6 Best Jungle Safari Destinations in India for a Tryst with the Wildlife

If a jungle safari destination in India is next on your travel list, this blog is for you.

Mother nature has blessed India with a rich and diverse landscape. From the snow-clad mountains to the plains of the Ganges to pristine beaches, the landscape of India changes every few kilometres. The country is also home to several cultures and communities that co-exist peacefully.

But India's rich diversity is not limited to its culture and topography; it is also quite apparent from the wealth of wildlife you find around the country. If you want to experience the ‘wild’ side of India, you can go on a jungle safari and see the majestic creatures that live in these jungles.

Bandhavgarh National Park, Madhya Pradesh

The Bandhavgarh National Park was converted from a private hunting ground of the royal families of Madhya Pradesh into a protected reserve for the Royal Bengal Tigers. Since then, the population of this magnificent beast has thrived and multiplied in the region.

In fact, Bandhavgarh National Park has one of the highest numbers of wild tigers in India today. The tigers and a wide range of other wildlife species that thrive in the park attract thousands of tourists from India and overseas.

Nature lovers, wildlife photographers, and quintessential animal lovers flock here to see the wild animals roaming freely in their natural habitat and enjoy seeing their antics. You can enjoy seeing the wildlife by going on a guided safari deep into the forest's heart.

• Best time to visit Bandhavgarh National Park – October to June
• Safari duration – 2-3 hours
• Jeep safari charges – Rs. 8500 per Jeep (includes 6 people)
• Best resort in Bandhavgarh – Bundela Resort Bandhavgarh, offered by Club Mahindra

Sasan-Gir Wildlife Sanctuary, Gujarat

Located on the western side of the Indian peninsula in Gujarat, the Sasan Gir Wildlife Sanctuary is home to several Asiatic Lions. It is the only place in India where you can find the king of the jungle living in the wild in their natural habitat.

The sanctuary's landscape is unique, characterised by dry forests and rough scrublands, which is very peculiar to Gujarat. Going on a jungle safari here can be one of the most exciting experiences of your life.

Seeing the majestic pride of lions in their own element while ruling the forest is a sight to remember for a long time. Apart from the lions, the Sasan Gir forest is also home to many other species, such as jackals, leopards, and the Indian fox.

• Best time to visit Sasan Gir Wildlife Sanctuary – December to April
• Safari duration – 3 hours
• Safari charges – Rs. 4500/Jeep (for 6 Indian nationals), Rs. 13,800/Jeep (for 6 foreigners)
• Best resort in Sasan Gir – Club Mahindra Gir

Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan

One of India's most popular jungle safari destinations, the Ranthambore National Park is a haven for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts. Spread over a massive area of land, the national park has a lush carpet of greenery all around and is home to many exotic wildlife species, including the Royal Bengal Tigers.

The lofty Aravalli and Vindhya Mountain ranges in the backdrop make the national park even more appealing to tourists. The park is famous for conducting wildlife safari tours on jeeps and elephants.

As you go on your safari, keep your eyes open as you may spot various animals. The most commonly spotted animals are sloth bears, foxes, hyenas, Indian wolves, sambar deer, Nilgai, tigers and leopards.

• Best time to visit Ranthambore National Park – October to June
• Safari duration – 2-3 hours
• Safari charges – Starting from Rs. 1800 per seat.

Hemis National Park, Ladakh

One of the highest-altitude national parks in the world, Hemis National Park is an enchanting stretch of wilderness that can uplift your spirits instantly with its pristine and uninterrupted vistas of nature. The climate in the region is mostly chilly almost all through the year, and it also receives heavy snowfall, which adds to the beauty of the place.

The park is home to several wildlife species that have adapted to live and thrive in extreme conditions. It is notably known for housing one of India's most exotic and extremely endangered wildlife species, the snow leopard. A majestic beast, spotting a snow leopard is difficult, but if you spot one, it will be the best experience of your life.

• Best time to visit Ranthambore National Park – May to September
• Safari duration – 2-3 hours
• Safari charges – Rs. 20 (for Indian nationals), Rs. 100 (for foreign tourists)
• Best resort in Ladakh – The Driftwood Ladakh

Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand

One of India's most renowned national parks, the Jim Corbett National Park is also the first national park in Asia. Named after the famous tiger hunter Jim Corbett, the park is now one of the important tiger reserves in the country.

The national park has four main zones: Bijrani, Durga Devi, Dhikala, and Jhirna. Each zone has a different landscape and is home to different species of wild animals and birds. Visiting Jim Corbett National Park is a wonderful experience in itself, and you must surely plan a holiday to this wonderland created by Mother Nature.

You can explore the entire national park by going on a Jeep or elephant safari and getting up close and personal with the wildlife inside. Inside the park, you can spot Asiatic elephants, black bears, golden orioles, royal Bengal tigers, leopards and more. Also, keep your eyes and ears open to the sounds and sights of the colourful birds that thrive here.

• Best time to visit Jim Corbett National Park – March to May
• Safari duration – 4-5 hours
• Safari charges – Starting from Rs. 4500/Jeep (6 Indians) Rs. 7000/Jeep(6 Foreigners)
• Best resort to stay in Corbett – Club Mahindra Corbett

Kaziranga National Park, Assam

A UNESCO World Heritage site, Kaziranga National Park is spread over an area of 420 square kilometres. Home to the endangered species of one-horned rhinoceros, it has the largest population of these stunning and majestic wild animals in the world.

Seeing the rhinos in their natural habitat is a wonderful experience everyone must have. It is also a great place for your children to learn about the jungles of India and how the rhinos survive in the regions that are prone to floods.

A guided safari tour will take you inside the forest, where you can spot wild rhinos wandering around with their young. Apart from rhinos, you can also spot a range of other animals in the region, including tigers, elephants, panthers, and bears.

• Best time to visit Kaziranga National Park – November to April
• Safari duration – 2 hours
• Safari charges
  Rs. 3800/Jeep for Bagori (Western) Range (Indian), Rs. 7500 / Jeep(Foreigner)
  Rs. 4000/Jeep for Kohora (Central) Range (Indian), Rs. 7500/Jeep(Foreigner)
  Rs. 5000/Jeep for Agaratoli (Eastern)Range(Indian), Rs. 8500/Jeep(Foreigner)
  Rs. 5500/Jeep for Burapahar Range (Indian), Rs. 8500/Jeep(Foreigner)

Now that you know the best jungle safari destinations in India, head over to one of these places for a riveting family holiday. These national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in India house beautiful wildlife and play an important part in maintaining the ecological balance.