Best time to visit Indian tiger reserves

Apr 26
10:16

2009

Uday Patel

Uday Patel

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The tigers can be seen at any time of year except during the monsoon rains in the tiger reserves. But the sightings vary due to many reasons. The most important is the opening and closing of the park....

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The tigers can be seen at any time of year except during the monsoon rains in the tiger reserves. But the sightings vary due to many reasons. The most important is the opening and closing of the park.

Most National Parks in India are closed during the monsoon due to heavy rains. The closer is generally on June 31st while the park opens on 1st October. But the dates may vary from State to State.

How ever when the parks are open one must keep the following factors in mind:

1)    Weather
2)    Wildlife visibility
3)    Tourist Rush 
4)    Accommodation availability
5)    Light conditions
6)    State visits
 
Weather is important since the heat gets on your toes from April onwards and is worst in May and June. Can you stand the heat?

Wildlife visibility may be less just after the monsoon rains due to dense foliage and tall grasses. Hence on must avoid wildlife and birding tours during this period. Some animals like the bison and Indian elephant migrate to hills in winters and are less seen.

The period of holidays like Diwali,Best time to visit Indian tiger reserves Articles Xmas and New Year should be avoided because of heavy tourist pressure. The accommodation is short and costly, and the wildlife gets disturbed due to heavy traffic inside the park. All major religious festivals in India are holidays during this time people may rush to the reserves.

Try to get the best package tour from reliable tour operators in India at best price. Make sure of accommodation availability best book in advance. As even during non holiday season a big company conference might block rooms of your favorite resort.

For wildlife photographers taking note of light conditions is a must. Light conditions are generally better in the month of May.

One must try to find out in advance of a state visit of high level politicians and very top level business men since the park may be closed for public. It is possible that only some areas may be closed for public in the park but the security arrangements and the coterie is a nuisance. Some parks may be  closed on weekdays or some other day. During such holidays tiger safari may not be possible. Tigers are shy animals and withdraw into dense thickets if disturbed which usually happens when tourist rush is there.

Finally the best time is from January fifteen onward up till March when the weather  is at its finest, visibility of tigers is the best and less tourist are there in the parks.