India with its varied palette of flora and fauna can be termed as crucially exotic. The country is the proud exhibitor of 90,000 living species. This exorbitant number includes endangered and threatened species, as well. India’s diverse natural setting has been manifested through the number of national parks which makes these great vacation spots for all those who are looking for more than a holiday and are out for some adventure. These provide the perfect escapade from the concrete jungles into the real ones with the clearer skies and the greener grasses. Read on to find out about some incredible exploration locations.
Hemis national park
Location: Jammu and Kashmir
Best time to visit: May to October
This Park, situated in Jammu and Kashmir (Leh district) is also known as Hemis High Altitude National Park due to the lofty elevation. The best time to visit this is between the months of May and October. This area is home to the snow leopards, Great Tibetan Sheep, Shapu and blue sheep, Tibetan wolf, Eurasian Brown Bear and the Red Fox. Also, found here is a massive in-habitation of birds. Culturally, the place has great monasteries to offer.
Sasan-gir wildlife sanctuary
Location: Gujarat (Junagarh district)
Best time to visit: December to March
Sasan-gir wildlife sanctuary was established for the conservation of the threatened Asiatic Lions. The land is characterised by ravines, rivers and rocky hills. Vegetation found is a fine mix of deciduous and grasslands, providing the tourist with variety. Both Asiatic Lions and Indian Gazelles are present in abundance. The human settlement too is intriguing.
Ranthambore national park
Location: Rajasthan (Sawai Madhopur district)
Best time to visit: October to June
This park is renowned for its tigers. It is considered as one of the most apt spots in India to locate the magnanimity of the majestic predator in its natural environment. Spotting tigers is easy and no such novelty in these areas, even during the day time. This makes for a fabulous wildlife safari choice.
Kaziranga national park
Location: Assam (Golaghat, Nagaon)
Best time to visit: November to April
This national park is positioned in the Golaghat, Nagaon of the state Assam and the finest time to go for a holiday here is between the months of November and April. A moderate climate along with the availability of resources is good for the existence of mammals such as one-horned rhinoceros, wild buffalo, Indian elephant, royal Bengal tiger, Indian wild boar, barking deer, macaque, leopard, mongoose, civet, Himalayan squirrels.Some other varieties include snakes, lizards, turtles.
Kanha national park
Location: Madhya Pradesh (Balaghat district)
Best time to visit: November to March
Kanha national park was built for the conservation of swamp deer, saving it from extinction. The fascinating backdrop including the sunset point is pleasurable for one and all. This park is the natural habitat of tigers, jackal fox, hyena, owls and orioles.
Periyar wildlife sanctuary
Location: Tamil Nadu
Best time to visit: September to June
Eucalyptus plantation and grasslands is predominant in this area with 2000 species of flowers, 171 grass and 143 orchid species. 62 species of animals anticipate to welcome the tourists with tiger, being the most vicious. Even the reptiles are of different kinds along with types of birds. There are diverse sorts of activities that can be enjoyed like trekking, camping, bamboo rafting, boating, walking trips, elephant rides etc. which makes a vacation here, all the more desirable.
Keoladeo Ghana national park
Location: Rajasthan (Bharatpur district)
Best time to visit: October to February
Keoladeo Ghana national park is essentially a bird sanctuary. With 380 migrant bird species, this place is the haven for tourists interested in ornithology. Birds are from both shorter and longer distances. Spotted deer, blue bull, jackals, fishing cats and other creatures are found here, as well.
Bandhavgarh national park
Location: Madhya Pradesh (Vindhya Hills)
Best time to visit: Throughout the year
Concentration of tiger populace is supposedly the highest in Bandhavgarh national park. White Tigers are a speciality of this area. The topography is discontinuous with rocky mountainous ranges, verdant swamps and woody valleys. A range of steps have been taken for the maintenance of this area. The Indian bison, wild boar, porcupine, sloth bear, spotted dear, leopard are among the few animals found in this region.
Manas wildlife sanctuary
Location: Assam
Best time to visit: October to April
Manas wildlife sanctuary is also a UNESCO world heritage site, a Biosphere Reserve and a Tiger Reserve. This expanse has braved all odds and is the home to tigers, elephants and rhinoceros population. It has a splendid assortment of fauna like that of red panda, golden langur and 90 other species. This place is the natural habitat for unusual birds.The incidence of such range, makes this a desirable vacation spot for all wildlife aficionados.
Corbett tiger reserve
Location: Uttarakhand
Best time to visit: November to June
This Uttarakhand situated national park is an all time favourite of all those interested in nature and exploration. The species found here include that of tigers, King cobra, gharial, elephant, and flying fox among others. This park provides not just a mix of environment but also, activities like safari tours, birding exploration fishing and angling, water sports, plant life and forest expeditions. This park makes a perfect choice for that much needed break.
