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10 Offbeat National Parks in India You Must Visit for Untouched Wilderness

 

Safari is one of the many ways to support conservation efforts and help preserve species in danger of extinction, all while experiencing the wonders of nature by being a part of it. A budget safari ride through a national park in India provides a learning opportunity about the environment, history, and wildlife and also provides the excitement of exploring the unknown. Several budget-friendly offbeat safari options in India provide a unique appeal to those who prefer areas with fewer crowds or lower costs and also provide revenue opportunities to the locals of the particular area. Here are some examples:

Buxa National Park, West Bengal

Solo Adventure to Buxa Tiger Reserve National Park

Buxa National Park is located in the northern part of West Bengal and is an Eastern Himalayan National Park.  It is also a tiger reserve which is spread over 760 km2 and it is also a must-visit place for people who are interested in botany, as this region has a rare collection of orchids and medicinal plants. It is a home to wildlife species like Indian Elephant and Bengal Tiger. The nearest railway station is New Jalpaiguri Junction from where the forest is 175 km and it takes approximately 4 hours to cover the distance from there. The cost of jungle safari changes from time to time and it is not recommended to visit from 15th June to 15th September, due to the closure of forest dooars.

Balpakram National Park, Meghalaya

Balpakram Plateau is known for medicinal plants and wild animals
Picture Courtesy: Google

Balpakram Plateau is known for medicinal plants and wild animals including wild bison, wild cows, elephants, and most importantly, the endangered species of red panda. It is located in the south of Garo Hills in Meghalaya, India, and it is close to the international border with Bangladesh. Balpakram literally means “land of eternal winds”. It is also known as the “Lands of Spirits” because it is believed that this place is where spirits bring their animals killed at their funerals and also use it as a resting place. The rocky plateau and rugged terrain make it a must-visit for adventure enthusiasts.

You may also like: Harmony in the Wild: Unveiling Conservation Endeavors and Ethical Wildlife Tourism in India

Namdapha National Park, Arunachal Pradesh

Namdapha is a national park and tiger reserve
Picture Courtesy: Google

Namdapha is a national park and tiger reserve located a few kilometres from Miao. It has diverse flora and fauna at the international border of India and Myanmar. It is believed to be so diverse that botany enthusiasts probably need 50 years to explore the place comprehensively. It is famous for providing shelter to four feline species of big cats, namely, tiger, leopard, snow leopard, and clouded leopard. The impenetrable pristine and virgin forests must be on the list of all those who seek a raw experience that is truly remote and wild.

Satpura National Park, Madhya Pradesh

Satpura a walking safari from camping and safari rides
Picture Courtesy: Google

If someone has ever wondered what it would be like to take a safari trip on foot, Satpura is the answer to it. It is the only place in India that offers a walking safari experience and that allows exploration at a slow and comfortable pace. One of the best things about the place is that it is offbeat when compared to other tiger reserves. It is part of a rich Central Indian Forest ecosystem and thus is rich in biodiversity. Apart from camping and safari rides, some other available activities are canoe rides, boat cruises, and night patrol safari.

You may also like: 10 Best Offbeat Jungle Safaris of India

Silent Valley National Park, Kerela

Nilgiri Hills, the Silent Valley was thus named by the British
Picture Courtesy: Google

Located in the Nilgiri Hills, the Silent Valley was thus named by the British because of the absence of noisy cicadas. This national park is one of the last undisturbed tracts of the South Western Ghats Mountain rainforest and tropical moist evergreen forest in India. It is a unique preserve of tropical rainforest in all its pristine glory. The national park is home to 3 species of mammals, 292 species of birds, 31 species of butterflies and moths and some are yet to be documented. It is also rich in floral diversity.

Dibru- Saikhowa National Park, Assam

Dibru- Saikhowa National Park of the few places where feral horses can be found
Picture Courtesy: Google

It is one of the lesser-known treasures of Northeast India and is a shelter for extremely rare species owing to its floodplain ecosystem. The original intention was the conservation of the rare white-wooden wood duck and the place is now home to rare species like water buffalo, black-breasted parrotbill, tiger, and capped langur. This is one of the few places where feral horses can be found. River dolphins also find shelter in this area. The number of recorded bird species makes it an absolute treat to those interested in them. The place also provides opportunities for river safaris.

You may also like: The Ultimate Guide to Sustainable Travel: Tips for Eco-Conscious Explorers

Khangchendzonga National Park, Sikkim

Khangchendzonga National Park provides shelter to nearly half of India’s bird diversity
Picture Courtesy: Google

Situated in Sikkim, this National Park provides shelter to nearly half of India’s bird diversity, trees, orchids, and rhododendrons.  It is one of the most prominent National parks in Northeast India because of its stunning landscapes, trekking opportunities, and some really rare species. It has varied landscapes in the form of lakes, plains, valleys, glaciers, and snow-capped mountains. It has been included in the mixed-criteria UNESCO World Heritage Site. Snow Leopards and Himalayan Blue Sheep can be found here along with other species of animals like Tibetan Snowcock, snow pigeon, Impeyan pheasant, and Asian emerald cuckoo. There are several mythological stories associated with this mountain and a great number of natural elements that are the object of worship by the indigenous people of Sikkim.


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