India’s diverse flora and fauna create an ideal habitat for tigers. Due to this, the country is home to around 70% of the world’s tiger population These animals belonging to the big cat species are often seen in India’s reserves.
Instead of going to other tiger range countries like China, Nepal, or Russia, you can easily spot these species during an Indian safari. There are several reserves distributed in Indian states that protect tigers. The most popular include Bandhavgarh, Ranthambore, Jim Corbett, and Sundarbans tiger reserve.
They attract a large number of tourists from all over the country as well as worldwide. Yet, it means that these reserves and sanctuaries hold most of the crowd. Instead of enjoying tiger sightings in peace, you might need to stand in queues and share safari jeeps with others as well.
If you don’t fancy crowds or would prefer to spot tigers in secluded areas, several reserves in India offer the same. The reason why they aren’t visited as much is due to their remote location which is far from major towns and cities. However, it does not take away from the fact that these underrated reserves offer incredible sighting of tigers.
Here are ten lesser-known tiger reserves in India that should be on your list:
1. Satpura Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh
Satpura National Park and Tiger Reserve is relatively a new wildlife sanctuary in India. It is still unexplored by tourists and the least visited park. Yet, it has a growing population of tigers that can be seen stalking through the park’s forest, gorges, and ravines.
The reserve makes up for a fantastic destination to experience the off-beaten path. You can explore the national park on foot and observe its unique wilderness. It also has various wildlife species like leopards, porcupines, sloth bears, and flying squirrels.
You can enjoy the activity of kayaking here that only a few parks offer.
- Best time to visit: October-March and April-May
2. Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, Uttarakhand
The Dudhwa tiger reserve comprises Katarniaghat wildlife reserve, Dudhwa National Park, and Kishanpur Wildlife sanctuary. It also shares the north-eastern boundary with Nepal, defined by the Mohana River.
The reserve is home to an estimated 106-118 tigers. Other animals like sambar deer, swamp deer, spotted deer, ratel, jackal, sloth bear, leopard, and more can also be seen. You can also observe 450 species of birds at the reserve.
The national park hosts jeep safaris annually to catch the amazing wildlife in its dense ambiance.
- Best time to visit: December-April
3. Manas National Park, Assam
Manas Tiger Reserve is a UNESCO Natural World Heritage site. It is situated in the foothills of the Himalayas and surrounded by alluvial grasslands and tropical forests.
Manas represents two separate biomes, the forest biome, and the grassland biome. Presently, the total population of tigers recorded is 60. There are 55 species of mammals, 50 species of reptiles, and 380 species of birds. The park has rare and endangered species like the Assam roofed turtle, golden langur, and pygmy hog.
You can experience the beautiful wilderness of Manas National Park by taking a safari ride.
- Best time to visit: October-April
4. Nameri National Park, Assam
Nameri national park is located at the hillocks of the Eastern Himalayas. The park shares its northern boundary with the Pakhui Wildlife Sanctuary which lies in Arunachal Pradesh. Nameri has dense forests which offer scenic and breath-taking landscape for visitors.
Although tiger sightings are rare, you can still spot the predator once in a blue moon during a guided walk. Nameri national park proves to be a birdwatcher’s paradise as it has over 300 species of vibrant birds. You can spot the white winged wood duck, great pied hornbill, rufous necked hornbill and more.
Aside from tigers, animals such as the Asiatic wild dog, clouded leopard, marbled cat, Himalayan black bear, and others reside in the park’s habitat. Kayaking is one of the most popular activities enjoyed by visitors at Nameri.
- Best time to visit: November-April
5. Mudumalai National Park, Tamil Nadu
Mudumalai National Park and Wildlife sanctuary is located on the north-western side of the Nilgiri Hills. The sanctuary is divided into five ranges – Kargudi, Mudumalai, Nellakota, Masinagudi, and Thepakadu. The park’s protected area is home to vulnerable and endangered species of animals and birds.
Mudumalai was established in the year 1940 and is the second oldest national park in India. Out of the 15 Indian cat species existing, four of them are found here. These include the Bengal tiger, jungle cat, leopard cat, and Indian leopard. In addition to this, about 50 species of fishes, more than 200 species of birds, and 55 species of mammals are found.
The Mudumalai sanctuary is an integral wildlife habitat as is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
- Best time to visit: February-May
6. BR wildlife sanctuary and tiger reserve, Karnataka
Biligiri Ranganatha Swamy Temple (BRT) wildlife sanctuary is situated on the Biligirirangana Hills. The sanctuary is considered to be a wildlife corridor that connects the Eastern and Western Ghats. The hills are covered with diverse species of plant life and offer shelter to a variety of wildlife.
A survey revealed the presence of 62 tigers in the BR tiger reserve. Other than these predators, it is also famous for its herds of wild elephants. For sightseeing, you can also observe small and large mammals and over 200 species of birds at the sanctuary.
- Best time to visit: October-May
7. Rajaji National Park, Uttarakhand
Rajaji National Park and tiger reserve encompass the Shivalik Hills, near the foothills of the Himalayas. Three wildlife sanctuaries in the area namely Motichur, Chilla, and Rajaji were merged to form the Rajaji Tiger Reserve.
The Park is surrounded by dense jungles, varied topography, and rich biodiversity. It is famous for tigers, elephants, leopards, ghoral, deer, and a variety of reptiles. To enjoy an authentic experience of the park, tourists can opt for jungle safaris.
With more than 300 species of birds, birdwatching is also an ideal activity at Rajai National Park.
- Best time to visit: November-June
8. Bor Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra
The Bor Tiger Reserve is a wildlife sanctuary located near Hingani in Maharashtra. The reserve is spread over a relatively small area and includes the drainage basin of Bor Dam.
Aside from Bengal tigers, leopards, bison, deer, wild dogs and more live in the sanctuary. This small reserve is steadily seeing the rise in tiger population as they are often spotted during safaris.
There are over 160 species of birds and 26 species of reptiles in the sanctuary. It is a perfect destination for those who would like to visit a small yet picturesque reserve to save time.
- Best time to visit: April-May
9. Mukundara Hills Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan
Mukundara tiger reserve also goes by the name of Darrah Wildlife Sanctuary and is located at the eastern banks of the Chambal River. It is spread across four districts- Kota, Bundi, Chittorgarh, and Jhalawar. This reserve was once a hunting ground for the Kings of Kota.
The reserve is covered by dense forests and has various kinds of medicinal plants growing. It is also rich in wildlife where you can spot a few tigers during the safari. Leopard, hyena, wolves, Chinkara, and Antelopes can also be seen.
For birdwatchers, there are a wide variety of bird species to observe in the reserve.
- Best time to Visit: October-June
10. Bhadra Tiger Reserve and wildlife sanctuary, Karnataka
The Bhadra Wildlife sanctuary and tiger reserve is situated along the Western Ghats in the Karnataka district.
Approximately 40 tigers are presently living in the reserve. Aside from these species, elephants, bison, flying squirrel, and wild boar can be spotted. It has over 120 species of flora and around 200 different types of birds. One of the most prominent features of the park is the Jangara Giant, a teak tree that is believed to be around 400 years old.
- Best time to visit: October-March
If you would like to visit secluded reserves or simply take your time to explore them, these underrated tiger reserves in India are refreshing and incredible.
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