Blackbuck Velavadar National Park

Situated in Bhavnagar district of Gujarat, Blackbuck Velavadar National Park, which is also very well known as the Velavadar Black Buck Sanctuary is located in the Bhal region of Saurashtra. A very unique feature of the park is that in India it is the only tropical grassland that has been crowned with the status of a national park.

Wildlife Attractions in Velavadar National Park-

The Blackbuck Velavadar National park is home to over 187 species of birds including both residents and migratory birds such as Harrier, Partridge, Pelican, Duck, Crane, Stork, Eagle, Sand Grouse, Lark and Lesser Florican.

Besides the blackbuck, other mammals that are commonly found in this park are the Nilgai, Wolf, Wild Cat, Jackal, Indian Fox, Wild Boar, Porcupine, Hare and Rodent, while the reptile world consists of Saw Scaled Vipers, Common Cobra, Krait, Rat Snake and Sand Boa.

Safaris-

There are no safaris provided by the forest department, so on your own vehicle you have to enjoy the ride around the park but as the animals cross the roads at all time, you have to drive slowly and safely.

Other attractions of this national park are-

Velvadhar is a great place for photographers with large herds of black bucks and flocks of birds that proves to be a great treat. A drive or walk around the park can also be rewarding.

Takhteshwar Temple built in 1893 is situated just 2 km from Bhavnagar, the temple is dedicated to lord Shiva.

Bhavnagar airport is connected with the international airports of Mumbai and Ahmedabad with daily flight frequency. The closest railway station is at the town of Dhala, which is about 50 km from the national park. The historical town of Vallabhipur is about 30 km away.

Horse Safari

The Rajputs were considered as the symbol for horseback riders and the tradition was strongly followed in the medieval ages when the cavalry was one of the most important flanks of the desert armies.

Special horse safaris starts from Kumbhalgarh. The route for this adventurous tour passes through the villages, ruined historical monuments, etc. Horseback Safaris can also be started through the hilly landscape of the Aravalli Mountains.

Ride through small villages and open spans of sand to experience the colourful ethnic, rustic land of Rajasthan. The horses are thorough bred from the stables and are dressed in rich saddlery. Travellers on a horse safari would stay at heritage forts, castles and palaces. Give horse safari tour a try to see the enthralling views that will capture your heart for sure.

Namdapha National Park

Namdapha National Park is the largest protected area in the Eastern Himalaya biodiversity hotspot and is located in Arunachal Pradesh in Northeast India. This is the largest national park in India in terms of area.

The forest of offers great variety of flora and fauna. There are more than 150 timber species. Namdapha National Park is the only national park of the world, in which four big cats – tiger, leopard, snow leopard and clouded leopard- are found.

This forest is also the habitat of the Hoolock gibbon that is the only ape species found in India. Of the many other important animals are the elephants, black beer, Indian bison, several species of deer, reptiles and a variety of arboreal animals. Among the birds most notable are the White winged wood duck- a rare and endangered species, a wide variety of pheasants and of course the great Indian Hornbill.

Try to spend as much time as possible in this national park. It can rain at any time through November to mid-January is driest. You must plan a short trip to visit this national park to get yourself amazed…

Great Himalayan National Park

Great Himalayan National Park is located in the upper ranges of Himalaya. It is also known as Jawahar Lal Nehru National Park. There are three prime attractions at Great Himalayan National Park. First is Raktisar where River Sainj originates; second is Hanskund that is the origin point of the river Tirthan, and Sirikhand Mahadev, a lake on the southern border of the park.

Great Himalayan National Park has a mix vegetation of Ban Oak Forest, Moist Deodar Forest, Western Mixed Coniferous Forest, Moist Temperate Deciduous Forest, Himalayan Alpine Pastures, and Rhododendron Scrub Forest. Other vegetations in this park are oak, blue pine, cedar, deodar, bamboo Arundaria spathiflora, Iris, Frittilaria, Gagea, Primula, and Taxus Baccata.

The awesome fauna of the national park has good wild population, especially of avifauna. Major wildlife species found in the park are Snow Leopard, musk Deer, Blue Sheep, Ibex, Wolf, Leopard, Rhesus macaque, common langur (Presbytis entellus), Himalayan black bear, goral, muntjac, and serow.

Nearby place to visit is Kullu which is a beautiful valley that exists amidst the Himalayas in Himachal Pradesh. This place is quiet famous for its annual Dussehra festival, handicrafts, and ancient temples. Climate of this national park is hotter during the summers and more rain during the monsoon. The climate witnesses less snowfall during the winters.

Hemis National Park

Located in the Ladakh division of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, the Hemis national park is world famous for Buddhist Gompa that is situated here. The National Park is situated at the bank of river Indus.

The Hemis national park was named after Hemi Gompa a Buddhist monastery. Hemis national park came up in 1981 and has amazing blend of flaura and fauna. The blue waters of the river and the white lime stone hills gives out thr real picturesque of mystifying scenery.

Some herbaceous flora that can be found here is the Junipers, Salix, poplar trees, birch, Myricaria, Taraxacum, etc. The snow leopard is a highly endangered member of the cat family. In addition to it other animals found here are wolf dog, Tibetan wild Ass, small animals like the wooly hare, Bharal is uniformly spread here.

Beautiful birds most commonly found in this national park are the Great Nose Finch and Red Mantled Rose Finch. Other migratiory birds found in winters are the Black Throated Thruh, Robin Accentor, Great Grey shrike, Spotted flycatcher Red Flanked Blue Tail, Migratory Teal etc.

Best time to visit this national park in summers is between May to September. At this time of the year the weather is cold but pleasant unlike winters. You can reach to this national park via Leh because Leh is the nearest town. Private transport is widely used. The most popular route to reach the place is Markeha – Shang – Rambath valley, which gives a preview of the park.

The best gliding sites in the world-Billing

Billing is a beautiful place situated in Himachal Pradesh and Billing is considered one of the best gliding sites in the world. Billing is an ideal place for hang-gliding and paragliding. Adventure sports lovers land to Billing, from all over the world, mainly between September to November, which is the best time to enjoy.

The temple of Baijnath is the main attraction for most of the visitors from all over the world. The beautiful town of Bir which is 14 kms away from Baijnath temple is famous for an annual fair, which is related to Holi festival. Famous for hang-gliding, Billing also offers another adventure sport, that is Para Sailing.

Since most people come to Billing for adventure sports, there are some things people should keep in mind before coming to Billing. If you ever plan to try any adventure sports in this amazing place, you might want to check with your doctor if you are physically fit for the sports.

While you are trying out new adventure sports, make sure you follow all the instructions as advised by the instructor. Tourists can easily get to Billing or Bir by bus.

You can either take a bus from delhi or from any other major town in Himachal Pradesh. One can get to Billing by hired cabs or jeeps too. Comfortable accommodation is available for the tourists.

Gorumara National Park

Gorumara National Park is situated in northern West Bengal, India. It is a medium-sized park that is surrounded with grasslands and forests. Gorumara since 1895 was a reserve forest. In 1949 the park was declared a Wildlife Sanctuary, on account of its breeding population of Indian Rhinoceros.

On January 31, 1994, Gorumara was declared as the Indian National Park. Besides the one horned rhinoceros, the fauna of the national park include Indian Elephant, Indian Bison, leopard, different species of deer, turtles, pythons, monkeys etc. and more than 200 species of birds.

Gorumara National Park is a paradise for the birdwatchers which includes birds like Indian pied hornbill, Woodpeckers, One horned Rhinoceros Sunbird, fly catcher, Minivet, Drongo, Pheasants and many more migratory birds especially in winter. Brahmany duck and other birds can be seen from Suksukia, a bird watching point which is inside the park.

Accommodation in Gorumara: Lataguri is the nearest township that is adjacent to Gorumara Park. There are some private resorts just as you enter the park. These resorts although are not very luxurious but still they offer very comfortable stay in natural surroundings

Rajaji National Park

The Rajaji National park was created in 1983. The park encompasses the Shivaliks, near the foothills of the Himalayas. It is spread over three districts of Uttarakhand: Haridwar, Dehradun and Pauri Garhwal.

Rajaji National Park is includes the Western Gangetic Moist and Northern dry Deciduous and Khair-Sissoo forests. This park is home to the Tiger, Leopard, Himalayan Bear, Cheetal, Hog Deer, Barking Deer, Sambar Deer, Wild Boar, Antelopes such as the Nilgai, Goral , Jackal, Hyena, Jungle Cat, Leopard Cat, Civets, Himalayan Yellow-Throated Marten, Sloth Bears, Pythons, King Cobra, Common Krait, Indian Cobra and the Monitor Lizard and above All the Asian Elephant.

Staying at the park is an unforgettable journey. The Camp King Elephant which is situated in the heart of Rajaji National Park, is bestowed not only with the comfort but also some Jungle Adventure only for you.

While you stay there in Camp King Elephant or in Forest Rest House you will surely enjoy the Wild Jungle Safari or Nature Safari as well as you can go for elephant ride which is also a popular Attraction in the park.

Pench National Park

Pench National Park is situated on the southern fringes of Madhya Pradesh and this national park is also very well known for its fearless tigers. This national park was notified as the Pench Wildlife Sanctuary in 1977.

It is best to take as many trips into the jungle as possible, which will increase your chances of spotting animals. The temperatures in winters can drop to as low as 1 or 2 degrees. The wildlife attractions in Pench National Park is crowned with the population of the fearless master predator. Most of the tourists come to visit the place just to take a glimpse of the Tiger.

Pench antional park offers its visitors with numerous wildlife attractions which include over 39 species of mammals, 13 species of reptiles, 3 species of amphibians and more than 210 varieties of birds. The park also includes barbet, bulbul, minivet oriole, wagtail, munia, myna, malabal pied hornbill, collared scops, owl, waterfowl and blue kingfisher among other variety of animals which can be commonly seen adorning the skies of Pench.

Major mammalian species found in the region include animals like cheetal, sambar, nilgai, wild pig, tiger, leopard, jungle cat, leopard cat, striped hyena, wild dog, wolf, sloth bear, pangolin and the mighty Indian gaur.

Jeep safari and elephant rides can be especially rewarding for sighting some rare animals.

Other attractions in this national park are-

Pachdhar Potters Village which is a clean village. Potters can be spotted here sitting outside their homes working on their wheels giving beautiful shapes to clay.

There are a number of villages around the park. In Gond village exciting trips can be organised which are an excellent way to get a glimpse of the local culture and customs of the gond people.

You can reach the Pench national park by air as Nagpur is the nearest airport connected by daily Indian Aitlines flight from Delhi and from Mumbai. Nagpur is the nearest railhead connected by regular trains from major Indian cities. If you want to reach uptil the park by road than the route from Nagpur is through the national highway no. 7 to Khawasa via Kamptee, Mansar, Deolapar and Manegaon.

Before concluding I just want you to look on to some important travel informations that would in some a way help you to explore this beautiful park. There are 3 entry gates to the park, the Turia gate, Karmajhuri gate and the Jamtara gate.

Private vehicles are allowed inside the park but only with the company of an authorised guide. Early morning safari can be the most thrilling if you want to spot tigers and other rare animals.

Try not to wear flashy clothes and strong smelling perfumes. Follow the instructions of your guide and do not pollute the envoironment.

Orang Wildlife Sanctuary

Orang Wild Life Sanctuary is situated on the north bank of river Brahamaputra near Tezpur in Assam, is spread over an area of about 78.81 sq kms. It is also popularly known as the mini Kaziranga National Park. Orang Wild Life Sanctuary was established as a sanctuary in 1985 and as a National Park in 13th April 1999.

The wildlife has the great Indian one-horned rhinocerous, elephant, lepord, sambar, barking deer, tiger. Various species of birds including pelican, cormorant, graylag goose, large whistling teal, great adjutant stork, king fisher, king vulture have also found this park as their ideal habitat.

The best time to visit this sanctuary is November to March.