Satpura National Park

Satpura National Park is situated in Hoshangabad district of Madhya Pradesh. The park derives its name from the Satpura Range. The Satpura National Park spans over an area of 1427 sq km and is home to various wild animals including tiger, leopard, wild boar, Gaur, bear, four horned antelope, Nilgai, black buck, fox and porcupine. Many species of birds also live in this forest. The park remains closed from 16th July to 16th October. Jungle safari is conducted in the morning from 6 am to 11 am and in the evening from 3 pm to 5 pm.

Getting There

The nearest railway station is Pipariya. Pipariya is well connected with other parts of the country. Hired cars are available from Pipariya to reach Satpura National Park.

Staying There

Reni Pani Jungle Lodge. Tariff - Rs. 18000. Tel: 9981997714.
Forsyth Lodge. Tariff - Rs. 12000. Tel: (0124) 4062480.

Pakhal Wildlife Sanctuary

Pakhal Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in Warangal district of Andhra Pradesh. The sanctuary covers an area of 860 sq km. The vegetation consists of tropical dry deciduous mixed forest, bamboo and mixed teak forest. The Pakhal Lake, a large scenic artificial lake is located in the middle of the forest which adds beauty to the place.  The Pakhal Wildlife Sanctuary is home to a range of wild animals including the leopard, tiger, panther, sambar, deer, sloth bear, wild dog, fox and jackal. Many species of migratory birds visit the Pakhal Lake during winter.

Getting There

The most convenient railhead from Pakhal Wildlife Sanctuary is Warangal. Warangal is well connected with other parts of the country. The sanctuary is located at a distance of 50 km from Warangal.

Staying There

You can stay at the Forest Rest House in Pakhal Wildlife Sanctuary.

Keibul Lamjao National Park

Keibul Lamjao National Park is located in Bishnupur district of Manipur. The park covers an area of 40 sq km and is the only floating park in the world. The Keibul Lamjao National Park is characterized by floating decomposed plant materials called phumdis. The main attraction of the national park is the Manipur Eld's Deer or Sangai. The Sangai (also called Dancing Deer) is an endangered species which is found only in the Keibul Lamjao National Park. Apart from Sangai, the park is home to other mammal species including Hog Deer, Sambar, Large Indian Civet, Jackal, Jungle Cat, Common Shrew and Flying Fox. Many reptiles and birds species are also found in this national park.

Getting There

The nearest airport is at Imphal, the capital town of the state of Manipur. Regular flights are available from major cities of India to Imphal. The Keibul Lamjao National Park is 53 km from Imphal. Buses and cars are plying from Imphal to Keibul Lamjao National Park.

Staying There

You can stay in the Forest Rest House at Keibul Lamjao National Park.

Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary

Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the North-East Indian state of Tripura. The forest spans over an area of 190 sq km and is rich in flora and fauna. It was declared as a wildlife sanctuary in the year 1988. The main attraction of Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary is the Indian Bison. Apart from bison, the sanctuary is home to spectacled langur, golden langur, capped langur and stump-tailed macaque. Several species of birds are also seen in this forest.

Getting There

The nearest airport is at Agartala. Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary is 100 km from Agartala. Buses and cars are available from Agartala to reach the sanctuary.

Staying There

You can stay at the Forest Dak Bungalow at Belonia.

Intanki Wildlife Sanctuary

Intanki Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in Peren district of Nagaland. It is located at a distance of 37 km from Dimapur and 111 km from Kohima. The sanctuary covers an area of 202 sq km and possesses a rich wealth of flora and fauna. The Intanki Wildlife Sanctuary is home to the Hoolock Gibbon which is the only species of Gibbon found in India. Other animals found in this forest include elephants, Sambhar, barking deer, flying squirrel, wild dog, sloth bear and tiger. Different species of birds namely hornbill, black stork and common pheasant also live in the sanctuary.

Getting There

The nearest railway station is at Dimapur. Dimapur is well connected by rail and air transport to the rest of the country. Intanki Wildlife Sanctuary is 37 km from Dimapur. Buses and taxis are available from Dimapur to reach the sanctuary.

Staying There

There is a forest rest house at the Intanki Wildlife Sanctuary for accommodation. You can also stay at Dimapur.

Betla National Park

Betla National Park (also known as Palamau National Park) is situated in the Indian state of Jharkhand. The park spans over an area of 930 sq km. The forest hosts a wide variety of wild animals including tiger, elephant, leopard, sloth bear, wolf, jackal, Sambhar, Nilgai, Gaur, Chital, bison and several species of deers. The Betla National Park is also home to a range of bird species namely hornbill, pied hornbill, crested serpent eagle, black partridge, peafowl and jungle fowl. The Kamaldah Lake where several varieties of water birds are seen is an added attraction.

Getting There

The nearest convenient railhead is Ranchi which enjoys good connectivity with the rest of the country. Betla National Park is 173 km from Ranchi. Hired cars are available from Ranchi to reach Betla forest.

Staying There

You can stay at the Forest Rest House in Betla Tiger Reserve. Tel: (06567) 222650.

Periyar National Park

Periyar National Park is situated in the districts of Idukki and Pathanamthitta in Kerala. The forest covers an area of 925 sq km. It surrounds the Periyar Lake, a reservoir formed by the construction of the Mullaperiyar Dam. The place was declared as a National Park in the year 1982. The Periyar National Park is famous for housing elephants and tigers. Other wild animals that live in this jungle include gaur, sambar, wild pig, deer, sloth bear, jungle cat and Nilgiri Tahr. Birds such as Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, Malabar Grey Hornbill, Blue winged Parakeet, Sri Lanka Frogmouth and Black necked Stork are seen in this forest. A number of adventure tours like bamboo rafting, tiger trail and nature walk are conducted by the state forest department at Periyar.

Getting There

The nearest railway station is Rajapalayam. Distance between Rajapalayam and Periyar is 47 km. The station is well connected to Chennai and other parts of the country.

Staying There

KTDC Aranya Nivas. Tariff - Rs. 5100-7200. Tel: (04869) 222023.
KTDC Lake Palace. Tariff - Rs. 14000-18000. Tel: (04869) 223887.
KTDC Periyar House. Tariff - Rs. 2250-4600. Tel: (04869) 222026.
Prime Castle. Tariff - Rs. 900-1650. Tel: (04869) 223469.

Wild Ass Sanctuary

Wild Ass Sanctuary is situated in the Little Rann of Kutch in the western parts of Gujarat. The sanctuary was established in the year 1973 and spans over an area of 4953 sq km. It is the largest abode of the Indian Wild Ass (Equas Hemionus Khur) in the country. This rare animal is found nowhere else in the world. Apart from the wild ass, the sanctuary is home to nilgai, desert fox, black buck, hyena and wolf. Birds like flamingo, pelican, common crane and other migratory birds visit this place during winter.

Getting There

The nearest railway station is Dhrangadhra, 16 km from the Wild Ass Sanctuary. Dhrangadhra is well connected to other parts of the country. The nearest major city, Ahmedabad is 129 km from Wild Ass Sanctuary. Buses are plying from Ahmedabad to Dhrangadhra.

Staying There

Rann Riders. Tariff - Rs. 2000-2500. Tel: 9925236014.

Bandhavgarh National Park

Bandhavgarh National Park is located in the Umaria district of Madhya Pradesh. The National Park covers an area of 105 sq km. The main attraction of the jungle is the tiger which attract visitors from across India. Apart from tigers, Bandhavgarh is home to 250 species of birds and 22 species of mammals. Various wild animals including deer, wild cat, hyena, sloth bear, leopard, bison and Nilgai are seen at the park. Bandhavgarh also hosts bird species like Paradise Flycatcher, Woolly Necked Stork, Peacock, Asian Warbler, Malabar Grey Hornbill and Pied Hornbill. You can visit the Baghel Museum located in the Tala Zone of Bandhavgarh. The National Park remains closed every year from 1st July to 15th October.

Getting There

The nearest railway station is Umaria. Umaria is connected by rail to Jabalpur which in turn is well connected to the rest of the country. The entry point of Bandhavgarh National Park is 35 km from Umaria station. Cars and buses are plying from Umaria to Bandhavgarh.

Staying There

Hotel White Tiger Forest Lodge. Tariff - Rs. 4300-5300. Tel: (07627) 265406.
Bandhavgarh Forest Resort. Tariff - Rs. 700-1000. Tel: 9424794321.
Baghela Resort. Tariff - Rs. 1000-1500. Tel: (07627) 265379.

Biligiri Ranganatha Temple Sanctuary

Biligiri Ranganatha Temple Sanctuary is situated in Chamrajnagar district of Karnataka at its border with Tamil Nadu. The sanctuary is nestled in the lap of Biligiri Rangana Hills. The elevation of the hill range varies from 3300 ft to 5000 ft above sea level. Elephants, leopards and tigers are often seen in the forest. The sanctuary is also home to barking deer, chital and gaur. Various species of birds like peacock, hill myna, crested serpent eagle and whistling thrush live in this forest. The best time to visit the sanctuary is during the months of January to April.

Getting There

The nearest railway station is Mysore which is well connected to other parts of the country. Distance from Mysore to Biligiri Ranganatha Temple Sanctuary is 86 km. Hired cars are available from Mysore to reach Biligiri Ranganatha Temple Sanctuary.

Staying There

K Gudi Wilderness Camp. Tel: 9845172820. Tariff - Rs. 3850-5600 (including food, safari and entry charges).