There’s something so majestic about tigers – the royal beast of the jungle, a majestic cat at the apex of the food chain. With its powerful build and piercing gaze, the tiger is an iconic predator found in India’s jungles, not only admired for its strength but also revered in local cultures. However, due to poaching and deforestation, their population has been dwindling in recent decades. To preserve this endangered species, several tiger reserves are stepping up in India.
Such areas offer an opportunity to observe these big cats in their natural habitat instead of enclosing them in a zoo. Not just that, they also bring forth innovative and goal-driven conservation efforts aimed at protecting these endangered cats. Here’s a look at some of the top tiger reserves in India.
Top 5 Tiger Reserves In India
- Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve
- Pench Tiger Reserve
- Tadoba Tiger Reserve
- Kanha Tiger Reserve
- Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve
1. Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR)
The Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR) is located in Andhra Pradesh, in the Nallamala Hill Ranges. It covers a total area of 3727.82 square kilometers (sq km), making it the largest tiger reserve in India by land area.
The tiger reserve is divided into 4 sections for easy management, namely Markapur, Atmakur, Nandyal, and Giddalur. There are different checkposts at these divisions to get inside the reserve, so there’s no one fixed entrance to this massive tiger sanctuary.
It offers plenty of affordable wildlife safari packages, and some of these also include staying at their jungle camps. There are also bird-watching tours, photography, and hikes that travelers can take part in.
Even though the Royal Bengal Tiger is a major attraction here, other wildlife like the leopard, honey badger, black buck, palm civet, Indian cobra, and more than 200 bird species are also worth observing.
Price
Safari rides can range anywhere from INR 400 to INR 1000 per person, as there are different packages available. Remember that prior booking is necessary. It is advisable to visit their website for detailed information.
Getting There
There are several entry points to the reserve and one can use public transport or rental cars to get here. Srisailam and Hyderabad are two important cities that are close to this tiger reserve, with the latter having good connectivity to air and rail networks.
Even though the park does not mention the best timings to visit, we recommend you visit it in the months from October to June for a pleasant experience.
2. Pench Tiger Reserve
Situated across the neighboring states of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, this tiger reserve is renowned for sightings of the Royal Bengal Tiger, Pench River, and the thick forests.
It’s also famous as the birthplace of the legendary tigress ‘Collarwali’ – because even tigers need a signature accessory!
There are 3 entry points to the reserve, the Turia Gate, Karmajhiri Gate, and Jamtara, with the Turia Gate being the most prominent one for tourists. It also boasts fun activities that everyone can enjoy – jeep safari, bus rides, elephant rides, and boating.
So, if you are planning to visit the Pench Tiger Reserve, make sure you do it in the winter months of October to February.
Price
Viewing wildlife by vehicle will cost around INR 510 per person per round (minibus) and INR 1500 for a light vehicle for a total of 6 tourists, a driver, and a guide. Elephant rides cost INR 1000 per person and must be booked in advance.
Getting There
Nagpur in Maharashtra (79.4 km) and Jabalpur (166 km) in Madhya Pradesh are two important cities closest to the tiger reserve. Both are well connected by air, rail, and road networks.
3. Tadoba Tiger Reserve
This one is amongst the most famous tiger reserves in India. It houses both the Tadoba National Park and the Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary, with the former being the largest and oldest national park in Maharashtra.
The legends around this area believe that Taru, a respected village chiefman of the Gond tribe encountered a ferocious tiger near his village.
Even though there are discrepancies around which one of the two was defeated, Taru is worshiped as a local hero.
There are well-managed jungle safaris that are offered in attractive packages as well as other sightseeing activities throughout its various zones.
Visit Tadoba from December to March to get the best experience and you might even spot a tiger or two on your next visit!
Price
Safari prices can vary depending on whether you choose to visit the core areas or the buffer zones. Typically, ticket prices range from INR 1,500 to INR 11,600, with rates influenced by factors such as the area you select and how far in advance you book your tickets.
Getting There
Nagpur (150 km) is the closest city to Tadoba. It has an international airport, good road connectivity, and is an important railway junction.
4. Kanha Tiger Reserve
This is one of the most famous tiger reserves in India and is nestled in the Maikal Hills of the Satpura. It’s also renowned for being one of the most well-managed wildlife parks in India. Stretching over 940 sq km, it stands as the largest national park in central India.
Along with Bengal tigers, the reserve is also visited by tourists to see the majestic barasingha, jackal, leopard, peafowl, and several other animals.
If you’re keen on spotting a tiger here, there are different methods that Kanha offers, such as a tigress tracking program, jeep safari, and pugmark scanning.
Visit between October and April for the best experience and pleasant weather. And for all the Jungle Book fans out there, you’d be fascinated to know that this very tiger reserve inspired Rudyard Kipling’s iconic book. Now, that’s truly iconic!
Price
Safari prices can vary according to whether you book it on a weekday or weekend as well as on the zone you choose – core area or buffer area. Safari booking ranges from INR 7000 to INR 12000 for a maximum of 6 people in one jeep.
Getting There
Nagpur (300 km), Jabalpur (160 km), and Raipur (250 km) are three important cities from where you can get to Kanha. All three of them have airports, railway junctions, and are well-connected to important national highways.
5. Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve
Madhya Pradesh is rightly known as the Tiger State of India, as many tiger reserves, including this one, are situated in this central Indian state.
Legends believe that the place got its name from a story in the Ramayana. It is said that Lord Ram built the fort that’s inside the park and gifted it to his brother (also called Bandhav/Bandhu in Hindi) Lakshman.
It has three zones, out of which the Tala zone is the most popular one for tiger sightings. Along with the fort, there are also various caves, carvings, and rock paintings for all you history buffs out there.
A fascinating aspect of the reserve is that it was once home to rare, majestic white tigers, which had their distinct color due to their recessive genes.
Whether they exist today or not is a mystery, but we assure you that you’ll most likely see their modern-day brothers roaming the jungles.
Price
Entry fees can range anywhere between INR 400 to INR 3000, depending on the seat and the days. Tourists must pay the Guide and Vehicle fee in addition to the entry fee. This fee can range between INR 2000 to INR 15000.
Getting There
Jabalpur (170 km) is the closest major city to be well-connected via air, rail, and road networks. Other smaller towns and cities like Rewa, Umaria, and Katni have good rail and road connectivity as well.
Things To Keep In Mind When Visiting A Tiger Reserve
(i) When visiting tiger reserves in India, always make sure that you carry the necessary permits, both in physical and digital copies. Along with it, carry required verification documents such as an Aadhar Card, PAN Card, Driving License, or others.
(ii) Wear comfortable yet functional clothing. This includes utility jackets, trekking shoes, cargo pants, and hats that only complement your jungle adventure.
(iii) When interacting or observing wildlife, avoid creating chaos or interrupting the animals. Do not disturb them for a perfect camera shot either.
(iv) Do not feed or bait any animal without prior permission from the authorities.
(v) Keep a tab on local weather conditions before visiting the tiger reserve to avoid last-minute inconveniences.
(vi) Though October to April is generally the peak season to visit such wildlife reserves, avoid the sweltering summer months of March and April if you’re sensitive to hotter climates. Some tourists also explore these reserves in May to July during the monsoon but visit official websites to ensure that the tiger reserve you’re planning to visit is open in that season.
Summing Up
With more than 75% of the world’s entire tiger population calling India their home, it is no doubt that tiger reserves in India are doing an exceptional job at conserving this majestic beast.
This was about tigers, but if you are keen on exploring India’s diverse wildlife beyond the royal cats, you should definitely visit its numerous national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. So, when are you prepping up for your next jungle adventure?
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Which Is The 54th Tiger Reserve In India?
The Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve situated in Madhya Pradesh is the 54th tiger reserve in India. It is also the seventh one in the state itself.
Which Is The First Tiger Reserve In India?
The Jim Corbett National Park is considered to be the first tiger reserve in India. It was also the site for the Project Tiger initiative which began in 1973.
Should We Feed Animals When Visiting Any Reserve Or Wildlife Sanctuary?
No, it is generally prohibited to feed wild animals in reserves, sanctuaries, and national parks. This is because it disrupts their natural behavior. Wild animals survive on their own in such reserves and might even have specialized diets. Feeding them food can make them hostile, so avoid doing that.
What Is The Best Season To See India’s Wildlife?
The winters and summers are generally the best seasons to witness India’s wildlife thriving in their natural habitat. This is when the weather is comparatively pleasant and unlike monsoon, the visibility is much clearer. Many animals mate during these seasons and some even migrate from other countries.
How Many Tiger Reserves Are There In India?
As of November 2024, there are 56 areas that are designated as tiger reserves.
