Catching sight of a majestic tiger in the wilds of India is a dream for most wildlife enthusiasts. They are large, mysterious, and exquisite creatures all at the same time.
With more than 50 tiger reserves, India is a great place to see these big cats in their natural habitat.
It is reported that there are over 3000 wild tigers in India alone. This means India is home to half of the world’s entire tiger population. Here tiger numbers are on the rise thanks incredible work being done by Indian authorities and wildlife conservation organizations. Some good news for a change!
If you’re in hopes of seeing one of these mesmerizing big cats in India, we’ve made a list of the best places to start your search!
The 13 Best Places to See Tigers in India
1. Corbett National Park
Corbett National Park is one of the best places to see tigers in India, and was the first official national park in the country.
Established in 1936, the park has supported a conversation effort call Project Tiger since 1973. This initiative helps create a safe place for tigers to live and thrive as a population in the wild.
How many tigers are in Corbett National Park?
As of today, there are about 250 individual tiger in Corbett National Park. Along with the tigers, you can also see elephants, leopards, sambar deer, spotted deer, and various other large mammals while on your safari.
2. Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve
The Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve consists of two main parts; Tadoba National Park, which spreads over an area of 116 sq km, and Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary which stretches over 509 sq km.
The dense forest areas in the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve provide the ideal habitat for the tigers. This allows them to camouflage and hunt their prey with relative ease.
How many tigers are in Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve?
As of now, there are about 100 tigers living in the reserve. Due to the thickness of the vegetation in the area, your best chance of spotting one will be near a body of water. Keep an eye out for one of these majestic big cats as they come out for a drink.
In the reserve you can also hope to see elephants, sloth bears, hyenas and nilgai.
3. Ranthambore National Park
Ranthambore National Park is named after the Ranthambore Fort, which is located inside the parks borders.
In its early days, it was used as a hunting ground for the Jaipur Royal Family. However in 1980, it was declared a national park and all hunting activities were banned.
Ranthambore was home to the most famous tiger to have ever lived – Machli. The tigress was featured in many wildlife documentaries, like Queen Mother of Tigers, Lady of the Lakes and Tigress Queen of Ranthambore.
Machli played a key role in the regeneration of the national park before dying at the age of 19.
How many tigers are in Ranthambore National Park?
There are currently more than 50 tigers in Ranthambore National Park. They live alongside various other animals such as leopards, sloth bears and golden jackals.
4. Bandipur National Park
Bandipur National Park is the biggest national park in Karnataka. During the early years, it served as a hunting farm for the Royal Family of Mysore.
However, it was declared as a tiger reserve in India under the Project Tiger in 1973.
How many tigers are in Bandipur National Park?
There are an estimated 500 tigers in Karnataka, which is a much larger population than most other national parks in India. This makes Bandipur is one of the best places to see tigers in India.
The park is also home to large herds of elephant, spotted deer, sambar deer, chital grey langurs and chousingha.
5. Sundarbans National Park
Sundarbans National Park is home to the largest mangrove forest in the world, and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
How many tigers live in Sunderbans National Park?
Tiger sightings in the Sunderbans are not very common, but reports suggest that there are about 80 individuals living in the park. So if luck is on your side, and you’re willing to put in some extra effort you could certainly see one!
The large mangrove area in Sundarbans National Park is home to a massive variety of fish species. This attracts not only tigers but leopards, fishing cats and estuarine crocodiles as well. You can also upwards of 400 bird species while here.
6. Kaziranga National Park
Kaziranga National Park is most famous for sightings of the single-horned rhinoceros, thanks to extensive conservation efforts and a population rebound.
However the park is also one of the best places to see tigers in India. Various photographers have captured incredible images of the two species side-by-side.
How many tigers live in Kaziranga National Park?
There is an estimate of around 100 tigers living in the park.
One of the most popular national parks in India, Kaziranga National Park is also known to provide exceptional sightings of elephants, leopards and sloth bears. You can even experience a boat safari while here.
7. Nagarhole National Park
Nagarhole National Park sits adjacent to the Bandipur National Park, seperated only by the Kabini reservoir.
It was declared as a wildlife sanctuary in 1955, but officially given the status of a national park and tiger reserve in 1999.
How many tigers are in Nagarhole National Park?
It is estimated that there are around 100 tigers living in Nagarhole National Park. In combination with Bandipur, it is believed that more there could be more 250 tigers that freely move between the two reserves.
Apart from tigers, you can also see elephants, leopards, golden jackals, barking deer and jungle cats in Nagarhole.
8. Mudumalai Tiger Reserve
Another one of the best places to see tigers in India is Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, in Tamil Nadu.
It forms part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, which is home to an abundance of India’s diverse flora and fauna.
In 2007, the area was declared an official tiger reserve to protect its big cats.
How many tigers are in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve?
It is reported that there are about 100 tigers living in the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve today.
The park also provides a home to Indian bison, leopards, elephants, Sambar deer, wild boar, and flying squirrels.
9. Dudhwa National Park
Dudhwa National Park was initially declared as a wildlife sanctuary to provide protection to its population of swamp deer. Today it is also a great place to see tigers in the wild.
How many tigers are in Dudhwa National Park ?
As of now, it is reported that more than 80 tigers are living in the Dudhwa National Park.
Aside from the tigers, it is also a great place to see swamp deer, elephants, leopards, sloth bears, and fishing cats. Or, if birds are more you’re thing, you can enjoy viewing over 400 different bird species – both native and migratory.
10. Bandhavgarh National Park
Bandhavgarh National Park is located in Madhya Pradesh, which is known to have the largest tiger population of any Indian state (more than 530).
It was once heralded for being the Land of the White Tiger, however today no white tigers remain in Bandhavgarh.
How many tigers are in Bandhavgarh National Park ?
Today, more than 50 Bengal tigers call Bandhavgarh home, and sightings are known to be quite common.
Here you’ll also be able to see elephants, leopards, sloth bears, Indian bison, nilgai, sambar deer, chital deer and chousingha.
11. Periyar Tiger Reserve
Periyar Tiger Reserve is the first of its kind in Kerala. It was established as a wildlife sanctuary in 1950. However, it was not declared as a tiger reserve until 1978.
How many tigers live in Periyar Tiger Reserve?
As of right now, more than 40 tigers are living in the Periyar Tiger Reserve. While other notable sightings include: elephants, lion-tailed macaques, Nilgiri langur, leopards, sloth bears, wild boars, flying squirrels, and Indian bison.
The reserve also hosts boat safaris on the Periyar Lake, which offer a unique wildlife viewing experience.
12. Satpura National Park
One of the lesser-visited national parks in India, Satpura National Park isn’t on the usual tourist route.
It was established in the 1980s, and tends to be less crowded than the country’s other national parks.
This is because only about 10-12 safari vehicles are allowed inside at any one time. This makes it an exceptional location for intimate wildlife sightings.
Satpura rangers also offer guided walking safaris, which is a once in a lifetime experience.
How many tigers live in Satpura National Park?
50 tigers call Satpura National Park home, and they live alongside; elephants, leopards, sambar deer, barking deer, wild boars, sloth bears, flying squirrels, and Indian bison in here.
13. Pench Tiger Reserve
Pench Tiger Reserve is said to be the place where Rudyard Kipling got his inspiration to write the novel “Jungle Book”.
The reserve plays host to all the iconic animals depicted in the famous story, and it’s an almost magical experience visiting the very site that inspired this classic.
So, it will be a truly amazing experience to walk through the wild and the densely forested areas of the Pench tiger reserve, and imagine yourself living in that book!
How many tigers live in Pench National Park?
The densely forested national park is home to around 60 tigers, as well as: leopards, sloth bears, wild boar, sambar deer, barking deer, Indian wolf, and Indian bison.
India is home to some of the most incredible wildlife species on earth. Sharing the land with the country’s majestic tigers is a privilege that few have been able to experience! Be sure to check out one of these incredible tiger reserves on your visit to India.