Have you ever gone for a wildlife road trip and come back without seeing any wild animals, especially tigers? That churning feeling in your gut is so painful, you feel like being more prepared the next time around. But you never know when that will happen.
For those of you looking for the best tiger reserve in India, you have come to the right place to hunt for one.
With breath-taking sights, abundant flora and fauna coupled with the interesting safari options, you can be sure of one hell of a ride through the forests of India.
# Sariska Tiger ReserveLocated in Alwar district of Rajasthan, Sariska Tiger Reserve is one of the most sought after tiger sighting reserves. The forest is mainly made up of dry deciduous forests, scrub-thorn arid forest, rocky hills and grasslands.
#Trivia: It was the erstwhile hunting area of the Alwar state and, after much deliberation, was declared a wildlife preserve in 1955. It acquired the status of a tiger preserve in 1978 and was declared a National Park in 1990.
# Bandipur Tiger ReserveA glorious lush green forest set amidst the Nilgiris, the Bandipur Tiger Reserve is absolutely a must visit holiday-cum-adventure destination. Bandipur National park is an iconic tourist destination amongst all those visiting Karnataka.
Once the hunting grounds and a private reserve for the Maharaja of the Kingdom of Mysore, Bandipur Tiger Reserve is now a protected National Park with a variety of biomes and abundant wildlife.
# Jim Corbett National ParkOne of the oldest tiger reserves in the country, Jim Corbett Tiger Reserve is by far the most popular tiger sanctuary and national park located in Nainital District, Uttarakhand. Established in 1936 as Hailey National Park, it is home to the critically endangered species of Royal Bengal Tigers. With an expansive terrain covering acres of land and comprising nearly 5 zones to enter the park, Jim Corbett is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts.
# Periyar Tiger Reserve
Breath-taking beauty coupled with astounding hidden glades, Periyar Tiger Reserve is a delight to visit. A protected area near Thekkady in the district of Idukki Kottayam and Pathanamthittha in Kerala, it is one of the most noteworthy elephant reserves and tiger reserves in the country.
# Ranthambore Tiger ReserveOne of the most famous and biggest tiger reserves in Northern India, Ranthambore Tiger reserve, along with Kaila Devi Sanctuary and Mansingh Sanctuary forms a haven for tigers. It is believed to have a higher sighting rate as compared to other parks.
# Tadoba Andhari Tiger ReserveDecidedly the most popular and famous tourist spots of Maharashtra, Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve is said to be the most well-protected reserves of India. The reserve is known for its maximum visible tiger sightings. Located in the Chandrapur district of Maharashtra, Tadoba is a favourite tourist getaway for wildlife enthusiasts and avid photographers.
# Kaziranga Tiger ReserveThe Kaziranga National Park is one of the most gorgeous tiger reserves and national parks in the country located in Assam. Home to the rare and ingenious one-horned Rhinoceros, Kaziranga boasts of vast expanses of flora and fauna that encompasses the entirety of North-east India. Formed in 1908, this national park is a biodiversity hotspot.
# Sunderban Tiger Reserve
The Sunderbans National Park and Tiger Reserve is probably the largest delta spread over 10,000 sq. kms. of India and Bangladesh. Its unique ecosystem is a natural wonder of South Asia and the world over.
Located in West Bengal, it is an important tiger habitat and biosphere reserve. There are a whopping 200 tigers in the Sunderbans (India and Bangladesh) and is probably the most unique experience for all people visiting the place.
# Buxa tiger reserveSet up on 16th February 1983, the Buxa Tiger Reserve forms an important part of the ecosystem on the north-eastern border of West Bengal in Rajabhatkhawa. It lies on the border of Assam and Bhutan.
# Mudumalai Tiger ReserveGet awestruck with the exotic wildlife of Mudumalai Tiger Reserve. Located in the Nilgiri District of Tamil Nadu, this gorgeous national park and tiger reserve is one of the most fascinating forests of the country.
Home to a number of endangered animals and birds, it boasts of an expansive landscape that can be seen distinctly while taking a tour through the sanctuary. It was declared a Tiger Reserve in 2007 to help save the dwindling population of Tigers in the country.
# Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger ReserveNagarjunasagar – Srisailam tiger reserve is the largest tiger reserve in India. It is spread over 5 districts and is considered to be a safe haven for these wild cats. This tiger reserve is also known as Srisailam Wildlife Sanctuary and is located in Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh.
It received the title of a tiger reserve in the year 1978 under Project Tiger. This reserve was renamed as Rajiv Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary in 1992. There are around 70 tigers residing in the premise of Nagarjunasagar – Srisailam Tiger Reserve and is also home to different species of wild animals such as sloth bear, blackbuck, Indian leopard, mugger crocodile, chevrotain, dhol, chital, sambar deer, etc.
# Pench Tiger ReserveThe Pench National Park or Pench Tiger Reserve is one of the most important tiger reserves of the country. The scenic beauty of the forest coupled with the spread of grasslands, waterfalls and rocky terrain is an absolute sight to behold. Pench National Park is the most intriguing highlight of the states – Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.