Planning a tiger safari in India? Well, you won’t regret your decision after choosing this country for a tiger tour. India attracts wildlife lovers due to its amazing wildlife and rich biodiversity. It is home to the Bengal tiger which is believed to be the fiercest of all the subspecies of tiger. There are as many as 50 tiger reserves in India which offers you a great opportunity to spot a Bengal tiger. It will be a thrilling yet memorable experience for you if you plan a tiger safari in India.
If you are a nature lover or a wildlife enthusiast, a tiger tour will provide you with the experience of a lifetime. However, it is not easy to plan a tiger safari tour in India. If you don’t know how to plan it, the following information will be extremely helpful for you: –
Best Destinations for Tiger Safari in India
Choosing the best tiger reserve forest in India is not child’s play. India has many tiger reserves that you can book to spot the Bengal tiger. Some of the best parks for tiger safari in India are as follows: –
Kanha National Park
Located in Madhya Pradesh, Kanha National Park is one of the most popular tiger reserves in India. The park is highly popular among wildlife enthusiasts due to its amazing flora and fauna. It is divided into 2 sanctuaries i.e. Hallon and Banjar.
The landscape of this park is a combination of dense forests, grasslands, picturesque valleys, and rolling meadows. This park is open from October to June for wildlife lovers. However, the best time to visit it is from October to March.
Tadoba Andheri Tiger Reserve
Tadoba National Park in Chandrapur is the largest tiger reserve in the state of Maharashtra. The nearest airport to the park is Nagpur which is 150 Kms away from it. The park covers an area of 1727 sq km and is a mix of bamboo groves, waterbodies, dry deciduous forests, etc.
The park is best known for Tigress Maya, which is known as the ‘Queen of Tadoba’. It houses more than 100 tigers. Thus, you have a higher chance of spotting the tiger here. You can either book a jeep or a canter safari to spot the tigers. Book a night safari is also a great way to spot many other wild animals here.
Bandipur Tiger Reserve
Bandipur National Park is situated in Karnataka. It came into existence under the Project Tiger in the year 1973. The park covers an area of approx. 872 sq km and is a mix of shrublands, moist deciduous forests, dry deciduous forests, etc.
It is situated partly in the Mysuru district and partly in the Chamarajanagar district. You can book a guided tiger safari tour here. The guide will explain to you about the different places and habitats of animals during the tour. You can also book safari tours at different times. The park has an exhaustive range of timber trees such as rosewood, sandalwood, teak, Indian kino tree, etc.
Pench National Park
Located in Chhindwara and Seoni district, Pench National Park is one of the best tiger reserves in India. The park covers an area of 758 sq km and offers one of the best wildlife experiences to nature lovers. It is not only an abode for the Royal Bengal tiger but also for other wild animals such as wild dogs, jackals, sloth bears, Indian wolf, etc. Winter is the best time to visit this park as the weather is cool and pleasant during this time. Due to the cool breezes, visitors can easily explore the park without worrying about the heat.
Ranthambore National Park
This is one of the most picturesque tiger reserves in Ranthambore. This tiger reserve is located in Sawai Madhopur. As per the 2022 tiger census, it houses 86 Royal Bengal Tigers. Due to the large population of tigers, it is an apt place for wildlife enthusiasts across the globe. Apart from the tigers, you can also see other wild animals here such as mammals, reptiles, and birds. If you are a bird lover, this place is very suitable for you.
Jim Corbett National Park
Established in the year 1936, Jim Corbett National Park is located in Uttarakhand state. It is named after Jim Corbett who was a famous naturalist and conservationist. The park covers a total of 1318.54 sq. km of which the main area is only 520 sq. km and the remaining area is buffer. It has a wide range of flora and fauna and is best known for the Bengal tigers. However, you can spot other wild animals here. The park has a large population of elephants who might disturb your tour for a while.
Bandhavgarh National Park
Located in Madhya Pradesh, Bandhavgarh National Park is popular for its Bengal tigers. The park covers an area of 100 sq km with a buffer zone of approx 400 sq. km. Due to the small area of the park, you will have more opportunities to spot the tigers. However, you can spot other animals here such as deer, white tigers, leopards, etc. The park has a large population of leopards. It is a mix of grassland, tropical forests, and sal trees. Apart from the animals, it also houses a wide variety of birds.
Panna National Park
Located in the Chhatarpur and Panna districts of Madhya Pradesh, Panna National Park is one of the popular tiger reserves in India. The park covers a total area of 542.67 sq. km. The Ministry of Tourism of India gave an Award of Excellence to the park in the year 2007 for the best-maintained national park in India. Apart from the tigers, you can find other animals here such as nilgai, sambar deer, Indian leopard, Asian palm civet, sloth bear, chinkara, chital, etc. It is also home to different species of birds such as crested honey, plum-headed parakeet, red-headed vulture, Indian vulture, etc. It is also known for its picturesque landscape.
Nagarahole Tiger Reserve
Located in Karnataka, Nagarahole Tiger Reserve is one of the best tiger reserves in the country. The park is also known as Rajiv Gandhi National Park. It not only houses tigers but also other animals such as sloth bears, Asiatic wild dogs, sambar, Asiatic elephants, leopards, etc. The park is highly acclaimed for its large population of tigers. It also consists of stunning landscapes that attract wildlife enthusiasts across the world. It is also the best place to see a wide variety of birds.
Best Time for a Tiger Safari in India
If you want to get the most out of your tiger safari tour, you must choose the appropriate time for it. The ideal time for the tiger safari is from October to June. During these months, it is easy to spot the tigers near water bodies due to the sparse vegetation. However, winter is the peak season as the weather is pleasant during this time.
The time from March to June is also a good time to spot the tigers. With the increase in temperature, the chances of spotting the tigers are also high. However, monsoon is not the right time to go for a tiger tour. The reason behind this is that there is heavy rainfall during this time and most of the tiger reserves in the country are closed.
How to Choose the Ideal Location for a Tiger Safari in India?
India has many tiger reserve parks that offer tiger sightings to wildlife enthusiasts. However, picking one of them is a tough decision. Most people choose a location randomly and get disheartened after not spotting the tiger. The tiger parks do not guarantee the sighting of tigers. However, choosing the right time as well as the right location will help you spot them.
Important Items to Carry During a Tiger Safari Tour
It is important to carry the necessary items during the tiger safari tour. Here is a list of important things that you must carry during the tiger safari tour: –
- Binoculars
- Sunscreen
- Passport to get entry into the park
- Comfortable shoes
- Neutral colored clothes
- Raincoats
- Medicines for common medical conditions such as upset stomach, flu, cough, etc.
- Suitcases with wheels
How to Prepare Budget for a Tiger Safari in India?
You must prepare a good budget for a tiger safari tour in India. If you manage your budget carefully, you will surely enjoy your trip without any stress. Before you start making your budget, check the total duration of the trip as well as the tiger safaris you want to book. The cost of a safari is usually very costly as it is based on the multiple options you choose.
Thus, it is important to choose the best options as per your preferences. This will let you book the safari that you want. The best thing is to book a tiger safari tour at least 6 months before your actual visit.
You should also consider the transportation and accommodation costs while preparing for a tiger safari tour in India. Apart from this, the charges for safari permits, park fees, and other activities also make your tiger safari tour more expensive. Hence, you must take sufficient time to prepare the budget for your tour. This will also help you manage your finances.
Plan Your Tiger Safari Tour in India
India has the best tiger reserves that offer the best tiger safari packages according to your preferences. However, without careful planning, you won’t get the most out of your tour. The success of your tiger safari tour depends on how you plan your itinerary. Hence, don’t waste your time and plan your itinerary carefully to get a rewarding experience.
Decide the Duration and Your Interests
Make sure to take enough time to decide the duration of the tiger safari tour. It will depend on the time you have with you. Just calculate the number of days you need for the forest safari. If you are a first-timer, you must spend 3-4 days on the tiger safari.
This will increase the chances of tiger sightings. Moreover, you will be able to enjoy the tranquility of the park. You must also consider the travel time to reach your destinations. Also, decide on any other activities you want to do such as the activity of bird watching or any other thing you want to do while you are in the park. This will surely help you plan your itinerary.
Choosing the Right Tiger Safari
First of all, you need to choose the best tiger safari in India according to your interests. You just need to pick the best tiger reserve to make your trip enjoyable. Picking a tiger safari tour will also depend on the duration of your trip. Some of the popular wildlife destinations you can choose from include Ranthambore, Tadoba, Bandhavgarh, Pench, Kanha, etc. All these places are perfect for spotting a tiger.
Book a Hotel
Reserving your accommodation is also important before starting your trip. Take enough time and find the best accommodations near the tiger reserve you want to go to. This will cut your travel time and provide a comfortable stay for you. You will find many resorts and lodges that offer the right accommodation for you. However, you can also book a room in a wildlife resort based on your budget and requirements.
Choose Guided Safari Tours
Choosing guided safari tours over unguided ones will benefit you a lot during your tiger safari tour in India. The local guides have a complete knowhow of the flora and fauna of the forest. They are also aware of the location that will help you in locating the tiger and other wild animals.
Some tiger reserve parks employ local drivers as guides. However, they do not have the right knowledge of the forest. Plus, there are also a few language barriers due to which they are unable to explain anything about the forest safari. Thus, it is advisable to book the guided tours only.
Safari Bookings
Make sure to find a leading tour operator and book the safari slots in advance. Some national parks offer limited entry to the people and have a few safari vehicles. Thus, it would be best to book a slot as early as possible. Most people book their slots a few days before the tour. If you too want a stress-free tour, you must book the slots at least 6 months before your tour. This will help you get to the preferred areas of the park. However, make sure to book jeep safaris in the morning and evening to get the best experience.
Do’s and Don’ts for a Tiger Safari in India
Dos
- Follow the Instructions: – Make sure to follow all the instructions your guide offers to you. A guide is well aware of the park as well as its wildlife. Thus, he will guide you perfectly during the tiger sightings. This will save you from any potential risk during the safari tour.
- Carry Essential Things: – You must carry essential things while you are on a tiger safari tour. Some of the important things to carry include insect repellant, snacks, water, sunscreen, hat, etc. This will help you a lot during the safari tour.
- Stay Quiet: – You should talk in a low voice during the tour. Any movement or loud noise can be risky for you.
- Be Patient: – Most people become frustrated after not finding the tiger. However, you must be patient during the tiger safari tours. Enjoy the wildlife experience and see other wild animals too.
- Capture the Memories: – You can take photos or videos of tigers and other wild animals. However, do it responsibly. Also, avoid using flashlights while capturing the photos.
Don’ts
- Don’t Touch the Animals: – Never touch any animal or feed it. This is not allowed and can be extremely dangerous for you. The animals might attack you if you do this. Thus, it is better to maintain a distance from them.
- Don’t Get Out of the Jeep: – Do not get out of your vehicle unless your guide allows you. This will keep you protected throughout the tour.
- Drive Off-road: – Do not drive off-road as it will damage the ecosystem of the park and disturb its wildlife.
- Don’t Litter in the Park: – Make sure not to throw anything in the park as it is not allowed.
- Don’t Use Drones: – Never use drones during the tour. If you want to use them, check the rules of the park first.
Conclusion
The above information will be immensely helpful for you in planning a tiger safari in India. However, if you still have doubts, contact us and plan your tiger safari tour with us.