culture

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RANTHAMBORE

NATIONAL PARK , RAJASTHAN The diurnal tigers found at Ranthambore National Park remain active all day . This makes them far easier to spy — while they typically save their hunts for occluded nights , the cats can be seen roaming the park during the day . Visit during winter or spring for a chance to see them raising newborn cubs , and teaching skills like stalking and grooming .

BANDIPUR

TIGER

RESERVE , KARNATAKA The Western Ghats of southern India are characterized by dense forests , almost thick enough to conceal the giant cats prowling in their depths . The apex predators here , tigers , are among the easier cats to locate . The reserve is also home to the elusive leopard . Travel in April to hit the seasonal crossover of all three . Take a 4WD safari to see some of the rarest animal species on earth , accompanied by a local guide .

JIM

CORBETT NATIONAL PARK Situated in the Himalayan foothills , the low forests of Jim Corbett are crowned by Uttarakhand ’ s mountain peaks . Navigating these thickets , tigers and leopards track deer , and Indian pythons wind around the high branches of mango trees . Named after an acclaimed conservationist in the region , this national park was India ’ s first and played host to some of the country ’ s earliest preservation initiatives . Safaris are offered between November and April .

THREE MORE : ANIMAL SAFARIS

Hemis National Park , Ladakh It ’ s possible to spot another of the world ’ s most elusive cats in Hemis , a national park hidden high in the Himalayas . Rare snow leopards watch travelers imperiously from rocky nooks in the near-sheer cliffsides and are most easily found on a winter trip to the park .

Kaziranga National Park , Assam Two-thirds of the world ’ s one-horned rhinoceroses live inside Kaziranga National Park , making it the best place to spot this rare species in the wild . They ’ re accompanied by tigers , wild buffalo and elephants .

Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park , Andaman Islands A string of tropical islands predominantly populated by Indigenous tribes and jungle-dwelling animals , the Andaman Islands are ideal for spotting curled king cobras , rare marine birds and giant manta rays casting shadows over the reef .

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