Best time to see wildlife in India
Easter came early this year so Gujarat’s temperatures hadn’t hit boiling point. This meant we were able to see the Asiatic lion in off peak times, but not in off-the-scale heat.![]()
There is wildlife to see all year round in India, although monsoon season is generally July until mid-Oct, so several parks close due to inaccessibility during this time. Monsoon varies according to where you are in the country, so it is best to study your chosen region’s weather patterns in detail. The peak season is when temperatures are milder, as the heat of summer makes wildlife watching almost unbearable in places like Rajasthan, although there are hardcore wildlife watchers who will ride those heat waves for just one precious sighting. Which can be more prolific when thirst drives them out of their secret spots.
Wildlife in India, month by month
Our India wildlife Vacations
Tiger tour in India, land of the Tiger tour
Wildlife tour through India
From
US $4349 to US $4649
16 days
ex flights
Golden Triangle with Ranthambore tour, India
Brilliant experiences including Tigers and Temples
From
£1199 to £1299
11 days
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Kerala tailor made vacation, 11 days
Revitalize in Kerala - A most wonderful and balanced trip
From
£1349 to £1779
11 days
ex flights
Rajasthan cycling vacation with Taj & tigers
Enjoy cycling tour in Royal Rajasthan with Taj and Tiger.
From
US $2240 to US $2380
16 days
ex flights
Wildlife vacation in Central India
Best of Indian wildlife with tiger, leopard and sloth bear
From
Rupee 248000
12 days
ex flights
Tiger watching vacation in India
A chance to see the majestic tiger in the wild
From
£1200 to £1550
9 days
ex flights
Kerala Weather Chart
MIN °C
MAX °C
RAIN (mm)
JAN
23
32
21
FEB
23
32
26
MAR
24
33
40
APR
25
33
119
MAY
25
32
210
JUN
24
30
341
JUL
23
30
239
AUG
23
30
156
SEP
24
30
175
OCT
24
30
268
NOV
23
31
192
DEC
23
31
69
Our top India wildlife Vacation
Tiger tour in India, land of the Tiger tour
Wildlife tour through India
From
US $4349 to US $4649
16 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2022: 29 Oct, 5 Nov
2023: 28 Jan, 11 Feb, 18 Feb, 25 Mar, 1 Apr, 15 Apr, 22 Apr, 7 Oct, 28 Oct, 4 Nov, 11 Nov, 18 Nov
2022: 29 Oct, 5 Nov
2023: 28 Jan, 11 Feb, 18 Feb, 25 Mar, 1 Apr, 15 Apr, 22 Apr, 7 Oct, 28 Oct, 4 Nov, 11 Nov, 18 Nov
Travel Team
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Responsible Travel recommends
Valerie Parkinson from our Ladakh and snow leopard tracking specialist Exodus:
“In winter a blanket of snow falls on Ladakh and the snow leopards come down from the higher peaks. You are tracking animals on foot following their pugmarks often in the snow – the sky is crystal clear blue that you only get at high altitude and the air is usually cold and crisp.”
“In winter a blanket of snow falls on Ladakh and the snow leopards come down from the higher peaks. You are tracking animals on foot following their pugmarks often in the snow – the sky is crystal clear blue that you only get at high altitude and the air is usually cold and crisp.”
Paul Goldstein, tiger expert and tour leader at our leading supplier Exodus:
“October until May is fine for tiger watching. In April and May you might get better sightings but the heat is fearful. In the colder months of December and January the tigers are active for longer, but the days are shorter and it is very cold in the morning. There can be frost, so you will need hats and gloves as you are in an open vehicle.”
“October until May is fine for tiger watching. In April and May you might get better sightings but the heat is fearful. In the colder months of December and January the tigers are active for longer, but the days are shorter and it is very cold in the morning. There can be frost, so you will need hats and gloves as you are in an open vehicle.”
Shanane Davis, Director of our supplier, True Luxury Tours, specialising in wildlife vacations in Rajasthan: “The best time to see tigers and wildlife in India is April and May because it is before the monsoon, and all the animals come out looking for water during these months. Wildlife watching during these months can be extraordinary, even though it is incredibly hot during this time. The second time to come is October and November, because just after the monsoon most species give birth, so there are a lot of babies and mothers to see then.”
More about India wildlife
So well known for tigers already, India is bursting with wild beauties. There is also a fascinating history attached to wildlife tourism in India, so we guide you through some of its ups and downs, as well as some of its underrated and overrated wildlife experiences.
When working out where to go on an India wildlife vacation, you may want to start with looking at where the Bengal tiger can be seen, and then see all the other glorious animals that live here too.
India’s Kaziranga National Park has played a huge role in bringing the endangered greater one-horned rhino back from the brink of extinction.
India wildlife vacation tips usually remind us to calm down and just take it all in.
It’s underrated when it comes to avian experiences, but India should be on every twitcher’s wishlist.
There are many issues when it comes to seeking out responsible India wildlife vacations, but there are also many expert vacation companies that offer ethical options.
