India, with its diverse landscapes and rich biodiversity, is home to several national parks that are a photographer’s paradise. Whether you’re looking to capture the majestic tiger or the vibrant birdlife, these parks offer unparalleled opportunities for wildlife photography. Here are the top three parks that should be on every wildlife photographer’s bucket list:
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Jim Corbett National Park – A Tiger’s Paradise
Corbett National Park, India’s first national park, established in 1936, is a must-visit destination for wildlife photographers. Named after Jim Corbett, a legendary naturalist and conservationist, this park is renowned for having the highest number of tigers in India. Located in the Himalayan foothills near Nainital, Corbett offers an incredible diversity of landscapes and wildlife. Its Durga Devi zone, with its hilly terrain and pristine natural surroundings, is especially popular among environmental enthusiasts. Photographers can capture not just the elusive tigers, but also leopards, wild elephants, otters, and a wide variety of bird species like the Gray Headed Fishing Eagle and the Maroon Oriole. The streams of the Ramganga and Mandal Rivers add to the beauty of this zone, making it a perfect location for nature and wildlife photography.
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Kanha National Park – A Sanctuary for Barasingha and Tigers
Kanha National Park, located in the heart of India’s central highlands, is not just a haven for wildlife but also a place of scenic beauty. It is famous for saving the critically endangered Barasingha (swamp deer) from extinction. With its rich meadows, dense forests, and clear streams, Kanha offers some of the most picturesque landscapes for photographers. This park, which inspired Rudyard Kipling’s “The Jungle Book,” is divided into highland and lowland zones, offering varied habitats and diverse wildlife. Along with tigers, you can photograph a wide range of animals, including the wild boar, jackal, sloth bear, and leopard. The Banjar and Halon Rivers running through the park provide beautiful waterholes where animals come to drink, making it an ideal spot for wildlife photography. For breathtaking sunset shots, Bammi Dadar, or Sunset Point, is a photographer’s dream.
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Bandhavgarh National Park – The Land of Tigers and Ancient Ruins
Bandhavgarh National Park is renowned for its dense tiger population, making it one of the best parks for tiger photography in India. Although it’s relatively small in size, it is home to about 60 tigers spread across its 450 square kilometers. The park is located in the Vindhya hills of Madhya Pradesh and is known for its mixed woodland, making it an excellent place to capture tigers in action as they hunt or roam. In addition to tigers, Bandhavgarh is home to a variety of other mammals, such as the barking deer, langurs, jungle cats, and the elusive sloth bear. The park is also a birdwatcher’s delight, with over 250 species of birds, including the Changeable Hawk Eagle and Black Vultures. The park’s cultural significance is enhanced by the ancient Bandhavgarh Fort, which houses the famous Sesh Shaiya statue of a reclining Vishnu. The historic ruins and water tanks, carved into volcanic rock, add an interesting element to the park’s already rich photographic opportunities.
These parks offer a diverse range of wildlife, landscapes, and cultural elements, making them the perfect spots for both amateur and professional wildlife photographers. For an unforgettable wildlife photography experience, don’t miss out on visiting these incredible national parks with Oyepedia Travel LLP.
