India is one of the richest places on the planet for biodiversity, offering encounters with some of the world’s most incredible creatures. From dense, steamy jungles to high-altitude deserts, India’s vast landscapes are home to an astonishing variety of animals. Whether you’re a wildlife photography buff, a lover of animals, or just someone who can’t resist a good David Attenborough documentary, spotting Indian wildlife offers an unparalleled adventure and is one of the best things to do in the country. Ready to set off on a safari? Here’s your guide to spotting the most iconic Indian animals in their natural habitats.
Bengal tiger
The poster child of Indian wildlife is the Bengal tiger. These striped beauties are elusive yet captivating, stalking silently through the grasslands of India’s premier national parks, such as Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan and Bandhavgarh National Park in Madhya Pradesh. At Ranthambore, one of the best places to visit in India, you might catch one lounging near an ancient ruin (because, of course, tigers appreciate history too). At Bandhavgarh, your odds of spotting a tiger improve during early morning or evening safaris. Keep your camera ready — Bengal tigers don’t do encores.
See them for yourself on: Rajasthan Adventure
Sloth bear
Sloth bears are the scruffy, bug-sucking rock stars of Indian wildlife. With their shaggy coats and penchant for termites, these bears are both adorable and fascinating. Head to Satpura National Park in Madhya Pradesh for a walking safari or visit Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary in Karnataka, where conservation efforts have made spotting these nocturnal creatures more likely.
Asian elephant
Graceful and powerful, the Asian elephant is a gentle giant that’s central to Indian culture. The lush landscapes of Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka provide a serene setting to see entire herds cooling off in the water. Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala offers boat rides where elephants can often be seen along the shoreline, trunks raised like nature’s periscopes.
See them for yourself on: India Encompassed
Indian rhinoceros
The Indian rhino, with its prehistoric armour-like skin, feels straight out of Jurassic Park. Kaziranga National Park in Assam is the only place to see them in large numbers, and it doesn’t disappoint. Jeep safaris provide front-row seats to their grazing rituals. Rhinos are surprisingly fast for their size, so keep a respectful distance.
Asiatic lion
Move over, Africa — India has lions too. The Asiatic lion is smaller and shaggier than its African cousin but just as majestic. Gir National Park in Gujarat is their last remaining stronghold, and you can go on safari to try to see them. Look for prides lounging under trees or stalking through the scrub.
Ganges river dolphin
Spotting the blind yet highly adaptive Ganges river dolphin is a special experience. These endangered creatures can be seen leaping gracefully in the waters of their namesake river. Safaris in Sunderban National Park in West Bengal offer a chance to glimpse them in the park’s famous mangroves. You can also spot them at Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary in Bihar.
Striped hyena
The misunderstood striped hyena roams the quieter corners of Gujarat. The grasslands of Velavadar Blackbuck National Park and Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary’s stark desert are both excellent places to see these nocturnal scavengers. Striped hyenas may not be the prettiest creatures on the planet, but their eerie cackles add a thrill to any wildlife expedition.
Indian python
Love them or fear them, Indian pythons are magnificent. These non-venomous constrictors are masters of camouflage, often found basking in the sun or coiled elegantly in trees. Rajasthan’s Keoladeo National Park, a birding paradise, offers occasional python sightings, while Sunderban National Park is where they thrive in the mangroves.
Indian giant squirrel
Imagine a squirrel; now supersize it. The Indian giant squirrel is a vibrant arboreal acrobat that leaps from tree to tree with superhero flair. The dense forests of Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary in Maharashtra are your best bet for catching their kaleidoscopic tails in action.
Nilgiri tahr
The nilgiri tahr is a rare mountain goat with a wild mane. Eravikulam National Park in Kerala is a haven for these cliff-hugging ungulates, especially during their calving season when the hills seem alive with baby tahr.
Great hornbill
With their striking casque-topped bills and vivid plumage, great hornbills are big showoffs — once you spot them. Listen for their unmistakable whooshing wings as you explore the lush canopies of Namdapha National Park in Arunachal Pradesh or Silent Valley National Park in Kerala.
Red panda
Fluffy, shy, and impossibly cute, the red panda is a Himalayan treasure. The misty forests of Singalila National Park in West Bengal offer a fairytale backdrop for spotting these ginger-furred charmers nibbling on bamboo. Arrive early and keep your binoculars handy.
Mugger crocodile
Muggers (the crocodile kind) are India’s toothy river guardians. Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary in Karnataka offers boat rides that glide past these sunbathing reptiles, while the pristine waters of Chambal River Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh host them in droves. Just don’t lean too far over the edge of the boat!
See them for yourself on: Solo-ish India
King cobra
Nothing says India quite like a king cobra sighting. Agumbe Rainforest in Karnataka is the serpent capital of India. Watching this venomous beauty in its natural habitat is equal parts thrilling and humbling.
Dhole
Dholes, or Indian wild dogs, are the unsung heroes of the forest. These pack-hunting canines are intelligent, social, and surprisingly cute. The thick woods of Nagarhole National Park in Karnataka are prime dhole territory, as are the open spaces at Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra.
Lion-tailed macaque
With their signature silver-maned tails, lion-tailed macaques look like they belong on the cover of Vogue: Jungle Edition. Anamalai Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu and Silent Valley National Park are hot spots for these endangered primates, often seen munching on fruit in the treetops.
Gharial
The gharial, with its elongated snout, is nature’s ultimate oddball. Endangered and mesmerizing, these crocodilians bask along the Chambal River’s sandbanks in the National Chambal Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh. A boat ride here is like stepping into a prehistoric world.
See them on: Northern India: Riverside Safaris, Ancient Fortresses & The Taj Mahal
Snow leopard
Spotting a snow leopard in the wild is the ultimate bragging right. These ghost cats of the Himalayas are elusive but not impossible to see in Hemis National Park in Ladakh, where guided treks during the colder winter months increase your chances. Don’t forget your thermals — it’s a frosty affair.
