Hunting, Poaching and then Preservation. These National Parks have seen it all. They are the most coveted sanctuaries for indigenous plants and animals across the Asia-Pacific region. Here is a glimpse of the wonders of these Parks.

Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary/ Keoladeo National Park

Once a hunting ground for the Maharaja of Bharatpur and the Viceroys of the British Empire, now a home to more than 230 species of birds. The Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary in Rajasthan has been named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

The Park hosts rare species such as the Siberian crane over the winter and other endangered species throughout the year. Major attractions in the National Park include various species of Cranes, Pelicans, Hawks and Warblers.

Bharatpur being enveloped by thick deciduous forests provides a study ground for various ornithologists and ecologists. You can ride a bicycle across the park to see the various birds and have a relaxing stroll as well. A guide is available at the entrance to the national park or your hotel can set you up with one as well.

• Meals:

Food is not available inside the forest, so people either go back to their hotel mid-day and come back later, or sometimes you can befriend the Hotel staff and they can arrange the lunch to be delivered to you inside at the forest canteen and save you a trip all the way outside again.

• Photography Tips:

If you are a photographer or an aspiring photographer, then make sure to carry your camera with you. Anyone who has a DSLR, try and carry a 75-200mm/100-400mm lens for the long range pictures and a wide angle 35mm (crop sensor) or 50mm (full frame) to capture those close up shots with a noticeable Depth of Field.

Bandavgarh National Park

The “Home of the Royal Bengal Tiger” is what the Bandavgarh National park is known as. In the heart of the country amidst a dense jungle, live the most coveted tigers, roaring for dominance.

The vast stretches of plain land with the hilly backdrop of the Vindhyan Range, provides the perfect setting for a Safari. Bandavgarh has one of the highest concentrations of tigers in India, due to which sightings are a regular occurrence. Take a jeep across various terrains within the boundaries, through plains, hills, elephant grass and dense jungle.

• Things to do:

You can get a jeep for yourself or your group as well as look and ask around for a shared one for a lesser price (very helpful if travelling alone). You can either do an early morning tour and come back, have lunch and go for sightseeing in Jabalpur, or you can do the opposite, depending on your schedule.

• Photography Tip:

Carry a telephoto lens with you (75-200mm/100-400mm) because it’s rare to spot a tiger up close. Keep a short range 18-55mm on you as well, for the rare sightings.

Kanha National Park

Rudyard Kipling was inspired by the landscape and environment of the Kanha Tiger Reserve to write the famous novel ‘The Jungle Book’. Explore this region under the eye of the Maikal range of Hills.

• What/When to see:

Tiger sightings are common around the months of March-May along with multiple species of migratory birds flying in from around the Asia Pacific region. People flock to the Tiger Reserve to witness the largest member of the cat family along with rare birds and other animals such as the Barasingha and Nilgai.

At the Kanha National Park you can sight the spotted deer, sloth bears, langur (monkeys) and the unusual guar. You can take jeep safaris in the morning as well as after lunch. Best time to visit would be in the spring- summer months as the animals come outside the jungles to drink water.

• Photography Tip:

Carry a 75-200mm/100-400mm lens for the long range pictures and a wide angle 35mm (crop sensor) or 50mm (full frame) to capture those close up shots with a noticeable Depth of Field. You can get Instagram worthy shots at the Sunset point where from atop a tower you get a view of the grounds and a stream with animals surrounding.

These are the Top 3 National Parks in India you must visit. Plan a trip or contact us at Far Horizon and we’ll be happy to give you everything you need. www.farhorizonindia.com