India has diverse options for a nature and wildlife lover. An itinerary must be planned with a local expert, who will understand your needs, make recommendations accordingly and then make the necessary booking. Details below for some popular parks, often found on the itinerary of wildlife lovers:
Chambal National Sanctuary, Border of Uttar Pradesh & Madhya Pradesh
Ancient Indian texts refer to the Chambal river as the Charmanyavati – originating from the blood of thousands of cows sacrificed by the Aryan King Rantideva. Its ‘unholy’ origins have certainly helped the Chambal survive, and thrive, untouched and unpolluted, and it remains one of India’s most pristine rivers.
The Chambal Ravines (altitude 200-500m) form an incredible maze of intertwining mud cliffs, with tropical dry scrub forest vegetation, that provide shelter for numerous birds, mammals and reptiles.
The National Chambal Sanctuary (NCS) is a 400 km stretch of the river Chambal and a 1 to 6 km wide swathe of the ravines on both sides of the river, covering an area of 1235 sq. km.The NCS is one of the last surviving habitats of the Gangetic River Dolphin, provides protection for 1200 Gharials & 300 Marsh Crocodiles and is home to eight species of Turtles and the Smooth-coated Otters.
The Sanctuary boasts of a rapidly increasing and impressive bird list of over 330 species of resident and migratory birds, and is gaining a reputation as one of the most reliable places to see the Indian Skimmer.
The Sanctuary is reachable from flight to Delhi and Drive via Agra
Corbett National Park, Nainital District, Uttar Pradesh
It is India’s oldest national park named after the renowned British hunter turned wildlife conservationist, Jim Corbett. It has 520 sq. km. of Core and 798 sq. km. of Buffer Zone. Project tiger was launched from here in 1973. Its probably the only park offering the rare experience of staying inside the forest (at the Dhikala Forest Lodge).
The most famous of all the wildlife is the Royal Bengal Tiger and others like the Asiatic elephant, buffalo, leopard, himalayan black bear, chital and sloth bear.
Apart from that, Corbett has two of India’s three crocodilian species. It is considered to be one of the best spots to see the mugger or the Indian Crocodile, also known as gharial (one of the largest and endangered crocodiles of the world) in action. Additionally, several species of snakes including the king cobra, Indian Rock Python, Russell’s Viper and Indian Krait have also been frequently sighted here.
The park and its neighbouring areas is home to more than 650 resident and migratory bird species. like blue-winged minla, long-tailed broadbill, paradise flycatcher, long-tailed thrush, bulbuls and magpies. During winters, migratory birds like brown-dippers, wallcreepers, brahminy ducks, ruddy shelducks, water redstarts and several varieties of wagtails can also be seen. Apart from that, Corbett is a hub for over 50 species of raptors, with some of the most spotted ones being oriental honey buzzards, black-shouldered kites, pallas’ fish eagles, lesser fish eagles, slender-billed vultures, himalayan griffons and crested-serpent eagles.
One can reach Corbett national park fro a flight to Delhi and drive