Best Time to Visit India for Wildlife Tiger Safari

 

Best Time to Visit India for Wildlife Tiger Safari

India is home to some of the most incredible wildlife in the world, and one of its greatest attractions are tigers. Despite there being only an estimated 2,500 wild tigers left in India, they can still be seen quite easily on safari tours. Here we will explore when is the best time to visit India so that you have the best chance at seeing these beautiful animals.

1. Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand, India

In the Uttarakhand province’s Nainital district sits Corbett National Park, a smaller portion of the larger Corbett Tiger Reserve, and a Project Tiger Reserve. As India’s oldest and most prominent National Park, Corbett was first established in 1936 as Hailey National Park. It is also recognized for being the site of the 1973 debut of Project Tiger. With a total size of 520 square kilometers, it is made up of hills, grasslands, riverine belts, marshy depressions, and a sizable lake. One of the few tiger reserves in India that permit overnight stays within the National Park is this one. On an elephant’s back and in an open wheeled Jeep, visitors to the park can observe the natural world and wildlife. The national park is one of the most popular travel destinations for wildlife enthusiasts because it is home to a robust population of tigers and unique species like otters and the endemic fish-eating crocodile. Five distinct zones have been created within Corbett National Park. Visitors can take wildlife safaris in these designated core or buffer areas of the park. In Corbett, there are six safari zones: Bijrani, Jhirna, Dhela, Dhikala, Durga Devi, and Sitabani. The Corbett National Park’s Dhikala Tiger Safari Zone is its most well-liked attraction.

Read more about tiger safaris in Corbett

Climate & temperature at Corbett

Jim Corbett National Park boasts a temperate environment with three distinct seasons: summer, winter, and monsoon, just like the rest of the nation. The wild can be met in their territory throughout the winter months of November to February. Even while the days are still sunny and pleasant, the minimum temperature in the morning and evening might occasionally dip to 5 degrees Celsius. The higher ranges are where leopards can be seen. The national park’s five gates are all currently open.

From April through mid-June, the region looks forward to the summer months. Even though it is quite hot outside and can go up to 42 degrees Celsius, you can still see some of the park’s fauna as eventually even the heat becomes intolerable for the creatures. Only the Jhirna zone of Jim Corbett is open during the monsoon, making this the perfect

time for anyone looking to avoid crowds and enjoy the lush surroundings. It is advisable to avoid this period, though. The rains arrive in the scorching land in the middle of June and last until the middle of September. Additionally, landslides and soil erosion are common in the area.

2. Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan, India

Ranthambore national park and tiger reserve is one of the prime parks for sighting the majestic Royal Bengal Tiger in the wild. One of Rajasthan’s ancient districts, Sawai Madhopur, is home to the Ranthambore National Park, which is well-known for its wildlife tourism in India. The park, which is quietly tucked away in the foothills of the gorgeous hilly topography of the Aravali and Vindhya mountains, is the ideal entryway to an action packed vacation amidst the unspoiled wilderness as well as an exciting encounter with the Royal Bengal Tiger & other unique wild creatures.

The Ranthambore National Park covers 392 square kilometers, of which 282 square kilometers are a core region and the remaining land is a buffer. When the Ranthambore tiger reserve was established in 1973, it included an area of around 334 sq km. In 1991, it was expanded to include the nearby sanctuaries of Sawai Man

Singh Sanctuary and Keladevi Sanctuary, giving it its current size of 1334 sq km. In 1980, the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve Forest was designated as a National Park, and in 1984, the Sawai Man Singh Sanctuary and Keladevi Sanctuary were awarded to the nearby forests. Ranthambore has some of the most magnificent historic sites with the beauty of the exotic landscape.
Read more about tiger safaris in Ranthambore, FAQs, best time, and climate.

Climate & temperature at Ranthambore

Additionally, Ranthambore must endure the three major seasons of summer, winter, and monsoon. From the last week in March until the last week in June, the summer season lasts. The daytime high during these months is 40 degrees Celsius, while the overnight low is still around 30 degrees. The temperature even reaches 45 degrees Celsius in May and June, making the day quite hot. Tigers and other huge predators spend this time of year in the valleys, in the dense parts of the forest, or close to bodies of water. The monsoon, which begins in July and lasts through September, arrives after the summer season. The park remains closed to all tourist activity during these months. The winter season starts in November and stays till the end of February. During this time, the day temperature lingers around 20 degree Celsius, but the night temperature drops to 10 degrees Celsius or even lesser to 2 degrees Celsius between the last week of December and the first half of January.

Best time to visit Ranthambore

The best time for tiger safari in Ranthambore begins in early November and lasts through mid-December and mid-January till mid-April. The weather is beautiful, and traveling can be hassle-free and enjoyable at these times. Additionally, the forest is teeming with lush vegetation and the lakes are brimming with aquatic flora, providing a stunning panorama at this time.
Must Read: Things to Do In Ranthambore, Ranthambore Safari Booking

 

3. Bandhavgarh National Park, Madhya Pradesh,

With the largest concentration of Bengal tigers in the world, Bandhavgarh National Park is one of India’s most renowned tiger habitats. Its size, 1536 sq km, is made up of both core and buffer zones. Big cat enthusiasts, photographers, and wildlife filmmakers will find it to be heaven. Wild elephants, sloth bears, spotted deer, sambhar, barking deer, Indian gaur, jackals, wild boar, langurs, and macaques are among the other animals that call Bandhavgarh home, in addition to tigers and leopards. According to records, Bandhavgarh is home to more than 250 species of birds, 80 species of butterflies, and 37 species of wildlife in India.

In Madhya Pradesh’s Umaria district’s Vindhya highlands, there is a place called Bandhavgarh. The region received its designation as a national park in 1968, and it is now one of India’s most popular parks for Tiger Safaris, which includes photographing and tracking tigers in the wild.

Bandhavgarh has six tiger and wildlife safari zones. Tala, Magdhi & Khitauli are the core zones, and Dhamokhar, Johila & Panpatha are the buffer zones. Read more about tiger safaris in Bandhavgarh, FAQs, best time, and climate.

Climate & temperature at Bandhavgarh

Winter and summer seasons are well delineated in Bandhavgarh National Park, which also experiences the North Indian Monsoon. The temperature can reach 44 C in May or June during the summer, which lasts from the end of March to the end of June. The rains can begin as early as mid-June with little to no warning. Mid-November to the end of February is the winter season. Visitors are compelled to dress in several layers to defend themselves from the bitter cold. Frost has formed in the open marshy hollows at low temperatures of 2 C. Because the park’s cars are open, it is advised to dress in extremely warm clothing due to the wind chill factor.

Best time to visit Bandhavgarh

The best time for Bandhavgarh tiger safari varies depending on why visitors are going there. The best time to see different bird species is between the months of October and January. Watch the feathered species in the lush woodland surroundings; around this time of year, most of them migrate. Early summer, April, May, and June are regarded as the greatest months for tiger and wildlife photography. Expect uncommon tiger photographs during this time because the heat forces wildlife to stay close to water sources. Avoid going on a safari during the height of summer since it gets too hot.
Also Read: Top 10 Wildlife Sanctuaries in Rajasthan, Bandhavgarh Safari Booking

4. Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh, India

The Madhya Pradesh state’s Maikal range of Satpuras, which makes up the central Indian highlands, is home to Kanha National Park. It’s fascinating to note that the national park is now known as the Tiger Reserve and is being hailed as one of the best wildlife refuges in the world. Kanha National Park, which spans two revenue districts, Mandala and Kalaghat, was established as a reserve forest in 1879 and reclassified as a wildlife sanctuary in 1933. In 1955, it received another promotion and became a national park.

The 940 sq km Kanha National Park is located in the Maikal series of hills. The total size of the Kanha Tiger Reserve, including the core zone and buffer, is 1945 square kilometers. The Kanha National Park is the ideal habitat for a large variety of wild animals, including the powerful tigers, the Barasingha, which is the most common, and untold varieties of flora, birds, reptiles, and insects. With its well-developed infrastructure created specifically for them, this reserve has captured the interest of many tourists from all over the world.

The Bammi Dadar, also known as the Sunset Point, is the ideal place to be in this area to enjoy yourself the most.

Climate & temperature at Kanha

From October through June, the climate is ideal for tiger safari at Kanha National Park. Extreme weather conditions prevail at Kanha National Park from April to June, when highs of 43 C are common. Between the middle of June and September, there is an average rainfall of 1,800 mm. Beginning in November and lasting through February is the winter season. Kanha’s climate may get rather chilly during this time of year, when frost frequently covers the meadows. The climate of Kanha National Park is described in detail below to help you plan your vacation as effectively as possible.

Best time to visit Kanha

A variety of wildlife may be found in Madhya Pradesh’s Kanha National Park. Only for a limited time each year, from the 16th of October to the 30th of June, are visitors allowed to enter the park. The ideal time to visit Kanha is during these months. Wildlife enthusiasts and photographers alike prefer the months of March to June because it’s quite simple to see a variety of birds and other wildlife.

Also Read: Top 8 Wildlife Sanctuaries In India, Kanha Safari Booking,

5. Pench National Park & Tiger Reserve, Madhya

Pench National Park is situated in Madhya Pradesh, the heart of India, and encompasses a total area of 758 square kilometers. It is located in the southern portion of Madhya Pradesh, specifically in the districts of Seoni and Chhindwara, which also border Maharashtra. This park’s additional 257 square kilometers are located in Maharashtra, but it is readily accessible from Madhya Pradesh. This national park is a treasure trove of flora and animals, and its area is divided into two sections: a) Priyadarshini National Park and Mowgli Pench Sanctuary, which covers an area of 299 square kilometers, and b) a buffer zone of 464 square kilometers. The national park is named after the river Pench, which flows from north to south and divides the park approximately equally into eastern and western halves.

In 1965, Pench was designated as a sanctuary; in 1975, it was elevated to the status of a national park. And because it is home to a large number of tigers, it was designated a tiger reserve in 1992 and is now participating in Project Tiger. Also noted in the classic “The Jungle Book” by the great Rudyard Kipling is the splendor of this location.

Cilmate & temperature at Pench

Summer in Pench – The summers in Pench national park are exceedingly sweltering and taxing. The temperature ranges from 25C to 50C between April and June. However, if you want to see the most tigers, this is the best time to visit Pench. Beginning in early July, Pench sees considerable rainfall during the monsoon season, which continues for the next two months. In July and August, Pench national park receives an average of 1300 millimeters of precipitation. During this time, the national park is closed. The monsoon brings freshness and revitalizes vegetation in the area. The winter season in Pench begins in November and continues until February. The temperature is cool and comforting. Winter temperatures range from 6C to 31C. This is an ideal time to observe wildlife at Pench national park.

Best time to visit Pench

From October through February, when the weather is mild and the jungle is lush, is the best time to explore Pench. The greatest months for birdwatching are November and March when birds migrate to central India from colder regions to spend the winter. During this time, fawns can also be observed.

 

6. Panna National Park, Madhya Pradesh

Panna National Park is the 22nd tiger reserve in India and the fifth in Madhya Pradesh. It is located in the Panna and Chattarpur districts of Madhya Pradesh. Khajuraho, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is 57 kilometers away from the 542.67-square-kilometer Panna Reserve, which is located along the Ken River in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. The Ministry of Tourism of India deemed Panna Tiger Reserve to be the best managed and -maintained national park in India, and this reputation earned the park the 2007 Award of Excellence. Mr. R. Shree nivasa Murthy, a forest officer in the region, collaborated with his staff to make Panna Park the best-managed and developed park in the region, thanks to all of their efforts.

On its route to the valley, Ken River flows through this reserve and generates stunning waterfalls. Numerous sites of historical significance inside the park have Neolithic-era rock art. Panna consists of deciduous forests and is the ideal habitat for Indian tigers, as well as Indian wolves, four-horned antelope, sloth bears, pangolins, rusty spotted cats, leopards, caracal, and gharial.

Climate & temperature at Panna

The tropical climate of Panna National Park results in distinct weather conditions for each of the three seasons. Summer’s high temperatures make it an unpleasant time to visit the park. Wild animals’ breeding season coincides with the monsoon. Nevertheless, winter is the best season to explore Panna National Park because to the cool and pleasant weather.

The beginning of the summer season at Panna National Park occurs around March. Throughout the whole season, the region’s weather is extremely hot and humid. As a result, travellers find it difficult and unpleasant to explore the park in such extreme temperatures.

The greatest time to visit Panna National Park is during the winter. Beginning in October, the winter season in Panna is characterized by mild, tranquil, and beautiful weather, allowing travellers to enjoy the wildlife to their utmost extent. In addition to substantial precipitation, the monsoon also brings the breeding season for wild animals. Therefore, the park remains closed to visitors during these months.

Best time to visit Panna

November through May is the optimal season to travel to Panna. This city’s summers are unbearably hot, with temperatures reaching approximately 45 degrees Celsius, which is not ideal for a holiday. Winters are cooler and more pleasant than summers. March is the best month to visit this location because that is when you will be able to observe wildlife Panna Tiger Reserve booking price.