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:
Nagarahole National Park, Kodagu district, Karnataka
This National Park is the former hunting grounds of the erstwhile rulers of the Kingdom of Mysore, the Wodeyars and is spread over of 640 square kilometers. It was designated as a national park in 1988.
Nagarhole National Park is home to several species of mammals as well as birds. Top animals to spot here are leopard, Royal Bengal Tiger, sloth, antelope, elephant, and sambar deer, Indian giant flying squirrel, and other animals. It has over 250 species of birds, like the white backed vulture, Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, greater spotted eagle, red headed vulture, oriental white ibis, blue winged parakeet and Malabar Grey Hornbill.
A variety of reptiles are also found across the park. The most popular ones are muggers, bamboo pit viper, Indian Monitor Lizard and Indian Rock Python.
Bandipur National Park, Mysore district, Karnataka
It is regarded as one of the most beautiful and the better managed national parks of India covering an area of about 875 sq km. It is India’s biggest biosphere reserve popularly known as the ‘Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve’.
Other natural inhabitants of this lovely forest are gaur (a type of bull), sambhar, chital, mouse deer, four-horned antelope, wild dogs, wild boar, jackal, sloth bear, panther, malabar squirrel, porcupines and the black-knapped hare. Birds like jungle fowl and green pigeon are also found here.