6 Reasons Why Central India is best for Tiger Safari in India

[Nature Safari India]

If you’re looking for tiger safari tour that includes a rich wilderness experience that possesses some of the most enthralling biodiversity, look no further. Central India has got you covered. For more than half a century, this biodiverse haven is known to be the very mecca of Indian wildlife. It encompasses an area that is 443,449 sq km, that’s as big as the country of France and is considered as the one of the most tourist friendly destinations for any nature enthusiast. The region is gifted with some of the most breath taking landscapes, featuring a network of rivers, plateaus and mountain ranges with an altitudinal variation from 150 m above sea level to 1300 m. Weathered over millions of years by the forces of nature, the area is also blessed with a system of ravines, gorges with a variety of vegetation that harbours its magnificent flora and fauna. It is no wonder that many travelers that embark on a wildlife safari here feel as though they are a part of Rudyard Kipling’s very own world of animals. Here are some of the reasons why Central India best destination for tiger safari in India –

 

1. It Boasts a Healthy Population of Tigers

 

You know that feeling when it seems like you’ve just witnessed something magical, straight out of a fairy tale and you pinch yourself just to check whether you’re dreaming. Well, that’s just how many feel when they see a Tiger in the wild. Central India is probably one of the best places in the world to accomplish such a feat with a population of over 500 individuals. While the entire region has 8 Tiger Reserves, Bandhavgarh, Kanha and Tadoba are currently the most preferred if one wishes to maximise their chance of seeing the elusive cat in the wild.

 

2. More than just Tigers

 

Yes, Central India might be the frontrunner when it comes to Tiger safari in India but it’s also home to some of the country’s most remarkable species. As a wildlife lover, you also get the opportunity to see the likes of Leopards, Sloth Bears, Wild Dogs, Golden Jackals, Rusty Spotted Cat, Striped Hyena, Indian Giant Squirrels, Gaur, The Four Horned Antelope and the Barasingha. Panna and Satpura Tiger Reserve are two parks which cover a spectacular diversity if you wish to engage in an all-encompassing wildlife tour. Apart from possessing Tigers, both these parks are the perfect destinations to spot Leopards, Sloth Bears and a host of nocturnal animals including civets and porcupines.

 

3. A Birder’s Paradise

 

With a collection of some of India’s most diverse habitats, 400 species of birds throng here through the year, which comprises of 30% of the country’s avian population. The notable parks that deserve a mention here  are Satpura, Kanha and Panna. The National Parks are home to some dazzling prospects such as the Asian Paradise Flycatcher, Indian Pitta, Indian Skimmer, Black Crested Bulbul, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Malabar Whistling Thrush, Sirkeer Malkoha, Scarlet Minvet and the Eurasian Wryneck, to name a few. These areas are also serve as a refuge for many migratory birds that use the many ecosystems as a pitstop when flying in from parts of Asia, Africa and Australia.

 

4. A Myriad of Different Types of Vegetation

 

• Dry Deciduous Forests – This is common occurrence in parks such as Panna, Satpura, Tadoba and Pench where during the dry season, leaves shed their leaves. The process usually begins in winter and continues until summer when the trees are completely bare, making it far easier to spot the big cats.
• Babmboo Forest – Parts of Tadoba, Bandhavgarh and Satpura are well known for this.
• Teak Forest – Satpura and Pench Tiger Reserve have vast teak tracts
• The Evergreen Sal Trees – They occur in the moister laden parts of Pachmarhi Wildlife Sanctuary(Satpura Tiger Reserve). While they are highly prolific in the forests of Kanha and Bandhavgarh.
• Moist Deciduous Forest – Again Pachmarhi which is a part of Satpura Tiger Reserve is better known for this as this is an area that is situated in the higher reaches of Central India where rainfall continues to shape the landscape here.
• Grasslands and Open Savannah – The ‘dadars’ or high plateaus of Kanha fall under this category. Panna too exhibits some drier plateaus that host stunning grasslands

 

 

5. Offers a Host of Many Activities

 

While all the Tiger Reserves in Central India offer open jeep safaris, there is a list of activities one can incorporate in their tour to encapsulate a complete wildlife experience. Satpura tops the list here as it the only park in Central India that allows you to camp in the buffer area or engage in a walking safari in a designated areas of the Core Forest. The parks of Panna and Satpura also offer boating and canoeing which crafts a sense of tranquility as one navigates each of the respective rivers that harbor scores of migratory birds flying in during the wintering months. Some of the parks also feature night drives where you get the chance to see and listen to some of the nocturnal species.

 

6. Proximity of Parks

 

Central India is the only region in the country where the Tigers Reserves and wildlife sanctuaries are relatively closer to one another when compared to most reserves in India. On average, it takes approximately 5-6 Hours to travel from one national park to another, allowing travelers to incorporate different parks in the tour for the duration of their liking. This serves as a great prospect for enthusiasts as this allows them to witness the different highlights that each park offers. Some of these parks even have wildlife corridors between them which allows big cats to cover considerable distances without being affected by the presence of humans. This also maintains a healthy gene pool among the species as tigers have the liberty to move from one area to another.