India's Big Five

The Bengal Tiger is of course the jewel in India's crown - with over 60% of the world's wild tiger population to be found in India, the chances of successfully seeing a tiger are very high. Ranthambore, Kanha, Bandhavgarh and Pench are possibly the best parks to see tiger. A newly emerging park for intrepid travellers is the Sundarbans National Park, and home to over 250 tigers. A vast swampy delta where the two mighty rivers of the Bhramaputra and the Ganges converge, it consists of mangrove forests, swamps and forest island communities. A unique and fragile eco-system, and a stunning backdrop to view tigers who have adapted themselves very well to the saline and aqua environs and are extremely good swimmers.

The sanctuary at Sasan Gir in Gujarat is the final remaining habitat of the Asiatic Lion, with some three hundred lions in the park.

Located on the banks of the mighty Brahmaputra River in the far North East of India, Assam, Kaziranga National Park covers an area of approximately 430-sq-kms with its swamps and tall thickets of elephant grass making it the ideal habitat for the Indian One-Horned Rhino. The best way to see the rhinos is on an elephant back safari and means guests can get really close to these incredible creatures.

Alongside Kaziranga, Corbett National Park in the Himalayan Foothills, Nagarhole National Park in Karnataka and Periyar National Park in Kerala are the best areas to see great herds of Asian Elephants in the wild.

Leopards are quite numerous in India, however they are elusive and hard to see. One of the best destinations to stay is Siana Camp who offer evening leopard safaris with spotlight. The landscape is a beautiful combination of semi-desert countryside, dunes and ravines which is great terrain for leopards.

Finally there is the other member of the leopard family, the beautiful yet reclusive snow leopard. The dramatic landscape of Ladakhis the natural habitat of this mysterious creature and for the avid and fit wildlife enthusiast it is possible to join oragnised treks to try and see this elusive creature.