India is home to tigers. With 50 tiger reserves spread across 18 states, India has 70% of the world’s tiger population. No wonder a tiger safari in India is a forgone adventure that no wildlife enthusiast should miss.
Spotting a tiger in a jungle is a matter of perfect timing, patience, luck, and to a great extent your naturalist’s expertise. However, you can increase the chances of your rendezvous with the big cat by visiting some of the best tiger reserves in India.
While it’s thrilling to chase tigers in different national parks of India, it’s also equally important to respect the wildlife and not disturb it in any manner. The responsible approach to tourism, particularly wildlife tourism should be the norm. Therefore, you should choose to experience the forests only with a brand that practices environment-friendly ideologies.
Top Tiger Tours in India:
Bandhavgarh – Kanha Tiger Tour, Madhya Pradesh
The original home of the royal Bengal tigers, Bandhavgarh National Park is perhaps one of the most renowned names for tiger sightings in India. It is said to have over 104 tigers in an area of 1536 sq km, a relatively smaller area than other parks, which is why the chances of a tiger sighting in Bandhavgarh is quite high.
There are quite a few famed tigers and tigresses of Bandhavgarh, such as Bheema, Bamera, Kankati, Chandini, Dotty Krishna, Rajbhera, Sukhipatia, and Marchaini. They are recognized more by their territories than their facial marks and stripes, which is apparently the right way to identify tigers in a forest.
After you have satiated your pursuit for the tigers of Bandhavgarh, head towards another most popular national park of Central India – Kanha National Park, which is known for its verdant grasslands and lofty Sal forests. Kanha has around 88 tigers in 2100 sq km, which is not a big number compared to other national parks. However, it is still acclaimed to be one of the best parks for tiger sightings.
As you go on your own tiger tour, you will be told a few legendary stories about Munna, the most photographed tiger of Kanha and probably across the world. He was recognized by a ‘CAT’ sign on his forehead.
When to visit: The best time to experience Bandhavgarh – Kanha tour is during October to March when the landscapes are lush and you get numerous bird sighting opportunities, too. April to June is ideal for better tiger sightings.
How to reach: Bandhavgarh is a 4-hour drive from Jabalpur, which is the closest airport. For Kanha, it’s a 5-hour drive from Bandhavgarh. After your stay in Kanha, you can take a flight back home from Raipur or Nagpur airport.
Where to stay: Experience nature and wildlife unhindered at Kings Lodge Bandhavgarh and Kanha Earth Lodge. Check out Kings Lodge Bandhavgarh, the best resort in Bandhavgarh National Park, and Kanha Earth Lodge, a top resort in Kanha National Park. You can have fun exploring the forests and seeing lots of animals while staying in comfy rooms and learning about nature. It’s like a cool adventure camp where you can relax and have fun at the same time!
Tadoba – Pench Tiger Tour, Central Indian Highlands
The upcoming tiger reserve, Tadoba National Park also promises a great tiger safari experience. There are reportedly 83 tigers in an area of 1727 sq km. Even though the population of tigers is not very high at Tadoba, the sightings are still good. The Park has a huge water reservoir and is not very dense. Therefore, it’s highly likely to see a tiger or two at the edges of the reservoir as they come to quench their thirst or for a dip.
You might cross paths with some of the celebrated tigers and tigresses of Tadoba, such as Maya, Sonam, Lara, Chota Matka, Matkasur, and Choti Tara.
From the dry deciduous forests of Tadoba, you can dive into the Teak forests of Pench, which is one of the most beautiful national parks of central India. Pench has serene backwaters of Pench river and the landscapes of scrublands to beguile explorers. Besides, tiger sightings are on a rise at Pench National Park. There are approximately 65 tigers in an area of 758 sq km, which makes it one of the upcoming tiger safari destinations in India.
Pench rose to fame after it was showcased in a BBC’s documentary ‘Tiger Spy in The Jungle’, which was aired in 2008. Not to mention Pench is worth your curiosity for the legendary tigress Collarwali (T-15) and her five cubs.
When to visit: The best time to experience Tadoba – Pench tiger tour is from October to May. October to November is particularly ideal for witnessing the lush landscapes and many wildflowers.
How to reach: The closest airport from Tadoba National Park is the Nagpur airport, which is 140 km away. From Tadoba, it’s a 5 and half hour drive to Pench. You can take a flight back home from Nagpur, which is 3 hours from Pench.
Where to stay: Embrace the remote, wild beauty at Waghoba Eco Lodge, Tadoba and Pench Tree Lodge, Pench. Try Waghoba Eco Lodge, the best resort in Tadoba National Park, and Pench Tree Lodge, a lovely resort in Pench National Park. These lodges are perfect for nature lovers because they are close to forests and wildlife.
Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan
Ranthambore National Park is one of the sought-after destinations for spotting the royal Bengal tigers. However, you should visit it for its magnificent topography as well. The moderate to steep slopes, Vindhyas hills to the sharp ridges of the Aravallis, wide and flat valleys to tapered rocky gorges, Ranthambore envelopes you in its unique splendour.
The thrill of chasing tigers at Ranthambore National Park is immense, as the numbers are constantly rising. While the park’s natural habitat is appropriate for around 50 tigers, there are 71 tigers in an area of 1734 sq km. It is a cause of worry for sure. However, it’s great news for tiger chasing tourists.
Ranthambore is also home to quite a few famous tigers and tigresses. One such tigress was Machali (T-16), who was always game for a photograph. She was even featured in a national award-winning movie called ‘The World’s Most Famous Tiger’.
When to visit: January to March is a good time for tiger sightings at Ranthambore National Park. Also, April to June is a good time for various animal sightings.
How to reach: The closest railway station is Sawai Madhopur Railway Station, which is 10 km from Ranthambore National Park. Alternatively, it’s a drive of 3 and a half hours from Jaipur airport to the park.
Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand
The oldest and one of the most scenic national parks in India, Corbett National Park reportedly has 231 tigers in an area of 1100 sq km. The Park definitely has quite a high tiger density, which makes it one of the best destinations for a tiger safari in India.
It’s also one of the parks, where the Project Tiger was launched in 1973 with the idea to conserve the ecological balance of nature.
When to visit: The best time to visit Corbett National Park is from October to March. However, May is considered ideal for tiger sightings due to the heat and frequent sightings of animals reaching out to the water bodies.
How to reach: Pantnagar Airport is 80 km from Jim Corbett National Park. Also, Ramnagar Railway Station, which is well-connected to major cities of India, is 5 km from the park.
To experience one of the best tiger tours in India, you should keep a few things in mind:
- Plan your trip at least 6 months ahead of time.
- Book your wildlife safari with a good travel brand who has a team of well-learned naturalists and guides.
- Plan a trip of at least 4-5 days, so that you get a chance to go on multiple safaris and your tiger sighting is ensured.
Author: Renuka Walter
As you plan your tiger tour to India, get in touch with our trip curators at Pugdundee Safaris.
Call us at: +91-9718637711, +91-8800637711 Email: [email protected]
We promise you a wildlife experience that is unique, authentic and unforgettable.
