An epitome of strength, bravery and grace, the tiger is one animal that never ceases to captivate the imagination of the public. You may have seen it a dozen times, but it doesn’t matter; for every time you come face-to-face with this fearsome creature you are bound to feel that raw fear and acknowledge that this apex predator is not someone you would want to mess around with. This amazing animal also has the type of loyal fan following that any movie star or sports star would be proud of –or what would explain the spike in footfalls in a national park or sanctuaries the moment the tiger graces it. Everybody wants to get a piece of this awesome animal and if you can get a close up with it, it would make the kind of profile photo that would have friends drooling all over. And now the good news for all tiger lovers: the tiger population in the country is on an upswing…
According to a census conducted in 2006, there were around 1,411 tigers roaming in the jungles of India, but that number has gone up substantially to 2,226 in 2014. If one considers the fact that only a few years back this precious animal was on the verge of extinction in the country, it is nothing sort of a miracle and National Conservation Authority deserving a pat on the back for plotting the turn-around. This great bit of news should definitely encourage you to embark on a tiger spotting mission; however, to make things easier for you we bring you a list of best places to spot this animal.
Bandhavgarh National Park, Madhya Pradesh
There is no better place to head to spot this incredible animal than Bandhavgarh, which has the highest density of tigers in the country. Home to as many as 63 big cats, the park was known as the land of the white tiger before Maharaja Martand Singh of Rewa caught the last tiger here in 1951. Visitors looking to make the most of their opportunity at the park must choose Tata zone 1; however since there is a lot of demand among the public, better book your tickets well in advance.
If you are willing to look beyond the tiger, the park has many other rare and endangered animals like the Chittal and Sambhar deer, leopard, wild dog, blue bull, sloths, muntjac, Indian bison, rhesus monkey, and Indian fox. In addition, there are over 200 species of native and migratory birds that have been recorded in the park.
Best time to visit: The best time to spot tigers is between April and June.
Tadoba-Andhari National Park, Maharashtra
It may be one of the youngest of the reserves listed here, but that hasn’t stopped it from staking claim to be one of the best to spot the tiger –on last count it is home to around 70 tigers. However, it is not just the tiger that has propelled it to among the top wildlife destinations in the country; it also has many species of rare and endangered animals like leopards, sloths and over 200 species of birds that also play a vital role. Summer is considered as the best time to visit Tadoba National Park.
Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan
One of the most beloved national parks in the country, Ranthambore is spread over an area of 1,443 square km. The tiger roams freely in the jungles of this breathtakingly beautiful, calm and serene park; the thick jungles, high grasses help the tiger to camouflage itself from probable prospects and launch a surprise attack. The next best things after the tiger that you will come across in the park include wild cats, hyenas, sloth bears, Indian foxes, crocodiles, jackals, and leopards.
The best spot for spotting the tiger is the area around Bakaula, which has dense forest cover.
Best time to visit: The best time period to spot tigers here is from April to May; the park though open all through the year and the period from February to March sees the most pleasant climate.
Kanha Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh
One of the few national parks that make an immediate impact on the mind with its irrepressible beauty, the Kanha National Park is one of a kind. Apart from the mighty tiger, the park is home to a number of other wildlife that jostles for your attention: three-striped palm squirrel, chital, common langur, jackal, gaur, wild pig, striped hyena, leopard, mouse deer, porcupine, chinkara, ant-eating pangolin, and samber. However, it is the endangered Barasingha deer that easily topples the others to come a close second (after the tiger off course) and win your approval!
There are great expanses of grasslands and meadows across the park. In addition there is dense forest cover with protective crowns which facilitate the growth of many species of climbers, shrubs and herbs.
Best time to visit: April to June
Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand
Including this park in the list is actually a no-brainer. The first to introduce Project Tiger, Corbett National Park has been instrumental in raising awareness among the public about the importance of tigers, both culturally and economically. The park is set in the foothills of the Himalayas making for a majestic view from whichever direction you approach it. What strikes immediately at the park is its dusty atmosphere, which though is not much of a distraction considering there is so much to see and explore in the park. The tiger can elude you as you need luck by your side to spot it. But do not despair as the park has a large animal population which can be seen playing around near the Ramganga River. Other animals of the park that you can look forward to spot inside the park include: langur, macaque, Chittal, and many species of birds.
Best time to visit: April to June.
Sundarbans National Park, West Bengal
Apart from being home to the biggest mangrove forest in the world, it also nurtures a sizable population of tigers, 400 to be precise. There is something really esoteric about the park as the landscape is so unlike what you see in the other parks. Some of the animals you would see here apart from the tiger include: the chital, leopard, fishing cats, Ganges River dolphin, and salt water crocodile.
Best time to visit: Between November and February
