Wildlife of India
The varied climate and diverse landscapes of India make it one of the most stimulating and distinctive destinations in the world. All the attributes of nature and geography are reflected in India’s national parks and wild-life sanctuaries. Each sanctuary or national park offers a slightly distinctive and unique wildlife experience. India is a dream destination for all those who are passionate about wildlife and nature and has drawn the attention of travellers and historians over the years. The Indian sub-continent supports a massive range of indigenous and unique species. It is also a temporary home to many migrating species. Interestingly, India is the only country in the world, where you can find both the lion and tiger in its jungles. A typical Indian wildlife safari is premised upon its natural realm, fabled forests and rich wildlife.
Thanks to wildlife conservation efforts, now India has over 80 national parks and over 440 wildlife sanctuaries. Scattered all across the Indian sub-continent, this area covers almost 4.5% of the total geographical area of the nation. These wildlife sanctuaries are the last hope for various endangered species of birds and animals including the Asiatic Lion and Elephant, the elusive Snow Leopard, the Royal Bengal tiger and the Siberian Crane. Some of these wildlife sanctuaries are known for signature species. The Kaziranga National Park of Assam is famous for the one-horned Indian Rhinoceros, while Periyar has earned a distinction for its Asiatic elephants. The Bharatpur wildlife sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh is also well known as a bird sanctuary. Some of the legendary birds, which are found in this sanctuary includes, the Great Himalayan Monal pheasant, the Great Indian bustard, Choughs, and white-bellied Sea Eagle among others.
India is also home to the largest population of wild tigers and accounts for almost 60% of the world’s tiger population. The famous tiger conservation parks are: Ranthambore (Rajasthan), Gir (Gujarat), Corbett (Uttar Pradesh), Periyar (Kerala), Kanha and Bandhavgarh (Madhya Pradesh), and Kaziranga (Assam).
When to visit:
Though it is a lot easier to spot the wild animals during summer because they come out of the deep gorges or jungles to search for water, the best time to explore the amazing wildlife is between the months of November and April. The obvious reason behind it is that the temperatures remain cool during these months and it is a lot easier to roam around in dry conditions of the forests. In fact, most of the national parks of India remain closed from July to September due to hot weather & the monsoon rains.
Take a look at some of our wildlife tour suggestions. Contact us for a tailor made wildlife journey in India.