To spot a royal tiger is an unforgettable lifetime experience. To witness a tiger, India has the best places in the whole of Asia. Wildlife inside a dense fauna has its own charm. Tiger is the National animal of India and it plays a significant role in cultural and natural heritage. You must know about the fact that India is home to around 70% of the Tiger population in the world. The population of tigers is increasing continuously.
Many people are interested in watching these tigers closely. So, we curated the list of Tiger Reserves where you can spot a tiger and click pictures of them with your camera.
Also see: Best Butterfly Parks in India
Best Tiger Reserves in India
This list of best Tiger Reserves in India has been curated as per their popularity. The Kanha Tiger Reserve has the highest density of tigers whereas the Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam is the largest tiger reserve in India as per the coverage area.
1. Kanha Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh
Kanha tiger reserve is located in Madhya Pradesh and has the highest density of tigers in comparison to any other Tiger reserve in India. There was a total of 384 tigers in 2014 in Kanha Tiger Reserve. Now, the Kanha National Park’s area is divided into two sanctuaries, one is Hallon and the other is Banjar, of 250 and 300 km2 respectively.
There are many popular species of animals like the Royal Bengal tiger, Indian leopards, the sloth bear, barasingha, and Indian wild dog in the tiger reserve. The forest described in the famous novel by Rudyard Kipling, The Jungle Book is based on forests combining this sanctuary.
2. Jim Corbett Tiger Reserve, Uttarakhand
Jim Corbett is one of the most famous Tiger Reserves in India. It is a less densely populated tiger reserve with a dusty environment. It depends on your keen eyes and your luck to witness a tiger. The park also is known for its large elephants which you can see near the Ramganga river.
The name of this park is after a British hunter Jim Corbett who wrote a book on this park popularly known as “The Man-Eaters of Kumaon”. Inside the park, there is a wide variety of terrain with a few rare varieties of trees. In the forest, you can witness varieties of mammals like the macaque, Sambhar, Chital, langur, and rare birds. The best time to visit Jim Corbett is from April to June.
3. Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan
Ranthambore Tiger Reserve is one of the most popular tiger reserves, spread over 1,443 square kilometers in the Sawai Madhopur district of south-eastern Rajasthan. Apart from tigers, it is also home to other wild animals including Indian foxes, hyenas, crocodiles, jackals, leopards, sloth bears, and wild cats.
Inside the park three lakes namely Padam Talao, Raj Talao, and Malik Talao are the top attraction because wildlife gathers here. February to May is the best time to spot tigers. Ranthambore Tiger Reserve is one of the best places to experience a unique adventure.
4. Sunderban Tiger Reserve, West Bengal
Sunderban Tiger Reserve is spread in a large area that is 50 Km away from the city of Gosaba. Sunderban is known for the world-famous Royal Bengal tiger. You can witness a number of species of animals at the edges of tributaries that come from three rivers namely the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna. This tiger reserve is named after the tree called ‘Sundari’.
Instead of cars and jeeps, Sunderbans use boats for transportation and sightseeing. The reserve is home to 400 Bengal tigers and a host of rare bird species. The best time to visit is from December to February.
5. Bandhavgarh National Park, Madhya Pradesh
Spread in an Area of 820 sq. km Bandhavgarh Reserve is located in the Umaria district of Madhya Pradesh. Bandhavgarh National Park is one of the most popular tiger reserves in India. A great historically valued fort called Bandhavgarh Fort is located inside the reserve.
The reserve is divided into three zones named Magdi, Tala, and Bamera and Tala is especially known for sightseeing of tigers. The open meadows, sharp hillocks, and 39 caves of Bandhavgarh National Park will amaze you for sure. The best time to spot the tigers is from February to June.
6. Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan
Sariska Tiger Reserve is located in the Alwar district of Rajasthan. This is situated around 200 km from Delhi and is especially known for Bengal tigers, Indian leopards, and Crocodiles. In the park, you will witness beautiful hilly cliffs, rocky landscapes, and scrub-thorn forests. Situated at the center of the reserve Kankarwadi fort is one of the top attractions at Sariska Tiger Reserve.
The reserve is rich in rare flora and fauna. it is home to breeding tigers but Bengal tigers are relocated from other places. At the edge of the park, there is Siliserh Lake which is home to a number of crocodiles. The best time to visit the park is from Mid-October to January.
7. Periyar Tiger Reserve, Kerala
The most popular wildlife sanctuary in Kerala is Periyar Tiger Reserve. The natural beauty of this reserve will amaze you. This tiger reserve is spread over a 777 sq. km area. Atop attraction in Periyar Tiger Reserve is an artificial lake created by the British in 1895. It is difficult to spot a tiger in Periyar Tiger Reserve because they are around 35 to 40 numbers.
Apart from tigers, there are a huge variety of species that exist in the sanctuary. The forest is home to wild boar, langur, sambar, and 900 to 1000 elephants. The best time to visit this sanctuary is from November to February although it is open the whole year.
8. Bandipur National Park, Karnataka
Spread in an area of 874 square kilometers in the state of Karnataka, Bandipur National Park is one of the most popular wildlife Reserves in South India. This is a Reserve filled with a host of rare species. The National Park is known for its small population of tigers. Once the forest was a hunting ground for Maharajas of Mysore. the Kabini River and the Moyar River flow at the edges. Camping and safari tours are the top attractions of this park. The park is located between the Deccan Plateau and the Western Ghats and provides a beautiful glimpse of nature.
9. Nagarhole National Park, Karnataka
Nagarhole National Park is located near the Kodagu and Mysore districts of Karnataka. This reserve has beautiful varieties of flora and fauna. This park is officially known as Rajiv Gandhi National Park situated in the foothills of Western Ghats and spread over an area of 643 square kilometers. There are 48 tigers that play a vital role in the ecosystem. Due to fewer numbers, it’s difficult to spot a tiger but you can witness a large number of other varieties of animals and birds.
This park is home to the largest concentration of herbivores in Asia. Once you will visit the Nagarhole National Park you will feel yourself connected with nature for sure.
10. Annamalai Tiger Reserve, Tamil Nadu
Anamalai Tiger Reserve is situated between the Anaimalai Hills in the Coimbatore district and Tiruppur District of Tamil Nadu. Previously it was known as Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary. Located within the Western Ghats the Anamalai Tiger Reserve provides a beautiful glimpse of hills along with highly populated flora and fauna.
The Anamalai Tiger Reserve is considered as a region designated as one of 25 Global Biodiversity Hotspots. If you spot a tiger inside the reserve you are lucky because it is a home for 30 tigers now but other animals are easy to witness.
11. Indravati Tiger Reserve, Chhattisgarh
Indravati Tiger Reserve is located in the Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh. It was earlier known as the Kutru National Park. The name of the Reserve has been taken from the Indravati River which touches the northern edges of the reserve. The Indravati Reserve is a must-visit location for its lush green vegetation over the spectacular hill ranges.
12. Manas National Park, Assam
Manas National Park is a UNESCO Natural World Heritage site that has been taken under the tiger reserve Project. The Manas National Park is located in the root hills of the Himalayas in Assam. It shares the boundaries with the Royal Manas National Park in Bhutan. Currently, Manas National Park is home to 60 tigers and a huge variety of other animals. Elephant safari is one of the top attractions in Manas National Park and it costs INR 1150 for Indian Nationals and INR 2200 for foreigners.
13. Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh
Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam is the largest tiger reserve in India in terms of area. It has a 3296.31 km square area. This tiger reserve was divided among the two states after the reorganization of Andhra Pradesh. The second part of this tiger reserve is in Telangana and is known as Amrabad Tiger Reserve India’s 45th Tiger Reserve.
Read More, National parks in India that are best fit for safari
14. Satpura National Park – Madhya Pradesh
Satpura National Park is a hidden gem for tiger sightings in India. Located in the Hoshangabad district of Madhya Pradesh, the park is spread over an area of 1,427 square kilometers and is a part of the larger Satpura Range. The park is known for its diverse landscapes, including hills, plateaus, valleys, and meandering rivers. Apart from tigers, Satpura National Park is also home to various other wildlife species, including leopards, wild dogs, sloth bears, and various bird species.
The best time to visit Satpura National Park is from October to June.
15. Pench National Park – Madhya Pradesh
Pench National Park is a lesser-known but excellent destination to see tigers in India. It is located on the border of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. This national park is named after the Pench River that flows through it. The park is spread over an area of 758 square kilometers and is home to around 40 tigers. The park is also home to various other wildlife species, including leopards, wild dogs, hyenas, and over 200 bird species. The best time to visit Pench National Park is from October to June.
Wrap Up
India is a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts, with a plethora of national parks and wildlife reserves where visitors can see tigers in their natural habitat. Each of the parks mentioned above offers a unique wildlife experience, so travelers can choose the one that best suits their interests. These are the best tiger reserves in India that you can visit if you want to spot a tiger in Jungle. First, go for the nearest tiger reserve that gives you ideas about life in the Jungle. After that explore the other Indian tiger reserves. Do share your experiences with our readers and us. We would love to hear from you. With proper planning and a bit of luck, visitors can witness the majesty of tigers and create memories that will last a lifetime.
