Wildlife Safari Meaning & List of Popular Wildlife Safaris in India

Wildlife safari is an adventurous journey to observe the wild animals in their natural habitat. As the human species have coexisted and evolved with animals, they have a natural urge to dive into this realm of animals. Besides, wildlife safaris can give a glimpse into the ecosystem and the reminiscence of the earlier lives shared with floras and faunas.

Therefore, let us understand ‘what is a wildlife safari’ in its simplest forms through the history of its existence and other related factors.

The word 'safari' comes from the Arabic word 'safar', which means 'to make a journey'. This word came into being during British Colonialism in the African continent. Explorer and soldier Sir Richard Francis Burton introduced the term into English.

In ancient times, this word referred to human activities around the forests, especially hunting. However, the meaning of wildlife safari has shifted to the observation and study of wild animals and has grown into a lucrative tourist activity.

Now that you know about the history of wildlife safari, let us briefly discuss the most visited wildlife safaris in India.

With the growth of urbanisation in human civilisation, the human species have separated themselves from wild living. However, they have recently started exploring the components of nature through wildlife safaris.

In this regard, wildlife safaris play various significant roles, including:

• Conservation of Nature: It displays the conservation and breeding of endangered species of wild animals untouched by human intervention.
• Awareness of Ecosystem: It also creates awareness among visitors about the preservation of the biodiversity of the ecosystem.
• Nature in its Purest Form: Wildlife safaris enable people to experience the ways of living in the lap of nature, unknown to us.
• Educational Objectives: It promotes educational, recreational and other activities in favour of the environment.
• Source of Revenue: It generates a source of revenue for the conservation of wild animals.

However, unregulated wildlife tourism can result in the destruction of habitats, overuse of natural resources, and decline in wildlife population. Therefore, one must give top priority to a sustainable wildlife safari for the conservation of wildlife.

Here is a list of wildlife safaris in India for adventure buffers:

1. Ranthambore National Park

Ranthambore is a renowned national park visited by people from all over India. There were 24 tigers in Ranthambore National Park as of 2014. This deciduous forest is around 130 Km from Jaipur.

2. Hemis National Park

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Hemis National Park is a high-altitude national park spreading over 4400 sq. km. It is the largest national park in South Asia. It is globally renowned for its snow leopards along with various faunas like the Tibetan wolf, Eurasian brown bear and 73 bird species.

3. Jim Corbett National Park

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Established in 1936, Jim Corbett National Park is the first-ever national park in India, dating back to the British Raj. Due to its large number of tigers, it can also be called the 'paradise of tigers'. It also has 586 species of migratory and resident birds.

4. Bandhavgarh National Park

Bandhavgarh National Park was declared a Tiger Reserve in 1993. This national park has a large biodiversity containing the tiger as the apex of the food chain and 37 other species of mammals, along with several species of birds, butterflies, reptiles etc. It constitutes a total area of 716 sq. Km.

5. Sasan-Gir Wildlife Sanctuary

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The Sasan Gir Wildlife Sanctuary is the only place in the globe after Africa where you can spot an Asiatic lion in its natural habitat. This wildlife animal safari houses 40 species of animals along with 425 species of animals.

6. Kaziranga National Park

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Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1985, Kaziranga National Park is famous for its one-horned Rhinoceros. Besides, it is home to wild water buffalo, elephants, swamp deer etc. Additionally, it is considered an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International for the conservation of avifaunal species.

7. Kanha National Park

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Declared as Tiger Reserve in 1973, Kanha National Park is situated in the Maikal mountain range of Satpuras. It is a paradise for a host of wildlife creatures like the Bengal tiger, dhole, sloth bear, Indian leopard, etc.

8. Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

Periyar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary is famously known as an elephant reserve and a tiger reserve containing Bengal tigers and Asian elephants. You can experience a bounty of the great scenic beauty of nature and rich biodiversity here.

9. Manas Wildlife Sanctuary

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Situated in the Himalayan foothills, Manas National Park is an elephant reserve and a Tiger reserve. It is notable for its endangered wildlife, including the Assam roofed, hispid hare, pygmy hog, golden langur turtle, etc. Besides, it was also declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985.

10. Sundarbans National Park

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Lying on the Ganges Delta, Sundarbans is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This biosphere reserve is home to various globally endangered species like the Ganges and Irrawaddy dolphins, the Royal Bengal Tiger, estuarine crocodiles and river terrapin (Batagur Baska).

There are a few things to keep in mind while planning to go on a wildlife safari, unlike other vacation plans. These are:

• Choose the Appropriate Safari Destination: It is advisable to choose the safari destination that suits you the most. For instance, some nature parks are great for bird spotting and others for tigers. You must go for the one that attracts you the most.
• Choose the Best Season to Visit: Besides choosing the right safari destination, it is equally important to visit the place at the right time. Choosing the best season will increase the chances of spotting animals in a better way.
• Pre-book Your Safari in Advance: To prevent the last moment disappointments, always pre-plan and make prior arrangements. Since there is only a limited number of permits available for jungle safari, book everything in advance.
• Book the Correct Zones of Safari: It is crucial to book the correct zones for your wildlife safari to raise the possibility of viewing animals.
• Know the Rules of Every Jungle: Every jungle has its own story. Therefore, there are different policies for every Indian wildlife safari. You must know the rules & regulations of the national park you are going to visit beforehand.
• Pack Your Clothing the Right Ways: Packing the correct clothing is essential during your safari. Additionally, neutral colours like browns, greens and beige are always advisable in jungles to camouflage yourself in front of wild animals.
• Book a Tour Guide: Tour guides have specific knowledge about the correct time and place before the animals pass off from an area. They will also share their insights and thrilling experiences on jungle safari gathered over time.
• Choose the Nearest Flight or Train Connections: It is imperative to choose the nearest flight or train connections to minimise your efforts and store energy for the jungle safari.
• Decide Your Seating Arrangements: Pre-booking your seating arrangements is essential to avoid any mismanagement during your trip.
• Carry a Valid Identity Proof: It is crucial to carry valid identity proof during a jungle safari. You can only enter the protected nature parks after verifying your identity.
• Carry the Right Equipment: Carrying the right equipment for safari is crucial. Therefore, remember to take your camera and binoculars with you, your phone and power bank charged along with other essentials like water bottle, medical aids etc.
• Stay Quiet and Stick to the Time of the Park: You must hold your excitement and stay quiet during the trip after entering the realm of wild animals. Maintaining a safe distance is obligatory during a jungle safari.
• Observe Your Surroundings: Being attentive to the sounds of nature and observing your surroundings will be the best and safest way to embrace the beauty of nature.

All these things will not only make your trip successful but ensure your and your family's safety in the best way. Not to mention, you must also maintain some safety precautions while going on wildlife safaris.

Here is a list of 10 safety precautions to prevent an unintentional animal attack while on wildlife safaris.

1. Refrain from feeding animals.
2. Keep a safe distance and avoid close encounters with animals.
3. Refrain from going out of your safari jeep or car.
4. Do not keep the flashlight of your camera or mobile phone on.
5. Make sure to do nothing during an animal encounter and keep calm.
6. Keep a flashlight with you if going anywhere.
7. Avoid wearing bright colours while visiting wild animals.
8. Stay inside the camp at night and stay in groups.
9. Do not go off the way to get a better glimpse of wild creatures.
10. Avoid carrying pungent-smelling or raw food with you.

Having shared insights on ‘what is a wildlife safari', its history, objectives and other factors, you can plan your next (or first) wildlife safari in a better way. Moreover, you can choose from the top-visited wildlife safaris in India for your next vacation.