Go wild in 2024! 12 Indian national parks for your 2024 bucket list

Make 2024 a wild year, no pun intended! We are hinting at exploring the amazing biodiversity of the country, its wonderful wildlife and national parks. While India is largely not seen as a wildlife destination by most travellers, there is a lot to explore. Here, we pick 12 Indian national parks that you can bookmark for each month of the coming year and make it a wonderful 2024.

Assam's Kaziranga National Park is an excursion in its own right, and is not to be skipped. It is home to the rare one-horned rhinoceros, the largest of the rhino species in the world. Other than India, the endangered species is also found parts of Nepal.

Uttarakhand's Corbett is India's first national park and is home to Asiatic elephants, Bengal tigers, great hornbills and many wonderful species. It's very close to Delhi, and is hardly a 5-hour drive away. It's also easily accessible from all over the country and is a great place for a wild excursion.

Nagarhole is another gem set in the lush state of Karnataka. It is between the Mysuru plateau and Tamil Nadu's Nilgiri Mountains, and is a nature lover's treasure. From tigers and leopards to Asiatic elephants, there is a lot to see and explore here.

Rajasthan's Ranthambore is another must-visit in India if you are into wildlife. The national park is home to some of India's most famous tigers and tigresses and sees a lot of international tourists. The national park is also home to the famous Ranthambore Fort, which is a lesson in both history and architecture.

Kanha is for the lovers of forests; the kind of forests that fascinated Rudyard Kipling to come up with the masterpiece that is The Jungle Book. Other than the big cats, Kahna is famed for its barasingha population, with the authorities bringing the species back from the verge of extinction here. Kanha is also surrounded by the tribal communities that once lived inside the forests, and now inhabit its periphery. It's a great cultural experience too.

Dudhwa is hailed as the first national park in the state of Uttar Pradesh. It is also famed for its thriving barasingha population and is one of the least-explored national parks in the region. Definitely deserve a place in your wishlist.

Head to see the great Asiatic lions in their natural habitat at Gujarat's Gir National Park. A number of safaris take place here throughout the peak season, and most travellers come back with confirmed lion sightings as well!

Head to Ladakh's Hemis National Park for a wild odyssey like no other. It is home to snow leopards, famous as the Ghost of the Mountains, owing to its elusive nature. Other than its most famous inhabitants, Tibetan wolf, Asiatic ibex, red fox and more. You can also come here for the stunning Himalayan landscape that is all around.

Come 2024 and you should definitely head to the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Other than some of India's prettiest beaches, Mount Harriet National Park also awaits you here. It is a butterfly hotspot and is also home to saltwater crocodiles, robber crabs, turtles and more.

While it is not a national park, the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve in Uttar Pradesh is essential for your 2024 wildlife journey in India. It is home to a surprisingly teeming population of tigers, with easy tiger sightings and verdant wildlife.

Another beautiful wildlife experience in India, this one lies sprawling in the state of Madhya Pradesh. While it is famous as a tiger reserve, there is a lot to see here other than the big cats. This majestic park is spread around 524 sq km.

It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is delightful to say the least. It lies in Uttarakhnd's Chamoli district and was established in 1982. More than wildlife, this national park comes alive with acres of blooming flowers and has more than 600 varieties, including the rare brahmakamal.