8 Indian Destinations for Wildlife Tourism

India is full of wildlife reserves and national parks. While there are internationally-known sanctuaries such as Gir National Park, there are others that do not get the recognition they deserve.

This article lists eight best Indian Destinations for wildlife tourism. You will find quick descriptions of flora, fauna and famous tourist attractions for each of the wildlife reserve.

So, start looking for the cheapest flight tickets to India, and add the below-mentioned to your itinerary:

1. Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, Karnataka

Located in the beautiful Western Ghats, Brahmagiri is the world’s highest peak reaching a height of 1607 m. The Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary has an area of 181 km.

The landscape is perfect for trekking and photography tours!

Flora: The vegetation is mainly evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, with bamboo forests and shoal forests in the higher altitudes.

Fauna: Exotic mammal species like tigers, leopards, lion-tailed macaque, spotted deer, Indian bison, sloth bear, and Malabar Giant Squirrel. Reptiles include Malabar pit viper, King Cobra, and Python.

Also, popular bird species include Emerald dove, Malagar Trogon, and bulbul.
The wildlife sanctuary is also home to the rare species of Red Mushroom.

Famous Tourist Attraction: The Iruppu waterfalls, the Pakshipathalam cave, and the nearby Thirunnelai Temple.

2. Gir National Park, Gujarat

 

Gir National Park is the world’s only remaining natural habitat for Asiatic Lions. As your jeep treads deep into the woods, it will be a Wildlife Safari unlike any.

Flora: The flora is a collection of hundreds of plant species. Some of the notable plant species found here include flame of the forest, zizyphus, karanj, and charal.
Gir National Park is officially classified as ‘very dry teak forest.’

Fauna: Apart from the majestic Asiatic Lions, other rare animals include rusty-spotted cats and desert cats.

The fauna is made up of over two thousand species, including chital, Indian leopard, Golden Jackal, and four-horned Antelope.
Most-sought after reptile species is mugger crocodiles, monitor lizards, the Indian Cobra, and pythons.

The highlight, however, is the hundreds of bird species.

Famous Tourist Attractions: The Kamaleshwar Dam, the resorts, and lodges scattered throughout the region.

3. Kanha Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh

Kanha Tiger Reserve is the largest wildlife reserve in central India. The famous tiger reserve is often ranked amongst the best in the whole of Asia. It is spread over 940 km sq.

Did you know that the iconic Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling is inspired from the Kanha Tiger Reserve?

Flora: It is home to thousands of flowering plant species. There are sal forests, meadows, plateaus, and aquatic plants

Fauna: The park has a large population of Bengal Tigers. Other species include barasingha, Indian Wild Dog, Sloth Bear, and Indian Leopards.
There are hundreds of bird species.

Famous Tourist Attractions: Wildlife Jeep Safari, Elephant Safari.

4. Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary, Kumbhalgarh

The exquisite Kumbhalgarh Sanctuary is spread over four hills and mountain ranges of the Aravalli. The altitude varies from 500 to 1300 m. Moreover, the sanctuary houses twenty-two villages.

The sanctuary stretches for 283 square miles.

Flora: Some plant species here have herbal qualities. It also includes plants such as Dhok, Churel, Khair, and Salar.
The primary water body is the Banas River.

Fauna: Indian wolf, striped hyena, Indian Gazelle, black-naped hare, panthers, and leopards. The number of bird species is two hundred.

Famous Tourist Attractions: Joba Wolf Point, the Kumbhalgarh Fort, Ranakpur Jain Temple, horseback safaris, trekking, foot-tracking, and jeep safari.

5. Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary, Alwar

Also known as Sariska Tiger Reserve, the sanctuary spreads for over 300 square miles. The beautiful topography includes hills, deciduous dry forests, rocky terrain, grasslands, and more.

Flora: Some of the species here are zizyphus maudrentiana, Acacia catechu, diospyros melanoxylon, and deciduous trees of anogeissus pendula.
The lush greenery is at its full grandeur during monsoons.

Fauna: The highlight of the park is the Bengal Tiger. Other species include Hanuman Langur, Sambar, Nilgai, Chausingha, and Rhesus Monkey.

Moreover, the wildlife reserve is also famous for being the largest Indian habitat for peafowl.

Famous Tourist Attractions: Pandu Pol Temple, Bhartrihari Temple, Neelkanth Mahadeo Temple, and the nearby Naldeshwar Shrine.

6. Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary, Dandeli

The second-largest sanctuary of Karnataka, Dandeli, covers an area of 334 square miles. In the year 1956, it was declared as the National Wildlife Sanctuary due to the extensive collection of flora, fauna, and the ambiance it harbors.

Flora: The sanctuary is replete with deciduous and evergreen vegetation, mixed with bamboo and teak plants.

The Dandeli Wildlife reserve is renowned for producing top quality teak, Kadam, and Eucalyptus.

Fauna: The Park is home to over 200 bird species. However, the frequent reporting of black panthers is the high point of the reserve. Other animals include tigers, leopards, elephants, crocodiles, the Indian Pangolin, and Barking Deer.

Famous Tourist Attractions: White River Rafting, Jungle Safari, Crocodile Sighting Trekking, and Fishing.

7. Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Munnar

Spreading over an area of 34 square miles, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is not as big as the others on the list. However, the assemblage of flora and fauna here is sure to satisfy the wildlife adventurer in you!

Flora: Chinnar is home to close to a thousand different species of flowering plants. The Ecoregions are mainly composed of grasslands, wet grasslands, and rain forests.
The lower eastern edges of the reserve comprise of thorny scrub forests.

Fauna: Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is the sole Indian rehabilitation center for the Star Tortoise.

There are over two hundred bird species, fifty0two reptilian species, over a hundred and fifty species of butterfly, and twenty-eight mammal species, among others.

Famous Tourist Attractions: Thoovanam Waterfalls, River Pambar, Trekking, Kundala Dam, and Lake.

8. Parambikulam Tiger Reserve, Kerala

The 151 square miles of the protected area makes up the Parambikulam Tiger Reserve. The tiger reserve is beautifully located in the Sungam range, which is nestled amidst the Anaimalai and Nelliampathy Hills.

Flora: The vegetation predominantly comprises of neem, teak, rosewood, and sandalwood. A prominent attraction here is the world’s oldest teak tree. It is 450 years old!

Fauna: The insect species are over a thousand. Also, there are over 200 birds and 200 species of butterflies. Next, there are over 60 reptilian species and 47 fish species.

There are also close to 40 mammal species. The tiger reserve is famous as the ‘State Capital of Massive Gaur.’

Famous Tourist Attractions: Kannimara Teak, Seethargundu Viewpoint, Pothundi Dam, and Nelliampathy.

That sums it up. Eight of the most incredible wildlife experiences in India you will ever find.
Curate your travel plan wisely, and book online for cheap last minute flights. There are other wildlife reserves in the country that are underappreciated. Therefore, do your homework and explore all of them.