Given below is a realistic and helpful guide if you are planning to visit a National Park in the winter season and maximise your chances of tiger spotting in jeep safaris.
It is best to visit these parks in the winter as the summer can be extremely irritable and unbearable with highs of 50 C. Some parks are closed for visitors in the monsoon season due to chances of landslides and soil erosion. The advantages of visiting these parks in the winter season are that the climate is very pleasant and wildlife sighting occurs often too.
The disadvantage of tiger safari in winter season is that the spotting is not as often as it is in summer as in summer wildlife gather near the waterholes to quench their thirst, giving visitors a beautiful scenery to capture through their eyes and cameras.
Remember to carry several layers of clothing in the winter and have frequent hot meals and beverages to yourself warm. So, plan your trip during winters if you want to experience a wonderland like environment amidst tigers!
Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan
Ranthambore National Park is located between the Aravalli and Vindhya hills, a place of attraction to wildlife enthusiasts. The terrain features dry deciduous forests as well as grassy meadows with shimmering lakes such as Padam Talao.
During the winter (November- February end) however, temperatures are cooler (10℃-30℃) which make exploring various places in this park including Ranthambore Fort even more delightful.
Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand
In Uttarakhand Nainital, Jim Corbett National Park is known for being the site of the 1973 debut of Project Tiger. Corbett has a landscape of hills, grasslands, marshy depressions, a lake, and riverine belts.
During the monsoon season (mid June to mid September) only Jhirna zone of the park is open and its not recommended to plan a visit. Thus, the winter months of November to February compose of sunny, pleasant days with the occasional evening dip to 5 C.
All five gates remain open, and leopards can be spotted at the higher ranges along with tigers, the main attraction.
Bandhavgarh National Park, Madhya Pradesh
Embrace Bandhavgarh’s winter (10-25℃) for an exciting tiger safari! Lush foliage, replenished by monsoons, paints the park a vibrant green. The cooler weather makes exploring the fortresses and temples nestled within the park even more enjoyable.
While tiger sightings may be slightly less frequent than summer, the forest density thins out creating open spaces and the weather is pleasant to be patient for tiger encounters. Keep in mind that the marshy hollows form frost and it can drop to 2 C. October and January is the best time for birdwatchers to spot migratory and residential birds.
Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh
The temperatures in Kanha during the winter range from 15 to 25 degrees Celsius, and it becomes a haven for tiger enthusiasts. The once dense Sal forests become more open allowing a clearer view across grasslands choked with barasingha (swamp deer), their most loved prey.
Consequently, there are increased sightings of both swamp deer and tigers. Tigers are more active in the fringes when there is little foliage to hide in. Kanha has a unique landscape, which comprises meadows, forests as well as water bodies that determines its high wildlife population diversity thus making your safari even more worthwhile. Winter season (Nov to Feb) is chilly but most comfortable to plan your trip.
Pench National Park, Madhya Pradesh
In winter Pench National Park opens up to reveal its secrets with a weather range of 6-30 C. Its teak forests, home to many wild animals like leopards and sloth bears, become less crowded. This “reduction” increases tiger sightings.
The beauty of the park’s landscape and the Pench River becomes even more exciting as temperatures drop. Come and experience the enchantment of the Pench this winter, where nature unfolds her secrets, just a gaze at magnificent tiger could be worth it. Visiting Pench during winter will enable you have best experiences in terms of tiger safaris because of the comfortable and pleasant jeep safaris.
