India's Most Famous National Parks That You Must Visit

India is a country which is rich in wildlife diversity. There are many National Parks in India where wide arrays of wild animals prosper. Tourists are attracted to visit these National Parks to get a glimpse of The Royal Bengal Tiger, The Asiatic lions, the one-horned rhino and many other exclusive wild animals found only in India. India’s diverse landform and natural environment have endowed it with numerous scenic and wildlife-rich regions. Thanks to the Mighty Western and Eastern Ghats, Himalayan Mountain and other lush regions, the India is a land of amazing wildlife wealth. India has more than 166 national parks, today. This might not look like a big number but, in 1972, there were only five. Do not just think about Jim Corbett, Ranthambore, Periyar National Park and others. There are numerous lesser-known parks and sanctuaries, which hold many interesting activities and exotic animals.

India National Parks are famous for animal spotting, exotic safari trips, natural sightseeing, photography, bird watching and much more. Below is the list of top national parks of the country. Do not assume that all these parks hold elephants and tigers alone. India is more than just snakes, tigers and elephant. You can find many exotic animals like Himalayan blue sheep, Asiatic lion, leopard, panther, deer, mongoose, bear and so on. You can find a lot of local birds and migration birds from Siberia and other regions.

1. Jim Corbett National Park

This is the oldest national park of India, and also one of the most popular. It has many claims to fame,including being the site of the Project Tiger launch in 1973. Located in the foothills of the Himalayas in the northern state of Uttarakhand, Corbett is home to more than 200 Bengal tigers – the highest number of any tiger reserve in India. Corbett is also a great place for birding, with approximately 650 species of resident and migratory birds. It’s one of the only Indian national parks that allows overnight stays in the core zone.

Exodus offers travel to India focusing on exploration of the cultural highlights while being immersed in the nature of multiple national parks. Check out Exodus' incredible India Safari to start planning your adventure. You can choose to combine the scenic hill station of Nainital by booking a Jim Corbett with Nainital tour. Alternatively, we can arrange for a Jim Corbett safari booking for you so that you can the different species of animals in the national park.

2. Kaziranga National Park

Assam tour is incomplete without visiting one of the best national parks in India, the Kaziranga National Park. The Kaziranga National Park is famous for being the abode of the one-horned rhinoceros. Excessive hunting had dwindled the number of rhinos in this area before conservation efforts begun and restored the rhino population.

Book a jeep safari or book an elephant safari and experience the thrill of riding on the back of an elephant and spot one-horned rhinoceros in their natural habitat.The 430 square kilometer area of swampy marshlands is a heaven for wildlife lovers and provides some of the best wildlife holidays in India

3. Sasan Gir National Park

The Gir Forests in Gujrat is one of the best places to find the Asiatic lion in the wild. The park started with a meagre 12 lions in 1990 when it was first being transformed into a sanctuary. However, now the national park hosts about 600 lions making it one of the best national parks in India to spot a lion. The other exotic animals, which can be spotted in this park include black buck, wild boar, chinkara, and chital. The best time to visit the park is during the months of December to March

4. Sundarbans National Park

One of the largest and oldest national parks in India, Sundarbans National Park is in the extremes of West Bengal. The Sunderbans are also known for their freshwater humid forests, which provide the best weather conditions for the growth of mangroves.

It is one of the biggest mangrove forests as well. Apart from the variety of magnificent flora, the park also plays host to the Royal Bengal Tigers. As per the officials, the park comprises large endangered species of tigers, deers and various other animals.

5. Eravikulam National Park

Any trip to Munnar is incomplete without visiting Eravikulam National Park which houses a rich variety of flora and fauna. The national park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most scenic national parks in south India, the Eravikulam National Park is a haven for endangered animals in India like the Nilgiri Tahr, Nilgiri marten, and the small-clawed otter. This national park is famous for its ravishing beauty which is being spread across a sprawling 97 sq. km of Kannan Devan hills. Anamudi is the highest peak in South India is also situated there.

6. Pench National Park

Pench National Park is home to a variety of flora and fauna. One can trace more than 1300 species of plants in the national park. You can book a tiger safari in the Pench National Park and it is one of the best ways to explore the park. It accommodates some of the endangered and dying species of plants. With the river flowing amidst the national park, this place offers a soothing environment. The Pench National Park is one of the largest tiger reserves in India. Relive the magic moments of your childhood, as this is the very place where Rudyard Kipling found the inspiration for the Jungle Book. A jeep safari through the jungle of one of the best tiger national parks in India will rekindle the adventure spirit in you and you will spend one of the most memorable wildlife holidays in India.

7. Kanha National Park

Kanha National Park is a paradise for wildlife lovers. With a core zone of 363 square miles, it’s the largest national park in Central India. It’s also considered one of the most well-managed. The result is a beautiful park that’s teeming with wildlife. With approximately 105 Bengal tigers, it’s a great place to spot the big cats in the wild. But there’s so much else to see there, including leopards, sloth bears, sambar and barasingha deer. Kanha’s breeding program played a very important role in saving the barasingha from extinction.

8. Ranthambore National Park

With the picturesque remains of a crumbling fort, a living temple, and three mirror-like lakes, Ranthambhore is one of the most photographed national parks in India. The former hunting grounds of the Maharaja of Jaipur, Ranthambhore National Park is part of a much larger 502 square mile tiger reserve. It’s home to approximately 45 Bengal tigers, and is within easy travel distance of Delhi. This makes it a very popular place indeed. Still, it’s a good place to spot tigers as well as leopards, caracal, sloth bears, spotted and sambar deer, nilgai and Indian gazelle, golden jackal, striped hyena, pangolin, honey badger and more.

9. Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve

The Bandhavgarh tiger reserve consisting of some of the most ferocious Royal Bengal Tigers in the world. It was once a hunting ground for the Maharaja of Rewa. Bandhavgarh is known for having the highest density of Royal Bengal Tiger across the world. It is amongst the finest wildlife sanctuaries in India, this place houses more than 22 species of mammals and 250 species of avifauna. Book a tiger safari or an elephant safari and go on a Bandhavgarh tour with our exclusive wildlife tours of India. A jeep safari into the park can take for a ride through adventure and enjoyment.

10. Periyar National Park

Periyar National Park and wildlife sanctuary is located in Thekkady, Kerala. It is very famous among tourists as elephant and tiger reserve. The park covers 357 square miles of land. Two main river, Pamba and Periyar runs through the park which helps the flora and fauna to thrive in this region.

Book boat cruises along with the jungle safaris in the Periyar National Park and prepare yourself for an adventure. This national park attracts a large number of tourists from all over the world. The things-to-do list in Periyar National Park is unending which includes bamboo rafting, bamboo grove, jeep safari, elephant safari, and other eco-tourism activities. We also provide customize wildlife tours in India according to your needs.

India's Most Famous National Parks That You Must Visit