, Jammu and Kashmir, India
That Jammu and Kashmir is beautiful is no secret, and Dachigam National Park promises nothing less than the best. Located about 22 km away from Srinagar, this beautiful park is sprawled across 141 square kilometres. Go here to hopefully spot leopards, rare Himalayan brown bears, pygmy owlets, and more if you want. If not, the beauty of Jammu and Kashmir is anyway on offer for you to see.
16. Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Maharashtra, India
There are many places to visit in and around Mumbai, and if you are here then take the time to visit the Sanjay Gandhi National Park to find a quiet spot away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Go here to spot flying foxes, macaques, lions, boars, peacock, leopards, kingfishers, sunbirds and more. It covers over 104 sq km and also has two beautiful artificial lakes. The park was introduced in 1974 and also is the host to the Kanheri caves that are believed to be over 2000 years old. This is certainly one of the most important attractions in Mumbai.
17. Hazaribagh National Park, Jharkhand, India
If you are in Jharkhand, make sure you make a trip to Hazaribagh National Park. It is spread over 184 sq km and is a sight to see. It has the best internal roads as well that ensure the animals are not disturbed while giving you access to travel through it. If the view of the park and the ride through is not pleasurable enough, when lucky you can easily spot Nilgai, Sambar, Cheetal, and Wild Boar. It is about 135 km away from Ranchi and is worth the drive to see the view.
18. Pench National Park, Madhya Pradesh, India
The inspiration for the famous novel called ‘The Jungle Book’ by Rudyard Kipling, this national park is in Madhya Pradesh. It is believed that if you are lucky you can have daily sightings of tigers, elephants, wild boars, leopards, wolves, sloth bears, striped hyena, fox and more. Seoni is considered the closest city to Pench National Park and is connected by road. Go here if you want to see the Royal Bengal Tigers and experience the world as Rudyard maybe did.
19. Eravikulam National Park, Kerala, India
Just 45 minutes away from Munnar by drive, Eravikulam National Park is a UNESCO Heritage site. It boasts of a rich and diverse site to experience a large variety of flora and fauna. It was declared a national park in 1978. Come here to also see atlas moth, Nilgiri langur, Nilgiri marten, lion-tailed macaque, elephant, leopard, small-clawed otter and tiger. It is spread over 97 sq km and protects a lot of animals and showcases them when they want to show face.
20. Sariska National Park, Rajasthan, India
Rajasthan, the land of colors, is also the land of Sariska National Park. It is in the Aravali Hills and is believed to be spread over an area of 800 sq km. This park is the home to the Royal Bengal Tiger. It is a Tiger reserve and was declared as a national park in 1982. Go on one of the jeep safaris to hopefully see leopards, monkeys, jackals, serpent eagles, striped hyenas, hares, wild boars, and many varieties of deers and more. If you are in Rajasthan, do visit this place.
Given this list, one must know that there are other options too. However, it is important to know and remember that these parks are the animal’s homes. We are but just guests. So, remember you are not showing up to see them, they will allow you to see them. So, stay patient and know that you keep their home clean and safe. After all, no one should feel insecure or forced into their own home.
About The Author
Gulshan Bafna
Gulshan Bafna is one of the luxury travelers in India. He, along with his wife, has traveled to many exotic places that one could dream. With their travel journey, they bring us the best face of those places. He compiles all of his travel journeys to give the taste of traveling to his readers. In his writing, he jots down the best things to do in all those places that he has visited. Reading these would help one know better about the place. He is also a seeker who loves exploring and discovering new places and share his experiences with everyone.