5 National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary in Chhattisgarh

When you are in Chhattisgarh, let this wildlife sanctuary in Mahasamund district be your first stop. The moment you enter the sanctuary, time may seem to have stopped, such is the beauty of the land! The fascinating greens creating a perfect background for various majestic animals and birds will give you the perfect opportunity to explore the wild. Since we are already on the topic, here is what you can expect to witness in this sanctuary. Tigers, leopards, blackbuck, hyenas, chinkara, antelopes, porcupine, jungle cat, bison, the list goes on! Sharing the house peacefully with the animals are numerous birds like herons, peafowl, bulbul, egrets, lesser kestrels, green avadavat, parrots and woodpeckers.

Are we forgetting something? Yes, the trees here! You can see bamboo, sal, mahua, teak, ber, tendu and seemal. By now you know what all you can explore here in the Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary. All left is to plan a trip here. While you plan the trip, remember, summer here can be exhausting, and hence, better to avoid. But the monsoon makes the sanctuary greener and more lively. So just after the rain, starting from November (till June) is the best time to visit.

You must have already guessed! River Sitanadi flows through this wildlife sanctuary in Devgaon before meeting with Mahanadi river in Deokhut. Hence, the name! The sanctuary has a tropical climate, so the summers can be a little too hot. But it is in its full glory during the months of November to June. And these months are the ideal time for you to pay a visit. What attracts many travellers to this Chhattisgarh sanctuary is its rich vegetation. Mahua, harra, tendu, sal, teak and bamboo grow here in abundance. The fauna here is equally exquisite as the flora.

On the list of animals that you must not miss are leopards, tigers, jackals, jungle cats, flying squirrels, four-horned antelopes, bison, striped hyena, porcupine, chinkara, nilgai and sloth bear. For the avid bird watchers, crimson breasted barbet, peafowl, bulbul, teeter, parrot, tree pie, heron, pheasant, racket-tailed drongo and egret await in the sanctuary. And this news will make the wildlife enthusiasts even more excited. The sanctuary is to be developed as an important tiger sanctuary for preserving tigers and the work on the project has already started.

Next on our list of wildlife sanctuaries in Chhattisgarh is the Udanti Wild Buffalo Wildlife Sanctuary in Raipur. Just like the previous sanctuary, this sanctuary was named after the river Udanti flowing through it. Also, as quite clear by the name, this sanctuary is famous for its contribution to preserving endangered species of wild buffalo. That means you will get to see this wild beast in large numbers here. Wild buffaloes might be the centre of attraction here but there are many other striking animals here, like tigers, foxes, antelopes, jackals, bison, barking deer, hyenas, wild dogs and blackbucks.

Time for some bird watching! Magpie robin, heron, peafowl, parrot, egret, you can see them all. While you spend your time in the sanctuary, watching the wild roaming freely in their natural habitat, look closely and you will notice that most trees here are tropical. Teak, mahua, salai, mahul, herra and tendu are the common ones! Take our advice and visit the sanctuary, just after the monsoon has left. Because the flora will seem to have gotten a new life after the rain.

After exploring the famous wildlife sanctuaries in Chhattisgarh, we have a national park on our list. And guess what? Just like the previous two sanctuaries, this national park’s name also originated from the Indravati river flowing through here. And much like the previous sanctuaries, this one is also no less than a paradise for nature lovers, with its stunning hill ranges, lush vegetation and diverse wildlife! So, without any further ado, let’s list all the mind-blowing beings you will get to see here! There are wild buffaloes, nilgais, barking deer, barasinghas, sambars, gaurs, wild dogs and sloth bears.

Look up and you will see gulls, serpent crested eagles, terns, ospreys and wood pigeons flying in the sky or sitting on tree branches! There’s another thing you simply can’t miss. The array of reptiles the sanctuary houses. Indian chameleons, crocodiles, cobras and Indian rock pythons are common sights! Excited already? Well, then make sure to add this sanctuary to your travel guide to Chhattisgarh. And to make the most out of your visit, plan your trip between December and June!

Make your wildlife tour even more adventurous with a visit to the Kanger Valley National Park in Bastar. Because this national park has in store for you many thrilling treks and amazing sightseeing opportunities to dazzling waterfalls and secret caves! And yes, rich flora and fauna! You can see animals like tigers, mouse deer, leopards, chital, wild cat, barking deer, sambar, jackals, rhesus macaque and langurs residing amid nature. Hill myenahs, red jungle fowls, spotted owls, peacocks, racket-tailed drongos, steppe eagles, phaktas, red spur falls and bhura teeters will fly over your head! Oh, how fascinating it will be!

We have more! When you come to this national park, you can even turn your visit into a picnic. There are two parks located inside the national park, Kanger Dhara and Bhaimsa Dhara. You can sit there and spend some time relaxing or playing around with your friends and family! One more thing. You can visit anytime throughout the year but avoid the monsoon. Portions of the national park are not accessible due to heavy rain!

We can feel your excitement! So, what’s the delay then? Book your flight to Raipur and head towards Chhattisgarh. The wild is calling!