29 Results found for Search: national parks
1. Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary, Goa.
Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary originally known as Molem Game Sanctuary is the oldest in Goa situated in Sanguem taluka. Spread out over 240 square kilometers, the sanctuary is also the biggest in Goa. Collem railway station falls within the sanctuary and one can reach the place in a train from Margao or Vasco. Nestled at the foothills of Sahyadri Range, the dense forest found here extends to Maharashtra and Karnataka as well. The park is a paradise for avid birdwatchers, being home to some exotic species of birds. Jeep safari is the best way to explore the sanctuary and spot wildlife. You can hire a jeep after completing the formalities at the office of the forest authority.
2. Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary, Goa.
If you are a wildlife enthusiast looking for a wonderful sanctuary experience, Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary is for you! It is Goa’s smallest wildlife reserve, nestled at a height of 3000 feet (900 meters) on the lush foothills of the Western Ghats. The sanctuary is located in Ponda Taluka in the central part of Goa, 20 kilometers (12.5 miles) from Mollem and 52 kilometers (32.5 miles) from Panaji. Spread across eight square kilometers, Bondla is home to a diversity of wildlife such as sambar deer, sloth bear, Gaur (Indian bison), the black-faced langur, jackals, toddy cats, panthers, porcupines, peacocks, wild boar, elephants and an array of reptiles. At Bondla, you can explore a botanical garden, rose garden, fenced deer park, mini zoo, and enjoy elephant rides in the jungle.
3. Full Day Canter Safari into Dhikala Core Area, Corbett.
With sweeping views of the Patli Dun valley and the Kanda ridge in the backdrop, Dhikala is a grassy plateau located high above the gurgling Ramganga river. The region is host to an array of wildlife such as elephants, chital, hog deer, tiger, leopard, and numerous bird and reptile species, making it popular with ardent wildlife lovers. In fact, it is Corbett’s most prominent safari destination, what with tourists making a beeline for Dhikala to enjoy a full day jeep/canter safari. The Dhikala tourist zone is at the edge of the Patli Dun valley through which the Ramganga flows in numerous streams.
4. Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, Goa.
Renowned for its population of flying squirrel and flying lizard, Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Canacona district of South Goa. This sanctuary was established in 1969 and spreads out over 86 kilometers (54 miles), the second largest in Goa. Within the sanctuary, you can view the animals from a 25-meter-high (83 feet) watchtower erected near the Talpona River that crisscrosses the sanctuary. Early in the morning and evening, you might spot wild animals that come around the waterhole to quench their thirst. Browse the Nature Interpretation Centre and gain insight into the wildlife at the park.
5. Eravikulam National Park, Munnar.
An erstwhile hunting preserve of the British planters, Eravikulam is now a national park home to the rare Nilgiri Tahr (Hemitragus hylocrius). Spread across 97 sq. kilometers of high rolling grasslands with the 2695-meter-high (8842 feet) Anaimudi Peak in the southern region of the park, Eravikulam is ideal for a trek and wildlife viewing. Other than Tahrs, the park is also home to elephants, leopards, sambars, langurs, tigers, Malabar civets, barking deer and pythons. You can even hike up Anaimudi and enjoy breathtaking views of the evergreen shola forests. Along the way you might chance upon small herds of the exotic mountain goat.
6. Evening Safari at Ranthambore National Park, Ranthambore.
An erstwhile hunting ground of the royalty of Jaipur, the Ranthambore National Park has for long attracted nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts from across the world. Nestled at the convergence of the Aravalli and Vindhya ranges, the park is one of the largest tiger reserves in India. Spread out over 400 square kilometers, Ranthambhore is best explored on a jeep safari. Keep your binoculars handy at all times, the sanctuary is home to wildlife such as leopards, nilgai, and Indian wild boar, in addition to a wealth of flora and avifauna.
7. Jungle Patrol, Thekkady.
If motorboat cruise on Periyar Lake in search of wildlife was not adventurous enough, a jungle patrol in the dead of the night by shining torch lights will give you the adrenaline-rush. Jungle patrol is part of the regular night patrolling in the fringe of eco-development zones of Periyar Tiger Reserve. You are required to assemble at Bamboo Grove Eco Lodge & Centre adjacent to the famed tiger reserve, half an hour before the start of the tour. The trek could begin between 1900 and 0400 hours, and would continue for about three hours (1900 to 2200 hours, 2200 to 0100 hours and 0100 to 0400 hours).
8. Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, Kumarakom.
A paradise for avid bird-watchers, Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is set on an islet in the Vembanad Lake, about 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) from Kottayam in Kerala. Spread out over 14 acres on the southern bank of the Kavanar River, you can explore the sanctuary by taking a boat ride, or hiring a canoe at the entrance to the sanctuary. Bird-watching trips are best undertaken in the evening or at the crack of dawn when the birds prepare to return/leave their forest abode and fly over the lake. The sanctuary is home to a diverse array of flora and fauna, though its avifauna is of particular interest, them being a motley mix of indigenous and migratory species.
9. Morning Safari at Ranthambore National Park, Ranthambore.
An erstwhile hunting ground of the royalty of Jaipur, the Ranthambore National Park has for long attracted nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts from across the world. Nestled at the convergence of the Aravalli and Vindhya ranges, the park is one of the largest tiger reserves in India. Spread out over 400 square kilometers, Ranthambhore is best explored on a jeep safari. Keep your binoculars handy at all times, the sanctuary is home to wildlife such as leopards, nilgai, and Indian wild boar, in addition to a wealth of flora and avifauna.
10. Nature Walk, Thekkady.
Nature Walk is an interpretative program that allows you to explore the dense Periyar wilderness, enjoy the nature, sight wildlife, hear the rustle of the wind and smell the wild blossoms. All guests are required to report at the Boat Landing Point in Thekkady, at least half an hour before the start of the tour. A three-hour long trek, you can select from 0700 to 1000 hour, 1100 to 1400 hour, and 1400 to 1700 hour slots. Accompanied by a trained tribal guide, set out on a nature trail and explore diverse habitats – the trekking routes are generally four to five kilometer long.
11. Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary, Goa.
A new wildlife sanctuary, already popular with nature enthusiasts and wildlife lovers, Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Western Ghat range in Eastern Goa. Netravali is connected to Madei Wildlife Sanctuary, and together the two parks spread across 420 square kilometers, of which the former has 211 square kilometers. Skirting the lush foothills, Netravali is nestled between Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary to its north and Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary to the south. The sanctuary has moist-deciduous forest interspersed with semi-evergreen and evergreen trees. Set out on a wildlife safari into the jungle and look-out for black panthers, Great Pied Hornbills, king cobras, giant squirrels, Slender Loris and a diversity of birdlife.
12. Panna National Park, Khajuraho.
This Tiger Reserve is barely 27 kilometers (17 miles) from Khajuraho. Extending over 543 kilometers (338 miles), it spreads along the banks of River Ken. Deep gorges, a tranquil valley and dense teak forests make up its picturesque setting. During the monsoons, the park is a lush green haven with cascading waterfalls. The park's area includes the former shooting reserves of the erstwhile royal state of Panna and Chhattarpur and the jungles today are home to a variety of flora and fauna. The tiger can be glimpsed here, along with other exotic species such as the leopard, wolf and gharial.
13. Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Thekkady.
Periyar’s location close to the border of Kerala and Tamil Nadu makes it an ideal base for a journey across the Western Ghats between Madurai and the coast. The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is spread out over approx. 777 square kilometers in the dense cardamom hills region of the Western Ghats. It is a convenient base for an excursion to the cardamom hills, combined with the well-known pilgrimage centre ‘Sabarimala’, a couple of tea factories, spice plantations, and some beautiful waterfalls along the way. About 350 square kilometers of the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary forming the core region was declared a National Park in 1982.
14. Rajamala Wildlife Sanctuary, Munnar.
Rajamala is a lovely green paradise high up in the hills, home to the rare mountain goat ‘Nilgiri Tahr’. A part of the Eravikulam National Park, Rajamala is a 15-kilometer (9 miles) drive from Munnar. Anaimudi, the highest peak in South India at a height of 2695 meters (8983 feet) lies in the Eravikulam National Park. Interestingly, half the world population of the rare Nilgiri Tahr is concentrated in this region. The sanctuary is a steep hike up a winding trail where you could spot small herds of this exotic mountain goat grazing with gay abandon. As you trudge up, you will notice streaks of cloud float past you. The vegetation also grows closer and closer.
15. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Goa.
A popular birding destination in Goa, Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary named after the illustrious Indian ornithologist Sir Salim Ali, is best visited from the capital city of Panaji. To arrive at the bird sanctuary, take a bus or hire a taxi to the Rabandar Ferry Wharf, from where you can take the ferry service to Chorao Island along Mandovi River. Spread out over 1.78 sq. kilometers, the sanctuary is covered with dense mangrove forests, typical of the region, where you can spot different species of birds and animals. This part of the island along the Mandovi River boasts a great diversity of avifauna including species such as the mudskipper and the black drongo.
16. Elephant Safari And Tiger Show, Kanha.
Spread across 1945 square kilometers of the Maikal Hills and Banjar Valley, the Kanha Tiger Reserve is a nature lovers and conservationists’ delight. Teeming with life, Kanha has rehabilitated many animals from the brink of extinction; most notably the tiger and the barasingha or swamp deer. Of the many animals that inhabit the Kanha National Park, the elephant is not one of them. But an elephant safari is a great way to explore the park: the elephant allows you access to all areas of the park and can even go up close to the tiger, as tigers don’t see these gentle pachyderms and a threat or prey.
17. Morning Jeep Safari in Kanha, Kanha.
A meandering jumble of sal and bamboo forests, ragged plateaus, wide-open plains and innumerable animals, Kanha is said to be the wild that inspired Rudyard Kipling’s Jungle Book. India’s premier tiger reserve, Kanha stretches out over 1945 square kilometers of the Maikal Hills, and is home to tigers, leopards, barking deer, sloth bear, langur, sambar, and the last remaining habitat of the swamp deer or Barasingha. A conservation success story, Kanha has been successful in saving several animals from the brink of extinction, not least the tiger and barasingha.
18. Neyyar Dam and Wildlife Sanctuary, Trivandrum.
Neyyar Dam and Wildlife Sanctuary is about 30 kilometers (18.75 miles) east of Trivandrum at the foot of the Western Ghats. A charming dam site, the region is a treasure trove of some rare medicinal herbs. The adjacent Neyyar Lake is ideal for a boat ride and opens up glorious panoramic vistas of the dense wilderness and the dark silhouette of the Western Ghats in the backdrop. This dam was built in 1958 on the basins of the three main rivers namely Neyyar, Mullayar and Kallar. Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary encompasses the Dam and is an abode of wild animals such as elephants, wild buffaloes, sloth bear, wild boar, porcupines, jungle cats, tigers and snakes among others.
19. Morning Safari in Jhirna, Corbett.
Jhirna tourist zone is about 16 kilometers (10 miles) from Ramnagar. Until 1994, Jhirna was a farming village when it was successfully relocated under Project Tiger. Typical of a Shiwalik landscape with narrow gorges and dense bamboo patches on the hills to the north, Jhirna is seen as a favorable habitat for tigers, leopards, deer, and a host of mammals such as sloth bear and wild boar. The region supports a great variety of avifauna, making it popular with bird-watchers through the year. To undertake a jeep safari into the open grassland of Jhirna, you have to obtain a permit issued by the Corbett Tiger Reserve reception centre.
20. Evening Safari in Jhirna, Corbett.
Jhirna tourist zone is about 16 kilometers (10 miles) from Ramnagar. Until 1994, Jhirna was a farming village when it was successfully relocated under Project Tiger. Typical of a Shiwalik landscape with narrow gorges and dense bamboo patches on the hills
21. Sitavani Temple, Corbett.
Sitavani is a small area under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) with a forest rest house and an ancient shrine dedicated to Goddess Sita from the great Indian epic, Ramayana. Legend has it that Sita spent her days in exile here, raised her kids, Luv and Kush, and was swallowed by the earth during ‘Agnipariksha’. This little temple is shrouded by a dense jungle of sal and mixed vegetation, and attracts in hoards those who are religiously inclined including ardent birding enthusiasts.
22. Morning Safari in Bijrani, Corbett.
This part of the Corbett jungle is accessible from Ramnagar, some 3 kilometers (1.87 miles) away, and opens up an endless vista of grasslands interspersed with thick sal forests, and a silhouette of the distant Kumaon peaks. Entry to this zone is through Amdanda Gate. Birjani is host to a diversity of wildlife such as tiger, wild dogs, jackals, sloth bear, barking deer, Indian python, leopard, king cobra, and elephant including an array of reptiles and rare birds. Jeep safari is the most popular way of exploring this terrain; you can also enjoy elephant rides that take you into the remote reaches of the park.
23. Evening Safari in Bijrani, Corbett.
This part of the Corbett jungle is accessible from Ramnagar, some 3 kilometers (1.87 miles) away, and opens up an endless vista of grasslands interspersed with thick sal forests, and a silhouette of the distant Kumaon peaks. Entry to this zone is through Amdanda Gate. Birjani is host to a diversity of wildlife such as tiger, wild dogs, jackals, sloth bear, barking deer, Indian python, leopard, king cobra, and elephant including an array of reptiles and rare birds. Jeep safari is the most popular way of exploring this terrain; you can also enjoy elephant rides that take you into the remote reaches of the park.
24. Morning Rickshaw Ride in Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur.
It is one of the most popular National Parks in India. Strategic location and diverse birdlife combine to make it ever attractive. Barely 180 km from the capital en route the Delhi-Agra-Jaipur circuit, it forms a part of many international tourist itineraries. And given its proximity to three major cities, domestic tourists too throng the place in large numbers.
25. Evening Rickshaw Ride in Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur.
It is one of the most popular National Parks in India. Strategic location and diverse birdlife combine to make it ever attractive. Barely 180 km from the capital en route the Delhi-Agra-Jaipur circuit, it forms a part of many international tourist itineraries. And given its proximity to three major cities, domestic tourists too throng the place in large numbers.
26. Evening Jeep Safari in Kanha, Kanha.
A meandering jungle of sal and bamboo, ragged plateaus, wide-open plains and innumerable animals, Kanha is said to be the wilderness that inspired Rudyard Kipling’s Jungle Book. India’s premier tiger reserve, Kanha stretches out over 1945 square kilometers of the Maikal Hills, and is home to tigers, leopards, barking deer, sloth bear, langur, sambar, and the last remaining habitat of the swamp deer or Barasingha. A conservation success story, Kanha has saved several animals from extinction, not least the tiger and barasingha.
27. Bannerghatta National Park, Bangalore.
Bannerghatta National Park is about 25,000 acres devoted wholly to birds and beasts, wild and tame, exotic and mundane. Situated around 22 kilometers (13.75 miles) from Bangalore, it’s a natural forest that’s home to wild animals like the bison, leopard and wild boar. It’s also an important corridor for elephants migrating between the Eastern and Western Ghats. It’s a good idea to take a picnic basket and spend the day at the park. One of the main attractions at the park is the safari. You will need to buy tickets for the safari before you enter the park.
28. Viralimalai Sanctuary, Tiruchirappalli.
You will be treated to some truly exotic shades of green and blue at the Viralimalai Sanctuary, about 30 kilometers (19 miles) from Trichy. Viralimalai is a scenic town at the foothills, home to one of the country’s most beautiful sanctuaries for peacock. First thing first, carrying a camera to this peacock habitat is imperative. At Viralimalai, the peacocks wander about around the Murugan temple and the enclosing woodland. To watch these gorgeous birds break into a jig by spreading out their lush plume, is quite engaging. The variety of peacocks and peahens is enormous here.
29. Bandipur Forest Reserve, Mysore.
As you drive from Mysore towards Ooty, 80 kms from Mysore lies the Bandipur Forest Reserve. A part of the Project Tiger, a tiger conservation initiative, this reserve is home to many tigers, leopards, elephants, deer, bisons, langurs and other animals. Bandipur has always been known for tiger and leopard sightings. The terrain starts with the plains. It gradually gives way to the foothills that lead on towards the Nilgiri mountain range and Ooty.