National Park in India

This is a list of all national parks of India. India's first national park (an IUCN category II
protected area) was established in 1935 as Hailey National Park, now known as Jim Corbett
National Park. By 1970, India only had five national parks. In 1972, India enacted the Wildlife
Protection Act and Project Tiger to safeguard the habitats of conservation reliant species. Further
federal legislation strengthening protections for wildlife was introduced in the 1980s. As of April
2007, there are 96 national parks. All national park lands encompass a combined 38,029.18 km²,
1.16% of India's total surface area.

A total of 166 national parks have been authorized. Plans are underway to establish the
remaining scheduled parks. All of India's national parks are listed below alongside their home
state or territory and the date that they were established. For an overview of Indian protected
areas in general, please see protected areas of India.
 1. Sundarbans National Park
The Sundarbans National Park is a magnificent tangle of mangrove jungle that's the only one of
its kind in the world. It's spread over 54 islands and extends into neighboring Bangladesh. Part of
the Sundarbans is home to a 2,585 sq kilometer (1,606 sq mile) Tiger Reserve, which includes a
1,330 sq kilometer (826 sq mile) national park.

The Sundarbans has three wildlife sanctuaries, one within the national park at Sajnekhali, as well
as south of the park at Lothian Island and Haliday Island. In addition to tigers, the area is full of
reptiles, birds, and other animals such as monkeys, wild boar, and deer.

Sundarbans Location:

At the mouth of the Ganges river, 130 kilometers (80 miles) south east of Kolkata in the state of
West Bengal. The nearest railway station is in Canning, and the nearest town is Gosaba. The
actual entrance to the Sundarbans national park is at Sajnekhali.

How to Get to the Sundarbans Independently:

The trip involves some laborious travel by train or road, and then by boat. By train, go from
Sealdah station in Kolkata to Canning (1.5 hours), and take a boat to Sajnekhali from there (5
hours). By road, travel from Kolkata to Basanti or Sonakhali (3 hours), then take a boat to
Sajnekhali (3 hrs), or a public ferry to Gosaba (1 hr) then a boat to Sajnekhali (2 hrs). Boats and
guides are available for excursions through the mangroves from Sajnekhali. Tourists need a
permit to visit the national park. This can be obtained free from the West Bengal Tourist Centre,
2/3 BBD Bagh East (near the post office) in Kolkata
.
How to Get to the Sundarbans by Organised Tour:

The most hassle free way of seeing the Sundarbans is on a tour. Tour operations will take care of
getting you there, as well as providing the necessary permits and accommodations. Sunderban
Cruises departs by boat from Kolkata. Cheaper options are offered by the Sunderban Tiger Camp
and West Bengal Tourism.

When to Visit the Sundarbans:

From December to February, while the weather is cooler.

Sundarbans Cost:

Boats can be hired for around 600 rupees ($14) for half a day and 1000 rupees ($23) for a full
day. A guide costs around 300 rupees ($7), and a boat permit 50 rupees ($2.30). The entrance fee
for the national park is 150 rupees ($3.50), as well as 20 rupees (50 cents) for a camera and 300
rupees ($7) for a video camera. Tour operators offer fully inclusive packages from 1400 rupees
($32) to over 5000 rupees ($120) per person, depending on the duration (one or two nights) and
standard of accommodations.

Sundarbans Travel Tips:

The Sundarbans is only accessible by boat. It's not possible to take jeep safaris or even touch
down on the river banks. However, exploring the Sundarbans this way is a thrilling experience
and shouldn't be missed. It's also completely safe. Don’t be hopeful of seeing any tigers though.
They’re very shy and usually remain well hidden in the reserve. Visiting independently can be
difficult due to the number of transport connections required and boat permits to be obtained.
Bandhavgarh National Park
Bandhavgarh is best known for its spectacular setting, as well as having the highest
concentration of tigers at any park in India.

The park features dense green valleys and rocky hill terrain, with an ancient fort built on 800
meter (2,624 foot) high cliffs. It's a relatively small park, with an area of 105 square kilometers
(65 square miles) that’s open to tourists. In addition to tigers, the park has a large array of
wildlife including sloth bears, deers, leopards, jackals, and birds.

Bandhavgarh Location

In Madhya Pradesh state, almost 200 kilometers (124 miles) north east of Jabalpur. The nearest
village is Tala, which is the access point of the park.

How to Get to Bandhavgarh

Air Deccan flys directly to Jabalpur from Delhi, then it’s around 4-5 hours by road from there to
Bandhavgarh. Alternatively, Bandhavgarh can also be reached by rail from India’s major cities.
The nearest train stations are Umaria, 45 minutes away, and Katni, around 2.5 hours away.

When to Visit Bandhavgarh

March and April, when the temperature increases and the tigers come out to cool themselves in
the grass or by a watering hole. May and June are also good months for tiger sightings, except
the weather is very hot at this time. Try to avoid peak months from December to January, and
March during the Indian Holi festival, as it's extremely busy. Expect the winter to be very cold.
Bandhavgarh Opening Hours:
From dawn until late morning and mid afternoon until sunset. The best time to visit the park is
early in the morning or after 4 p.m. to spot the animals. The park is closed from July 1 to
September 30 due to the monsoon rains.

Bandhavgarh Cost

Around 3000 rupees ($70) per jeep per day including jeep hire, entrance and guide fees. It costs
extra to visit the fort because the road is difficult to navigate and the number of jeeps allowed to
go on that route is limited each day. A jeep can fit up to 6 passengers, and can be hired from
Tala. Alternatively all hotels can arrange jeep hire and tours, but at a higher rate.

Bandhavgarh Travel Tips

Bandhavgarh is relatively difficult to reach but it offers the best chance of seeing tigers in their
natural habitat in India. Each jeep is assigned to one of four routes, so the feeling of sitting in a
convoy is avoided. It's also possible to hire elephants for tiger tracking in the morning
(recommended), and treks through the jungle in the evenings.
Kanha National Park
Kanha National Park has the honor of providing the setting for Rudyard Kipling’s classic novel,
The Jungle Book. It’s rich in lush saal and bamboo forests, lakes, streams and open grasslands.
The park is one of the largest national parks in India, with a core area of 940 square kilometers
(584 square miles) and surrounding area of 1,005 square kilometers (625 square miles).

Kanha is well regarded for its research and conservation programs, and many endangered species
have been saved there. As well as tigers, the park abounds with barasingha (swamp deer) and an
extensive variety of other animals and birds.

Kanha Location

In the state of Madhya Pradesh, 160 kilometers (100 miles) south east of Jabalpur. The park has
two entrances at opposite ends, at Khatia- Kisli and Mukki, and it’s possible to drive between
them although it takes around 4 hours. Kisli is busier, as tiger sightings are more frequent at that
end of the park.

How to Get to Kanha

Air Deccan flys directly to Jabalpur from Delhi, then it’s around 4-5 hours by road from there to
the park. Alternatively, Jabalpur can also be reached by rail.

When to Visit Kahna

March and April, when it starts getting hot and the animals come out in search of water. Try to
avoid the peak months from December to January, and March during the Indian Holi festival, as
it’s very busy. It can also get extremely cold during the winter.
Kanha Opening Hours

From dawn until late morning and mid afternoon until sunset. The best time to visit the park is
early in the morning or after 4 p.m. to spot the animals. The park is closed from July 1 to
October 31 due to the monsoon rains.

Kanha Cost

The entrance fee for foreigners is 2000 rupees ($45) per jeep, and Indians 600 rupees per jeep. A
guide costs around 150 rupees ($3.50) per trip and the cost of a jeep and driver is 700-900 rupees
($16-18). Up to 6 passengers can be taken in one jeep.
Kanha Travel Tips:
It's well worthwhile taking a walk in the surrounding forest and exploring its natural beauty.
Also, don’t miss experiencing in a sunset at Bamni Dadar (a plateau that’s also known as sunset
point). It provides a mesmerizing view of the park’s grazing animals as the sun disappears down
the horizon. Jeeps can be hired from the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation at
Baghira Log Huts at the Kisli entrance, or the Kanha Safari Lodge at the Mukki entrance. Hotels
also organize and run tours.
Nagarhole National Park
Nagarhole gains its name from the snake like river that winds its way through it. The park is a
place of unspoilt wilderness, with serene forest, bubbling streams, and a tranquil lake. It’s also
officially known as Rajiv Gandhi National Park.

Nagarhole teems with over 250 types of birds, elephants, sloth bear, bison, tiger, leopards, deer,
and wild boars.

Nagarhole Location

In Karnataka state, 95 kilometers (60 miles) south west of Mysore and bordering the state of
Kerala.

How to Get to Nagarhole

The closest railway station is in Mysore, around 4 hours away from Nagarhole by road.
Alternatively, there is an airport in Bangalore, around 6 hours away.

When to Visit Nagarhole:

The best time to view the animals is during the heat of March and April, when the waterholes are
dry and the animals come out and visit the lake. However, the weather is more pleasant from
November to February.

Nagarhole Opening Hours

The main road through the park is open from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m., all year round. Safaris take
place in the early morning from 6 a.m to 9 a.m., and again in the afternoon from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Nagarhole Cost

The park entrance fee is 200 rupees ($4.50) for foreigners. The forest department runs one hour
safaris for 65 rupees ($1.50). Alternatively private vehicles can go on safari for 550 rupees ($12)
per car or jeep, plus 200 rupees for the cost of a guide (required). Trekking costs 75 rupees
($1.80) for one day, plus 250 rupees ($6) for a guide. A 30 minute elephant ride costs 75 rupees.
Jeeps can be hired for around 800 rupees ($18) per day from the forest department office in
Hunsur, 45 kilometers before the park. Hotel operators also run safari tours and other activities.

Nagarhole Travel Tips

Nagarhole can be explored by jeep, elephant back, and boat. Visitors can also go trekking. The
park offers the opportunity to see elephants close up in their natural habitat, and it’s not unusual
to see herds of elephants on the river bank. However, the likelihood of seeing a tiger here is rare
compared to parks such as Bandhavgarh in the north. A good thing about Nagarhole is that the
main forest reserve office (where the safaris start from) is located right inside the park. This
means that visitors can pass through quite a bit of the park area on their own.
Ranthambore National Park
Ranthambore National Park is a fascinating blend of history and nature. Inside the park is a
formidable fort that was built in the 10th century and coveted by many rulers due to its strategic
position between north and central India.

The park itself is situated at the joining of the Vindhya Plateau and the Aravalli Hills, and is
characterized by rocky plains and steep cliffs. It supports a diverse range of flora and fauna,
including around 30 tigers.

Ranthambore Location

In India’s desert state of Rajasthan, 450 kilometers (280 miles) south west of Delhi and 185
kilometers (115 miles) from Jaipur. The main gate and fort are 3kms inside the park.

How to Get to Ranthambore

The closest airport is in Jaipur, four hours traveling time by road. Alternatively the closest
railway station is at Sawai Madhopur, 11 kilometers (7 miles) away. It’s easily reachable by train
from Delhi, Jaipur, and Agra.

When to Visit Ranthambore

The most animals are seen during the hot months of March and April, when they come out in
search of water. However, it’s more comfortable to visit during the preceding cooler months. Be
sure to bring warm clothes if visiting during winter.

Ranthambore Opening Hours

The park is open from sunrise until sunset, except from July 1 to October 1 when it closes due to
the monsoon rains. Safaris run for two and a half hours from 7 a.m. and again from 2 p.m.

Ranthambore Cost

The park entrance fee is 200 rupees ($4.50) for foreigners. There is also an entrance fee of 125
rupees ($3) per vehicle. A guide costs 150 rupees ($3.50). Vehicle hire charges are additional.
The Rajasthan Forest Department offers safari seats inclusive of all fees in a canter (open topped
truck) for around 500 rupees ($12) or a gypsy (jeep) for around 650 rupees ($15) during peak
season. A full day in a gypsy costs 1,300 rupees ($28). These are bookable on-line, but rates are
subject to change depending on the time of year. Also, expect to pay more if booking through a
hotel or tour operator.

Ranthambore Travel Tips

This national park is very popular due to its proximity to Delhi and the fact that tigers are
relatively easy to spot here. Traffic into the park is highly regulated. Private vehicles are not
allowed to enter, and the number of jeeps is restricted to 20 at one time, split along 5 different
routes. Availability of seats tends to vary quite a bit, therefore seats are best booked as far in
advance as possible. Some routes, such as route three, are better than others for seeing tigers.
However it’s not possible to choose your route. The fort is really interesting, so do take some
time to explore it
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