Each country or region has its own set of iconic wild animals, often inspired by the original Big Five of Africa. The original “Big Five” term came from Africa and referred to the five most challenging and dangerous animals to hunt:
- African Lion
- African Leopard
- Cape Buffalo
- Rhinoceros
- African Elephant
When adapting this concept to India, there’s no single universally agreed-upon list, although the following five are most commonly cited:
- Royal Bengal Tiger
- Indian Leopard
- Asiatic Lion
- Asian Elephant
- Indian One-Horned Rhinoceros
However, many conservationists believe the mighty Indian Gaur also deserves a place on this list. This gives India its own “Big Six of India,” which includes the Indian Gaur alongside the other five.
Big Five of India
Royal Bengal Tiger
(Panthera tigris tigris)
The Royal Bengal Tiger is India’s most iconic predator and a symbol of the country’s rich wildlife. Known for its power, agility, and striking orange coat with bold black stripes, it rules the forests and grasslands. Tigers are solitary hunters, using stealth and patience to ambush prey. They are also strong swimmers and often cool off in water during the hotter months.
Best places to see: Bandhavgarh, Ranthambore, Tadoba, Kanha, Jim Corbett.
Indian Leopard
(Panthera pardus fusca)
The Indian Leopard is one of the most adaptable big cats in the world. Found in forests, grasslands, hills, and even near villages, leopards are elusive and skilled at avoiding human attention. They are excellent climbers, often resting on tree branches during the day, and can carry prey much heavier than themselves into trees to keep it safe from other predators. The leopard is also part of the Big Five of Tadoba, one of India’s top tiger reserves where sightings are especially rewarding.
Best places to see: Jawai, Bera, Kabini, Satpura, Pench.
Asiatic Lion
(Panthera leo persica)
Smaller and lighter than the African lion, the Asiatic Lion is found only in the Gir Forest of Gujarat. Males have shorter manes, making their faces more visible. They live in prides and are active mainly in the early morning and evening. Once widespread across Asia, they now survive only in this small pocket of India, making sightings special and rare.
Best places to see: Gir National Park.
Asian Elephant
(Elephas maximus indicus)
The Asian Elephant is the largest land animal in Asia and an important part of India’s forests. They are intelligent, social, and live in herds led by a matriarch. Elephants help maintain healthy ecosystems by clearing paths and dispersing seeds. They communicate using low-frequency sounds that travel over long distances, allowing them to coordinate movements even when far apart.
Best places to see: Nagarhole, Periyar, Corbett, Kaziranga.
Indian One-Horned Rhinoceros
(Rhinoceros unicornis)
This impressive herbivore is easily recognized by its single black horn and thick, armour-like skin. Mostly found in the floodplains of Assam, the Indian One-Horned Rhinoceros spends much of its time grazing on grass and bathing in waterholes. It is also part of the Big Five of Kaziranga, one of India’s most famous wildlife reserves. Conservation programs have brought its population back from the brink of extinction.
Best places to see: Kaziranga, Dhudhwa, Pobitora.
Indian Gaur
(Bos gaurus)
The Indian Gaur, or Indian bison, is the largest wild cattle species in the world. Strong, muscular, and with a distinct dark brown coat, they can weigh over a ton. Despite their size, gaurs are shy and prefer to stay in forested areas, grazing on grass and leaves. They move in herds, usually led by older females, and are most active during the early morning and late afternoon.
Best places to see: Kanha, Tadoba, Bandhavgarh, Nagarhole, Wayanad.
National Parks for Multiple Big Five Sightings
If you want to see more than one Big Five of India in a single trip, we recommend visiting these parks:
- Kanha National Park – Home to tigers, leopards, Indian gaur, and Indian elephants.
- Jim Corbett National Park – Known for tigers, elephants, and leopards.
- Kaziranga National Park – Famous for the one-horned rhinoceros, elephants, tigers, and part of the Big Five of Kaziranga list.
As per our expertise, the best way to spot multiple species is to follow a well-planned itinerary covering at least two of these parks. Combining Kaziranga with Corbett or Kanha gives you the best variety of wildlife.
Recommended Tour Packages
We recommend these tours to spot the Big Five of India:
The Big Five of India showcase the incredible variety of the country’s wildlife. From the roar of the tiger to the quiet strength of the gaur, each animal offers a special sighting that makes every safari memorable.
