Tiger Holidays To India: What You’ll See

Of all the animals in the world, the Tiger holds a special degree of awe and fascination from people of many cultures around the world. Not only has it featured in our stories and art for millennia, it is also a scientifically intriguing animal and a key species for study among those interested in environmental conservation. To add to its appeal, it typically inhabits locations that are both visually gorgeous and culturally exciting. Given all of this, it is easy to see why Tiger holidays are as appealing and popular as ever. For those who have dreamed of seeing one of these magnificent creatures in its natural environment, there are a few destinations that stand out. Among them, India is a favourite, thanks in part to its many first-rate reserves, and in part to its incredible environmental and cultural diversity. To gain more of an idea of what awaits those fortunate enough to take such a holiday, read on.

The Landscape

India has 53 Tiger reserves spread across its 28 states, each with its own distinct terrain and character. While there are some features in common – most will contain some combination of forest and grasslands, and sources of water are essential – the huge variety of climates and terrain types across the country mean that the appearance of the landscape will vary greatly depending on where you go.

Some of the favourite reserves for Tiger holidays include Pench, Kanha, Panna and Bandhavgarh National Parks, all of which are in Madhya Pradesh, a lushly forested state in the Indian heartland. Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, in the northern state of Rajasthan, is well supplied with water from its rivers and lakes. Other reserves with interesting landscapes include Kaziranga, in mountainous Assam, the sub-Himalayan plateaus and valleys of Corbett, and the fertile mangrove swamps of the Sundarbans.

The Wildlife

While they are all different, a great deal of the appeal of all of these areas lies partly in something they have in common: their impressive biodiversity. Each national park has its own ecosystem to discover. Species that can be found in most of them include a variety of Indian deer species, monkeys, and a wonderful array of birds. There are also several wildcat species to be found in India, including, of course, the star of Tiger holidays: the Royal Bengal Tiger. Where the big cats are found, it is also likely that travellers will be able to see common prey species, such as Gaur, Chital, Sambar, and Wild Boar.

The Culture

The diversity of India’s culture would be hard to do justice to in an overview, with more than 4,500 years of history and an incredible range of religious communities, including Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism and Jainism. No matter where their Tiger holidays take visitors, there will be an amazing cultural heritage to discover in the area – from the sandstone fortresses and legendary Taj Mahal of Northern India, to the breathtaking performance arts of the eastern and southern states.