Why Summers Are the Best Time to Go Wildlife Spotting in India

The first thing that comes to mind when we think about summers might be sweltering heat. However, for wildlife enthusiasts, there isn’t a better time to head into the lush jungles of Indian National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries. When the scorching sun dries up all the minor water sources in the forests, denizens of the wild are forced to quench their thirst at the very few remaining watering holes. This creates an ideal condition for observing wildlife with a very high chance of sightings because all creatures will eventually pay a visit; just wait patiently around the water source. Along with that, the sparse and dry vegetation during summers is conducive for a clear glimpse into the heart of the forest.

Here are 7 national parks in India you can visit this summer for unforgettable wild encounters.

1. Kabini riverside within Nagarhole National Park

Karnataka’s best-kept secret, Kabini is without a doubt one of the most unique wildlife congregation spots in the country. During the dry summers, the lack of water draws all the animals of Nagarhole National Park onto the banks of River Kabini. On these grasslands, seeing a herd of elephants stroll by, while a tiger saunters and hundreds of deer graze on the grass is not an uncommon scenario. Floating on the serene Kabini river and watching this wildlife spectacle unravel upon the riverbank is not a sight you’d easily forget.

2. Wildlife of Changthang Plateau

The joy of observing wildlife inside protected areas on a jeep safari is unparalleled but the thrill of encountering wildlife in open areas outside of national parks is something else. Ladakh’s vastness is home not only to stunning landscapes but amazing wildlife too. In the marshlands of Changthang, rare birds such as Black-necked Cranes, Bar-headed Geese, Black-necked grebe and others can be spotted. Apart from the rare birds, the graceful and athletic Kiangs, cute marmots and mouse hares, as well as Himalayan blue sheep, can be spotted around. With the roads open by mid-May, head into the plains of Ladakh before the crowd descends and observe the fascinating high-altitude fauna this summer.

3. Kali Tiger Reserve

Bagheera has captured our hearts for decades, but a chance of sighting the elusive black panther is as hard as it can get. However, at Karnataka’s Anshi-Dandeli Tiger Reserve, recently renamed as Kali Tiger Reserve, black panthers have been thriving for decades now. According to recent news, both black panther and tiger sightings in Kali Tiger Reserve have been off the charts. Now is probably the best time to head to the lush jungles of Dandeli and try your luck in one of the least visited Tiger reserves of the country.

4. Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary

Assam’s Kaziranga and its Rhinos get all the attention and rightfully so but the state’s mindboggling diversity hardly ends there. India’s only ape, Hoolock Gibbon, is only found in small pockets within forests of northeast India. Hoolocks are arboreal creatures that spend most of their lives on trees and are not easy so to spot. However, a small population of gibbons has found an unlikely safe haven in a forest patch of barely 20 Sq. Km called Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary sheltered within tea plantations. A morning walk with one of the forest guides is sure to yield some spectacular sightings of the gibbons swinging from one branch to the other.

5. Kanha National Park

Inspiration for Mowgli’s playground in the Jungle Book, Kanha National Park has a unique ecosystem that’s easy to fall in love with. With its vast grasslands where villages used to once exist and its relatively flat landscape, wildlife viewing for once isn’t a game of peekaboo. In Kanha, expect to see the Barasingha (swamp deer) on the other side of a swamp or deer prancing around in the golden grasslands at sunrise without any obstruction to your view. However, the biggest draw of Kanha is tigers –majestic striped cats that call Kanha home.

6. Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve

Rajasthan’s Ranthambore and Uttar Pradesh’s Corbett might be the preferred national parks for tiger sightings, but Maharashtra’s Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve has been quietly gaining fame as a top-class tiger reserve over the last few years. Without having to jostle for space with numerous other safari jeeps, you can get close to a variety of mammals including tigers, leopards, sloth bears and more in Tadoba. Another advantage is that Tadoba remains open throughout the year unlike many other parks in India.

7. Buxa Tiger Reserve

If you want to avoid the crowd entirely and explore a new landscape, you might consider exploring the Dooars of West Bengal. The floodplains and foothills of the eastern Himalayas in northeast India, Dooars within Buxa support a range of diverse and unique fauna such as tigers, leopards, clouded leopards, leopard cats, fishing cats, Malayan Giant Squirrels and a lot more. While sightings don’t come easy in Buxa, those willing to put in time and effort are sure to be rewarded with rare sightings.