Go on a jungle trail to India's national parks before the rains

With the onset of monsoon, the national parks that offer a jungle safari shut for the season. Here are some destinations to visit for some fruitful birding and animal spotting session.

Tigers and other wildlife
Bandhavgarh in Madhya Pradesh: Bandhavgarh National Park is known for its high tiger population. It is also home to various species of birds, reptiles and butterflies. Other mammals that can be spotted include deers and leopards. Also visit Kanha in Madhya Pradesh and Ranthambore for tigers.

Red-billed Leiothrix and Blue-winged Minla at Pangot. Pic courtesy/Asif N Khan

Head to Gir, which is the stronghold of Asiatic Lions to spot the wild cat.

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Spot the Indian Pitta in Karnala. Pic courtesy/Asif N Khan

Birding
Sattal and Pangot in Uttarakhand are havens for birding. Hardcore birdwatchers will spot everything from flycatchers, jays to magpies here. The Pied Cuckoo starts arriving in first week of June in Kanha and Bandhavgarh. Head to Karnala Bird Sanctuary to spot the Indian Pitta, which is also seen before monsoon. May is a good season to hear the resident birds sing their breeding songs.

A tiger snarls back at the camera at Bandhavgarh

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- Information courtesy Asif Khan, associate officer, BNHS