Wildlife Sancturies Tours in India

Gir National Park
Gir National Park is the probably the last refuge of the Asiatic lion; a terrain composed of steep rocky hills,deep ravines and occasional stretches of grassland irrigated by many rivers. The park supports a mixed semi-arid deciduous forest.

Over the years the lions have got pretty used to people and sightings are plentiful. As a matter of fact the lion population at Gir has been growing steadily and efforts are on to relocate some of the animals to ease the pressure on Gir. An alternate home may be found for some in Rajasthan or Madhya Pradesh.

The closest airport is Rajkot (150 km) and the railhead is Sasangir/Junagadh. The Taj group runs the Gir Forest Lodge - an oasis of luxury in the dry countryside. Cheaper accommodation is also available.

The legendary Somnath temple, renowned for its wealth, was sacked and plundered 7 times by Mehmud of Ghazni. A mere 45 km from Gir, the temple is a major pilgrim centre even today.

Best time to visit :
Nearest town:
How to get there: Train to Sasan Gir (1 km); airport - Keshod (150 km)
General Information :
Best time to Visit : November - mid June
Nearest town : Junagadh (42 km)
How to get there : Train to Sasan Gir (1 km); airport - Keshod (150 km)

Sariska National Park
The picturesque Siliserh Lake lies along the edge of the Sariska Tiger Reserve and a charming hunting lodge overlooking it, is a marvellous place for visitors to stay. The dry deciduous forests of the ancient Aravalli range are excellent tiger country and Sariska was once of the royal reserve of the rulers of Alwar. Declared a sanctuary in 1955, it became a Tiger Reserve in 1979 under project Tiger.Herds of sambar, chital, nilgai and sounders of wild boar - the prey population for predators like the tiger and leopard, roam the 765.80sq. km. Reserve. Other carnivores include the hyena, jungle cat, and caracal. Interestingly enough, the dhole or wild dog has been sighted in the Park only in the last few years. The park has hides carefully located near the water holes. These afford fine opportunities for viewing and photographing wildlife.

Splendid ruins scattered in the vicinity of Sariska give it an added interest. The Neelkanth temples (6th-13th century AD) are just 32 km. From the Park and the historic Kankwari Fort inside the Reserve, is where the Emperor Aurangzeb once imprisoned his brother Dara Shikoh. A splendid palace complex built in 1902, with a 'French' pavilion and swimming pool, is now a hotel.

General Information :
Best time to Visit : October to June
Accommodation : Tiger Den , Sariska Palace Hotel
Nearest town : Alwar (21 Km)
How to get there : Rail - Alwar (21Km), Air - Jaipur (108 Km)

Kanha National Park
This is the place that has been described by Rudyard Kipling in his great book "The Jungle Book". Picture this thick sal forests, long bamboos, swaying grasslands and meandering rivers. This is what Kanha is all about. Located in the Mandla district of Madhya Pradesh, Kanha national park is a tiger reserve that extends over an area of over 1940 sq km. A horse-shoe shaped valley bounded by the spurs of the Mekal presents an interesting topography. Steep rocky escarpments along the edges offer breathtaking views of the valley.Realizing the danger on the Tiger population in the country, the Government started the "Project Tiger" at Kanha and in 1974 the area was declared a Tiger reserve. The park is also the habitat of the high ground Barasingha.

The park was created in 1955 by a special law and since then it has dedicated itself in preserving a variety of animal species. Many endangered species have indeed been saved here. Today Kanha is among the few most scenic and beautiful wildlife reserves in Asia. This 'Tiger Country' is the ideal home for both predator and prey.

Park Population
It was at the Kanha national park that the first ever scientific study of the tiger was undertaken by the eminent zoologist George Schaller. Another landmark at Kanha is the preservation of the hard ground Barasingha .This was achieved by extending the grasslands, relocating villages and by increasing habitat.There are 22 species of mammals in the park. These are the three-stripe squirrels, variety of monkeys and apes, hyena, wild pigs, deers and black bucks. The Indian jackal, jungle cat, leopard, blue bull can also be spotted here.

The mixed forests and bamboo forests are good breeding and nesting grounds for many feathered species. There are almost 200 species of birds in Kanha. Many of them are found on the grasslands too. Some of them can be spotted around water holes. The ground opposite the Museum is also a good place to watch the birds at play. Take binoculars to watch them closely. Best time to observe the birds is in the morning and evening. The park also sustains a sizeable number of reptiles which are very difficult to spot.

Nearby Attractions
The Kanha national park in itself is so beautiful and full of adventure that no other local attraction is needed.But Bamni Dadar is one place which is visited by every tourist who come to the national park. This also known as the sunset point. The Kanha national park is at it scenic best at this point. The sunset from this spot is mesmerizing. The eminent natural splendor of the park comes to the fore here. The grazing sambars, barking deer, gaurs and other animals make the ambience magical.

Best Time to Visit
The Kanha national park is closed from 1st July to 31st October . This being the rainy season, the animals prefer being in shelters than venture out. The best season to visit this park is between November and June.

Getting There
There are regular air services to Raipur and Nagpur (270 km) from other airports in india. One can also take the flight to Jabalpur (170 km). From these airports one has to drive to the park. The most convenient railheads for Kanha are Jabalpur and Nagpur. These two are well connected by fast and superfast trains other destinations in India.

To access the Kanha national park there are two ways via Khatia or Kisli. From Jabalpur there are daily bus services to these places. From Jabalpur, Bilaspur and Raipur one can hire taxis to the park. No vehicles are allowed inside the park after dark so get there before dusk.

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