Which National Park?

KooFrith · May 29th, 2009, 01:38

Hi,

I'm visiting India for 4 weeks with my boyfriend in November/December this year. We are planning on spending the first part of our trip in Rajasthan before moving on to Varanasi. In between we'd love to visit a national park or reserve but are struggling to decide which one.

I'd rather go to a park less busy than Rathambore/Kanha and although seeing a tiger would be great I'm more interested in visiting somewhere that is good for seeing wildlife generally. So far Pench and Corbett stand out. Can anyone reccommend either of the two (or indeed anywhere else)? And is Corbett too far out of the way if we are going to be in Rajasthan first?

Katie

rajered · May 29th, 2009, 01:46

Sariska could be another option

Himalayn Hippie · May 29th, 2009, 12:23

Hello Katie,

For sheer beauty of landscape and variety of wildlife and birds there is no comparison to Corbett. I think you should plan your trip to Corbett....do I sound biased......probably do and with good reason as I visit the park atleast 4 times every year and always want to return.

Have fun,

HH

Himalayn Hippie · May 29th, 2009, 12:27

Sorry forgot to mention that Corbett is not too far if you plan to visit Rajasthan. There is a convenient overnight train from Delhi leaving at about 11:45PM and arriving at Ramnagar at 5:00 AM.The train is the Ranikhet Express.

)

HH

tigerranch · May 29th, 2009, 12:37

Kanha and Pench are close by.

Yes Kanha is crowded but Pench is relatively less crowded..

You may also spot the tiger in these forests..

Cheers..

didindia7 · May 29th, 2009, 23:58

I have visited Corbett and Pench (3 times each), go to Corbett and stay at Dhikala. It's a place inside the park, that's not allowed at Pench. Guides and drivers are better at Corbett than at Pench.

KooFrith · May 30th, 2009, 18:03

Well so far it looks like Corbett is coming out on top and it seems to be a lot easier to reach from Delhi than I'd imagined.
Looking through this forum it seems that joint adventures and camp forktail creek are highly recommended. Does anyone have an opion on one over the other?

I recently read about this place http://www.forsythlodge.com/satpura-reserve-1.html on the Guardian website and wondered if anyone had heard of it? It seems to have only opened this year but has very good reviews on trip advisor

K

ragz · May 30th, 2009, 18:27

One option is
http://www.dhikalaforestlodge.in/

This is run by the forest department and perhaps is one of the very few accommodations available within the reserve itself. should make an interesting experience.

Personally of all the places I have visited, I have found Bandhavgarh the best. It has the highest tiger density for any reserve in india. options include a trek to ruins of an old fort and an elephant safari. You can get to see lot of other wildlife too. Jabalpur, the nearest town is well connected with Varanasi.

indiaddict · May 30th, 2009, 22:59

I stayed in Pench at the Tajsafaris lodge Baghvan in April 09.
It has been an incredible experience. The park seems to be very well managed with strict rules. Just try to avoid popular parks during weekends.

matt67 · May 31st, 2009, 21:23

Pench Jungle Camp is very good. Pench is much less crowded and more relaxed. Did not see tigers and everyone said that bandhavgarh is best for guaranteed tiger sightings.

or try the south. Bandipur is also very good and easily reached from Mysore or Bangalore. It has wild elephants a plenty which beats lack of tigers any day. the northern reserves dont have as many wild elephants.

ajaybijoor · Jun 3rd, 2009, 20:20

If you are going up to Kanha then you might as well go to Bandhavgahr. It has the highest tiger density and tiger sightings are great! Just back after spending 8 days there and got to see a tiger every single day of my trip (which is unusually good!)

KooFrith · Jun 3rd, 2009, 20:29

Hi, thanks for all the opinions. I think I'm pretty much settled on Corbett - just need to sort out the practicalities of staying there now

ajaybijoor · Jun 3rd, 2009, 20:37

Though I have not really been to Corbett I hear it's a bit pricey (compared to other parks). If you a OK to spend a bit you can check on Camp Corbett, this place is not exactly close to the park but is at Kaladhungi (where Corbett lived). The place is run by the Anand's and is set on a patch of forested land. The also have a local naturalist who does good birding for the guests. (I have lived here and it's good - great to take long undisturbed walks through the forested patched).

If you really want to live out of the forest then this is a good bet. I believe they also arrange for rides to the park on request.

shahronakm · Jun 6th, 2009, 23:41

My vote also goes to Dhikala in Corbett.
However if you are keen on seeing Tigers in wild then no better place than Bandhavgarh.

Ronak.

Chwast · Jun 22nd, 2009, 03:51

Bandhavgarh is amazing place. Try also Sasan Gir in Gujarat (which is also incredable state, as Rajasthan), which is really worth visiting.

May 29th, 2009, 01:38	#1
KooFrith Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Sheffield Posts: 17	Which National Park? Hi, I'm visiting India for 4 weeks with my boyfriend in November/December this year. We are planning on spending the first part of our trip in Rajasthan before moving on to Varanasi. In between we'd love to visit a national park or reserve but are struggling to decide which one. I'd rather go to a park less busy than Rathambore/Kanha and although seeing a tiger would be great I'm more interested in visiting somewhere that is good for seeing wildlife generally. So far Pench and Corbett stand out. Can anyone reccommend either of the two (or indeed anywhere else)? And is Corbett too far out of the way if we are going to be in Rajasthan first? Katie

May 29th, 2009, 12:23	#3
Himalayn Hippie Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: mumbai Posts: 62	National Park Hello Katie, For sheer beauty of landscape and variety of wildlife and birds there is no comparison to Corbett. I think you should plan your trip to Corbett....do I sound biased......probably do and with good reason as I visit the park atleast 4 times every year and always want to return. Have fun, HH

May 29th, 2009, 12:27	#4
Himalayn Hippie Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: mumbai Posts: 62	National Park Sorry forgot to mention that Corbett is not too far if you plan to visit Rajasthan. There is a convenient overnight train from Delhi leaving at about 11:45PM and arriving at Ramnagar at 5:00 AM.The train is the Ranikhet Express. ) HH

May 29th, 2009, 12:37	#5
tigerranch Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: pune Posts: 70	Kanha and Pench are close by. Yes Kanha is crowded but Pench is relatively less crowded.. You may also spot the tiger in these forests.. Cheers.. __________________ I can make it! opps.... no i can't

May 31st, 2009, 21:23	#10
matt67 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Bath Posts: 207	Pench Jungle Camp is very good. Pench is much less crowded and more relaxed. Did not see tigers and everyone said that bandhavgarh is best for guaranteed tiger sightings. or try the south. Bandipur is also very good and easily reached from Mysore or Bangalore. It has wild elephants a plenty which beats lack of tigers any day. the northern reserves dont have as many wild elephants. __________________ 'Indian thriller with english lyrics' on Youtube is there anything funnier....??? Gosh my old calculator aint got no bow....

May 29th, 2009, 01:46	#2
rajered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Navi Mumbai Posts: 1,184	Sariska could be another option

May 29th, 2009, 23:58	#6
didindia7 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: France Posts: 120	I have visited Corbett and Pench (3 times each), go to Corbett and stay at Dhikala. It's a place inside the park, that's not allowed at Pench. Guides and drivers are better at Corbett than at Pench.

May 30th, 2009, 18:03	#7
KooFrith Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Sheffield Posts: 17	Well so far it looks like Corbett is coming out on top and it seems to be a lot easier to reach from Delhi than I'd imagined. Looking through this forum it seems that joint adventures and camp forktail creek are highly recommended. Does anyone have an opion on one over the other? I recently read about this place http://www.forsythlodge.com/satpura-reserve-1.html on the Guardian website and wondered if anyone had heard of it? It seems to have only opened this year but has very good reviews on trip advisor K

May 30th, 2009, 18:27	#8
ragz Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 110	One option is http://www.dhikalaforestlodge.in/ This is run by the forest department and perhaps is one of the very few accommodations available within the reserve itself. should make an interesting experience. Personally of all the places I have visited, I have found Bandhavgarh the best. It has the highest tiger density for any reserve in india. options include a trek to ruins of an old fort and an elephant safari. You can get to see lot of other wildlife too. Jabalpur, the nearest town is well connected with Varanasi.

May 30th, 2009, 22:59	#9
indiaddict Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: London Posts: 109	I stayed in Pench at the Tajsafaris lodge Baghvan in April 09. It has been an incredible experience. The park seems to be very well managed with strict rules. Just try to avoid popular parks during weekends.

Jun 3rd, 2009, 20:20	#11
ajaybijoor ajaybijoor Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Mumbai Posts: 25	If you are going up to Kanha then you might as well go to Bandhavgahr. It has the highest tiger density and tiger sightings are great! Just back after spending 8 days there and got to see a tiger every single day of my trip (which is unusually good!)

Jun 3rd, 2009, 20:29	#12
KooFrith Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Sheffield Posts: 17	Hi, thanks for all the opinions. I think I'm pretty much settled on Corbett - just need to sort out the practicalities of staying there now

Jun 3rd, 2009, 20:37	#13
ajaybijoor ajaybijoor Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Mumbai Posts: 25	Though I have not really been to Corbett I hear it's a bit pricey (compared to other parks). If you a OK to spend a bit you can check on Camp Corbett, this place is not exactly close to the park but is at Kaladhungi (where Corbett lived). The place is run by the Anand's and is set on a patch of forested land. The also have a local naturalist who does good birding for the guests. (I have lived here and it's good - great to take long undisturbed walks through the forested patched). If you really want to live out of the forest then this is a good bet. I believe they also arrange for rides to the park on request.

Jun 6th, 2009, 23:41	#14
shahronakm Maha Guru Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Mumbai, India Posts: 1,851	My vote also goes to Dhikala in Corbett. However if you are keen on seeing Tigers in wild then no better place than Bandhavgarh. Ronak. __________________ My Picture Gallery

Jun 22nd, 2009, 03:51	#15
Chwast Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Poland Posts: 18	Bandhavgarh is amazing place. Try also Sasan Gir in Gujarat (which is also incredable state, as Rajasthan), which is really worth visiting. __________________ www.evergreen.pl

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