Kabini : Bengal Tiger at Kabini, Nagerhole Wildlife Sanctuary Image Credits – commons.wikimedia.org

We begin our journey in the south of India, in Karnataka state, close to the Western Ghats. Kabini is the backwaters that lie adjacent to the Nagarhole National Park (or the erstwhile Rajiv Gandhi National Park). Spread over 55 hectares of prime tropical dry deciduous forests, Kabini is a haven for multiple species of wildlife but is a special place mainly for its tigers. Nearly 200 individuals claim Kabini as their own. Some of the most famous sightings and conservation efforts have taken place in this landscape, and it shows. The tigers also share the space with nearly 100 leopards and a wide density of other large mammals.
Kabini is also the perfect jungle destination since there is an adequate number of resorts and stays close to the backwaters.

Ranthambore  Image Credits – commons.wikimedia.org

A more familiar name to some of you reading this. Ranthambore is undoubtedly India’s star jewel for when it comes to tiger sightings or national parks in general. The area is swathed in heritage and biodiversity, being the original hunting grounds of the Maharajas of Jaipur. Today, it is recognized as a biodiversity hotspot by the government of India and was a key part of Project Tiger in its days. The ancient walls of Sawai Madhopur, the towering fortress that is the centre of attention around the area, is also home to a number of tigers. Ranthambore was also home to one of the world’s most influential tigresses, Machhali, the queen of Ranthambore. While she has moved on since her legacy in the form of her cubs and their cubs has passed on, and Ranthambore is home to nearly 50 individuals.

Jim Corbett National  Image Credits – commons.wikimedia.org

The oldest, and possibly the most renowned national park in India, Jimm Corbet is what started it all. The very first area that was under the purview of Project Tiger. Corbett National Park is, of course, named after the legendary hunter-conservationist Jim Corbett, a man whose legacy is known amongst most people in India, even if in passing. The Garhwal region, in fact, has been home to many a man-eater that was dispatched by Jim, eventually.
Being nestled among the lower Himalayas means that Corbett has some of the most unique flora and fauna of the country, with multiple climate zones and seasons. However, the tiger is ever-present here too: In fact, Corbett is home to the highest density of tigers in the country, with nearly 300 individuals as per the 2018 census.

We’ve listed three exciting destinations across various landscapes and climates to get you to kickstart the planning for your wildlife trip to India, but what if you want more than tigers? Read our blog here to see what wildlife exists beyond megafauna in India.

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The post On The Quest For Stripes : Three Of India’s Best National Parks For Tigers appeared first on Star Vacations.

Throughout India’s Wildlife, the Tiger has been an omnipresent entity, be it religious sentiment, environmental consciousness or simply as an ecotourism draw. Other big cats followed too, of course, such as Ladakh’s enigmatic snow leopard, or the panther of the plains.
However these cats, and indeed, much of India’s megafauna, are but a small piece of the puzzle that is Indian biodiversity. With some of the most fertile regions in the world, and at least 2 or 3 new species of wildlife being discovered every year, this resplendent country has a lot more to offer. 

Birds Of A Feather : Pale Billed Flowerpecker Image Credits – commons.wikimedia.org/

For the more ornithologically inclined, India is second to none. With nearly 1500 species and counting, India’s avifauna is beautiful, varied and charismatic. From the Pale Billed Flowerpecker, the smallest bird that’s the size of a thumb, to the great Griffons of the Himalayas, whose wingspans can reach 10ft in length. India also has a large selection of endemic birds; species that cannot be found anywhere else. Great Pied Hornbills that soar across the canopy to forage for figs, or the Malabar Whistling Thrush, whose call sounds melodious but alarmingly human, and so many more.
And the hotspots? The lush, towering western ghats, or the marshlands of central India, or the hills of the Northeast. Even India’s urban spaces have recorded nearly 200 species of birds throughout the year.

 Land Of The Reptiles : Garden Lizard Image by Kailash Kumbhkar from Pixabay

India does not lack when it comes to its cold-blooded friends either. The country is home to nearly 610 species of reptiles, including 270 species of snakes, 200 odd species of lizards, 34 species of turtles and much more. The most enigmatic of these, the King Cobra, lives mainly in lush evergreen vegetation: The Western Ghats in the South, and the 7 Sisters of the Northeast. Apart from the King, India also lives with the Big 4: Venomous Snakes that are common throughout the country. Monitor Lizards are a flagship species as well, being much more distributed across the country.
However, one of India’s star reptile attractions is the turtle. Olive Ridley turtles come to nest on India’s coasts every year, taking part in an “arribada”, an ancient nesting ritual where they lay their eggs on the shore and depart, leaving the young ones to hatch and rush to the sea by themselves.  

Star Vacations has curated the most unique and luxurious camps and jungle retreats with unparalleled expertise in the ways of the Indian Jungles. Travel with us to some of the remotest and pristine forests to know the jungle that exists beyond the big cats. Please fill out the form, or Contact us  +91 9582896591 We will get in touch with you to discuss the details.

The post Beyond Big Cats : The Diverse Collection Of India’s Wildlife appeared first on Star Vacations.

However, sometimes we forget that other big cats rule these lands too. Leopards in particular are the Indian jungle’s silent assassin, and the cheetah used to roam these lands once upon a time. Let’s talk about 3 big cats in particular, all of which are endemic to their region.

Asiatic Lion Image Credits – Gaurika Wijeratne

While lions have a very different status in Africa, Asiatic Lions are often mentioned in passing, and don’t receive the same kind of attention. Asiatic Lions are also of the same species as African lions (panthera leo), whose range used to extend from North Africa all the way to the middle east and India. Today, they are restricted to a single population in Gir, Gujarat. The Gir National Park was established in 1965 to give lions special protection here. As of 2020, 674 individual lions live in India. Asiatic Lions are relatively tame (for lack of a better word): They roam around villages at night, investigate vehicles and are unperturbed by human movement in general. They have much of the same social structures and behaviors as African lions as well.

Snow Leopard  Image by skeeze from Pixabay       

Probably the most enigmatic big cat in India after the tiger, snow leopards are confined to the Himalayas in India (although their true range extends to Mongolia, parts of China). Snow Leopards are distinct from the common leopard; they have a much more pronounced face and coat, and a massive tail that can extend for up to 4m. The extra length is what enables them to maintain balance when climbing outcrops and tall hills, and also provides them with a blanket when they’re sleeping! 
Snow Leopards are endangered, with nearly 10,000 individuals alive worldwide and 500 odd individuals in India. This makes sighting a snow leopard a rare and special event, one that usually requires expert trackers and days of tracking and traversing difficult terrain!

        Clouded Leopard  Image by piviso from Pixabay 

 Another Himalayan wonder, the Clouded Leopard’s Indian range starts from Arunachal Pradesh and extends through the Himalayan foothills. This gorgeous cat is Meghalaya’s state animal as well. Clouded Leopards are shy, elusive leopards that are a separate species from common leopards again. They are usually solitary in their behavior, and stick to the canopies of trees. They’re also relatively small for big cats, measuring only 0.9m to 1.2m in length on average. This gorgeous cat is known for its excellent climbing skills, being an arboreal dweller. Unfortunately, the clouded leopard is also at extreme threats from poaching for fur and habitat destruction. 

Star Vacations has curated the most unique and luxurious camps and jungle retreats with unparalleled expertise in the ways of the Indian Jungles. Travel with us to some of the remotest and pristine forests to sight the big cats and their prey in action. Please fill out the form, or Contact us  +91 9582896591 We will get in touch with you to discuss the details.

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