Kaziranga National Park
Nested beautifully on the banks of the great Brahmaputra River in the far North Eastern state of Assam in India, Kaziranga National Park is spread across an area of about 430-sq-kms with its swamplands and high thickets of elephant grass making it the idyllic home for the Indian One-Horned Rhino. It was given the status of a wildlife sanctuary in the year 1940. The Kaziranga National Park is also an ideal spot for observing rare species of birds that are found here. The naturalists are definitely going to appreciate this place since it has ideal conditions for the survival of a wide-range of flora and fauna.
Catching the glimpses of the wild denizens is a complete delight for the nature enthusiasts at this magnificent park. On your wildlife tours in Kaziranga you will come across several wild animals such as Indian Elephants, Indian Bison, Swamp Deer or Barasingha, Hog Deer, Sloth Bears, Tigers, Leopard Cats, Jungle Cats, Otters, Hog Badgers, Capped Langurs, Hoolock Gibbons, Wild Boar, Jackal, Wild Buffalo, Pythons, Monitor Lizards, etc.
Besides the wildlife safari, the birding tour would be a remarkable experience for the passionate birdwatchers and wildlife photographers. Some of the bird species include Oriental Honey Buzzard, Black-Shouldered Kite, Black Kite, Brahminy Kite, Pallas's Fishing Eagle, White Tailed Eagle, Grey-Headed Fishing Eagle, Himalayan Griffon, etc. One can also spot a significant number of the migratory birds that frequent the parks lakes and swampy areas during winters that include Greylag Geese, Bar-Headed Geese, Ruddy Shelduck, Gadwall, Falcated Duck, Red-Crested Pochard and Northern Shoveller.
The Kaziranga Tour Packages would be the best choices to explore the wilderness of the Kaziranga National Park. This park also offers decent accommodation options for the tourists that include Wildgrass Resort, Bonhabi Resort and Aranya Resort to mention a few of them. The best time to visit the Kaziranga National Park in Assam is from mid-November to early April.
This park can be reached by air, rail as well as road transport quite easily. The nearest airport is Jorhat and the nearest railway station is Furkating.
Moreover, this park is also connected by the fine road links of National Highways and smooth road network.
Sariska
Wildlife in Rajasthan is among the major tourist attractions of the state. The arid climate and a varied topography have resulted in a wildlife which is, in many ways, unique to the state. The desert, the old Aravalli hills, lakes, and natural forests have been resided by many animals for millions of years. As human population encroaches into the wild habitat, the problem of conservation arises. Sariska National Park and tiger reserve is one of the most imp and well known protected forests in north India. It is one of the few pockets of forests that have survived along the ancient Aravalli hills. The National Park attracts a lot of tourists and wildlife enthusiasts from all over the world, thus contributing towards the growth of tourism in Rajasthan.
The protected area in the park measures about 800 sq kms, out of which about 480 sq kms is the core area. The Siliserh Lake is located besides the tiger reserve, besides the road between Sariska and Alwar. The flora of the forest includes dry deciduous vegetation typical of this region. The major species include Dhok, Tendu, Khair, Surwal, and Goria, apart from bushes and grasslands.
Sariska was formerly the private hunting reserve of the royal family of Alwar. Tigers were once abundant here, supported by a self sufficient eco system. However, indiscriminate killing brought down the tiger population on the verge of extinction. The first protection came from the maharaja himself. Maharaja Jai Singh, the ruler of Alwar brought the forest under protection in the late 19th century. After independence the forest was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1955. National park status came much later, in 1982, although a core area was identified and declared a tiger reserve in 1979, as part of project tiger. The tiger population in Sariska has improved ever since, although poaching and limited area remain major concerns. Tigers are not sighted commonly here, though pug marks and other signs can be picked up by experienced guides.
Panther, jungle cat, hyena, jackal, caracal and wild dogs are the other important carnivores of the forest. The last two species named have been sighted but are very elusive and accurate data about their population or behavior is lacking. Crocodiles can be seen at the Siliserh Lake, besides other reptiles like the monitor, snakes, and chameleons. The herbivores include cheetal, sambar, nilgai, chinkara, porcupines, and hares.
The park is home to a large number of birds. These include the commonly found species in this region, like gray partridges, pea fowl, quail, white breasted king fisher, sand grouse, crested serpent eagle, tree pie, wood peckers and the great Indian horned owl.
A wonderful feature of the park is the strategically placed and comfortable hides that enable the tourists to observe wild animals from up close. These are placed near the water holes that are frequented by animals. The other way to explore the wildlife is by jeep safaris. One should start at dawn, or alternatively, before dusk. The surfaced roads and trails are convenient to travel by forest vehicles, and experienced guides will guide you as you go deep into the jungle.
Sariska is also home to many historic sites, among which the Neelkanth temples located nearby, the medieval Kankwari fort and the palace that has been turned into a hotel are the chief ones.
Tourists can find accommodation in the two hotels near the park, the Tiger Den Hotel (RTDC) and the Sariska Palace hotel. The forest bungalow is another option. Tourists can also find many hotels in Alwar.
The nearest airport is located in Jaipur, 110 kms away. The nearest railway station is Alwar, 36 kms away. November to march is the best time to visit Sariska National Park.
Bandhavgarh National Park
Well-acclaimed for the exquisite range of wildlife species, Bandhavgarh National Park India is located at a distance of 195 km from Jabalpur and at a distance of 210 km from Khajuraho in the state of Madhya Pradesh. Also known as the jewel in the wildlife legacy of Madhya Pradesh, Bandhavgarh is quite popular for the Royal Bengal Tigers, cheetals, leopard, gaur, sambhar, and many more animal species. Bandhavgarh Wildlife Tours embrace the most exotic locale and amazing range o wildlife species wandering carefree in their natural abode. The park is nestled in the Vindhya mountain range of Central India and abounds in hills and ravines.
Although it is small in contrast to Kanha or other parks of the state, the park is the home to almost the same number of tigers or any other wildlife animal. Besides, tigers and leopards, Bandhavgarh is also exceptionally productive for medium-sized bison herds.
The Wildlife Tourism in Bandhavgarh is burgeoning at a rapid pace and each year a large number of tourists from all corners of the world frequent this park to seek seclusion and peace amidst the true lap of nature.
The kind of vegetation that is found here is moist deciduous forest just like the one in the Kanha National Park. At higher elevations, the flora consists of general mixed forests. For the ardent nature lovers and wild life enthusiasts this sanctuary is one of the most important ones and makes for interesting wildlife photography. There is also the white (albino) tiger which is found here. A range of other rare species moving around in Bandhavgarh National Park like sloth bear, gaur, sambar, chital, muntjac, nilgai, chinkara, and wild pigs can also be found. The fascinating cave shrines scattered around the park can also be spotted having Brahmi inscriptions dating back to the first century B.C. Moreover, the remains of the Bandhavgarh Fort that are believed to be 2,000 years old are also found here.
Make your trip to Bandhavgarh one of the most memorable ones by being a part of the attractive tour packages that are designed by touristplacesinindia.com. Keeping the individual tastes and preferences in mind, the packages are designed to impress even the most discerning traveler. The all-inclusive packages are your ticket to a completely enthralling journey into the wilderness of nature and to enjoy the riches of nature.
Since Bandhavgarh National Park is the repository of exquisite wildlife and some of the finest historical remains, it automatically becomes inevitable for the tourists to make a tour of this place. The ceaseless charm and magnificence of this wild territory is definitely going to enchant you.
Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary
Bharatpur, considered as the Eastern Gateway to Rajasthan, was founded by Maharaja Suraj Mal in 1733 AD. It is a fortified city and played an important role in molding the History of Rajasthan. The city and the Fort is said to be founded by a Jat named Rustam. Maharaja Suraj Mal took over the fortified city from Khemkaran, son of Rustam and established his empire.
The city of Bharatpur is 184 km from Delhi and borders with Dausa District in south-west and Alwar District in the North-West. The city is famous for its wildlife sanctuary. Known as the Keoladeo National Park, which is a delight for the bird lovers. During the period of British rule in India, it was known as the Best Duck shooting resort, but in the year 1956, it was declared a bird reserve and later in 1972, it was declared a National Park. The park is named “Keoladeo” after the name of the temple of Lord Shiva in the park. This park has its place among the UNESCO World heritage list since 1985. The park is spread over an area of 29 square km and lies 370 m above the sea level. Much of the area inside the park is bushy, but it also contains semi arid woodland and scrub. Over 50 species of fishes, 5 species of Amphibians, 8 species of lizards, 13 species of snakes,7 species of turtles, 375 species of birds and 27 species of mammals have been found in the park. Important birds that adorn the sanctuary include cranes, storks, spoon bills, white ibis, Cormorant, Darters, Herons,Egrets, geese, ducks, pelicans, flamingos, eagles, vultures, owls, and kingfishers. The crane population in this sanctuary has been continuously decreasing. It was 200 in 1964-65, but decreased to 02 in 2000-2001.
A total of about 35 species of butterflies have been reported in this park, of which Pieridae are the most commonly occurred followed by Nymphalidae. Jungle cat, Fishing cat, Toddy cat, Jackal, Hyena, Flying fox, Porcupine, Blue bull, Sambar, Mongoose and Red faced monkey.
Major fish species that are found in this sanctuary include Notopterus, Oxygaster Danio,Chela, Labeo, Catla, Cirrhinus, Puntius, Botia, Mystus, Ompok, Wallago,Clarias, and Channa. One can visit the park both during the monsoon and the winter. The monsoons are the breeding season for both resident and local migratory birds while in the winters a large number of migratory birds come from Europe and central Asia. There are wonderful lodging facilities in the city for the tourists. ITDC runs forest lodge both inside the sanctuary, while the RTDC runs Saras Tourism Bungalow outside the park.
Ranthambore
Ranthambore is most popular for its wildlife and is located in Sawai Madhopur district of Rajasthan. It is nested at the meeting point of the Aravalli and Vindhya hill ranges and is one of the finest places to spot wonderful wild animals in their natural habitat. The total area covered by the park is about 500 sq km and it got the status of a wildlife sanctuary in the year 1955. Later, it was declared as a National Park in the year 1981. If you are the one who wants to be close to the nature and observe its endowments, then this park is an ideal retreat. The diverse range of flora and fauna is simply a feast to the eyes and the park is also ideal for the wildlife enthusiasts.
Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan is a breeding ground to a number of wild animals such as Tigers, Leopards, Striped Hyenas, Sambar deer, Chital, Nilgai, Common langurs, Macaques, Jackals, Jungle cats, Caracals, Sloth bears, Black bucks, Rufoustailed Hare, Indian Wild Boar, Chinkara, Common Palm Civets or Toddy cat, Common Yellow Bats, Desert Cats, Civets and Common mongoose.
The park is acclaimed for its diurnal tigers and a range of fascinating reptiles such as Snub Nosed Marsh Crocodiles, Desert Monitor Lizards, Banded Kraits, Cobras, Common Kraits, Indian Pythons, Rat Snakes, Russel's Vipers, Saw-scaled Vipers and the Indian Chameleon. The Ganga Soft Shelled Turtles, and North Indian Flap Shelled Turtles are among the famous amphibious species commonly spotted here.
While in Ranthambore, you will also get an opportunity to visit the other tourist attractions in Ranthambore National Park such as Bakaula, Kachida Valley, Lakarda and Anantpura, Raj Bagh Ruins, Padam Talao, Ranthambore Fort, Rajbagh Talao and Malik Talao.
Ranthambore National Park being one of the most prominent ones all over India can be accessed quite conveniently. The nearby airports are located in Jaipur and Kota and the former one is well-linked with the other towns of India. The best way to reach Ranthambore is to take a train to Sawai Madhopur which is well connected with Jaipur, Bombay and Delhi.
The road transport is equally good and Ranthambore can be reached from the far corners of India by the smooth network of state and National highways.
Ranthambore offers decent lodging options to the tourists such as Tiger Den Resort, Vanya Vilas Resort, Hotel Raj Palace and Ranthambore Safari Lodge to mention a few. Whether you are looking for an adventure holiday or just want to spend some peaceful moments with the close ones, these accommodations are definitely going to offer you just what you need for a relaxed stay.
Kanha National Park
The Indian State of Madhya Pradesh is rich in diverse species of flora and fauna. The state has over 9 National Parks and 25 wildlife sanctuaries covering an area of about 10,862 square km which is about 3.52 % of the total geographical area of the state. Kanha national Park is one of the first nine protected areas selected under “Project Tiger” in the country. It was first established as a wildlife sanctuary in the year 1955 and later, it was converted into a tiger reserve. The park is located in a picturesque location in the state and is an ideal place for animal lovers to spend a vacation out here. We at Touristplacesinindia.com provide you with complete information on all that you want to know about Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh.
Kanha National Park was declared a tiger reserve in the year 1974 under “Project Tiger”. The park covers a total area of about 1945 square km and lies at an altitude of about 600 to 900 m above sea level. The vegetation is mostly of deciduous variety and comprises of plants like Sal, Saja, Bija, Tendu, Jamun, Bel and Bamboo. A wide variety of flora species are also found in this sanctuary. Animals that are mostly sighted in this Park include the Tiger,Leopard,Barasingha,Cheetal,Samber,Wild Dog, Jackal Hyena, Bear, Bison, Blue Bull, Four horned antelope, Barking deer, and Langoor. Wide varieties of birds which include both migratory as well as resident birds are also found in this Park. Tourists also have the option to visit other places of interest in and around the park. Khajuraho, which is replete with ancient temples, Panna – which houses a wildlife sanctuary and Bandhavgarh – which is considered a crown in wildlife heritage in Madhya Pradesh are some of the places worth visiting by the tourist who come to visit the Kanha in Madhya Pradesh.
Kanha National Park in MP is easy of access by air, roads and railways. Bhopal has the nearest airport. Besides, the state is connected with all major cities in India by railway tracks. The nearest railhead is at Jabalpur. There are a wide range of accommodations available in the city. One can either choose from the forest guest houses at Kisli and Supkhar or the private lodges available around the sanctuary. The best time to visit the sanctuary is between October and June.
Sunderbans
A part of the world’s largest delta formed by the confluence of the rivers Ganga, Brahmaputra and Meghna, the Sunderbans is a vast tract of forest and saltwater swamp stretching for about 160 miles along the Bay of Bengal from the Hooghly River Estuary in West Bengal to the Meghna River Estuary in Bangladesh. Sprawled over an area of 4262 sq. kms in India, Sunderbans is the largest estuarine sanctuary in the world, and habitat to some of India’s most amazing wildlife species.
The Sunderban Tiger Project was formed in 1974 and covers an area of 2585 sq. kms, of which the core area covers 1330 sq. kms and is a national forest and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Home to the largest concentration of wild tigers in the world, the Sunderbans National Park in West Bengal received National Park status on May 4, 1984. The park comprises a network of estuaries, tidal rivers, and creeks intersected by many channels, with flat, marshy islands covered with thick forests in between. The littoral forest at the Sunderbans Tiger Reserve is the only ecological habitat of the tiger of its kind not only in India, but also worldwide except in Bangladesh.
Sunderbans -- the place that derives its name from Sundari trees has a wide variety of trees that typically thrive in estuarine conditions of high salinity, minimal soil erosion and frequent inundation by high tides. The tidal rivers and mangrove forests provide habitats suitable for animals inhabiting tidal swamp areas. Numerous aquatic and semi-aquatic animals inhabit these forests, with their life systems being interlinked with the animals thriving in the land areas.
Sunderbans is home to an amazing variety of wild animals including spotted deer, monkeys, wild pigs, herons, white bellied eagles, kingfishers and about 270 Royal Bengal tigers. Occasionally, tigers of Sunderbans have been known to be man-eaters. It is believed that the uniqueness of the habitat and the lack of suitable prey have resulted in such unique behavioral trends of Sunderbans tiger.
Besides the tiger, the reserve is home to diverse aquatic and reptile life forms including the endangered Olive Ridley sea turtle, Green Turtle, Hawk's Bill Turtle, hard-shelled Batgur Terrapin, King cobra, Pythons, Chequered killback, Estuarine Crocodile, Monitor and lizards like the Salvator lizard to name a few. A number of Trans-Himalayan migratory birds can also be spotted at Sunderbans.
The best time to visit the Sunderbans Sanctuary and its surrounding region is from September to March.
Sasangir
The last refuge of the severely endangered Asiatic lion is located in Gujarat. Sasangir, popularly known as Gir National Park, is the last hope of this majestic creature. Once upon a time, the lions used to roam all over north India. By the turn of the 20th century, their numbers had come down to alarming figures. The situation is critical as these are the only lions left in the world apart from the African lions. The Sasangir National Park, one of the most famous tourist places in Gujarat, is an effort by the state and central governments to save this magnificent species of big cats.
The Gir National Park is spread over an area of 1412 square kms in the Junagarh district of Gujarat in western India. The history of the National Park goes back to the turn of the 20th century. There was a terrible famine that almost wiped out the lion population in the first decade of the century. Deprived of prey, the lion population came down heavily, until protection was offered by the Nawab of Junagarh. Lion hunting was completely banned in 1950s. Lion census was carried out, and appropriate steps taken for their conservation.
The park has a core area of 259 square kms. Besides the lions, Sasangir has a healthy population of other carnivores like panthers, wild cat, jackal, and hyena. The herbivores of the forest include sambar, chital, chinkara, nilgai, chowsingha (four horned antelope), and wild boar. Langurs and monkeys are also found and form the prey base for the big cats. Marsh crocodiles are also the inhabitants of Gir National Park, and can be seen near the rivers or at the lake of kamaleshwar dam. There is a crocodile breeding farm at Sasan, the headquarters of the park. Wildlife in Gujarat comprises a fascinating variety of birds, and most of them can be spotted at Sasangir. The bird population of the park includes species like gray drongo, paradise flycatcher, pied woodpecker, crested swift, Indian roller, fish owl, black vulture, falcon, crested serpent eagle, Bonelli’s eagle, sand grouse, quails, grey partridges, and white necked stork.
The park offers exciting safaris by jeep. The chief trails are from sasan to Baval chowk, Kankai, Tulsishyam, Chodavadi, and Kamaleshwar dam. Guides will accompany you on these trips and help you see the hidden treasures of Sasangir. Safaris are best conducted at sunrise or sunset, as the animals are most likely to be seen at these times.
A sizeable population of humans along with their cattle lives within the forest. This is a problem for the authorities, but tourists can get an interesting insight into the lives of these tribal people.
