Adorned with long tusks, thick skin, and trumpet-like noise that shakes the entire forest, elephants are truly some of the most fascinating creatures. Acknowledged often as gentle giants, they are known for their wise and sharp memory. Often seen moving in herds, elephants are social creatures, where herds consist mainly of young calves led by older female elephants.

Being a part of India’s culture and traditions for so long, elephants have always remained a beloved of the country. As such, India’s forests are home to an abundant population of them. Across the world, elephants are categorized under three types- the African savanna, African forest elephant, and the Asian elephant. The Asian elephant can be further classified under Indian, Sumatran, and Sri Lankan. In the forests of India, as the name suggests, you will find the Indian subspecies of the Asian elephant.

Classified as an endangered species under IUCN, national parks in India have worked with an aim to conserve and protect their existing population. As such, there are a number of national parks and sanctuaries across the country where you can visit to see the wild Asian elephant in their natural habitat. From the Himalayas to the Nilgiris, elephants in India have graced the country with their presence.

We bring to you the best wildlife destinations in India, perfect for sighting wild elephants. Here are some of them:

• Kaziranga National Park, Assam
• Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand
• Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala
• Bandipur National Park, Karnataka
• Mudumalai National Park, Tamil Nadu
• Nagarhole National Park, Karnataka
• Manas National Park, Assam
• Rajaji National Park, Uttarakhand

Kaziranga National Park, Assam

An expanse of land beautified by the banks of River Brahmaputra, Assam’s Kaziranga National Park is among the best places to see elephants in India. Acknowledged as a World Heritage Site under UNESCO, the national park is a safe haven for the wild elephants in the region. Thanks to the strict anti-poaching practices that are adopted by the park’s authorities, elephants in Kaziranga can roam about freely. The park offers a varied landscape for them to thrive, from grasslands, to savannas and of course, an abundance of water owing to the bountiful Brahmaputra that flows along.

At Kaziranga you have the option to discover its jungles with a jeep safari, during which you will be able to spot the park’s elephants at a much closer glance. Apart from the jeep safaris, Kaziranga also offers a chance to explore its jungles with an elephant safari, making it one of the best wildlife destinations for sighting elephants in India! Adore and admire this giant mammal as you venture into the forests of Kaziranga together. Apart from housing the Asian elephants, Kaziranga National Park is home to the largest population of the One-horned rhinoceros, Bengal tigers, Gaur, Bengal fox, and Indian boars, among others.

Best time to visit: November to April

Also Read: Best Places to Visit Near Kaziranga National Park

Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand

Among the oldest national parks to have been established in India, Jim Corbett National Park is one of the best wildlife destinations in India for spotting elephants. Located amidst the high hills of Uttarakhand, the national park offers a wonderful landscape with waterfalls, plateaus, and river streams, all surrounded by dense, mountainous forest.

The wide expanse of Jim Corbett’s national park allows for the easy movement for the elephants within the park, where they can enjoy and indulge comfortably in herds. At Jim Corbett, one of the best ways to sight elephants is by going on a jungle safari. On a jungle safari through the park, you will not only get to spot elephants but also other wildlife in the park, such as the Spotted deer, Sambar deer, leopard, and of course the majestic Bengal tiger. Apart from the jungle safari, you can also enjoy exploring the forests of Jim Corbett on a guided nature walk, or on a trek. Housing a wonderful and thriving population of the Asian elephants among the hilly landscape of Uttarakhand, Jim Corbett National Park is currently home to more than 1,000 healthy elephants, making the national park one of the best places to see wild elephants in India.

Best time to visit:  November to June

Also Check Out: Jim Corbett National Jungle Safari Tour Package

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala

Graced by the River Periyar that flows through its dense and thick forests, Kerala’s Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is among the best destinations in India to spot wild elephants in their natural habitat. Covered in a wonderful geographical spread of forested valleys, lakes, and mountains, Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is home to herds of wild elephants that roam its jungles.

One of the best ways to spot elephants at Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is by going on a boat ride in the Periyar Lake. Spending time at the lake, you will be able to spot the herds of elephants that come to bask in its goodness. A renowned sanctuary for elephants in India, Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is home to an abundant population of them. Here, you can go on a guided trekking tour as part of the sanctuary’s trekking programme, where you can spend hours exploring the wide range of wildlife, birds, reptiles, and flora within the forests of Periyar, allowing you a chance to spot herds of elephants up close. Along with guided treks, and boat rides, Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary also offers a jungle safari and nature walk for its visitors. Apart from Asian elephants, Periyar’s forest is also home to Bengal tigers, leopards, Sambar deer, and Wild boar, among others.

Best time to visit: October to February

Also Check Out: 7-Day Best Kerala Family Tour Package

Bandipur National Park, Karnataka

Located along the Nilgiri Hills and an important part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, Bandipur National Park is among Karnataka’s prized possessions. With a dense forest cover, this national park is one of the best places to spot wild elephants in India and is known for its sizable population of the Asiatic elephants, with more than 1,000 of them roaming its forests.

The Asiatic elephants, which are known to be an endangered species under the IUCN list, find themselves thriving among the forests of Bandipur. It is due to the conservation efforts by the frontline staff at the park, and the people that live on its fringes that the national park sees the highest number of elephants than anywhere in Karnataka! Like the national parks across the country, Bandipur too offers its visitors an opportunity to explore its forests and the wildlife within, with jungle safaris, guided nature walks, as well as cycling trails. Apart from being an important elephant sanctuary in India, Bandipur National Park is also a safe haven for Bengal tigers, Gaur, Sambar deer, Chital, Wild boars, Jackals, Porcupines, and the Panther, among others. Offering a wonderful spread of tropical trees, bamboo forests, and grasslands, Bandipur National Park creates a perfect habitat for herds of elephants to thrive.

Best time to visit: October to March

Also Read: Best Places to Visit in South India

Mudumalai National Park, Tamil Nadu

The dense forests of Tamil Nadu’s Mudumalai National Park is home to an abundant number of Asian elephants. Forming one of the best places to spot wild elephants in their natural habitat, Mudumalai National Park has the Theppakadu Elephant Camp, known to be the oldest elephant camp in all of Asia. A safe haven for the elephants of the region, the camp is an exciting opportunity for wildlife enthusiasts to get up close and personal with the lifestyle of these elephants.

At Theppakadu Elephant Camp, you can observe and interact with elephants under supervision. Apart from observing the elephants, you can also attend workshops regarding their conservation, behavior, and preservation, aimed at increasing awareness among the people. Mudumalai National Park, apart from housing a thriving population of elephants, is also home to Bengal tigers, leopards, and Gaur. A part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, sharing borders with Karnataka’s Bandipur National Park, Mudumalai National Park is an ever-enchanting wildlife destination in India for elephant lovers, and forms an essential part for the lives of the herds of elephants who crossover from the the nearby forests frequently. A ravishing landscape of dense forests, river streams, and misty hills of Nilgiri, Mudumalai National Park is a one-of-a-kind sanctuary for wild Asian elephants in India.

Best time to visit: October to February

Also Read: Best Tourist Places in Tamil Nadu

Nagarhole National Park, Karnataka

Proudly boasting an abundant population of wild elephants within its forests, Nagarhole National Park in Karnataka is among the most wonderful places to spot elephants in India. Another one of the national parks that form the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, Nagarhole National Park is a truly blessed wildlife destination.

Going on a jungle safari is the best way to spot herds of wild elephants in their natural habitat, offering a chance to also spot park’s other wildlife as well. Along with housing the Asian elephants, Nagarhole National Park is also home to the Bengal tiger, Leopard, Wild dog, Gaur, and the Sambar deer, among others. The forests of Nagarhole, Bandipur, and Mudumali, together, stand to form the important corridors for the conservation and migration of wild Asian elephants within the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Which is why, cruising through the misty, green, dense forests of Nagarhole makes for the perfect wildlife destination for sighting elephants. One of the best places to spot elephants in India, Nagarhole National Park creates the right environment for the gentle giants to thrive. With the beautiful river Kabini flowing through, you can also indulge in a boat safari at the national park as well.

Best time to visit: October to May

Also Read: India’s Wildlife Treasures  

Manas National Park, Assam

Part of a major biodiversity hotspot under UNESCO in northeastern India, Manas National Park is among the best destinations to see wild elephants in India. Built along the Manas River that flows through its forests, the sanctuary offers a landscape of green hills, river streams, grasslands, and evergreen forests, making the environment just right for populations of wild elephants to flourish.

Bordering the neighboring country of Bhutan, Manas National Park in Assam can be explored on a jungle safari, allowing you to spot wild elephants on your visit. Along with housing the Asian elephants, Manas National Park is also home to Bengal tigers, Clouded leopards, Sloths, Asiatic black bear, and is the only place in India to spot the Pygmy hog. With an abundant wild elephant population, herds of elephants can be seen across the national park quite easily. The evergreen grasslands, and the Manas River that flows through the park make the national park, a wonderful and safe sanctuary for elephants in this part of India. Explore the expanse of Manas National Park’s forests with a jungle safari, a guided nature walks, or an elephant safari, and experience the beauty of the wilderness for yourself.

Best time to visit: November to April

Also Read: Popular National Parks in India

Rajaji National Park, Uttarakhand

Taking over 3 wildlife sanctuaries in Uttarakhand, the Rajaji National Park was formed. Today, decades since its advent, it stands to be among the country’s best wildlife destinations for sighting wild elephants in their natural habitat. Located among the Himalayan Mountain ranges of the Shivalik, the national park offers a wonderful environment for the nurture and growth of the wild elephant population in Uttarakhand.

Offering a spread of diverse forest types, Rajaji National Park presents itself with forest types of semi-evergreen, deciduous, mixed broad-leaved to terai grasslands. This kind of a diversity among its forests, allow for different kinds of wildlife to cohabit within the confines of the national park, which is why Rajaji National Park, apart from housing the Asian elephant is also home to animals such as the Bengal tiger, Leopard, Himalayan black bear, Sloth bear, striped hyena, Wild boar, among others. With more than 600 elephants roaming in its lush forests, Rajaji National Park in Uttarakhand is a thriving elephant sanctuary, and among the best places in India to see wild Asian elephants in their habitat, where you can often see them moving about in close-knit herds across the expanse of the national park.

Best time to visit: November to June

Also Read: Wildlife Tourism in India

Spread across the country in herds, wild elephants are an essential part of India’s environment. Being a part of the country’s history, they have always remained a matter of pride for India. But today, what faces them is the threat of violence and poaching for selfish gains. Which is why, it is necessary to conserve and protect this species which already stands as being endangered. A glorious being of India’s forests, explore the many national parks and sanctuaries involved actively in making sure the population of India’s elephants remain thriving and healthy.

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