Wildlife reserves and national parks have natural importance and the hot spot for biodiversity. Nowadays more and more animals are coming in the category of endangered and extinct. Wildlife reserves are the best place to safeguard the animals. If you are an animal lover then wildlife reserves and national parks are the best places to see the animals in their natural habitat. Exploring the wildlife reserves has its own appeal. If you are planning to go on a wildlife holiday be ready to be hot, sweaty and scratched by dense vegetation and to experience the wonder of wildest place on the earth. Today we are presenting a list of Top 10 Best Wildlife Reserves in the World in which we have included best reserves from all over the world.
10. Jim Corbett National Park, India
Jim Corbett National Park is India’s first national park which was established in 1936 to protect the endangered Bengal tiger. The park is located in Nainital, Uttarakhand, India. The Jim Corbett National Park located in the foothills of Himalayas. It has 488 species of plants with 110 species of tree, 50 species of mammal, 580 species of bird, 36 species of dragonfly, 7 species of fish, 7 species of amphibians and 33 species of reptile. Heavy tourist inflow led to the visible stress sign in the natural ecosystem. Some of the main attractions at Jim Corbett national park are jeep safari, walking safari in the buffer area, treks, Kalagarh Dam, Corbett Falls and Garjiya Devi temple.
9. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
It is located in the Mara and Simiyu regions of Tanzania in an area of 14,750 km². It the oldest national park of Tanzanian which is the main attraction of the tourism industry of the country. The Serengeti National Park is known for the migration of over 1.5 million white bearded wildebeest and 250,000 zebras and for Nile crocodile and honey badger. The park is a home for more than 2,500 lions and 1 million wildebeest. The park is popular for the incredible scenery and magnificent wildlife. Some of the most popular animals of the Serengeti National Park are Masai lion, African leopard, Tanzanian cheetah, African buffalo, black rhinoceros, African bush elephant etc.
8. Kruger National Park, Africa
It is one of the largest game reserves in Africa with an area of 19,485 km². The park is declared as an International Man and Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. The Kruger National Park has nine main gates for entrance to different camps. In south Crocodile River, in north Limpopo River, and in east Lebombo mountains act as its natural boundaries. The Kruger National Park has 147 species of mammals, 114 species of reptile, 33 species of amphibians, 50 species of fish and 517 species of birds of which 253 are resident and 117 are non-breading migrants and 147 are nomads. The Kruger National Park is a home of endangered African wild dog, African buffalo, black rhinoceros, white rhinoceros, Burchell’s zebra, giraffe, hippopotamus, spotted hyena, cheetah, lion, leopard etc.
7. Khao Sok National Park, Thailand
Khao Sok national park is located in an area of around 793 km². This is one of the most beautiful national parks with 165 km² Cheow Lan Lake and rainforests. The rainforest of Khao Sok Park is more diverse and older than Amazon rainforest. This is considered as the wettest region of the Thailand. Because of heavy rainfall and falling leaves limestone rocks erode every year and create significant karst. It is estimated that Khao Sok national park has more than 5% of the world species. Tourists can do various adventurous activities such as trekking, canoeing, bamboo rafting and boat tour to Cheow Lan Lake.
6. Croajingolong National Park, Australia
Croajingolong National Park has a lush green area of 875 km2. It is the home of Australian animals such as kangaroos and koalas. South Pacific Ocean is on the south side and Bemm River is on the west of Croajingolong National Park. It is one of the UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. Landscapes of Croajingolong National Park are so spectacular and it features rocky outcrops, coastal dunes, large stretches of beaches and freshwater rivers. Tourists can do hiking, swimming, snorkeling, diving and sea kayaking. By walking on the Wilderness Coast you can explore the wildness, flora, and fauna of the Croajingolong National Park. This national park houses almost 1000 native plant species and 315 animal species.
5. Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa
Madikwe Game Reserve is located in the basin of Marico River in an area of 750 km². Earlier the land of Madikwe Game Reserve used to be farm land but because of poor soil quality farming was not successful. After the extensive research South African government get to know that this land can be best utilized for a national park. In 1992 wildlife was reintroduced in this area and breeding herds of elephants, black rhinos, white rhinos, cape buffaloes and various species of antelopes have been relocated to this area. After the success of this relocation rare predatory species such as South African Cheetahs, Transvaal lions, cape wild dogs and spotted hyenas has been relocated to Madikwe Game Reserve and total mammal population of this area reached over 10,000. Right now there are more than 60 species of mammals and over 350 species of birds get shelter in this park. Madikwe Game Reserve is situated in a unique location where many rare species lives naturally.
4. Bandhavgarh National Park, India
Bandhavgarh National Park is located in Umaria district of Madhya Pradesh, India. It has a rich historic past. Bandhavgarh was the game preserve of the Maharajas and their guests. The famous Bandhavgarh National Park is spread over 820 km² area. Bandhavgarh is known for one of the highest population density of Bengal tigers in the world. This park has large biodiversity and the breading population of leopards and deer. Bandhavgarh national park has 37 species of mammals, more than 250 species of birds, around 80 species of butterflies and a number of reptiles. Tiger sighting is the main attraction of this park. Tiger population in the Bandhavgarh national park is around 44-49. There is a saying about the Park that “In any other Park, you are lucky if you see a tiger. In Bandhavgarh, you are unlucky if you don’t see one.” Some of other attractions which are near the Bandhavgarh national park are Bhaghela museum, Bandhavgarh fort, the cave point, Bari Gufa, Gopalpur are Mahaman Pond.
3. Kafue National Park, Zambia
Kafue National Park is located in Zambia, Africa in an area of 22,400 kilometers square. In 1924 the park was established as a national park for tourist attraction. It is the second largest park in Africa. Kafue National Park is a home of antelopes, zebras, red lechwe, puku, blue wildebeest, kudus, bushbucks, elands, waterbucks, defassa etc. Lions, leopards, elephants and hyenas are also widespread in this park. Cheetahs can be seen in the north of the park. The Kafue River is also a home of pods of hippopotami and crocodiles. The Kafue National Park is characterized as savannah grasslands with Miombo tree species.
2. Jaú National Park, Brazil
Jaú National Park is situated in the state of Amazonas, Brazil in an area of 23673 km². Jaú National Park is the largest forest reserve in South America and also a part of World Heritage Site. It is one of the largest protected areas of Brazil. The park has dense rainforest, open rainforest, campin’ Arana and transition from rainforest to campin’ Arana. The Jaú National Park is a home to about 400 species of plants, 263 species of fishes, 470 species of birds, 120 mammal species, jaguars, and dolphins. In 2000 the Jaú National Park was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
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Yasuni National Park, Ecuado
Yasuni National Park is situated between Napo and Curaray rivers in an area of 9,820 km². In 1989, the national park was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Yasuni National Park is considered to be the most biologically diverse spot on the earth. The park is one of the richest spots in the world for mammals and birds which provide shelter to amphibians, mammals, birds, and bats species. Yasuni National Park has 150 amphibian species which is a world record. 121 species of reptiles, 382 species of fish, 596 species of birds and 117 species of bats are found in the Yasuni National Park which is also very high in compare to other national parks. 10,000 species of insects are found in a single hectare of Yasuni National Park. The park is one of the nine places in the world which have more than 4000 species of vascular plants per 10,000 km2. The park also holds many records for the diversity of tree, woody plant and shrubs species.
These wildlife reserves are the best place to conserve the wildlife where the wild animals feel safe and live in their natural habitat in the way they want to live without any restriction. You can also explore the imposing beauty of the forest and their endless range of wildlife.