India’s diverse forest landscapes teem with wildlife, exhibiting varied animal lifecycles. From tigers, leopards, gaurs, and Asian elephants to rare species of birds, wildlife safaris in India are a thrilling experience, if you are a nature enthusiast. The thrill of riding through the jungle core zones to get a sighting of the animals in their natural habitat is an unmatched feeling. If you too are planning to go on wildlife safaris in India we bring you the 5 best wildlife sanctuaries you can explore this winter season.
Jim Corbett, Uttarakhand
One of the best wildlife safaris near Delhi, Jim Corbett is famous for spotting the Royal Bengal Tiger. This is India’s first national park and pioneer of Project Tiger, an initiative for tiger conservation. Spread over 1300 sq. km, it is divided into 8 zones, allowing you multiple entries to spot the tiger family.
Best Time to Visit Jim Corbett
The winter season between November to February is the best time to visit Jim Corbett National Park. The clear skies and cooler temperatures make safaris in India a lot more pleasant than the summers. Winters are also the best time for birdwatching.
Where to Stay Near Jim Corbett
Jim Corbett is one of the few places that allow stays within the national park premises. For a more experiential trip that involves luxury within the tranquillity of the forest, check out The Homestead. Besides a safari, guests can enjoy stargazing, ATV rides, and golfing around the property.
Rajaji National Park, Uttarakhand
A wildlife exploration at the foothills of Himalayas, Rajaji National Park is a deep forest cover easily accessible from Dehradun, Rishikesh and Haridwar. This is another wildlife safari in India to spot tigers, striped hyenas, monitor lizards, deer and elephants in their natural habitat. The Chilla Safari Zone which is nestled by the banks of river Ganga is open for tourist visits. Watch wild animals as they frequent the river for drinking water.
Best Time to Visit Rajaji National Park
Safaris in Rajaji National Park are only functioning for half a year. So the best time to visit Rajaji National Park is from November to June.
Where to Stay Near Rajaji National Park
This national park is well-connected to Rishikesh, Dehradun and Mussoorie, all popular tourist places near Delhi. For a luxurious stay within lush green surroundings with views of the mountain tops, you can check out our private villas in Dehradun or luxury stays in Rishikesh by the Ganga river.
Ivy Cottage is a lovely 4BHK villa in Dehradun with a private pool. As the temperature dips in the evenings, you can have a barbecue session in the outdoors.
If you combine a wildlife safaris in India with a spiritual retreat, check out Pushp or Rajasi villas in Rishikesh.
Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary, Karnataka
A part of the larger Nagarhole National Park in Karnataka, Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary is based along the Kabini River. The flowy river water ensures higher chances of spotting wildlife post-monsoon till peak summers. In the pre-historic era, this area was a hunting spot for the Maharajas of Mysore and British viceroys. Today, Kabini is more famous for spotting leopards, tigers and the elusive black panther.
It is also one of the few places that offer a boat safari in the river backwaters along with a jeep safari. The boat safari can give you a peak of elephants, snakes, crocodiles and variety of birds.
Best Time to Visit Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary
Winters and summer remain the ideal time to venture on wildlife safaris in India. The best time to visit Kabini is thus from October to February and then between mid-March to May.
Where to Stay Near Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary
While Kabini offers luxurious resorts for wildlife enthusiasts, we encourage you to explore the area so your visit extends beyond just the forest and wildlife experience.Coorg is located just 2.5 hours from Kabini. You can plan a family getaway and head out to Kabini for a safari on one of the days. Winters here are so soothing if you book a stay in the coffee plantations of Coorg. Check out our Whispering Waters, a 4-bedroom villa in Coorg, that lies within 25 acres of coffee and spice plantations. It is one of the best places to stay in Coorg if you want to experience maximum privacy and premium-quality of hospitality.
Jhalana Leopard Safari, Rajasthan
Jhalana, a lesser-known wildlife safari near Jaipur, is renowned exclusively for its leopard sightings. The apex predator of the animal kingdom is not easily spotted on wildlife safaris, but in Jhalana, you can observe them comfortably, as they don’t face competition from other predators for survival. About 7-8 leopards have marked their territory within the area open for safari tourism, making their sightings very prominent.
Best Time to Visit Jhalana Leopard Safari
The best time to visit Jhalana to spot leopards is between November to April. Two safaris are held daily, one early in the morning and the other one in late afternoon.
Where to Stay Near Jhalana Leopard Safari
The royal vibe of Jaipur makes one want to get a peak of royalty up close. If you rent a private villa in Jaipur, you can get a slice of regality. Srinivas – The Royal Residence has transformed a palace into a royal holiday home in Jaipur. You can book individual suite rooms and experience the cultural legacy of the place.
Pench National Park, Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh is an incredible destination to explore some of the best wildlife safaris in India. The state has so many deep forest covers demarcated as wildlife sanctuaries for spotting tigers in India. One of them is the Pench National Park. It has rich wildlife including the Royal Bengal tiger, jackal, wild boar, sloth bear, Indian leopard, fox, striped hyena, barking deer, four-horned antelope, Indian wolf, and a variety of birds.
Best Time to Visit Pench Wildlife Sanctuary
Winters (November – February) are the best time to visit Pench in the pleasant weather. While summers are also a good time, the temperatures get severely hot and humid in Central India.
Where to Stay Near Pench Wildlife Sanctuary
Given the vast expanse, there are many luxury resorts in Pench and surrounding forests. We too have a luxury villa in Pench forest – Haldu Tola. This majestic property has a heated swimming pool and gym along with other modern amenities. The beautiful home is inspired by the elements of nature and local tribes, enhancing the overall stay.
As the winters arrive, now is a great time to start planning your wildlife tours in India. This being the peak season, a lot of wildlife enthusiasts now venture to get the first good sightings post the rainy season. Book a stay with Lohono Stays if you visit any of the wildlife safaris from this list.
