Approximately 4500 tigers remain in the wild, so seeing one of these elusive and endangered animals in their native environment is an incredible pleasure. Furthermore, visiting a captive tiger attraction—many of which have drawn intense criticism for mistreating their animals—is far less environmentally friendly.
The modern world hasn’t been kind to tigers. Within the last century, 3 of the nine tiger subspecies became extinct; the other six are highly endangered, and dangers to their existence, such as habitat degradation and illegal poaching, persist. There is, however, some good news: the population of wild Bengal and Siberian tigers has been growing recently. The tourism infrastructure in key tiger habitats is constantly being improved, giving visitors a decent chance of seeing one with little to no negative influence on the animals. So on that note, read on to find the best places to see tigers in India and Nepal.
Ranthambore National Park, India
Ranthambore National Park is one of the biggest national parks in Northern India, spanning around 330,000 acres. With about 80 Bengal tigers living there, the park is renowned for being one of the Maharajas of Jaipur’s prime hunting spots, fusing the rich cultural heritage of the area with a diversified ecosystem. The park is home to numerous historic temples, mosques, and even a fort from the 10th century, which is a worthwhile site in and of itself.
How to do it: A 6-person Jeep or a 20-seat Canter is used for most safaris in the park. Although reservations for tours should ideally be made ninety days in advance, last-minute reservations are occasionally accepted. The 1st of October through the 30th of June is when these 3-hour tours are available.
Ranthambore is one of the most fantastic places in the world for photography because of its varied animals, historical and cultural sites, and gorgeous scenery. In addition to a 5-day safari, Natural Habitat Adventures provides an 11-day picture tour that includes a half-day tour of Delhi, a balloon ride above Jaipur, and sunrise and sunset photo sessions at the Taj Mahal. There are daily morning and evening trips available in the park for those who do not wish to reserve a whole package schedule.
Additional attractions: In addition to the tigers and historic ruins, wildlife such as crocodiles, hedgehogs, leopards, sloth bears, jackals, and even hyenas are frequently spotted.
When to go: The best months to see tigers are usually April and May, when the warm weather entices them to visit watering spots. February and March typically have the most desirable weather.
Corbett National Park, India
Jim Corbett National Park was the first national park in India, having been founded in 1936 as Hailey National Park before being renamed in honour of the hunter and naturalist Jim Corbett. The park’s grasslands, marshes, and sal forests are home to over 230 tigers, which is almost twice as many as it was just a decade ago. When seeking where to see tigers in India, this park is one of the few tiger reserves in the country that permits overnight visits, therefore your chances of seeing one of these elusive animals are increased.
How to do it: Canter and Jeep safaris are available in 5 different areas of the National Park, intending to distribute safari vehicles equally around the area. The Indian Forest Department runs the tours, and the guides choose which zone the safari will take place in (all zones report similar numbers of tiger sightings). Every day, there are morning and evening tours available.
Apart from the daily safaris offered by the park, other nearby tour companies provide multi-day tour packages. For example, Nature Safari India provides a 10-day journey that includes five days in the park where guests may see the park’s diverse animals, explore the trails and discover more about naturalist Jim Corbett.
Additional attractions: Look out for sloths, deer, leopards, mongooses, Indian elephants (especially in the summer), as well as bears when you’re in the park. One of the few chances you’ll get to spend the night in an Indian national park is at the Dhikala Forest Lodge, so take advantage!
When to go: In order to have the highest chance of seeing a tiger, it’s recommended to visit between April and June. Even though it can get pretty hot during the summer, this is the best time to see tigers since they are more likely to come out from behind the shelter of the brush to cool down and drink at an open watering hole.
Chitwan National Park, Nepal
Nestled close to the border between Nepal and India, Chitwan National Park is a recognised UNESCO World Heritage Site that protects over fifty different mammal species that live in the grasslands and subtropical forests, including the one-horned rhinoceros, royal Bengal tiger, and gharial crocodile. There were 93 tigers in Chitwan as of the 2018 census, but efforts are still being made to boost the tiger population in Nepal. The park’s thriving population of one-horned rhinos is another reason to visit, even if you don’t get the chance to spot a tiger.
How to do it: The majority of private tour operators that provide safaris in Chitwan National Park do so as part of travel packages. Aside from safaris facilitated by all-wheel-drive cars, some tour companies also offer walking and even elephant-back safaris.
A six-day trip that begins in Kathmandu is offered by And Beyond. A sightseeing flight over Everest, a day-long tour of the capital, a park strolling tour, and 4×4 and elephant safaris are all included in the itinerary. There are several different itineraries offered by Chitwan Jungle Safari, including a 2-day tour that incorporates an elephant safari.
Additional attractions: One-horned rhinos are another big attraction for visitors to the park. Of the 645 rhinos in Nepal, 605 were located in Chitwan National Park as of 2015. In addition, the park is home to striped hyenas, pangolins, elephants, antelope, and leopards, to mention a few.
When to go: The best months to visit the area are October through March, whereby April and May are when you’re most likely to see tigers or rhinos. In the spring, temperatures can occasionally reach triple digits, so wear appropriate clothing and pack lots of water.
Tadoba National Park, India
Tadoba National Park, in central India’s state of Maharashtra, is home to at least 80 tigers, not to mention the 200 more who live in nearby areas, making it one of the best place to see tigers in India. However, despite this, the park receives very little visitor traffic. The park’s name, which is derived from the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, comes from the God of Taru, who is revered by the Indigenous communities who live there. Tadoba is a great place to try to spot tigers because of its dry tropical ecosystem, home to the nation’s fastest-growing tiger population.
How to do it: Jeep safaris are conducted in three park zones in the winter and summer. For those on a tight budget, the Canter safari is an excellent choice because it can be reserved on a per-seat basis upon arrival at the Mohurli gate. The day of your visit will determine the timing. Generally speaking, tours happen in the mornings and evenings from the 1st of October through the 29th of February, as well as the 1st of March through the last day of June.
Tour organiser Based in Delhi, Responsible Travel takes pride in promoting environmentally and locally friendly travel options. They have an eight-day plan available. Compared to excursions that visit Tadoba National Park for just one or two days, the trip’s concentration is exclusively on the park, increasing your chances of spotting a tiger. There is also a seven-day package available from Tour My India that includes visits to the National Parks of Nagzira and Pench.
Additional attractions: Even if you don’t see any tigers, Tadoba National Park is home to many other extraordinary animals, including Indian pythons, cheetahs, leopards, sloth bears, and crocodiles.
When to go: The ideal time to see tigers, like in other places in the country, isn’t when the weather is nicest; instead, it’s between March and May, but be ready for the heat!
Madhya Pradesh, India
India has the most excellent chances for tiger sightings worldwide, as it’s home to 70% of the world’s wild tigers. Known as India’s “Tiger State,” Madhya Pradesh is home to some of the nation’s most easily accessible and well-managed tiger reserves, including Kanha, which is commonly believed to be the location of Rudyard Kipling’s beloved The Jungle Book. Madhya Pradesh has 50 tiger reserves. The Corbett Tiger Reserve in Uttarakhand and the Ranthambhore National Park in Rajasthan both provide exceptionally high tiger spotting probabilities.
How to do it: Safaris are run in Maruti Suzuki Gipsies, which can be booked for morning, afternoon, and occasionally night drives with a local guide. Satpura in Madhya Pradesh is the only reserve that offers walking safaris. For the best chance of seeing a tiger, try to get out for four drives or more.
Additional attractions: Along with deer (particularly sambar, spotted, and swamp deer), macaques, raptors (owls and eagles), gaurs, langurs, and, if you’re lucky, sloth bears or jungle cats are among the other animals you might see.
When to go: During the July–September monsoon season, the majority of tiger reserves close. Although it’s possible to see tigers all year round, the best times to see them are usually in April and May, when it’s hot and before the monsoon, look for them at waterholes.
Bardiya National Park, Nepal
Over 235 Bengal tigers roam five national parks in Nepal, an almost twofold increase in population over the previous ten years due to intensive conservation efforts. While Chitwan may be the most well-known, Bardiya National Park, located in the far northwest of the country, is said to be the best place to see some of the 80 or so tigers.
How to do it: Walking and 4WD safaris are available at every Bardiya safari resort. A half-day driving safari might cover more land, but a full-day walking safari allows for closer encounters with the animals.
Bardiya Ecolodge stands out among the numerous dozen safari lodges in or around Thakurdwara town, close to the park entry, because of its excellent meals and outstanding local guide. Consider the luxurious Karnali Lodge, operated by responsible tourism pioneer TigerTops, for extra comfort.
Additional attractions: Watch out for the approximately 30 larger one-horned rhinos found in Bardiya, along with crocodiles, otters, wild elephants, five different types of deer, and more. You will, at the very least, come across Vikram the Rhino, who was a victim of human conflict and now spends his days in an enclosure close to the park entrance.
When to go: Bardiya is open all year round; however, like India, the summer months are usually the best time to see tigers because they (together with rhinos) are frequently spotted cooling off in the Girwa River.
