Did you Know there are over 442 wildlife sanctuaries in India which are home to a variety of flora and fauna in the different geographical area and in a different climate?
Some of the wild animals are rare and endangered which are found in India only.
It’s very speculating to watch this flora and fauna in their natural habitats. Even there are some sanctuaries where the birds migrate from different areas.
Goa is known for the beaches but, Suprise Suprise… In Goa too there is a wildlife sanctuary that you can see the next time you visit Goa.
So Without any further ado, Let’s just have a look at the 20 Best Wildlife Sanctuaries in India.
List of Top 20 Wildlife Sanctuaries in India
So to help you we are listing here some of the 20 Wildlife Sanctuaries in India with the best time to visit.
1. Wild Ass Wildlife Sanctuary, Gujarat
Wild Ass Wildlife Sanctuary is also known as Indian Wild Ass is the largest wildlife sanctuary of India in Little Rann of Kutch in Gujarat.
In Wild Ass Sanctuary, around 300 hundred bird species can be found in the winter season.
Cranes and Flamingos are also found and other birds like Falcons, larks, Houbara Bustard are found.
Ghudkhur (Indian Wild Ass) the rare and endangered wild animal is the main attraction in Wild Ass Sanctuary.
The wild ass has great running speed and can run around 70 Km per hour. Other animals like Desert Cats, Fox, Jackal, Wolf, Blue-Bull, Blackbuck, Nilgai, Striped Hyena, Hedgehog & Chinkara are found.
The best time to visit Wild Ass Wildlife sanctuary is in between October to November after the monsoon.
2. Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary- Kerala
Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary was established in year 1973 and situated in Wayanand, Kerala.
Wild animals like Tiger, Elephant, Bison, Panther, Jungle Cat, Wild Dog, Monkeys, Bear, Civet Cat, Deer and birds like peacock, babblers, cuckoos, owls, jungle fowls and woodpeckers are found.
The best time to visit Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is in between June to October.
3. Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary, Rajasthan
Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary is situated near Aravalli ranges in Rajasthan and was established in the year 1955 as a sanctuary.
There are varieties of wildlife in Sariska Wildlife like Wild Boar, Spotted Deer, Indian Hare, Jungle Cat, Common Palm Civet, Sambar, Leopard, Wild Dog, Langurs, Ratel, Nilgai, Nothern Palm Squirrel, Tigers, Indian Grey Mongoose, Chital, Rhesus Monkeys & Chausingha.
Also various birds like Crested Serpent Eagle, White Breasted Kingfisher, Golden backed Wood Pecker, Tree Pie, Bush Quail, Sand Grouse, Grey Partridge, Peafowl and Great Indian Horned Owl are found in sanctuary.
The best time to visit Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary is in between October to June.
4. Govind Wildlife Sanctuary, Uttarakhand
Govind Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand and was established in the year 1955.
A wide variety of wildlife like Koklas, Bharal, Musk Deer, Trogopan, Snow Leopard, Monal, Himalayan Black Bears, Chukor, Python, Sambar, Kaleej Pheasants, Chir, Brown Bears and Serow are found.
In Govind Sanctuary many medicinal plants are also found.
The best time to visit Govind Wildlife Sanctuary is in between April to June and September to November also rainy season should be avoided due to heavy rainfall.
5. National Chambal Sanctuary, Uttar Pradesh
National Chambal Sanctuary was founded in the year 1979 and is a tri-state sanctuary with is co-administered by Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan states.
The sanctuary is situated beside the river Chambal and it is one of the cleanest rivers in India. The rare Gangetic dolphin ( National Aquatic Animal) is found in the sanctuary.
Other wild animals like Chinkara, Nilgai, Wild Boar, Wolf, Crocodile and Gharial (alligator) are found.
In Chambal 8 rare turtle species are found from the total 26 species in the country. Around the year any time, you can give a visit to the National Chambal Sanctuary.
6. Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala
Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary is situated at the southeast part of Kannur District and the Northwest slopes of Western Ghats.
The Sanctuary was established in the year 1984.
A wide variety of wild animals like boar, deer, bison and elephant are found.
Also animals like Jungle Cat, Mouse Deer, Leopard and various species of squirrels like Large brown flying squirrel, Malabar Giant Squirrel are found. Over 188 species of birds are found in the sanctuary.
The best time to visit the Aralam Wildlife sanctuary is in between months October to June.
7. Nagarjunasagar Wildlife Sanctuary, Andhra Pradesh
Nagarjunasagar Wildlife Sanctuary was established in the year 1973 and is located across the five districts of Andhra Pradesh, Mahboobnagar, Kurnool, Prakasam, Nalgonda and Guntur.
Wild animals like Giant Flying Squirrel, Bengal Fox, Antelope, Sloth Bear, Black Buck, Indian Soft-Shelled Turtle, Marsh Crocodile, Palm Civet and Indian Pangolin are found.
150 species of birds are found the common birds found in the sanctuary are Peafowl grey and Hornbill.
The best time to visit Nagarjunasagar sanctuary is in between October to May.
8. Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary, Karnataka
Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary is situated 93 Kms from Karwar and 125 kms from Goa and so attracts foreign tourists also.
Dandeli is rich for the flora and fauna and is also rich in bamboo.
Wild life-like Black Panthers, Gaur, Antelopes, Tigers, Leopards and different species of snakes are found in the sanctuary.
Birds like Great Pied Hornbill, White Breasted Kingfisher, Grey Hornbill and Golden Backed Woodpecker are found. The white water rafting activity is famous in the sanctuary.
The best time to visit Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary is in between March and October.
9. Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary, Odisha
Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the Northeast of Kendrapara district of Odisha and was established in the year 1975.
Wild animals like Hyena, Jungle Cat, Fishing Cat, Indian Porcupine, Spotted Deer, Civet, Smooth Coated Otter, Sambar and saltwater crocodiles are found.
Most of the birds migrate in between June to October some of them migrate from Europe and Central- Asia.
Around 215 species of birds are found in the sanctuary. Birds like Egrets, Cormorants, Darters, Black Ibis can be viewed.
The best time to visit the sanctuary is in between March to July and September to November.
10. Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary, Maharashtra
Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary and Tadoba National Park together form the part of Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve.
The sanctuary is situated in district Chandrapur of Maharashtra.
The main attraction is the Tiger other wild animals like Sloth Bear, Jackal, Blue Bull, Barking Deer, Indian Bison, Chausingha, Langur, Flying Squirrel, Ratel, Wild Dog, Four-horned deer and Sambar are found.
Around 74 species of butterflies were recorded in sanctuary also various species of spider are found. The best time to visit the sanctuary is in between February to May.
11. Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu
Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary is situated on Anaimalai Hills of Coimbatore District and Tirupur District of Tamil Nadu.
The sanctuary was named after prime minister Indira Gandhi and was established in the year 1976.
The most spotted wild animals are Bengal Tiger, Gaur, Lion-Tailed Macaque, Nilgiri Tahr, Elephant, Giant Squirrel, Leopard, Indian Pangolin and Rusty Spotted Cat. Around 250 species of birds and 315 species of butterflies are found in the sanctuary.
The best time to visit Indira Gandhi Wildlife sanctuary is in between months May to January.
12. Maharana Pratap Sagar Sanctuary, Himachal Pradesh
Maharana Pratap Sagar Sanctuary is also known as Pong Dam and is a lake sanctuary situated at Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh established in year 1983.
The migratory birds are the main attraction of the visitors. Thousands of migratory ducks from Siberia are found near Pong Lake. Wild animals like Black buck, Red necked grebses, Surkhabs, Barking deer, leopards, Sambar and Wild Boars are found.
In Pong Lake activities like water skiing, canoeing, sailing, rowing and swimming can be done. The best time to visit the sanctuary is in summer months, one should avoid visiting in monsoon season due to heavy rainfall.
13. Gahirmatha Turtle Sanctuary, Odisha
Gahirmatha Turtle Sanctuary is situated at Kendrapara district of Odisha. This is the only turtle sanctuary in Odisha.
Every year about 0.2 to 0.7 million Olive Ridley Turtle travel from Pacific Ocean to Gahirmatha for mass nesting.
The Turtle Sanctuary was established in year 1979. During month of November every year large number of Olive Ridley Turtle migrate for mating and nesting.
Nesting starts from month of December and last till April. Other wild animals like Barking Deer, Leopards, Wild Boar, Samber, Crocodile, Jungle Fowl and Wild Dogs are also found.
The best time to visit the Gahirmatha Turtle Sanctuary is from month of October to February.
14. Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary, Gujarat
Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary is located at Great Rann of Kutch, Gujarat. The main attraction of the sanctuary is the Greater Flamingo nest in the ‘Flamingo City’.
Other animals like Wild Ass, Black Buck, Fox, Wolves, Hyenas, Nilgai & Chinkaras are also found. Birds like Greater Flamingo, Lesser Flamingo, Brahmini Duck, Plovers, Pochard and Black Necked Storks are found. The sanctuary has largest seasonal saline wetlands which has water dept between 0.5 to 1.5 meters.
After the drain of rain water after October November the saline wetland turns into saline desert. The best time to visit the sanctuary is in winter season.
15. Gundla Brahmeshwara Sanctuary, Andhra Pradesh
Gundla Brahmeshwara Sanctuary is situated between the Prakasam and Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh.
Wild animals like Jungle Cat, Bonnet Monkey, Pangolin, Sambar, Chinkara, Tiger, Panther and Hyena are found. The main attraction of sanctuary is Langur and Mouse Deer.
The best time to visit the sanctuary is in between October to May.
16. Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary, Jammu & Kashmir
Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary also known as Changtang Cold Desert Wildlife Sanctuary is situated at district Leh of Jammu & Kashmir.
The sanctuary is made up of large tableland, narrow deep hills and lakes and swamps. The main attraction of the sanctuary is Tibetan Wild Ass, Black Necked Crane and bar headed geese.
Wild animals like Tibetan Antelopes, Tibetan Wolf, Tibetan Gazelle, Blue Sheep, Lynx, Snow Leopard Tibetan Argali and Wild Yak are found. The best time to visit the sanctuary is in between May to December.
Winter Season is not suitable and the summer season also not lasts for long.
17. Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary, Goa
Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary is situated 50 kms away from Panaji, the capital of Goa and was established in year 1969.
The wild animals like Black Panther, Bengal Tiger, Common Langur, Flying Squirrel, Bonnet, Leopard and Civet are found. Almost 200 species of birds are found in sanctuary like Paradise Fly Catcher, Great Indian Horn Bill, Drongo, Kingfishers and Fairy Blue Bird.
Other attraction in sanctuary is Devil’s Canyon View Point, Tambdi Surla Temple and Dudhsagar Falls. The best time to visit the sanctuary is between October to March.
18. Achanakmar Wildlife Sanctuary, Chhattisgarh
Achanakmar Wildlife Sanctuary was established in year 1975 and is a hilly terrain. The sanctuary got the Tiger Reserve Status in year 2009.
Wild animals like Tiger, Gaur, Chital, Bison, Four Horned Antelope, Black Buck, Tiger, Leopard and Boar. The best time to visit the sanctuary is in between November to March.
19. Bhimbandh Wildlife Sanctuary, Bihar
Bhimbandh Wildlife Sanctuary is situated 56 kms from Munger District of Bihar and surrounded by river Ganga on the south.
The wild animals like Sloth Bear, Sambar, Chitals, Four Horned Antelope, Nilgais, Panthers and Tigers are found. More than 100 species of resident birds are found in sanctuary.
Near Kharagpur lake and Rameshwar Kund Crocodiles are spotted. The sanctuary is also famous for the Hot water springs having same temperature of 52 degrees to 65 degrees whole year. The best time to visit the sanctuary is in between November to April.
20. Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary, Karnataka
Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary is situated at the Mandya, Chamarajanagar and Ramanagar Districts of Karnataka and was established in year 1987.
This sanctuary is part of Mysore Elephant Reserve. The wild animals like Malbar Giant Squirrel, Grizzled Giant Squirrel, Four Horned Antelope, Barking Deer, Common Otter, Leopard, Wild Boar, Elephant and Common Langur are found.
Reptiles like Mud Turtles, Crocodiles are also found. The best time to visit the sanctuary is in between November to March.
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