Wildlife sanctuaries in India protect some of the richest animal habitats on earth, from tiger forests in Madhya Pradesh to rhino grasslands in Assam. As of March 2025 the country has 107 national parks and 573 wildlife sanctuaries, and this guide picks ten of the best to visit first, with the season and the animals each one is known for.
Key Highlights
- India has 107 national parks and 573 wildlife sanctuaries, covering about 5.32 percent of the country’s land as of March 2025.
- National parks ban grazing and private rights inside their borders, while sanctuaries allow some regulated human activity.
- Corbett is India’s oldest national park, founded in 1936, and Kaziranga holds two-thirds of the world’s one-horned rhinos.
- The best season for most parks is October to March, and most parks close during the monsoon from June to September.
- Similipal in Odisha became the 107th national park in April 2025.
Sanctuary or National Park: What Is the Difference?
Both are protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972, but the rules differ. A national park protects the whole ecosystem, and no grazing or private rights are allowed inside it. A sanctuary protects wildlife too, but regulated human activity can continue with the Chief Wildlife Warden’s permission. Sanctuaries are IUCN Category IV areas and national parks are Category II.
10 Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks to Visit in India
1. Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand
Corbett is India’s oldest national park, founded in 1936 as Hailey National Park. It covers about 520 sq km along the Ramganga river, and it is one of the best places in India to see Bengal tigers and elephants. The Dhikala and Bijrani zones are the most popular for safaris. Visit from November to March, and book well in advance, since permits sell out in winter.
2. Kaziranga National Park, Assam
Kaziranga holds two-thirds of the world’s great one-horned rhinoceroses and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park’s grasslands and wetlands also shelter tigers, elephants, wild buffalo and swamp deer. It is open from November to April and closes for the monsoon floods from June to September. Assam is the base state, with Jorhat the nearest city and Guwahati the usual entry point.
3. Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan
Ranthambore covers about 392 sq km around the old Ranthambore Fort in Sawai Madhopur district. It began as the Sawai Madhopur Game Sanctuary in 1955, joined Project Tiger in 1974 and became a national park in 1981. Tigers are often seen near its lakes and ruins. The best months are October to May, with March to June offering the best chance of a sighting as animals gather near water.
4. Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh
Kanha covers about 940 sq km of sal forest and meadow, and it inspired Rudyard Kipling’s Jungle Book. It is known for its tigers, the rare barasingha (swamp deer) and leopards. The park is open from October to June, and February to June is the best window for sightings. Stay near the Kisli or Mukki gate for an early start.
5. Bandhavgarh National Park, Madhya Pradesh
Bandhavgarh is famous for its tiger density, and it is one of the most reliable parks in India for a sighting. The reserve covers about 1,536 sq km, with the core park around the old Bandhavgarh Fort on its hilltop. Leopards, sloth bears and sambar share the forest. Visit from October to June, and choose the Tala zone for the first safari.
6. Gir National Park, Gujarat
Gir is the only place in the world where Asiatic lions live in the wild. The park covers dry teak forest in Saurashtra, and lions are often seen on the morning safari. Leopards and over 300 bird species live here too. Visit from December to March, and keep a day free for the Devalia zone, a fenced safari park with a good chance of seeing lions close up.
7. Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala
Periyar sits around a lake in the Cardamom Hills near Thekkady, and its boat safaris are unlike any other. Elephants, sambar and bison come to the lake’s edge. The sanctuary covers about 925 sq km. Kerala is the base state, and Thekkady town has lodges and spice gardens near the park gate. Visit from November to February.
8. Sundarbans National Park, West Bengal
The Sundarbans is the world’s largest mangrove forest, spread across the Ganges delta, and the only mangrove forest where tigers live. The park covers about 1,330 sq km and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tigers swim between islands, so sightings are rare, but the boat safari is an experience in itself. Visit from December to February.
9. Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan
Sariska covers about 881 sq km of dry forest in the Aravalli hills near Alwar. Tigers were reintroduced here after the local population died out, and the reserve now has a growing tiger population with leopards and striped hyenas. The ruins of Kankwari Fort and Siliserh Lake sit inside the reserve. Visit from October to March.
10. Nagarhole National Park, Karnataka
Nagarhole, also called Rajiv Gandhi National Park, sits about 218 km from Bangalore. It gained national park status in 1988 and became the 37th Project Tiger reserve in 1999. Elephants gather in large herds along the Kabini river, and tigers and leopards hunt in its forests. Visit from October to February.
Wildlife in Odisha: Closer Options
Odisha has its own wildlife circuit for travellers who want a shorter trip. Bhitarkanika National Park in Kendrapara district is a mangrove forest on the Odisha coast, known for saltwater crocodiles, Olive Ridley turtles and winter birdlife. Boat rides through its creeks are the main way to see it.
The state’s sanctuaries cover forests, hills and wetlands across the interior. Debrigarh and Karlapat are the best known, and both are quieter than the famous parks.
Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary in Sambalpur district sits beside the Hirakud reservoir, and it is known for leopards, elephants and wintering birds. It works as a full day trip from Sambalpur town, with the Hirakud Dam viewpoint nearby.
Best Time to Visit Wildlife Sanctuaries in India
October to March is the best season for most parks, with cool mornings and easier sightings. The southern parks suit November to February, while summer safaris from March to June bring fewer crowds and better tiger sightings near water, though the heat is hard.
The parks of Rajasthan, such as Ranthambore and Sariska, are at their best from October to May. Most parks close from June to September for the monsoon, when the forest rests and the roads turn to mud.
How to Plan a Safari
Book jeep safaris in advance through the state forest department’s online portal, since popular zones sell out weeks ahead in winter. A jeep carries six visitors and a guide, while a canter carries more people at a lower price. Carry a valid photo ID, since permits are checked at the gate. Wear muted colours, keep quiet, and never step out of the vehicle.
Why These Places Matter
India’s protected areas hold about 5.32 percent of the country’s land and shelter species found nowhere else, from the one-horned rhino to the Asiatic lion. They also support local jobs for guides, drivers and lodge staff. The threats are real: poaching, habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict and a changing climate. Visiting responsibly and choosing lodges that employ local people helps the parks survive.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many national parks and wildlife sanctuaries are there in India?
As of March 2025, India has 107 national parks and 573 wildlife sanctuaries. Together with conservation and community reserves, the protected area network covers about 5.32 percent of the country’s land, and Similipal in Odisha became the 107th national park in April 2025.
What is the difference between a national park and a wildlife sanctuary?
A national park protects the whole ecosystem and bans grazing and private rights inside its borders. A sanctuary protects wildlife but allows some regulated human activity, such as grazing, with the Chief Wildlife Warden’s permission. Both are protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972.
Which is the best wildlife sanctuary in India for tigers?
Bandhavgarh, Kanha and Ranthambore are the most reliable parks for tiger sightings. For the best chance, visit in March to June, when tigers gather near water, and book the morning safari, when the light is better and animals are more active.
Which is the best time to visit wildlife sanctuaries in India?
October to March is the best season for most parks, with cool weather and good sightings. Most parks close from June to September for the monsoon, so plan around the closure dates. Summer safaris from March to June bring fewer crowds and better tiger sightings near water.
Do I need to book a safari in advance?
Yes, book jeep safaris in advance through the state forest department’s online portal. Popular zones such as Corbett’s Dhikala and Ranthambore’s lakes sell out weeks ahead in the winter season, so book as soon as your dates are fixed and carry a valid photo ID for the gate check.
Which national park is the largest in India?
Hemis National Park in Ladakh is the largest national park in India, covering about 4,400 sq km of high-altitude desert and mountains. It is known for snow leopards rather than jeep safaris, and the best time to visit is in the summer months, when the high passes are open.
Start with one park and one season, and book early. Corbett for a first safari, Kaziranga for rhinos and Gir for lions all make strong first trips.
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