National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries in India That Remain Open During Monsoon

One of the many things to do in monsoon for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts is to explore the rich flora and fauna of a lush green forest. However, many protected forests remain full or partially closed during the monsoon season in India.

Thankfully, a handful of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in India remain open during the monsoon season, providing ardent wildlife explorers with an excellent opportunity to see the places in their full monsoon glory.

Following are five such beautiful national parks and wildlife sanctuaries to visit during monsoons in India. 

• Hemis National Park, Ladakh

Situated at a high altitude in Ladakh,  national park is globally famous for its elusive snow leopard. The park is also home to rare wild animals like Asiatic Ibex, Himalayan Marmot, and the highly endangered Eurasian Brown Bear. Moreover, some of Ladakh's most famous trekking routes pass through this national park.

Check into the Driftwood Ladakh, a Club Mahindra affiliate resort in Ladakh, to get into the ambience of a memorable holiday in the mystical Ladakh. Hemis national park is about a 1.5-hour drive from here. You can also explore the local tourist attractions while staying here. 

• Dachigam National Park, Jammu and Kashmir

Located 22 km from Srinagar, Dachigam National Park is one of those unconventional places to visit during the monsoon that you won’t regret. Situated at a height ranging from 5,500 ft to 14,000 ft above sea level, the park is home to the endangered Hangul or Kashmiri stag, Himalayan weasel, Musk deer, Yellow-Throated marten, and many other endangered species. 

• Bandipur National Park, Karnataka

Surrounded by the Sahyadris, Bandipur National Park is known to be one of India’s most well-maintained and scenic sanctuaries. Along with jeep safaris, Bandipur offers elephant safaris and treks too. You can spot many endangered species here, like sloth bears, jackals, gaurs, etc.

Located on the Mysore- Ooty highway, the park is a 2-hour drive from Golden Landmark Resort, Mysore.

•  Periyar National Park, Kerala

With its tea gardens, backwaters, and hill stations, Kerala is among the top places to visit during the monsoon. Add Periyar National Park to the list. This 925 sq km area is both an elephant and a tiger reserve. You can also spot Sambar, Barking deer, Travancore Flying Squirrels, and many other rare species.

Club Mahindra Thekkady is quite near to the park. Go on a jungle safari, visit local farms and eco-tourism places, or just relax all day long enjoying with your family at the resort in Thekkady. While the Periyar National Park typically remains open during the monsoon, excess rains may cause it to shut down. Check weather conditions before planning your trip.  

• Kali Tiger Reserve, Karnataka

Kali tiger reserve is a vast tract of a protected area comprising the former Anshi national park and Dandeli wildlife sanctuary. Located in Karnataka’s Uttara Kannada district, it lies in the biologically rich and sensitive Western Ghats. 

It is one of the few tiger reserves that remain open during the monsoon season. The region is home to the Bengal Tiger, Elephant, Black Panther, and many other exotic animals. 

Monsoon is the season when you can experience nature at its best. So this time, try something different and gear up for a monsoon adventure into the wild.