Ski locations, snow-capped mountains, and seaside resorts are typical decisions for a winter break trip. Nonetheless, envision this different — encountering an imposing leopard sprawled throughout a moss-covered department in Kerala’s Periyar or monitoring the elusive paw prints of a snow leopard in Ladakh’s Hemis. With 106 nationwide parks, India’s various wildlife gives the proper recipe for an adventurous winter getaway.

This 12 months, think about bypassing the traditional choices and embark on a nationwide park safari to delve into India’s uncharted wilderness. We guarantee you that the expertise shall be nicely value it! 

Under is a compilation of eight magnificent nationwide parks that stand out as excellent locations through the winter season.

1. Jim Corbett

Situated in Uttarakhand’s Ramnagar, Jim Corbett is without doubt one of the oldest and most well-known nationwide parks in India. Named after the famend British hunter and conservationist Jim Corbett, the park was established in 1936, spanning throughout the districts of Nainital and Pauri Garhwal.

House to a big inhabitants of Bengal tigers, Jim Corbett Nationwide Park additionally hosts quite a lot of wildlife — together with elephants, leopards, deer, langurs, crocodiles, and a various vary of hen species.

Past its pristine wildlife, the park gives breathtaking views of various landscapes, that includes grasslands, riverine belts, and dense forests. The panorama and wildlife come to life notably throughout October to June.

2. Keoladeo Nationwide Park

This nationwide park is a must-visit for bird-watching lovers. Situated in Rajasthan, it was beforehand often called Bharatpur Fowl Sanctuary. Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Web site, the park is finest visited from October to February to witness the various migratory birds.

Migratory birds from locations like Siberia, Central Asia, and Europe flock to the park, making it a paradise for birdwatchers. Generally noticed species embrace cranes, geese, geese, pelicans, and varied waders. The park is crisscrossed by a community of synthetic lakes and wetlands, and guests can discover it by way of boat safaris, bicycle rides, and rickshaw excursions.

3. Kanha Nationwide Park

Located in Madhya Pradesh, Kanha Nationwide Park is famend for its profitable conservation efforts, notably concerning the Bengal tiger. With a big tiger inhabitants, guests stand an important probability of recognizing these majestic creatures of their pure habitat.

The park’s various landscapes, starting from dense forests to open grassy meadows, contribute to its picturesque attract. The Banjar and Halon valleys, together with the Banjaar river, additional improve its magnificence.

Along with tigers, Kanha is dwelling to quite a lot of wildlife, together with leopards, deer, wild canines, and Indian bison (gaur), offering a wealthy and rewarding safari expertise.

4. Pench Nationwide Park

Stated to be an inspiration for Rudyard Kipling’s well-known work ‘The Jungle Ebook’, Pench Nationwide Park is a paradise for nature lovers. Unfold throughout the Seoni and Chhindwara districts of Madhya Pradesh, the park is called after the Pench river that gracefully flows by way of it.

House to a various vary of wildlife — together with Bengal tigers, leopards, wild canines, Indian bison (gaur), varied deer species, langurs, and a wide selection of hen species, this nationwide park is a haven for wildlife lovers.

The favored zones for wildlife safaris in Pench embrace Turia, Karmajhiri, and Jamtara, providing a mixture of grasslands, forests, and water our bodies that present various habitats for varied wildlife species.

5. Ranthambore Nationwide Park

Located 130 km away from Jaipur, Ranthambore Nationwide Park in Rajasthan stands as a favorite spot for wildlife photographers from all over the world. Nestled within the Sawai Madhopur district, it has gained fame for its pivotal function in tiger conservation.

Throughout the park, the historic Ranthambhore Fort provides a cultural and historic dimension to the wildlife expertise. Past the majestic Bengal tigers, Ranthambhore is dwelling to a various vary of wildlife — together with leopards, sloth bears, wild boars, sambar deer, noticed deer, langurs, and a vibrant array of hen species

6. Kaziranga Nationwide Park

One other UNESCO World Heritage Web site, the Kaziranga Nationwide Park shelters the world’s highest variety of one-horned rhinos. The Brahmaputra river flows by way of the park, creating riverine habitats and giving a picturesque panorama.

Additionally a birdwatcher’s paradise with a wealthy avian range, the park has over 500 species of birds. Moreover, it’s dwelling to a various vary of mammals — together with wild boars, Indian bison (gaur), sambar deer, hog deer, and varied species of untamed cats, corresponding to leopards and jungle cats.

7. Gir Nationwide Park

Located in Gujarat, Gir Nationwide Park is the only real place within the nation the place you have got the chance to come across Asiatic lions. Moreover, you’ll be able to catch a glimpse of the normal lifetime of the Maldhari tribal communities who reside in and across the park.

The nationwide park has 38 species of mammals, round 300 species of birds, 37 species of reptiles, and greater than 2,000 species of bugs, as per experiences.

Whereas the Asiatic lion takes centre stage, Gir can also be dwelling to a various vary of wildlife — together with leopards, jungle cats, Indian gazelles (chinkaras), noticed deer, sambar deer, wild boars, in addition to varied species of reptiles and birds.

8. Sundarbans Nationwide Park

The Sundarbans Nationwide Park — located within the delta area of the Padma, Meghna, and Brahmaputra river basins within the Sundarbans Reserve Forest in West Bengal, India — holds the celebrated title of being a UNESCO World Heritage Web site.

The Sundarbans stands as one of many largest mangrove ecosystems globally. The ecosystem is characterised by a community of tidal waterways, mudflats, and small islands shaped by the confluence of a number of rivers.

Past its famed inhabitants of tigers, the Sundarbans boast wealthy biodiversity — together with varied species of deer, crocodiles, snakes, turtles, and an abundance of birdlife. This distinctive area additionally serves as a significant habitat for endangered Irrawaddy dolphins.

Edited by Pranita Bhat