Top 10 National Parks & Wildlife Sanctuaries in India
India is one of the most biodiverse countries on Earth, with 107 national parks and over 570 wildlife sanctuaries protecting Bengal tigers, one-horned rhinos, Asiatic lions and thousands of bird species.
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From the misty sal forests of Jim Corbett to the lion country of Gir, these national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in India offer world-class safari experiences. Here are the top 10 you must visit in 2026.
The full ranking — 10 picks
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1
Jim Corbett National Park
UttarakhandEstablished in 1936, Jim Corbett is India's oldest national park and the original home of Project Tiger. Spread across 520 sq km of sal forests, grasslands and the Ramganga River in the Himalayan foothills, it draws over 3 lakh visitors a year for its Bengal tigers, elephants and rich birdlife. Its Dhikala zone is among the most sought-after safari areas in the country.
Photo: Soumyajit Nandy · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0 -
2
Ranthambore National Park
RajasthanOne of India's most popular tiger reserves, Ranthambore attracts over 4.5 lakh visitors annually thanks to its high chance of daytime tiger sightings. The dramatic 10th-century Ranthambore Fort and ancient lakes where crocodiles bask give the park a uniquely cinematic backdrop. It is famous as one of the best places on Earth to photograph wild tigers.
Photo: THerrington · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0 -
3
Kaziranga National Park
AssamA UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kaziranga is home to the world's largest population of the one-horned rhinoceros, hosting roughly two-thirds of the global total. Its vast floodplain grasslands and marshes along the Brahmaputra also shelter tigers, wild elephants and swamp deer. The park is a textbook success story of rhino conservation.
Photo: Diganta Talukdar · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 -
4
Gir National Park (Sasan Gir)
GujaratGir is the only place on Earth where the Asiatic lion still survives in the wild, with a population that has steadily grown past 670 lions. Its dry deciduous forests and rugged hills also support leopards, hyenas and over 300 bird species. A lion safari here is a once-in-a-lifetime wildlife experience found nowhere else.
Photo: Mayankvagadiya · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0 -
5
Bandhavgarh National Park
Madhya PradeshBandhavgarh boasts one of the highest densities of Bengal tigers of any park in India, making sightings remarkably reliable. Set around an ancient hilltop fort in Madhya Pradesh, its mix of sal forest, grassland and rocky cliffs creates stunning safari scenery. It was once the hunting ground of the Maharajas of Rewa, famous for white tigers.
Photo: This Image was created by User:Archith. If you would like to use the image please mail me at archithrobber@gmail.com · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0 -
6
Sundarbans National Park
West BengalA UNESCO World Heritage Site straddling India and Bangladesh, Sundarbans is the world's largest mangrove forest and home to the elusive swimming Royal Bengal Tiger. Part of the vast Ganges-Brahmaputra delta, it is explored by boat through tidal creeks teeming with crocodiles and water birds. The tigers here are uniquely adapted to a saline, amphibious habitat.
Photo: Soumyajit Nandy · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 -
7
Kanha National Park
Madhya PradeshEstablished in 1955, Kanha is one of India's largest and most beautiful tiger reserves and the inspiration for Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book. It is credited with saving the rare hard-ground Barasingha (swamp deer) from extinction. Its lush sal and bamboo forests, open meadows and dependable tiger sightings make it a favourite among wildlife photographers.
Photo: Davidvraju · Wikipedia/Wikimedia · CC BY-SA 4.0 -
8
Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve
MaharashtraNicknamed the 'Jewel of Vidarbha', Tadoba is Maharashtra's oldest and largest national park and has the country's fastest-growing tiger population. The wider landscape now supports over 200 tigers, with frequent daytime sightings near its lake and teak forests. It has rapidly become one of central India's top safari destinations.
Photo: Stephenekka · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 -
9
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
KeralaSet in the Western Ghats around the scenic Periyar Lake, this Kerala sanctuary is best known for its herds of wild elephants and boat-safari wildlife viewing. Declared a national park in 1982, it also shelters tigers, gaurs, sambar deer and Nilgiri langurs amid spice-scented hills. Bamboo rafting and guided jungle treks make it a standout eco-tourism spot.
Photo: Wouter Hagens · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain -
10
Bandipur National Park
KarnatakaEstablished in 1974, Bandipur was one of the first reserves under Project Tiger and forms part of the Nilgiri Biosphere, India's largest protected forest tract. It is renowned for healthy populations of tigers, leopards and Asian elephants across its deciduous forests. Its location on the Mysuru-Ooty route makes it one of South India's most accessible safari parks.
Photo: User:Prasadchangarath · Wikipedia/Wikimedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
About this list
Top 10 National Parks & Wildlife Sanctuaries in India runs from 1 to 10. Jim Corbett National Park takes the top spot, and Bandipur National Park closes it out at number 10. It was first published on 23 June 2026 and last revised on 6 August 2026.
Spotted something out of date, or an entry you would rank differently? Tell us — the order on this page is revised as the picks change.
Frequently asked questions
What is number 1 on Top 10 National Parks & Wildlife Sanctuaries in India?
Jim Corbett National Park is ranked number 1 on Top 10 National Parks & Wildlife Sanctuaries in India. Established in 1936, Jim Corbett is India's oldest national park and the original home of Project Tiger.
How many entries are on this list?
There are 10 entries, ranked from 1 to 10. The top 5 are Jim Corbett National Park, Ranthambore National Park, Kaziranga National Park, Gir National Park (Sasan Gir) and Bandhavgarh National Park.
How is this ranking decided?
The order on this page is the published ranking for Top 10 National Parks & Wildlife Sanctuaries in India, from 1 (highest) down to 10. Jim Corbett National Park is number 1 and Bandipur National Park is number 10. The introduction at the top of this page explains the thinking behind the picks. It was last revised on 6 August 2026.
When was this list last updated?
This list was last updated on 6 August 2026. It was first published on 23 June 2026.
Which category does this list belong to?
It sits in the Destinations category. Top places to visit in India — hill stations, beaches, temples, cities. Every Destinations list is at trendingpunjabi.com/top/category/destinations, and all TrendingPunjabi top lists are at trendingpunjabi.com/top/.
