The 13 Best Jungle Safaris in India

India is blessed with a diverse and rich landscape. It is home to many communities and cultures. But this diversity is also apparent in the wealth of wildlife around the country.

A jungle safari is as close as you can go to see these wild animals in their natural habitat. We have compiled a list of the best jungle safaris in India. If you are looking for some fun and adventure, read on.

Jungle Safari In India: Northern Region

1. Ranthambore National Park

The Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan is spread across 1300 square kilometres of land is home to a dwindling population of tigers. You get to see these majestic beasts in their natural habitat, making the deserts of Ranthambore all the more regal.

Besides tigers, here you can also view other animals such as Sloth Bears, Wild Boards, Monitor lizards, Indian chameleons, Indian flying fox and Sambars. The national park is also famous amongst wildlife photography enthusiasts.

• Best time to visit: March to May
• Duration required for the safari: 3.5 hours
• Price of Ranthambore jungle safari: Ranthambore jeep safari – INR 1500 per person (Indians); INR 2900 per person (foreigners); Ranthambore Canter safari – INR 1200 per person (Indians); INR 2300 per person (foreigners); Special safari half-day: INR 46,000 (Indians); INR 56,000 (Foreigners); Special safari for full-day: INR 57,000 (Indians); INR 72,000 (Foreigners);

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2. Hemis National Park

The Hemis National Park in Ladakh happens to be one of the highest altitude parks in the world. The climate in this park comprises chilly winds along with massive snowfall.

The park is home to animals that live and thrive in such chilly climates such as the snow leopard, ibex, blue sheep, snowcocks and the Tibetan argali sheep. The park is shut in November due to the heavy snowfall.

• Best time to visit: May to September
• Timings: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• Entry Fee: INR 20 for Indians; INR 100 for Foreigners

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3. Jim Corbett

One of the most renowned parks in India, Jim Corbett National Park is Asia’s first National Park. The park is named after the famous tiger hunter and explorer, Jim Corbett, who hunted only man-eating tigers in the region.

After his passing, to protect the tigers from going extinct, the entire area was converted into a national park. There are 4 zones in Jim Corbett to visit – Dhikala, Jhirna, Bijrani and Durga Devi. You can spot Bengal Tigers, chitals, deers, Asiatic elephant and black bear, otters, gharial, Golden oriole and a number of species of birds as well.

• Best time to visit: March to May
• Duration: You need around 5 hours for a safari ride in Jim Corbett
• Jim Corbett safari price: Jeep safari charges – INR 4500 (Indians); INR 7500 (Foreigners); Canter safari charges – INR 1200 (Indians); INR 3000 (Foreigners); Elephant safari charges – INR 3500 (both Indian and Foreigners)

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Jungle Safari In India: Central Region

1. Bandhavgarh National Park

Bandhavgarh National Park was once a hunting ground for many royal families in Madhya Pradesh. The area has now been cordoned off as a protected reserve for the Royal Bengal Tiger.

Ever since then the population has thrived in the park and is one of the most densely populated tiger reserves in India. They conduct guided safaris where you can witness and learn all about these regal beasts. You can spot leopards, Neelghai, barking deers, Bengal fox, striped hyena and others.

• Best time to visit: October to June
• Duration of safari: 3-4 hours
• Safari charges in Bandhavgarh National Park: Jeep safari prices – INR 6500/jeep

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2. Kanha National Park

Kanha National Park has gained worldwide attention ever since it was featured in the famous story ‘Mowgli’, authored by Rudyard Kipling. Staying true to the book, you can spot animals such as panthers, bears, pythons and elephants. The park is divided into four zones – Kanha, Sarahi, Kisli and Mukki zone.

The national park is also blessed with a pack of tigers that roam the land. A visit to this park will have you reminiscing about one of your favourite childhood tales.

• Best time to visit: October to mid-June
• Duration of safari: 3 hours for jeep safari
• Safari charges in Kanha National Park: INR 6500 (Indians); 9500 (Foreigners) for each of the four zones.

3. Pench National Park

Pench National Park is located on the borders of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. The park sprawls over 400 square kilometres and is known mostly as a tiger reserve.

The key feature of this park is the diverse vegetation that grows here. The plant life ranges from plants growing in moist areas to trees that grow in dry, arid regions. Apart from the tigers, the national park is also known to shelter nilgais, leopards and wild boars.

• Best time to visit: October to June
• Safari duration: 3-5 hours; one in the morning and one in the evening;
• Pench National Park safari charges: Approx INR 3000 per gypsy/jeep per safari including guide fee of INR 300

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4. Satpura National Park

Satpura National Park is located in Madhya Pradesh and is known for its distinctive topography. The rugged land and dense lush jungle make it the perfect breeding ground for various animals.

Satpura National Park is the go-to place for wildlife enthusiasts to spot animals and click pictures. Here you will see species such as the spotted deer, leopards, sloth bears, blackbucks, sambar, antelopes, porcupines and otters.

• Best time to visit: October to April
• Duration: 4 hours
• Satpura National Park safari charges: Jeep safari via Keria route – INR 2750 per person; via Lagda route – INR 3050 per person; via Churna route – INR 6700 per person;

Jungle Safaris: Western Region

1. Sasan-Gir Wildlife Sanctuary, Gujarat

The Sasan Gir Wildlife sanctuary is located in the western region of Gujarat. The landscape is characterized by rough scrublands and dry forests. The sanctuary is home to Asiatic lions. This particular species of a lion can only be found in the Gir sanctuary.

A safari here is exciting and exhilarating. Besides the Asiatic lions, you can also spot fellow predators such as leopards, jackals and the Indian fox. The park remains shut during the monsoon season.

• Best time to visit: December to April
• Duration of safari: 3 hours
• Safari charges at Sasan-Gir Wildlife Sanctuary: INR 4300/jeep (Indians); INR 13800/jeep (Foreigners);

2. Tadoba National Park, Maharashtra

The Tadoba National Park in Maharashtra is a popular spot for wildlife enthusiasts. The National Park consists of a lake that is surrounded by massive hills and beautiful forests.

The key feature of the national park is, however, the lake that acts as a watering hole for many animals and is a popular safari spot. The animals that you can spot here are barking deer and hyenas.

• Best time to visit: October to June
• Safari duration: Approx 2 hours
• Safari charges in Tadoba National Park: Jeep prices on weekdays – INR 750; Mini-bus prices on weekdays – INR 1500;
  Jeep prices on weekends- INR 1000; Mini-bus prices on weekends- INR 2000;

Jungle Safari in India: Eastern Region

1. Kaziranga National Park

The Kaziranga National Park in Assam is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park covers an area of 420 square kilometres and houses the one-horned rhinoceros.

The population of species of rhinoceros is the largest in the world here. Apart from the rhinos, you can spot animals such as elephants, bears, and panthers on your safari.

• Best time to visit: November to April
• Safari duration: 2 Hours
• Safari charges at Kaziranga National Park: INR 3800-4500 per jeep

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2. Manas Wildlife Sanctuary

Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Manas Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam is a project tiger reserve. The sanctuary is located on the borders of Assam and Bhutan and is roughly a four-hour drive away from Kaziranga.

The wildlife sanctuary is also home to animals like the pygmy hog and the Indian elephant. Guided safari tours are conducted here where you can spot these animals. Inside the sanctuary, you can sign up for rafting excursions and wildlife camps.

• Best time to visit: October to April
• Safari duration: Elephant safari – 1 hour; Jeep safari – 4 hours;
• Manas Wildlife Sanctuary safari charges: INR 120 (Indians); INR 750 (Foreigners);

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3. Sundarbans National Park

The Sunderban National Park in West Bengal mostly comprises marshy swamplands that are spread across a staggering 4000 square kilometres of land. The marshlands provide a favourable habitat for many animals such as Royal Bengal tigers, macaques, leopard cats, wild boar, Olive Ridley turtles and the Indian grey goose.

If you are lucky you can spot fishing cats swim through the marshy lands and pounce upon their unsuspecting prey.

• Best time to visit: October to April
• Safari duration: 4 hours and 8 hours
• Sundarbans ecotourism charges: INR 2600 per person

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Jungle Safari in India: Southern Region

1. Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Kerala. The sanctuary is known for its scenic beauty much of which comes from the western ghats that surround it. The sanctuary is spread across 192,000 acres of lands and is filled with dense green vegetation.

Here you can see tigers and elephants. Along with safaris, there are also boat rides conducted around the park.

• Best time to visit: September to January
• Safari duration: 4-5 hours
• Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary safari charges: Jeep safari – INR 2000 per person

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So there you have it wildlife enthusiasts, a list of the safaris in India that you can visit. Visit these amazing places to admire nature at its finest.