On the edge of your seats, with bated breath, you wait for the king of the jungle to show up! National parks, wildlife sanctuaries and game reserves of India can claim to offer enthusiastic travelers a tryst with the wild, as well as the excitement of coming face to face with wild animals, and that too in their natural habitat. The list of national parks in India has about 400 such avenues in it, and each one of them has something unique to offer, be it the tiger or lion sightings, rhino or elephant spotting, or any of the other predators and prey animals!

51 National Parks In India

Since the enormous forest cover of India is spread unevenly across the country, it is sometimes difficult to distribute these national parks in India state-wise. But we have tried to list one from every major state. Take a look at this list of the best national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in India before you decide to go on a wildlife-watching spree. 

• Jim Corbett National Park – Uttarakhand
• Kaziranga National Park – Assam
• Gir Forest National Park – Gujarat
• Sundarban National Park – West Bengal
• Satpura National Park – Madhya Pradesh
• Eravikulam National Park – Kerala
• Pench National Park – Madhya Pradesh
• Sariska National Park – Rajasthan
• Kanha National Park – Madhya Pradesh
• Ranthambore National Park – Rajasthan
• Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve – Madhya Pradesh
• Bandipur National Park – Karnataka
• Nagarhole National Park – Karnataka
• Periyar National Park – Kerala
• Manas National Park – Assam
• The Great Himalayan National Park – Himachal Pradesh
• Sanjay Gandhi National Park – Maharashtra
• Rajaji National Park – Uttarakhand
• Silent Valley National Park – Kerala
• Dudhwa National Park – Uttar Pradesh
• Panna National Park – Madhya Pradesh
• Van Vihar National Park – Madhya Pradesh
• Bharatpur National Park – Rajasthan
• Bannerghatta National Park – Karnataka
• Wandoor Marine National Park – Andaman And Nicobar Islands
• Nameri National Park – Assam
• Mudumalai National Park – Tamil Nadu
• Jaldapara National Park – West Bengal
• Pin Valley National Park – Himachal Pradesh
• Orang National Park – Assam
• Gorumara National Park – West Bengal
• Simlipal National Park – Odisha
• Desert National Park – Rajasthan
• Dachigam National Park – Jammu And Kashmir
• Mrugavani National Park – Telangana
• Hemis  National Park – Jammu And Kashmir
• Namdapha National Park – Arunachal Pradesh
• Khangchendzonga National Park – Sikkim
• Inderkilla National Park – Himachal Pradesh 
• Mount Harriet National Park – Andaman And Nicobar Islands
• Anshi National Park – Karnataka
• Kishtwar National Park – Jammu And Kashmir
• Keibul Lamjao National Park – Manipur
• Blackbuck National Park – Gujarat
• Kuno National Park – Madhya Pradesh
• Gangotri National Park – Uttarakhand
• Nanda Devi And Valley Of Flowers National Park – Uttarakhand
• Papikonda National Park – Andhra Pradesh
• Valmiki National Park – Bihar
• Betla National Park – Jharkhand
• Keoladeo National Park Bharatpur – Rajasthan

1. Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand

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Located close to Nainital, Jim Corbett National Park is a favorite destination for people looking to spot tigers, making it one of the important national parks in India. Other animals to be spotted here include several species of deer, leopards, jackals, red foxes, black bear, sloth bear, and monkeys. Tourists can book jeep safaris for early mornings and afternoons. It is the first national park in India in case you didn’t know.

The park is divided into four separate zones, known as Durgadevi, Dhikala, Jhirna, and Bijrani, sprawled across an area of 520 square kilometers. All four of these are ideal for spotting a tiger in its natural habitat. There is also an option for trekking around the park, albeit in the company of a guide.

Best season to visit: November to June
How to get there: Well connected by road and rail to Delhi, Nainital, Moradabad and others.
Price: INR 4000 per jeep, maximum 6 people allowed in one jeep.
Famous For: Red fox, black bear, jackal

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2. Kaziranga National Park, Assam

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Popularized as the home of the “Big Five”, Kaziranga National Park is the perfect place to spot a few wild animals such as Rhinoceros, Tiger, Elephant, Wild Buffalo and Swamp Deer. Unlike Hemis, which is the highest national park in India , this reserve houses some common hilly animal and bird species.

Covering an area of 378 sq km, the park also offers shelter to bears, leopards, and several species of local and migratory birds, but the biggest attractions remains the one horned Rhino.

UNESCO declared it to be a World Heritage Site, due to it residing in an Eastern Himalayan biodiversity hotspot, making it one of the most diverse national parks of India. Tourists can opt to enjoy jeep safari in the early morning or afternoon; elephant safaris in the early morning are also available.

Best season to visit: November to April
How to get there: Well connected to Kohara, the closest town, by road.
Price: Around 1200 INR for Indians, and 2000 INR for foreigners
Famous For: UNESCO world heritage site

3. Gir Forest National Park, Gujarat

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Located in Gujarat, the Gir Forest National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the best places to spot wild Asiatic lions in their natural habitat. It used to be the hunting reserve for the Nawabs of Junagadh before it was turned into a sanctuary in the year 1990.

When it was started, there were a mere 12 lions here, and the number has now grown to reach nearly 600. Other animals that one might spot here include sambar, chinkara, chital, porcupine, wild boar, black buck and others. Tourists can enjoy jeep safaris here, towards early mornings, afternoons and early evenings. This is one of the most famous national parks in India that you cannot miss out on!

Best season to visit: December to March
How to get there: Well connected by roads to Rajkot and other cities.
Price: INR 4500 per jeep, maximum 6 people allowed in one jeep.
Famous For: Sambhar, porcupine, black buck

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4. Sundarban National Park, West Bengal

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Located in West Bengal, the Sundarban National Park is a Tiger and Biosphere Reserve on the Ganges Delta. Its signature mangrove forest, is a particularly popular attraction here, making it one of the most visited national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in India.

One can spot Bengal tiger, saltwater crocodile, wild boars, foxes, leopard cats, huge turtles, Ganges river dolphins and several other varieties of mammals and reptiles, along with a huge variety of local and migratory birds.

The only way to travel around and across the park is by boat; there are no jeep safari or walking tours available. Another unique aspect of this national park is that the tigers have developed the ability to swim in the saline waters here. With ease, one can spot tigers sunbathing on the river banks during November to February. It is surely among the best tiger national parks in India .

Best season to visit: December to February, the park remains open from September to March
How to get there: Gosaba is the nearest town from where it is connected by road. Tourists can also take the motor boat from Canning, which is the nearest railway station.
Price: Entry for Indians is free, although hiring a boat will cost you between 1000 to 2000 INR for a day
Famous For: Tigers

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5. Satpura National Park, Madhya Pradesh

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Covering an area of 524 sq km, Satpura National Park is home to a terrain most unique, with sandstone peaks, dense forests, narrow gorges and deep ravines. One can spot a large variety of wildlife here, including leopards, wild boar, bears, black buck, several kinds of deer, and a several species of birds. There have also been sightings of tigers and barasinghas.

Tourists can book jeep or elephant safari, and even enjoy boating and walking tours. There are different routes for the jeep safari, with options to stay overnight at a camp on some of the routes.

Best season to visit: October to April
How to get there: The nearest town, Pachmarhi is well connected via road. The nearest railway station is Piparia, also well connected by road.
Price: From INR 2750 to 7000, depending on which route you take.
Famous For: Barasinghas

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6. Eravikulam National Park, Kerala

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Spread across an area of 97 sq km, Eravikulam National Park in Munnar offers protection to the endangered Nilgiri Thar. One of the most scenic national parks in south India, it is also home to elephants, deer, jackals, leopards, tiger, otters, mongoose, and a huge variety of birds and butterflies. The national park is also home to Anamudi Peak, the highest peak in South India.

A unique aspect of this national park is the blooming of the Neelakurinji, a plant that blooms once every 12 years, and turns the entire forest a deep shade of blue. Tourists can enjoy the beauty of the rolling hills and wildlife on safari buses. Tourists can also enjoy early morning and evening treks.

Best season to visit: September to November, and April to June
How to get there: It is a mere 15 km from Munnar, and well connected by road
Price: INR 100 for Indians, and INR 360 for foreigners
Famous For: Neelakurinji plant

7. Pench National Park, Madhya Pradesh

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Another worth-a-visit national park in Madhya Pradesh is the Pench National Park, which is a haven for Royal Bengal Tigers. The park is also popular among adventure enthusiasts for rafting. It is also the setting for Rudyard Kipling’s famous novel “The Jungle Book”. Truly, one of the famous national parks in India.

Although there are less than 50 tigers in the park currently, daily sightings are reported. Other wild animals that one might spot here include deer, elephant, wild boar, wolf, sloth bear, leopard, fox, striped hyena, and much more.

Best time to visit: November to May
How to get there: Seoni, the closest city, is well connected by road.
Price: Under INR 100 for Indians with guide, INR 150 per vehicle for foreigners
Famous For: Striped hyena, leopard, sloth bear

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8. Sariska National Park, Rajasthan

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The Sariska National Park is a refuge for Royal Bengal Tigers, located in Rajasthan. It is sprawled across an area of 866 sq km and supports a rocky landscape. The scrub thorns in the forest make it easier for tourists to spot the elusive “king of the jungle”.

Other animals that one might spot here include leopards, striped hyenas, wild boars, jackals, serpent eagles, monkeys, hares, as well as several varieties of deer. Jeep safaris are available for tourists to traverse the park. Visitors can also choose to book a “hide” overlooking a watering hole, for chances of spotting wildlife from us close.

Best time to visit: October to June
How to get there: Well connected by road to Hindaun, Jaipur, and Delhi.
Price: Under INR 100 for Indians, INR 470 for foreigners
Famous For: Serpent eagles, hare, boars

9. Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh

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Sprawled across more than 1,945 sq km, Kanha National Park is one of the first national park in India for tiger reserves to work for Project Tiger. Considered one of the national parks of India, it is also a refuge for the Barasingha and is known to be one of the most well maintained National Parks of Asia. It has been divided into two separate parts, Banjar and Hallon, named after the rivers that flow across it. There are separate zones here, including Kisli, Sarhi, Mukki and Kanha Zone.

Tourists can hope to spot a wide variety of animals here, apart from the tiger, such as elephants, jackals, leopards, striped hyenas, monkeys, and several varieties of deer including black buck, swamp deer, chital, and sambhar. Jeep safaris are available for traversing the park.

Best time to visit: November to June
How to get there: Well connected by road from Nagpur and Jabalpur
Price: From INR 1200 to 2400, depending upon zone
Famous For: Black buck, jackals, leopards, sambhar

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10. Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan

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One of the largest national parks in North India, Ranthambore National Park covers an area of 392 sq km. It is a part of Project Tiger and has been a refuge of Royal Bengal Tigers since 1974. The national park also houses a fortress within the park premises, which is a popular attraction for visitors.

Apart from tigers, visitors can also spot other animals such as bears, leopards, jackals, elephants, striped hyena, bison, monkeys and several types of deer. The park is also famed for being home to snakes of different varieties. A unique fact about the tigers of Ranthambore is that they lack fear of humans, and continue hunting even in their presence making it apt for spotting them.

Best time to visit: October to May
How to get there: Sawai Madhopur is the closest town and well connected via road
Price: 510 INR for Indians (Canter), 1250 INR for Foreigner (Canter), 750 INR for Indian (Gypsy), 1350 INR for Foreigner (Gypsy)
Famous For: Different species of snakes

11. Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh

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Bandhavgarh is probably well renowned as the largest tiger reserve in India. Located in Madhya Pradesh inside a beautiful forest, this reserve is famous for having the highest number of Royal Bengal Tigers in the world. In fact, you’re sure to have more frequent sightings of these majestic beings here than in any other tiger reserve across the country, making this place a must-visit for all wildlife enthusiasts. Other than 44-49 tigers (according to the latest record), this park is home to over 22 species of mammals as well as 250 species of birds. It’s among the best national parks in India and their famous animals include Asiatic jackals, sloth bears, foxes, gray mongoose, ratels, jungle cats, deer, wild boars, Chinkara, Nilgai, striped hyenas, and even leopards.

Best time to visit: October – June
How to get there: The nearest railhead is at Umaria 35 km away, while the nearest airport is at Khajuraho 270 km. You can take a cab from these two places.
Price: INR 2,200 for Indians | INR 4,300 for foreign tourists (For a group of 6 people and inclusive of guide and vehicle)
Famous For: Highest number of Royal Bengal tigers

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12. Bandipur National Park, Karnataka

Located on the borders of Karnataka, the lush green Bandipur National Park is the gem of the Nilgiris and was established as a protected reserve in 1974. With a verdant canopy of deciduous forests that give shelter to a wide variety of wildlife and flora, this place has recently gained tremendous popularity on the national parks in India map. The park has taken several measures to ensure the safety of the animals here as well as to ensure that the park remains clean and thriving. Replete with teak and sandalwood trees, this happens to be the first ever Biosphere Reserve of India. Also called the Mudumalai National Park in Tamil Nadu, the park is home to a large number of endangered species.

Best time to visit: October – May
How to get there: The nearest airport is the Bangalore Airport, while the nearest railway station is in Mysore 80 km away. One can take a bus from Bangalore or Mysore.
Price: INR 300 per person for Indians | INR 1,100 per person for foreign tourists | INR 200 for camcorder. The entry charges are inclusive of safari.
Famous For: Blissful atmosphere

13. Nagarhole National Park, Karnataka

Located near Bandipur National Park, this enchanting national park in the Mysore district of Karnataka has rich wildlife including both flora and fauna. It is home to almost 250 varieties of birds as well as a variety of animals such as Elephant, Tiger, Jackal, Gaur, Panther, Sambar, Mongoose, Spotted deer, Sloth Bear, Civet cat and Hyena. The place offers lush green forests, shallow valleys and gentle slopes making it truly a heaven for all nature lovers and those seeking peace.

Apart from this, the park also has beautiful plantation and vegetation along with tropical and deciduous forest land. It is also home to a number of majestic reptiles such as vine snake, Tortoise, King Cobra, Indian Rock Python, Krait, Russel’s Viper and Monitor Lizard.

Best Time To Visit: April to May
How To Get There: Tourists can take a taxi from Mysore or buses which ply from Mysore till HD Kote which lies at a distance of about 30 km from the park.
Price: Indian (Adult): INR 50, Foreigner: INR 150 and Still Camera: INR 50
Famous For: King Cobra, Krait, Indian rock python

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14. Periyar National Park, Kerala

Spread over 257 square miles, the Periyar National Park in Thekkady, Kerala is the best-protected reserve area in India. You can find various species in the gorgeous park including the majestic elephants and royal tigers, apart from other fishes, reptiles and birds. The park is well-known for its stillness and greenery and is an amazing blend of adventure with beauty. It is probably the biggest national park in India.

You can enjoy the boat cruises, jungle safaris, eco-tourism activities including options like Bamboo Rafting, Jungle Patrol, Bamboo Grove, Periyar Tiger Trail, Jungle camp, Border hiking, Jungle Inn and Bullock Cart discoveries. The wide range of activities attracts thousands of tourists every year.

Best Time To Visit: November to February
How To Get There: The nearest railhead is in Kottayam, 114 kms away while the nearest airports to the park is Madurai which is at a distance of 136 kms. You can take a cab from both these places.
Price: Adult – INR 33, Child – INR 5, Foreigners: Adult – INR 450, Child – INR 155