Wildlife Tour

The flora and fauna of India is as fascinating as the land itself. It is a habitat of diverse species from the animal kingdom. It is an invincible land with world's most biodiverse regions. This makes it a home to various kinds of animals and birds.

The wildlife of India can rightly be called bewitching as well as deep. Known for its tigers, Rhinos, leopards and Bears one can also see many anomalous birds chirping around.

It's definitely difficult to believe the majestic richness of the flora and fauna of India. If we go by numeric data then the wildlife richness of the country can be claimed as: India has 2546 species of fishes (about 11% of the world's species), 197 species of amphibians i.e. 4.4% of the world's total species and 6% of the total world's reptile species. Along with that it has 1250 species of birds and 410 species of mammals. Thus the wildlife of India is naturally assorted and a never to miss aspect when on a visit.

That's not the end; India has 80 National Parks and 441 wildlife sanctuaries! So much to see and so much to feel, the seductive wilderness of India's deep woods at night will be a thing to remember for rest of the life.

The best ways to enjoy the wild nature at its wildest is piercing into the deep tropical forests of India. Who knows you will see a wild tiger staring at you!

Some Fascinating Animals of India:

Black buck:                                  Species of antelope found mainly in India

Snow leopard:                             This beautiful cat is also one of the most mysterious cats of the world.

Ganges River Dolphin &               Subspecies of river dolphins they have amusing facts attached with them
Indus River Dolphin

Royal Bengal tiger:                      Powerful nocturnal hunters but endangered specie

Great Indian Rhinoceros:          Population of 1600 they have just one horn and look like prehistoric animals

Indian elephants:                         Another endangered species Indian elephants have a lot of religious significance.

King Cobra:                                   World’s longest poisonous snake can grow to a height of 18.5 feet

Major National Parks in India

Here is the list of some important national parks in India:

Corbett National Park:

Location:                              Uttaranchal

Nearest airport:                  Pantnagar 50kms, Delhi 330 kms (international)

Best time to visit:               November 15 to June 15

Major wildlife attraction:  Tigers, Leopards, Crocodiles, Deer

Area:                                     520.82 sq km.

The lushing flora and exotic fauna of Jim Corbett National Park, makes it the best option for people who love nature and wildlife. Situated on the foothills of Himalaya, Corbett National Park is India’s 1st and the oldest National Park. It was established in 1936 under the name ‘Hailey National Park.’ It is known for its resident tigers so much so that it is one of the major tiger reserves constituted under Project Tiger in 1973.

The forest grows Sal trees and allows a river flow through it. Its diverse vegetation allows various species to stay alive. It is hilly as well as marshy, thus it’s just the right place for the animals to be. The river cutting across the various trees and shrubs i.e. the Ramganga River is a home to various species of fish, crocodile and otter.
 
In Jim Corbett Park one can find 110 tree species, 50 mammals’ species, 580 birds’ species and 25 reptile species.

The major attraction at Corbett National Park is its Tigers along with Deer, wild Boar, Leopard cat, Jungle Cat, Gharial Crocodile, Elephants, Blacknaped Hare and Porcupine.

This National Park also provides with Corbett camp, an eco friendly area for boarding and lodging. The camp is besides the river Kosi and adds to the triumph of Corbett Park.

Kaziranga National Park

Location :                                     Bokakhat, Assam

Nearest airport:                          Guwahati, 217 kms away

Best time to visit :                      Mid November to early April

Major wildlife attraction :         Rhinos, tigers, Leapords

Area :                                            430 sq kms                                    

Blessed by the Brahmaputra River running deep in the tropical wet evergreen forests of Kazirnaga, this area caters to one of the largest population of one horn rhino’s. The landscapes of the park are thrilling. With Karbi Anglong hills on ones side and Brahmaputra River on the other, the physical features of the park consists of alluvial grasslands, long elephant grass, sand and swamps.

The enigmatic forests of Kaziranga, situated at the heart of Assam, homes some of the most endangered species of India. Along with Rhinos the land also shelters Indian Elephants, Indian Bison, Barasingha (Deer), members from Cats family including Leopards, Wild Boar, Jackal, Wild Buffalo, Pythons, Monitor Lizards, not forgetting some marvelous species of birds.

One can enjoy the bewitching sights of birds like Black-Shouldered Kite, Black Kite, Brahminy Kite, Pallas's Fishing Eagle, White Tailed Eagle, Grey-Headed Fishing Eagle, Ruddy Shelduck, Gadwall, Falcated Duck and Red-Crested Pochard.

One can enjoy the wondrous ambience and thrilling animals of the park on an elephant, moving slowly through the open and vast area of the forest. In Kaziranga there are more chances of viewing animals as the area is easily accessible.

Further attractions in Kaziranga are the coffee and rubber plantations, for which Assam is famous for, along with the serene environment of Karbi villages.

Gir National Park

Location :                                       Junagadh District, Gujarat

Nearest airport :                          Keshod, 90 km.

Best time to visit :                      December to April

Major wildlife attraction :          Asiatic Lion, Leopard, Chowsingh

Area :                                            1,412 sq kms  

Established on 18 September 1965, Gir National Park is the only place in the world where one can see the Asiatic Lions.

The flora of the park is bewitching. The land has a large number of rivers flowing through it, leading to the growth of Teak, Acacia, Jamun, Tendu and Dhak trees. Some rocky mountains remaining dry for the maximum time in the year surrounded by the growth of scrub trees, makes the view of the park spectacular

The park consists of six routes and one can be honored by the company of animals like Nilgai, Chinkara, Sambhar, Black Bucks,, Wild Boar, Indian Flying Foe, Grey Musk Shrew, Indian Hare, Pale Hedgehog, Small Indian Mangoose, Small Indian Civet, Indian Pangolin, Indian Porcupine, Ratel, Indian Fox and Jackal.

One can also enjoy the chirping of around 300 species of birds at this amazing national Park.

With around 400 flora species and 2375 distinct fauna species Gir Forests is a heaven for people who love wild life.

Sunderbans National Park

Location :                                      South of Calcutta

Nearest airport :                         Dum Dum, 166 kms

Best time to visit :                      Between September and March

Major wildlife attraction :         Royal Bengal tigers, Gangetic Dolphins

Area :                                            1, 330 sq kms

The land with majestic flora, specifically due to the Ganga Brahmaputra Delta, Sunderbans National Park is a new world in itself. Sunder means beautiful and ban means forest, the name itself suggests the beauty of the flora ornamenting this forest.

Mangrove forests, swamps, web of many rivers, the park also has genwa, dhundal, passur, garjan and kankra. The most amazing feature of the flora here are the roots og Mangrove trees that stick out of the water.

This land shelters around 400 tigers. Other animals who form the part of the wildlife of this land is Gangetic Dolphin, Porpoise, various speciesof cats, fishing fox, Indian flying fox, spotted deer, monkey and so on.

The tourist can tour the area on cruises consisting of 2 powerful 4 cylinder boats. The park also provides with boarding and loading at an eco friendly lodge at Bali Island

The person, who has not enjoyed the essence of flora and fauna of Sunderbans, has definitely missed to enjoy some amount of magic of India.

Ranthambore National Park

Location :                                      12 kms from Sawai Madhopur town

Nearest airport :                         Jaipur, 130 kms

Best time to visit :                      Between October- June, best being December to April

Major wildlife attraction :         Tigers, Leopards, Boars

Area :                                            400 sq kms

Situated at the meeting point of Aravali Hill Ranges and Vindhyan Plateau, Ranthambore is served by river Chambal, river Banas , large number of entangled streams and six man made lakes. The typical dry deciduous type of forest, the landscapes has ancient Banyan trees, mango trees and some evergreen belts in between.    

Once the private hunting grounds of Raja of Jaipur, the park now is under Tiger Conservation Project.

One can see Royal Bengal Tigers especially near water bodies. The land has 300 species of birds, 12 reptiles and 30 mammals which also includes Loth Bear, Wild Boar, Chinkara, Porcupines and Jackals, Leopard, Jungle Cat, Marsh Crocodile, Sambhar, Chital, Nilgai, Gazzelle, Boars and Mongoose.

This park is also famous for the ancient Ranthambore Fort and the Jogi Mahal. The fort was built in 10th century and is located in the center of the park. Jogi Mahal, another ancient monument holds India’s second largest banyan tree.

Major Wildlife Sancturies in India

Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary

Location :                                      Bharatpur, Rajasthan

Nearest airport :                         Agra, 56 kms

Best time to visit :                      Between August- November and October- February

Major wildlife attraction :         Sambar, Chital, Nilgai, Boar, Migratory Birds

Area :                                            29 sq kms

Declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary was once the hunting ground for the Maharaja of Bharatpur. Now this area is one of the best water bird reserves.       

One can find variety of birds differing in size, shape and color. At this sanctuary two rivers, Gambhir and Banganga are flowing together. This is why one can find around 300 avian species, especially during winters when the birds from Siberia and Russia flock here. Birds can be seen dancing on Kadam trees, stands of acacia and other diverse aquatic vegetation.

Two thirds of the species found here are land birds and one third are water birds. The most endangered bird which can be seen here is the Siberian Crane. Along with birds one can also find many other animals like deer, jackals, black buck.

The other attractions near Bharatpur Sanctuary are the Government Museum, Bharatpur Palace, Lohagar Fort and the Deeg palace.

Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary

Location :                                      37 kms from Alwar, Rajasthan

Nearest airport :                        Jaipur, 107 kms

Best time to visit :                      Between October to June

Major wildlife attraction :         Tigers, Leapords. Wild Dogs

Area :                                           765. 80 sq kms

Once the hunting ground of princely states of Alwar, Sariska is situated in midst of the Aravali range. The forest here are dense and just like Ranthampore National Park, they are ancient fortresses and palaces ( now hotels) built by Maharajas of Alwar, 10th century Neelkanth temples and hot and cold springs of Taalvriksh. There are many waterholes and watch towers built within the jungle by Raja Jai Singh.

There is also a 17th century castle on a hill top which provides with majestic view of vultures and eagles.

Tiger is the major animal found here. But one cam also see Deer, Blue Bull, Wild Boar, Indian porcupine, wild dog and Hare.

Wildlife Safaris

Who does not want to feel and treasure the beauty of nature?  Visiting a zoo can never give the kind of feel which an actual encounter with nature can give. To experience the flawless nature one needs to touch it, smell it and feel it. Safaris provided at various national parks and wildlife sanctuaries provide a great opportunity to tourist to hear the tiger roar, see the snake crawling, fell the thrilling deepness of the forest.

In deserts on camels, in dense forests on elephants or jeeps and on mountain terrains on horses, one feels like the member of that silent and serious jungle.

Tips when leaving for Safari:

• Never get off the jeep or any other vehicle while in the deep jungle
• Do not throw bio non degradable stuff in the jungles
• Carry some body lotions, pain killers, insect and mosquito repellent lotions, sunscreen and apply the relevant when moving out
• Try to cover your body to the fullest.
• Carry a pair of binoculars, torch, cotton socks, hat and sun glasses
• Carry a first aid kit which should always have anti- diarrhea tablets, allergy pills, disprins etc.