Where to See Wild Tigers in India (10 Places)

India is a country that is blessed with a wide variety of wildlife, and this includes tigers. India has the highest tiger population in the world, and this makes it a good place to see wild tigers in their natural habitat.

In this article, we will take a look at some of the places to see wild tigers in India and also provide some other information about these places. At the end of this article, you should have made your choice on where to visit India and see wild tigers.

Table of Contents

Where to See Wild Tigers in India

1. Jim Corbett National Park

Jim Corbett National Park is one of the top tiger reserves in India. This national park is the first in India and has been in existence since 1936.

The park is named after a hunter and naturalist known as Jim Corbett.

Jim Corbett National Park is home to a large population of Bengal tigers that camouflage in the thick jungle and hunt for prey.

The park has a vast landscape that is made up of dense forests and grasslands. This environment is also home to other wildlife, such as elephants, Indian pangolins, leopards, and hundreds of bird species.

At Jim Corbett Park, you are sure to have a memorable safari adventure by encountering tigers in the wild. This is even more fun with the Jeep safari experience.

2. Ranthambore National Park

Ranthambore National Park is one of the biggest national parks in north India, where tigers roam freely. At Ranthambore, you will be able to watch the Royal Bengal Tigers in action and the wild.

Since the park is old, you will see some historic buildings like the Digamber Jain temple of Sumatinatha and Sambhavanatha, which were constructed in the 12th and 13th centuries.

Ranthambore was declared one of the Project Tiger reserves in 1973 and is home to over 80 tigers.

You will also see other wild animals, such as the crested serpent eagle, painted francolin, Indian paradise flycatcher, and different species of birds.

Visitors to Ranthambore National Park have the opportunity to take part in the Jeep Safari, where they can spot the Royal Bengal Tiger and other wildlife in Bakula. The Bakaula area is a densely forested region scattered with several small pools. This is also a good spot for wildlife photography.

3. Bandhavgarh National Park

Another place to see wild tigers in India is Bandhavgarh National Park. This park has one of the highest tiger populations in India.

The unique thing about Bandhavgarh is the different tiger species that are present. Bandhavgarh National Park is the birthplace of the white tiger species.

So if you are looking for a good destination to spot tigers in the wild, then Bandhavgarh is one of the places to consider. The park boasts the largest population of Bengal tigers in the world.

There are three core zones in the national park, and they are Tala, Khitauli, and Magadhi. You will see tigers in these three zones, but the Tala zone, in particular, is famous for frequent tiger sightings.

Other wild animals in Bandhavgarh include chinkaras, nilgais, and bison.

4. Kaziranga National Park

Kaziranga National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is located in Assam, India.

Although this park boasts one of the largest populations of one-horned rhinoceros, it also has a significant tiger population.

The park’s vast floodplains and tall elephant grass provide the perfect camouflage for tigers. The best time to visit is during the dry season, when these cats are often spotted near the watering holes.

For a unique experience, try an elephant-back safari. It offers an unparalleled vantage point for spotting tigers.

5. Sundarbans National Park

The Sundarbans National Park is another great place to see wild tigers in India. This park is located in West Bengal, India.

Sundarbans National Park is the largest mangrove forest in the world and a critical tiger habitat. This mysterious terrain is interwoven with water channels and mudflats, making it an adventurous spot for tiger sightings.

You can catch a glimpse of a tiger swimming or basking on the banks when navigating through the dense mangroves by boat. The park has become home to a unique population of tigers adapted to the saline and aquatic environment.

The park’s conservation efforts focus on protecting tigers while involving local communities. The coexistence of humans and tigers in this challenging landscape is a testament to successful conservation practices.

6. Kanha National Park

The Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh is often cited as the inspiration for Rudyard Kipling’s classic, ‘The Jungle Book’.

This tiger reserve is one of the best places to see tigers in the wild. It is made up of a vast expanse of grassland and forest that offers some of the best tiger sightings in the country.

The area spans 940 sq. km. and is home to over 100 Bengal tigers, making it an ideal destination for tiger sightings.

This forest area is divided into two protected areas, Hallon and Banjar, and these areas offer several locations to see tigers in their natural habitat.

The open meadows of Kanha are perfect for tiger spotting, as these big cats often venture out into the clearings to hunt or bask in the sun.

Kanha is also the sanctuary of the rare and beautiful swamp deer, known as Barasingha. Spotting these alongside tigers makes for a truly enchanting safari experience.

7. Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve

Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve is located in the Chandrapur district of Maharashtra state, India. The reserve consists of 610 square kilometers of both reserved forest and protected areas.

This tiger reserve is Maharashtra’s oldest and largest national park. Its hilly terrain and Tadoba Lake act as a magnet for wildlife, including tigers.

These animals are seen at this spot, especially during the summer months when they come to quench their thirst.

The reserve’s thick bamboo forests are an excellent habitat for tigers, offering them plenty of cover and ample prey.

Aside from tigers, Tadoba Reserve is home to other wildlife like sloth bears, Indian leopards, barking deer, sambar, honey badger, marsh crocodile, and different species of reptiles and birds.

8. Pench National Park

Pench National Park is located in Madhya Pradesh, India. The national park consists of a large area of forests with bamboo and different trees that spread out.

This national park is also known as the land of Mowgli, mainly because it inspired ‘The Jungle Book’. The Pench River is also a good place to spot tigers in the park.

Pench is one of the few parks in India that offers night safaris, providing a unique opportunity to see nocturnal wildlife and perhaps even tigers under the stars.

Other wildlife in Pench National Park includes the Bengal tiger, chital, sambar, nilgai, wild boar golden jackal, Indian leopard, sloth bear, Indian wolf, dhole, porcupine, Rhesus monkey, striped hyena, gaur, four-horned antelope, and many others.

9. Sariska Tiger Reserve

Sariska Tiger Reserve is a tiger reserve that is located in Alwar district, Rajasthan, India. The reserve is known as the first in the world with successfully relocated tigers.

At some point, the tigers in the reserve went extinct, but some tigers were relocated from other locations in India. There has been an increase in the number of tiger sightings in the area.

The ancient ruins scattered throughout the park add a touch of mystery to your tiger-tracking adventure.

One of the best places to spot tigers in Sariska Tiger Reserve is the picturesque Siliserh Lake on the edge of the park, where tigers come down to drink.

10. Satpura National Park

Satpura National Park in Madhya Pradesh is known for its rugged terrain and is one of the most exciting places for wildlife enthusiasts looking to spot tigers in a less touristy setting.

Satpura’s diverse ecosystem, which includes deep valleys and high mountains, supports a variety of wildlife, including tigers.

Conclusion

Seeing a wild tiger is an unforgettable experience that stays with you long after you’ve left the jungle. In this article, we have covered the 10 places to see tigers in India.

The top 10 places to see wild tigers in India are Jim Corbett National Park, Ranthambore National Park, Bandhavgarh National Park, Kaziranga National Park, Sundarbans National Park, Kanha National Park, Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, Pench National Park, Sariska Tiger Reserve, and Satpura National Park.

FAQs

Which city has most tigers in India?

The city with the most tigers in India is Madhya Pradesh. There are up to six tiger reserves in Madhya Pradesh, and tigers can be seen in their natural habitat.

Other cities with a high tiger population are Karnataka and Uttrakhand.

What’s the best time to see tigers in India?

The best time to see tigers in India is from February to April. During this time, the rising temperatures draw tigers and other wildlife to sources of fresh water. They can be seen bathing and cooling off in the shallows of lakes and rivers.

Louis Ojibe

Hi, I’m Louis Ojibe, and I grew up around wildlife in Africa. I have always been fascinated by animals and nature across the world.
As a child, my parents used to take me to see wild animals like lions, elephants, gorillas, tortoises, and many others at our local zoo.