Indian safari: where to see tigers, rhinos, gibbons and swamp deer – tips from conservationists

India has the most wild tigers and one-horned rhinos in the world, as well as countless other animal and bird species

Indian conservationists share where to go and how to spot India’s most favourite species

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India is home to more rhinos than anywhere else in the world. Photo: Shutterstock

Published: 12:26pm, 30 Dec 2019Updated: 4:53pm, 3 Jan 2020

India is home to nearly 75 per cent of the world’s wild tiger population – 2,967, according to a 2018 census, up 33 per cent from 2014.

And while the Bengal tiger tops most wildlife tourists’ wish lists, other fascinating animals, such as the greater one-horned rhinoceros and the barasingha (swamp deer), have survived habitat loss, hunting and poaching, and continue to roam wild, protected in the country’s sanctuaries and national parks.

That they continue to thrive is due in large part to tourism, says wildlife conservationist, naturalist, and expedition leader at Natural Habitat Adventures Aditya Panda.

“Wildlife tourism, when practised ethically, is the most powerful conservation tool. It allows people to watch, appreciate and want to protect our wildlife and natural habitats. It also provides crucial employment to local communities and generates much needed goodwill in favour of conservation, which otherwise usually comes at the cost of major sacrifices by local communities and their livelihoods,” Panda says.

Aditya Panda is a conservationist, naturalist, and expedition leader. Photo: Aditya Panda

For those who want to enjoy an ethical wildlife holiday in India, Anish Andheria, president of the Wildlife Conservation Trust in India, recommends taking things slowly. “When on a safari, competing with a plethora of tourist vehicles to maximise your own sighting, it is very easy to violate the unsaid rules of ethics,” he says.

Here we highlight some of India’s top animal species to look out for and the best places to see them. Once you get there, the best experience is to enjoy the entire ecosystem.