8 locations to spot tigers in the wild – and how to make it happen in 2024

With as few as 3,900 tigers remaining in the wild, here’s where and how you can catch a glimpse of one.

The modern era has not been favorable to tigers. Over the last century, three of the nine tiger subspecies have gone extinct, and the six that remain are endangered, with some facing critical threats due to habitat loss and illegal poaching.

On a brighter note, the populations of wild Bengal and Siberian tigers have seen recent increases. The ongoing development of tourism infrastructure in key tiger habitats gives visitors a decent chance of spotting these animals while minimizing harm. Such adventures provide a far more sustainable choice compared to visiting captive-tiger attractions, many of which have faced criticism for animal cruelty. (Would you step into the world of the Tiger King?)

As you contemplate the ultimate experience with one of nature’s most magnificent apex predators, continue reading to discover where you might be fortunate enough to see a tiger in its natural habitat.

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1. Jim Corbett National Park, India

Founded in 1936 as Hailey National Park and later renamed in honor of the famed hunter and conservationist, Jim Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand is India's inaugural national park, home to the largest population of wild tigers. As of 2020, approximately 225 tigers inhabit the park’s diverse ecosystems of sal forests, marshes, and grasslands—a significant recovery from previous years. The park uniquely offers the option for overnight stays within its boundaries, enhancing your chances of encountering these elusive big cats.

• Understanding safaris at Jim Corbett National Park: You can embark on Jeep or 20-seat Canter safaris across the park’s five distinct zones, designed to evenly distribute safari vehicles throughout the area. Managed by India’s forest department, guides decide the specific zone for each safari on any given day (all zones report similar tiger sighting rates). Tours are available daily in the morning and evening.

• Other attractions in Jim Corbett National Park: While exploring the park, watch for Indian elephants (especially in summer), mongooses, leopards, sloths, bears, and deer. You can stay overnight at the Dhikala Forest Lodge, one of the few accommodations available within an Indian national park.

• Optimal visiting times for Jim Corbett National Park: April to June is the prime period for spotting tigers. Although the summer months can be intensely hot, it’s when tigers are most likely to emerge from their cover to cool off and drink from open watering holes, enhancing your chances of sighting one.

• Making it happen: In addition to the park’s daily safaris, various local tour companies offer multi-day packages. For example, Nature Safari India provides a 10-day tour featuring five days in the park, allowing visitors to experience its unique wildlife, traverse trails, and learn about the naturalist Jim Corbett.

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2. The Sundarbans, Bangladesh

Stretching across India and Bangladesh, the Sundarbans is the largest mangrove forest in the world. Home to an estimated more than 114 Bengal tigers, this misty network of tidal waterways and small islands is best explored from the Bangladeshi side, which provides better access and higher chances of tiger sightings. However, spotting these elusive creatures remains a rare treat.

• Understanding safaris in the Sundarbans: Safaris typically involve multi-day boat tours departing from the southwestern city of Khulna or nearby. You will eat and sleep aboard your main tour vessel; during the day, you’ll split into smaller groups to track tigers, either on foot (with armed forest guards) or in smaller boats navigating the narrower river channels.

• Other wildlife to see in the Sundarbans: This region boasts a rich diversity of wildlife. Keep an eye out for saltwater crocodiles, wild boar, langurs, and many of the area’s 260 bird species.

• Best times to visit the Sundarbans: The cooler months from October to March are the most pleasant for visiting, with a chance to see tigers basking on riverbanks. However, you’re more likely to spot them in the water during the hotter months of April and May.

• Making it happen: UK-based Responsible Travel offers an 8-day tiger safari in the Sundarbans, led by a zoologist guide.

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3. Chitwan National Park, Nepal

Nestled near the Nepal–India border, Chitwan National Park is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its population of one-horned rhinoceroses, royal Bengal tigers, and gharial crocodiles. These animals thrive in the park's grasslands and subtropical forests alongside over 50 other mammal species. According to the last census in 2018, there are 128 tigers in Chitwan, and efforts to boost the tiger population in Nepal are actively underway. While spotting a tiger can be challenging, the flourishing population of one-horned rhinos is another compelling reason to visit.

• Understanding safaris at Chitwan National Park: To embark on a Chitwan safari, you will typically book a travel package through a private tour operator. Most safaris are conducted in all-wheel-drive vehicles, although some companies also provide walking and elephant-back safari options.

• Other attractions at Chitwan National Park: Alongside tigers, the park's one-horned rhinos are a significant draw. You'll also encounter elephants, antelopes, pangolins, leopards, and striped hyenas among other remarkable wildlife.

• Best times to visit Chitwan National Park: The region enjoys optimal weather from October to March, but the likelihood of spotting tigers or rhinos increases in April and May. Be prepared for high temperatures in spring, so pack plenty of water and dress appropriately.

• Planning your trip: And Beyond offers a 6-day itinerary starting from Kathmandu. This tour includes a full day in the capital, a scenic flight over Everest, a walking tour in Chitwan, and both elephant-back and 4x4 safaris. Additionally, Chitwan Jungle Safari provides a range of itineraries, including a shorter 2-day tour featuring an elephant safari.

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4. Madhya Pradesh, India

Madhya Pradesh, known as India’s ‘Tiger State’, boasts around 50 tiger reserves. Among these, Kanha stands out, often believed to be the inspiration behind Rudyard Kipling’s timeless tale, The Jungle Book.

• How safaris operate in Madhya Pradesh: Aside from Satpura, the only reserve in the state offering walking safaris, expect to explore on tiger-spotting drives in Maruti Suzuki Gypsies. These can be booked for morning, afternoon, and sometimes night excursions with a local guide. To increase your chances of spotting a tiger, aim for at least four drives.

• Additional wildlife to observe in Madhya Pradesh: Alongside tigers, you may also encounter deer species like sambar, spotted, and swamp; various raptors such as owls and eagles; gaur buffalo; langurs and macaques; and, if luck is on your side, even a sloth bear or a jungle cat.

• Optimal visiting times for Madhya Pradesh: Most tiger reserves close during the monsoon season from July to September. While tigers can be seen year-round, the hot months of April and May before the monsoon usually provide the best sightings, often near water holes.

• Planning your visit: Given the remoteness of Madhya Pradesh’s reserves, organized tours are a convenient option. Consider staying at Forsyth Lodge in Satpura, which collaborates with the local community to facilitate transfers from Bhopal’s airport, located about four hours away.

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5. Royal Manas National Park, Bhutan

Nestled in the eastern Himalayas, Royal Manas holds the title of Bhutan’s first and oldest national park. Recognized by UNESCO as a Natural World Heritage site, the park is celebrated for its diverse and endangered flora and fauna, which includes rhinos, elephants, water buffalo, and royal Bengal tigers. With predominantly mountainous, forested terrain, it boasts the highest density of tigers in the world, with the population more than doubling since 2008. Royal Manas is bordered by various wildlife sanctuaries and parks, including Manas Tiger Reserve, Phipsoo Wildlife Sanctuary, Khaling Wildlife Sanctuary, and Thrumshingla National Park, creating a vast habitat for tigers to thrive safely.

• How safaris function at Royal Manas National Park: While safari opportunities are limited and tiger sightings are less frequent compared to some Indian parks, Royal Manas National Park is definitely worth a visit. Several tour operators offer itineraries focused on nature, culture, and wildlife. For a more traditional safari experience, consider visiting nearby Manas National Park in Assam, just across the Indian border.

• Other wildlife highlights at Royal Manas National Park: This biodiverse area is home to some of the rarest species on the planet, including clouded leopards, pygmy hogs, water buffalo, one-horned rhinos, elephants, and the elusive golden langur, found almost nowhere else.

• Best times to visit Royal Manas National Park: The optimal weather conditions occur from November to February, while summer months offer a higher chance of spotting tigers. Be aware that the monsoon season, which closes nearby Manas National Park in India, lasts from May to September, so if you plan to visit during that time, be sure to pack your rain gear.

• Planning your adventure: Many tours encompass a variety of activities and experiences across Bhutan, with Royal Manas National Park being one part of the incredible journey. Yatara Adventure provides various itineraries that include a visit to the park.

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6. Ranthambore National Park, India

Covering nearly 330,000 acres (133,546 hectares), Ranthambore National Park ranks among the largest national parks in northern India. As of 2023, it reportedly shelters around 88 Bengal tigers. The park, located in Rajasthan, was once a renowned hunting ground for the Maharajas of Jaipur, adding a rich cultural and historical layer to its diverse ecosystem. Visitors can explore various ancient temples, mosques, and even a 10th-century fort scattered throughout the area, making for fascinating points of interest.

• How tiger safaris operate at Ranthambore National Park: Most safaris embark in either a six-passenger Jeep or a 20-seat Canter. While it's advisable to book tours at least 90 days in advance, some last-minute openings may still be available. These three-hour excursions run from October 1 to June 30.

• What else to explore at Ranthambore National Park: Beyond its ancient ruins and tigers, visitors can often spot leopards, sloth bears, jackals, crocodiles, Indian foxes, hedgehogs, and even hyenas.

• When to visit Ranthambore National Park: February and March usually offer the most pleasant weather. However, the heat of April and May draws tigers to popular watering holes, maximizing your chances of a sighting.

• How to make your trip happen: Ranthambore's rich wildlife, cultural sites, and stunning landscapes make it an exceptional photography destination. Natural Habitat Adventures offers an 11-day photography tour that includes a 5-day safari, a sunrise and sunset photo shoot at the Taj Mahal, a hot air balloon ride over Jaipur, and a half-day tour of Delhi. For those preferring not to book a complete itinerary, the park provides morning and evening tours daily.

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7. Bardia National Park, Nepal

Due to dedicated conservation efforts over the past decade, Nepal’s Bengal tiger population has nearly doubled, with more than 235 individuals found across five national parks. While Chitwan is the most famous, Bardia National Park, located in the remote northwest, is home to around 80 tigers.

• How safaris operate at Bardia National Park: All lodges in Bardia offer walking and 4WD safari options. While a half-day driving safari allows you to cover more territory, full-day walking safaris provide closer encounters with wildlife. Guides carry only a bamboo stick for protection (tiger attacks are rare but possible), adding to the excitement.

• What else to discover at Bardia National Park: Keep an eye out for Bardia’s approximately 30 greater one-horned rhinos, as well as otters, crocodiles, wild elephants, and five deer species. At the very least, you’ll get to meet Vikram the rhino, a resident of an enclosure near the park entrance due to human-wildlife conflict.

• When to visit Bardia National Park: Bardia is open throughout the year. Similar to other parks in the region, the hot season offers the best chances to see tigers and rhinos cooling off in the Girwa River.

• How to arrange your visit: Among the many safari lodges in or around Thakurdwara village near the park entrance, Bardia Ecolodge is notable for its excellent meals and knowledgeable local guides. For a more luxurious experience, consider the Karnali Lodge, operated by responsible tourism pioneer Tiger Tops. All lodges can help arrange transportation from the local bus station or from Nepalganj, the nearest airport.

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8. Tadoba National Park, India

Nestled in Maharashtra, central India, Tadoba National Park (also referred to as the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve) is an often-overlooked gem, boasting at least 80 tigers and an additional 200 in its vicinity. Known for its dry-tropical ecosystem, Tadoba is recognized for having one of the fastest-growing tiger populations in the country, making it a prime spot for tiger enthusiasts.

• How safaris operate at Tadoba National Park: The park features three distinct zones for Jeep safaris during winter and summer. Visitors can also opt for a Canter safari upon arrival at the Moharli gate on a per-seat basis, making it a budget-friendly choice. Timing is season-dependent, with safaris typically scheduled for mornings and evenings from October 1 through February 28, and again from March 1 through June 30.

• What else to explore at Tadoba National Park: Even if a tiger eludes you, the park is teeming with other fascinating species, including cheetahs, leopards, sloth bears, crocodiles, and Indian pythons.

• When to visit Tadoba National Park: While the best time for tiger sightings may not coincide with pleasant weather, the rising heat in March draws tigers into the open, offering the best opportunities for observation. Consider planning your visit between March and May for enhanced chances, but be prepared for the heat.

• How to arrange your visit: Tour operator Responsible Travel, known for its commitment to sustainable travel practices, offers an 8-day itinerary starting in Delhi. This trip focuses exclusively on Tadoba, increasing your odds of spotting a tiger compared to shorter tours. Additionally, Tour My India provides a seven-day package that includes Nagzira and Pench National Parks.

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Sarah Reid traveled to India with the Adventure Travel Trade Association, and to Nepal with support from Encounters Travel. Dinogo Planet contributors do not accept freebies in return for positive coverage.