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Wildlife & National Parks in India

Most national parks close for the monsoon, commonly from June to September or October. Safari permits are sold in limited numbers — book ahead in peak season.

Quick answer

The best wildlife places in India are Rajaji National Park, Desert National Park, Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, Kanheri Caves and Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens. Rajasthan has the most (5 of 19). Visit between October and March, and book safaris for the early-morning slot.

Updated · Compiled by Traveliac, AI-assisted · Ranked on our published criteria

See the top 10Browse by state

19

wildlife places

12

states & territories

4

free to enter

Oct–Mar

best months

Top 10 wildlife places in India

Ranked by our editors on the same criteria as every Traveliac guide: what you see for your time and money, how well it’s kept, and how easy it is to visit.

  1. 1A unique sanctuary spread over 820 Sq.Km. Rajaji National Park, Rishikesh, UttaranchalRajaji National ParkWildlife · Rishikesh, UttarakhandElephants and forest safaris near Rishikesh
  2. 2Desert National ParkDesert National ParkWildlife · Jaisalmer, RajasthanThar desert reserve, home of the great Indian bustard
  3. 3Entrance of Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park , Darjeeling.Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological ParkWildlife · Darjeeling, West BengalRed pandas and snow leopards in the hills
  4. 4This is a photo of ASI monument numberKanheri Caves, Sanjay Gandhi National ParkWildlife · Mumbai, MaharashtraBuddhist caves inside Mumbai’s national park
  5. 5Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens (Mysore Zoo), Mysore, Karnataka, IndiaSri Chamarajendra Zoological GardensWildlife · Mysuru, KarnatakaOne of India’s oldest zoos, opened in 1892
  6. 6Sam or Sam sand dunes is by far Rajasthan number 1 desert dune region, which is visited by more than a million travellers every year. The total area of these duSam Sand DunesNature · Jaisalmer, RajasthanThar dunes for sunset camel rides
  7. 7doodhsagar Fall is amongst India's tallest waterfall with height of 310m (1017 ft) and an average width of 30m (100 ft).Dudhsagar FallsWaterfall · Panaji, GoaWaterfall inside a wildlife sanctuary
  8. 8Monsoon palaceSajjangarh (Monsoon Palace)Palace · Udaipur, RajasthanHilltop palace inside a wildlife sanctuary
  9. 9Tomb of Akbar in Sikandra is known for its grandeur and is truly monumental.Akbar's Tomb, SikandraMausoleum · Agra, Uttar PradeshMughal tomb whose gardens have blackbuck
  10. 10Zanana Kund (Ladies Pool), situated in the premises of Galtaji Mandir, is an ancient Hindu pilgrimage, built within a mountain pass in the Aravalli Hills in earGalta Ji (Monkey Temple & Sun Temple)Temple · Jaipur, RajasthanHillside temples known for their monkeys

All 19 wildlife places by state

Showing all 19 wildlife places.

Rajasthan5 places

Other statesUttarakhand, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Goa, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Odisha, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh · 14 places

Wildlife & National Parks compared

PlaceStateTypeIndian feeTime needed
Rajaji National ParkUttarakhandWildlife₹200 Indian3 hrs
Desert National ParkRajasthanWildlife₹100 Indian3 hrs
Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological ParkWest BengalWildlife₹110 Indian2 hrs
Kanheri Caves, Sanjay Gandhi National ParkMaharashtraWildlife₹68 Indian2.5 hrs
Sri Chamarajendra Zoological GardensKarnatakaWildlife₹100 Indian2.5 hrs
Sam Sand DunesRajasthanNature₹50 Indian4 hrs
Dudhsagar FallsGoaWaterfall₹400 Indian4 hrs
Sajjangarh (Monsoon Palace)RajasthanPalace₹100 Indian1.5 hrs
Akbar's Tomb, SikandraUttar PradeshMausoleum₹20 Indian1.5 hrs
Galta Ji (Monkey Temple & Sun Temple)RajasthanTempleFree2 hrs
Eravikulam National ParkKeralaWildlife₹200 Indian2.5 hrs
Chilika Lake – SatapadaOdishaLakeFree3 hrs
Gadisar LakeRajasthanLakeFree1.5 hrs
Anamudi PeakKeralaWildlifeFree1 hr
Pt. G.B. Pant High Altitude ZooUttarakhandZoo₹50 Indian1.5 hrs
Bannerghatta National ParkKarnatakaWildlife₹100 Indian4 hrs
Nehru Zoological ParkTelanganaWildlife₹100 Indian4 hrs
Guindy National ParkTamil NaduWildlife₹15 Indian1.5 hrs
KufriHimachal PradeshWildlife₹50 Indian2.5 hrs

Fees are the Indian-visitor ticket; foreign-visitor and camera fees are on each place’s guide.

Map of wildlife & national parks in India

Numbers match the ranking; the top 10 are orange. Tap a pin for its guide. 2 places have no map position yet.

Tips for visiting wildlife places in India

Most parks close in the monsoon

Commonly from June to September or October. Each guide gives the season.

Book safari permits ahead

Permits are sold in limited numbers, and weekends in peak season sell out.

Go early

Animals are most active in the first hours after dawn.

Zoos close one day a week

Check the closed day on each guide before you go.

Wildlife & National Parks FAQs

Which wildlife places in India are free to visit?

On our list, Galta Ji in Jaipur, Chilika Lake – Satapada in Puri, Gadisar Lake in Jaisalmer and Anamudi Peak in Munnar have no entry fee.

Do foreign visitors pay more at Indian wildlife places?

Often, yes. Rajaji National Park, for example, costs ₹200 for Indian visitors and ₹800 for foreign visitors. 11 of the 19 places on this list charge foreigners more; each guide lists both prices.

What is the best time of year to visit wildlife places in India?

October to March suits most of them. Each guide gives the best months for that place.

Which day are wildlife places closed?

4 of the 19 places here close on Tuesdays. Check the closed day on each guide before you go.

How much time do you need at Rajaji National Park?

Allow about 3 hours. Arrive at opening time for the smallest crowds.

Compiled with AI assistance from official sources and public records; see How we write these guides. Last updated . How we rank and check places · All themes