The 7 best places to see tigers in India

Whether you’re looking for a wildlife focussed holiday or just want a shorter section of your overall trip dedicated to tigers, there are lots of options to choose from, from the popular to the lesser known. Here are our top spots for tigers:

1. Kanha National Park

Located in Madhya Pradesh, Kanha National Park is one of India’s most well-managed tiger reserves and offers a quintessential wildlife experience. Kanha's vast meadows, dense forests, and clear streams provide ideal conditions for tiger sightings. The park is well-known for its research and conservation efforts, particularly for the hardground barasingha, as unique swamp deer native to the Indian subcontinent.

Kanha is a large park, with great accommodation options and really healthy population of wildlife, not just the famous tigers but also leopards, wild dogs and sloth bears. The period from March to June is excellent for tiger sightings, as the animals frequent the water sources during the hot season. Combining Kanha with Banghavgarh or Pench can often be sensible, as they both have better entry points when flying down from Delhi, to make your itinerary as smooth as possible. 

2. Pench National Park 

Straddling the states of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, Pench National Park is the inspiration behind Rudyard Kipling's famous novel, The Jungle Book. Wild bamboo forests and rocky vistas are home to Mowgli’s unusual friends – the hairy sloth bears, the fearsome cobra and of course the famous Bengal tiger. This area is noted for its significant tiger population, with tropical and dry deciduous forests providing an ideal habitat to other things like elusive leopards and unique wild dogs. Flitting through the sky you can spot Indian rollers, Coppersmith barbets and even, if you’re lucky, the Indian scops owl.

From February to June, the park’s water sources attract a myriad of wildlife, offering better chances to spot tigers as they gather in popular areas. You can combine your trip here with a visit to Satpura or Kanha, to enjoy the ultimate wildlife holiday. 

3. Satpura National Park 

Satpura National Park in Madhya Pradesh offers a unique wildlife experience with its rugged terrain and rich biodiversity. The stand-out experience here is the walking safari, allowing a closer and more immersive wildlife experience. You can also explore by kayak or canoe, as well as the classic, traditional jeep safari. It’s the only reserve in India that allows this, so a visit here is already sure to be a highlight of your trip.

The landscape is particularly spectacular, with thick forests, sandstone peaks and narrow gorges. One of the lesser visited parks, your chances of seeing tigers here are a bit lower, so it’s perfect to combine with Pench or Kanha to give yourself the best chance of seeing a tiger. You will, however, have good opportunities to see the scruffy-looking sloth bears, colourful hornbills and turquoise peacocks. 

4. Bandhavgarh National Park 

Known for having one of the highest densities of tigers in India, Bandhavgarh National Park in Madhya Pradesh is a must-visit for tiger enthusiasts. This spectacular park is made up of sal trees and scarlet ‘flame of the forest’ trees, whose bright leaves light up the forest during the spring. Bandhavgarh offers high chances of tiger sightings due to its large tiger population and relatively smaller area, making it easier to spot these elusive cats.

Visiting between November and June gives the best opportunities for tiger sightings, although the peak season is from March onwards. The thick forests are side by side with wide marshlands, creating a perfect environment for other wildlife - jackals, barking deer, mongooses and jungle cats can also be spotted. The location is also ideal for combining with Kanha or Panna if you’re looking for a comprehensive tiger experience in India. 

5. Panna National Park 

Panna National Park is a triumph in tiger conservation, having successfully reintroduced tigers in the park after losing all of the tigers by 2009. Since then, the tigers have been reintroduced, and there are now more than 50 thriving in this park. Panna’s scenic beauty, including its gorges and waterfalls, combined with its thriving tiger population, makes it an excellent destination for wildlife enthusiasts.

The best time to visit is from November to April, when the weather is pleasant, and wildlife activity is high. In addition to tigers, keep an eye out for leopards, gharials, and a endless birds that flit between the trees. You’ll also be able to take a boat ride along the Ken River looking for wildlife along the banks. Panna combines well with Bandhavgarh National Park if you’re looking for a twin wildlife centre, as well as a visit to Khajuraho, an exquisite temple complex not far from the park with spectacular temples with intricate carvings and spires. 
 

6. Ranthhambhore National Park 

Ranthambhore National Park in Rajasthan is one of the most famous tiger reserves in India, known for its picturesque landscapes and historical structures. It’s also popular because it can slot into a Golden Triangle itinerary, making it a common stop for first time visitors to India. Ranthambhore is renowned for its tiger sightings, with the tigers often seen in broad daylight, a relatively rare occurrence. The park’s blend of history and wildlife makes it a unique destination as you can also enjoy visiting the park’s ancient fort and ruins.

From October to June, the chances of spotting tigers are high, especially during the hot months of April and May when tigers frequently are found around the water sources. As the park is so close to the Thar Desert, this region get’s very little rainfall so most of the plant life here is dry and deciduous forest that can cope with the lack of water. When you’re not spotting tigers, you’ve got a good chance of seeing sloth bears snuffling in the long grasses, jackals prowling in the dusk light and even crocodiles relaxing by the waters edge. 

As I mentioned, it’s a great combination with Delhi, Jaipur and Agra on a longer Golden Triangle itinerary like our holiday - Tiger safari: Rajasthan and Ranthambhore holiday

7. Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve

Located in Maharashtra, Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve is one of the oldest and largest national parks in the state. Known for its high tiger density and excellent tiger sighting opportunities, Tadoba is often referred to as the Jewel of Vidarbha. Tadoba is famous for its open safaris and relatively easy tiger sightings compared to other parks. The terrain, which includes deep valleys, dense forests, and grassy meadows, provides the perfect backdrop for spotting tigers.

The best time to visit Tadoba for tiger sightings is between February and May, when the waterholes are frequented by tigers and other wildlife due to the dry season. Apart from tigers, you can also spot leopards, sloth bears, wild dogs, and various species of deer. Bird watchers will be able to revel in the vast birdlife that you can see here, including the crested serpent eagle and the grey-headed fish eagle. Combine your trip to Tadoba with a visit to the nearby Umred Karandla Wildlife Sanctuary, which is slowly gaining popularity for its tiger population.

Planning a tiger-spotting holiday to India?

If you’re looking for the best places to see tigers in India, then look no further. We've got you covered, whether you’re looking for a romantic honeymoon with a few days looking for wildlife, or a specialist wildlife trip around the country visiting some of their tiger hot spots, we can help you plan your trip to India. If you want to start to plan, give us a call on 1273 320 580 or request a quote.