Best Places to find tigers in India

Ranthambhore is a unique place. Here, wildlife and history lie perfectly entwined. Wild tigers roam the ruins of the still imposing  Ranthambhore fort.
The Park derives its name from Ranthambhore Fort (which in turn have been taken from the conjunction of  the name of the two hills Rann & Thambhore) which sit on a hill within the park. The fort was recently included in the UNESCO heritage list and is one of the oldest in Rajasthan.
The nature of the forest (dry deciduous) makes it comparatively easier to spot tigers from afar and have made the tigers probably less shy of the safari vehicles.
The backdrop of the fort, beautiful lakes and the rugged beauty of the Aravali hills make this area the best place to photograph tigers in their wild, natural habitat.
Some of the tigers have names – Chenghis, Bambooram, Jhumru, Machali - and have become legends in their lifetime.
Other Attractions: Leopards, sloth bear, birds in winter months.
Park open : October – June ( some zones remain open through the year).

Jim Corbett National Park is known as the  “land of roar and trumpet”; the best place in India to see two of the countries’ most famous mega faunas – Royal Bengal Tigers and Asiatic Elephants in an abode of spectacular scenic beauty.
Corbett has landscapes that have few parallels anywhere in India. Dhikala’s vast grasslands, the wide riverbed of Ramaganga and the tall Sal trees never fail to mesmerize. The grasslands are favoured by elephants and deer and provide shelter to many grassland birds like partridges. The presence of deer attracts tigers; hence, they are the best places to look for tigers.
The topography is varied with hilly areas, riverine habitat, marshes, deep ravines and flat plateau land . Extensive forests of Sal cover almost 73% of the park in the lower hills and valleys. The Ramganga river enters from the northeast and flows through most of the park till it forms the Kalagarh reservoir created by a multipurpose
Other Attractions : Elephants, Otters, Leopards, Gharial, Birding
Park open : October – June  

In recent years Tadoba-Anadhari has emerged as one of the best tiger reserves in the country boasting a healthy population of tigers. The park derives its name from "Taru" the local deity of the Gond tribe community and the Andhari River that flows through the forest
Called the “Jewel of Vidharva”, and rightly so, the beautiful park, located in the Chandrapur district of Maharashtra is home to a wide variety of animals like tigers, leopards, sloth bears, hyaenas, jackals, wild dogs, blue bulls and sambar.
The lush, southern tropical, dry deciduous forest features a beautiful lake at the centre and comprises mainly of teak trees, bamboo thickets and the ubiquitous “Mahua”, with its distinctive intoxicating smell that wafts through the forest when the golden grapelike fruit ripens in summer attracting the sloth bears. Mahua is also fermented for a potent brew, a favourite of the locals.
Other attractions : Leopards, Dhole (Wild Dogs), Sloth Bear, Gaur (Indian Bison),
Park open : October – June

Panna National Park and Ken River Sanctuary are situated 40km from Khahuraho in the Vindhyan hill range. The forests of Panna National Park along with Ken Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary and adjoining territorial divisions form a significant part of the catchment area of the 406 km Ken River which runs northeast for about 72 km   through the park.
The undulating open savannah grass and woodlands of the park change their colors throughout the year, creating a rich tapestry of natural beauty. The terrain of the reserve is characterised by extensive plateaus and gorges. The topography can broadly be divided into three distinct tablelands: the upper Talgaon Plateau, the middle Hinouta Plateau and the Ken valley.  The vegetation in most Central India National Parks is dry deciduous.  The streams and the Ken River flowing from South to North irrigate the park and are seasonal. The ravines in the course of the Ken River are captivating and house several families of vultures. A boat-ride on the beautiful Ken river, on the border of the park is a treat for birding enthusiasts
Other Attractions: Leopards, sloth bear, Gharial & birds in winter months.
Park open : October – June  

Bandhavgarh, the land of the tiger, is a magical forest steeped in ancient history of the Chandela and Rewa dynasties that exude an aura of mystery and mystical charm.
The density of the tiger population at Bandhavgarh (8 tigers per square km) is one of the highest known in India.
Bandhavgarh National Park comprises of many small hills of the Vindhya range, separated by gently sloping valleys. These valleys end in small, swampy meadows, locally known as 'Bohera', Sal forests, bamboo groves and grasslands. Three perennial streams meandering through the forests offer a lifeline to the animals during the summer months. Naturally the wildlife is more frequently found near these water sources during the dry months.
The central portion of the park consists of hills, marshes and grasslands and a few water sources and supports a large number of herbivores - is the main wildlife sighting area. The safari tracks run mainly through the open grasslands where the tigers are frequently sighted hunting.
Some of the tigers of Bandhavgarh have become legends in their lifetime and have been propelled to international fame by wild life film makers. The legendary Badka, Lakshmi, Sita, Charger and B2 all are known names across the world to wildlife lovers.
Park open : October – June

One of the most beautiful jewels adorning the wild wonders of Central India, Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh takes your breath away by its sheer beauty.
In the months of winter,  and in the glow of dawning sunlight, the forest emerges slowly out of the orange tinted mist. An endless meadow that rolls into green hillocks and thickets of evergreen Sal, Pipal and banyan trees stretches into the horizon. As the sun emerges slowly, the magical forest comes to life with cheerful birdsong, Langurs swinging from tree to tree, deer herds strolling onto the meadows nibbling on grass and carefully checking for predators, peacocks quacking and wild boars hurrying around with babies in search for food. The trees, sounds and views merge into a natural symphony every day.
Home to about a tenth of India’s tiger population, the Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh was formed in 1955 primarily to save the Hardground Barasingha; the fawn-coloured deer is found in India only, and after careful conservation, its numbers have been increased to 400.
Other attractions : Swamp Deer, Gaur (Indian Bison), Dhole (Wild Dogs)
Park open : October – June

Pench National Park is located on the boundary of Seoni and Chhindwara districts of Madhya Pradesh, close to Maharashtra's northern border. The reserve lies in the forest belt that extends to Balaghat in the east and Nagpur district to the south. The park is named after the Pench river and is contiguous with the forest on the southern side in Maharashtra. It is the panoramic beauty of this region that has been described as early as the beginning of the 20th century by naturalists like Captain J. Forsyth in 'Highlands of Central India' and is the setting of Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book.
The deciduous Pench Forest is filled with many tall trees and among them the pale white ghost trees. For six months every year, the ghost trees go dormant, lose their chlorophyll and shed their bark. Their pinkish white appearance has earned them the local name bhootiya in the Marathi language, which means ghostly. It’s also known as a karaya or kulu tree.
Other attractions : Leopards, Gaur (Indian Bison), Dhole (Wild Dogs)
Park open : October – June

One of the most breathtakingly picturesque wildlife habitats of southern Asia and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kaziranga is inhabited by the world's largest population of one-horned rhinoceroses, as well as wild buffaloes, tigers, elephants, swamp deer and thousands of birds.
Kaziranga set on the southern bank of River Brahmaputra in Assam’s Golghat district, is a World Heritage Site and a veritable heaven for wildlife lovers.
Lying at the foot of the Mikir Hills and rising to a height of 1200m, Kaziranga is a stunning biodiversity amalgamation of Wetlands, tall elephant grasslands, forests and riverine habitats fed by the splendid Brahmaputra River. The tall grasses are called  'elephant grass' and grow up to a height of five metres.
The beauty of Kaziranga is best discovered in winter months when the park gets swathed in mist in the early morning. Savouring the beauty of a drive through the silent grasslands with rhinos, buffaloes and swamp deer, with the first rays of the sun glistening on the dew drops on the blades of grass is an experience like no other. On a safari in a jeep sometimes the rhinos give chase creating an exhilarating moment of adventure that remains in the mind forever.
Other attractions : One Horned Rhino, Elephants, Wild Buffalo, Swamp Deer, Birding
Park open : November - April

Satpura is one of the best kept wildlife secrets of India. The beautiful water bodies, hillybackdrop and the dry deciduous forests create a stunning topography.
Satpura forest is a habitat to diverse fauna including Indian Bison (Gaur), Leopards, Wild boars, Wild dogs (locally called Dholes), Sloth bears, and Tigers.  The flying squirrel, Indian Giant Squirrel and Leaf nosed Bats must be regarded among the most sensitive to habitat changes.
Due to its many water-bodies, Satpura is also home for a large number of both migratory and resident birds.; more than 300 species of birds can be seen which include Malabar pied horn-bill, Malabar whistling thrush and the State Bird of Madhya Pradesh Paradise Flycatcher. Area also visited by many migratory birds like Indian Skimmers, Black bellied tern, Brahmni duck, Bar-headed Geese, Pintails, Spotbills etc.
Other attractions :  Indian Bison (Gaur), Leopards, Wild boars, Wild dogs (locally called Dholes), Sloth bears.
Park open : October – June

The Sundarbans are mystical and mysterious, dangerous but beautiful. In the morning the region is bright and ‘normal’, but when the setting sun turns it into a faintly glowing, green, pristine land time appears to stand still, and one is charmed and mesmerized.
This delta, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997, is home to the world’s largest mangrove forest and a natural ecosystem.
The Sunderbans are a dynamic ecosystem of 108 islands interspersed with tidal rivers and narrow creeks. Stretching across more than 10,000km2 in the state of West Bengal and into Bangladesh, this delta is home to the world’s largest mangrove forest and natural ecosystem; it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. In addition to the unique ecosystem it is also known as the mysterious realm of the endangered and occasionally man-eating Royal Bengal tiger and many amphibians, reptilians, fish and mammals as well as more than 180 bird species.
Other attractions : Mangrove ecosystem, Crocodiles, Birding? Bird Watching?
Park open : Throughout year.