Various Kinds of Wilderness Safaris in India and Where to Experience them
Wildlife experiences in India go beyond the typical tiger safari. Covering varied terrains from dense rainforest to extensive grasslands, rivers, wetland and floodplain areas, there are countless ways to get in touch with some of the world’s most coveted wildlife. Each kind of safari provides unique ways for you to experience it: some focus on tracking large predators, others prioritize leisurely intimate interaction with nature as it plays out all around you and there are many that allow a perch by the water or soil for watching animals. Whether you lean towards the thrill of jeep safaris to the tranquillity of boat rides and guided walks in nature, here is an introduction to several types of wildlife safaris in India and where they take place.
Jeep Safaris: The Classic Choice
Undoubtedly the most famous choice, jeep safaris represent the most popular and common way to explore India’s national parks and tiger reserves. Operated in 4×4 open jeeps, these safaris are good for sightings of tigers, leopards, elephants, deer species and large numbers of birds. Jeep safaris are popular because they allow you to have a say on what happens. Want to move leisurely? Go ahead. Need to cover more ground? No problem. Its raised seat and open design provide an excellent view of your surroundings. Experienced forest guides and drivers use their knowledge to decrypt animal sighting through track-spotting, reading alarm calls and recognizing fresh marks ahead.
Where should you go? The best jeep safaris can be enjoyed in Ranthambore National Park, Bandhavgarh National Park, Kanha National park, Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve and Jim Corbett national park.
Canter Safaris: Good for Bigger Groups
Are you thinking of visiting Ranthambore National Park or the popular Dhikala Zone in the Jim Corbett National Park with a large group? A canter safari is a great way to see into the wilderness. The safaris occur in large, open vehicles resembling buses, designed to carry many guests at once. While canters might not offer the personal experience of a jeep, they are a great option when jeep availability is all used up especially during peak tourist season. Particularly popular in high-traffic tiger reserves, these safaris democratize wildlife access, allowing many to see the spectacle of nature without multiplying vehicle traffic within protected reaches.
Walking Safaris: A Special Experience With The Wilderness
There is no better way to experience India’s pristine wilderness than on foot. The visits are confined, however, to special buffer areas or protected forest zones because of the risks inherent in moving through wild terrain. Walking tours are conducted by the trained naturalists accompanied with the armed forest–guards. Rather than pursuing big things walking safaris foster appreciation for: animal spoor, forest eco-systems; flora, insects, avian species and teeny wildlife populations. On these walks, immerse yourself in the forest’s symphony – from the sounds of rustling leaves to the earthen smells of soil and plants to textures under your hand.
Witness it yourself at places like Satpura National Park in Madhya Pradesh, Periyar Tiger Reserve in Kerala and the buffer zones around Tadoba in Maharashtra.
Boat Safaris: Viewing from the Water
Boat safaris offer a completely different experience; they place spectators on water that weaves around these conservation areas to see the wildlife. Typically carried out on rivers, these tranquil excursions are much quieter than car-based options and are also the best option for birding and seeing shoreline-seeking wildlife such as elephants, wild boar, deer, crocodiles, gharials, river dolphins, reptiles, migratory birds, and even, with a little luck, tigers. Does that pique your interest? Give it a shot at Periyar Lake in Periyar Tiger Reserve, the Chambal River Safari (for gharials and river dolphins), Satpura National Park, Bhitarkanika National Park and the magnificent Sundarbans National Park in West Bengal.
Elephant Safaris: The Exclusive Experience
If you’re at Kaziranga National Park or Manas National Park, chances are elephant safari is all you get. That isn’t to say that jeeps aren’t available, they are, and you’ll find plenty of them in operation—but elephant safaris offer a unique viewpoint, gliding quietly over high grasslands and through wooded areas where vehicles just can’t go. This is the ultimate way to thoroughly explore the expansive grasslands that epitomize Kaziranga and Manas terrains. Please note that while elephant rides are strictly controlled and enforced as an important part of eco-tourism infrastructure in some parts of the world they are a necessary form of transit in areas where geography demands low impact access.