Go Wild at These 10 Fantastic Wildlife Weekend Getaways from Delhi

Aren’t the cool depths of the verdant wilderness inviting? A ready respite from the concrete jungle, the wild life sanctuaries of India are a veritable treasure house of different varieties of flora and fauna. From indigenous plants to species of endemic animals, there’s a lot to see in these exotic ecosystems. Here is a list of wildlife getaways from Delhi, offering just that. 

1. Dudhwa National Park

 

Hidden among the Evergreen forests of the Terai Region bordering Nepal lies Dudhwa National Park that supports multitudes of endemic species. This national park is one of the last surviving examples of diverse and production ecosystems in the nation. Dudhwa National Park is a part of Project Tiger that endeavours to increase the rate of this fast dwindling species.  The sheer variety of fauna in this region should be the reason why you should make this a part of your travel itinerary this year.

How to get there: One can drive from Delhi to Dudhwa as the National Highways are well maintained. It takes 8-9 hours of travel. The nearest railhead is at Dudhwa (4 kilometres) away. The forest provides no jeep safaris or guides. Jeeps and mini buses can be hired to move around inside the park.

Where to stay: There aren’t many options of hotels out there, so we suggest Hotel Landmark in Dudhwa that provides excellent services and is at a convenient location. 

2. Corbett National Park
 

One of the most frequented National Parks of India; Corbett pays homage to the late Jim Corbett who inhabited these lands. The forest is dense and is veritable treasure house of various animals. You could hear the sound of Hyenas as you go to sleep and you could be greeted by a deer outside your window in the morning. Corbett is one of rare sanctuaries where they allow visitors to inhabit quarters inside the jungle. However do practice caution as Corbett is a tiger reserve. 

How to get there: Corbett is located about 6 hours away from Delhi via NH9. The nearest railhead is Gaushala which is 34 kilometres away from Corbett National Park. There are regular jeeps and guides available near the park’s gate.

Book your trip to Corbett here. 

Where to stay: Corbett Adventure Resort, Corbett Aroma Park and The Golden tusk are some of the premier hotels near Corbett National Park. 
 

3. Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary
 

Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary or Keoladeo Ghana National Park is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Why? Because this reserve welcomes great varieties of birds every year. You can spot everything from a painted stork, to a rose ringed parakeet in this vicinity. The best time to visit the park is during the winters (from mid-November to March) when all the migratory birds fly to Bharatpur for nesting season. 

How to get there:  Bharatpur is 190 kilometres away from Delhi and is connected Via Yamuna Expressway. There are also multiple direct trains to Bharatpur from Delhi. 

To book your journey to Bharatpur, click here!

Where to stay: Laxmi Vilas, Hotel Surya Vilas and The Bagh resort are fabulous hotels that will make you feel like royalty, when in Bharatpur. 
 

4. Ranthambore Wildlife Sanctuary

Located near the Sawai Madhopur region of Rajasthan, Ranthambore is one of the largest national parks in India. Ranthambore is primarily known as a tiger reserve and is considered one of the best places to observe these animals.  The sanctuary is home to varieties of trees, plants, birds and reptiles, as well as some of the largest banyan trees in India. Ranthambore also has a lot of historical significance because of which it has been added as a part of the Hill forts of Rajasthan under the banner of UNESCO World Heritage sites.

How to get there: The nearest town and railway station is at Sawai Madhopur, about 11 km away. The park is also close to the Kota railway station. Or you could drive to Ranthambore which is 365 kilometres away from Delhi. There is a variety of luxury trains available which take you to Ranthambore as well. 

Where to stay: Tiger Moon Resort, Ranthambore National Resort and The Tiger Villa are examples of some of the best hotels around Ranthambore Wildlife Sanctuary. 
 

5. Rajaji National Park

Rajaji is one of the easily accessible National Parks from Delhi due to its proximity. Located in Uttarakhand, Rajaji National Park is known as a home to Elephants. In fact it supposedly has the highest concentration of elephants in the whole country. You can take open air gypsy rides or walk with the elephants as one on elephant safaris that are a regular feature of the park. If you’re lucky you may even spot leopards or Gorals. Rajaji National park’s location near Rishikesh and Haridwar makes it a much sought after destination. 

How to get there: It is located 220 kilometres away from Delhi via NH44. The nearest railhead is at Haridwar after which you can hire your own taxi to take you to Rajaji National Park.

Where to stay: Hotel Le Roi Haridwar, Regent Orko’s or Hotel Hari Ganga, these are located in Haridwar which lies a short distance away from Rajaji National Park.
 

6. Bandhavgarh Wildlife Sanctuary

Bandhavgarh is one of the famed national parks of Project Tiger. Said to have a high concentration of tigers, Bandhavgarh is visited by people who hope to spot the magnificent beast in its natural habitat. The dense forests of Bandhavgarh provide respite not only to animals but to tourists as well who can take a leisurely safari through the jungle while spotting the various denizens of the forest. You could also enjoy waterfalls that are in Vindhya ranges are scenic & popular for its evergreen nature. 

How to get there: There are regular flights available till Jabalpur which is the closest airport to Badhavgarh. You could also drive to Badhavgarh from Delhi which is 11 hours away. The best option would be to take a train to Jabalpur after which you can take a private taxi to Badhavgarh.

Where to stay: Tiger’s Den, Aranyak Resort and Tala Camp are considered some of the best hotels in the region due to their services and location. For a cosy and luxurious cottage experience, we highly recommend the Lemon Tree Wildlife Resort.
 

7. Sariska National Park
 

Previously the hunting grounds for Maharajas of Rajasthan, Sariska is now a thriving forest with a growing tiger population. Sariska National Park is now one of the most frequently visited sanctuaries in the north. Visit for the beautiful landscapes or the rich biodiversity which are a photographer’s dream. The best time to visit is from November to June when there are regular animal sightings. 

How to get there: Sariska is located 230 kilometres from Delhi via Alwar-Bhiwadi road. Or you could take a train to Alwar and then drive down to Sariska.

Convinced that Sariska is your next destination? Click here to book your journey with us!

Where to stay: Alwar Bagh Resort, Vannashrya at Tahla and Sariska Haveli are some of the best hotels in the region. 
 

8. Panna National Park

Considered the smaller brother of Bandhavgarh National park, Panna National is a rich biosphere reserve. Panna is a tiger reserve and is definitely one of the best locations to spot a tiger due to the tremendous efforts of the forest department there. The lush green wilderness of Panna is a reason why many animals are able to flourish in this region. The national sanctuary provides respite from the heat as well as the pollution of major cities. 

How to get there: Total distance between Panna and Delhi is 530 kilometers. Amount of time from Panna to Delhi is around 8.84 hours when your vehicle maintains an average speed of sixty kilometer per hour. Or you could take a train till Jhansi after which you can drive to Panna directly.

Where to stay: Mahua Resort, Ken River lodge and Panna Tiger resort are some of the best hotels in the region with competent prices.
 

9. Kanha National Park

The largest National Park in Madhya Pradesh, Kanha is responsible for a significant population of royal Bengal tiger, Indian leopards, the sloth bear, barasingha and Indian wild dog. The park’s sheer size is the reason why it’s divided into two parts, Hallon and Banjar. Kanha is one of top sanctuaries frequented by tourists in India. The lush green Sal forests and bamboo plantations are said to have inspired the legendary Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling.

How to get there: Jabalpur is major railway stations with train connectivity across India and is the easiest way to get to Kanha National Park. The Jabalpur Airport which is 175 km distance and is about 5 hours away has direct flights to and from Delhi. There are three gates for entrance into the park. The Kisli gate is best accessed from Jabalpur and stops at the village Khatia, inside the buffer area. 

Where to stay: Kanha holds a lot of options of hotels but we suggest Wild Chalet Resort, Hotel Grand Tiger resort and The celebration Van Vilas which have obtained a high rating by all previous visitors. 
 

10. Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary

Located on the Chambal River near the tripoint of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, it constitutes a narrow eco-reserve that is administered by all the three states. The clear Chambal River weaves through mazes of ravines and hills with many sandy beaches. The Sanctuary is a home to many endangered species such as, the Red-crowned turtle, Gangetic river dolphins and Gharials. You can hire boats on the river to observe the Gharials and Dolphins and Walking trails in the ravines and along the river offer opportunities for close observation of the wide variety of plants and animals in the sanctuary.

How to get there: Chambal Wildlife sanctuary is around 6 hours away from Delhi via the Yamuna Expressway. The nearest railhead and airport is at Agra and can be easily accessed from the Wildlife sanctuary. 

Where to stay: Chambal Safari Lodge and Bhadravati safari lodge are few of the hotels in the region which provide great services. 

This year, take a break from the monotony of the concrete jungle and explore your wild side with these amazing wildlife destinations from Delhi!