Love Maasai Mara? 6 Best Alternatives For Wildlife Tourism In India

Ranthambore National Park is an ideal alternative to Maasai Mara with its dry climate conditions, tiger sightings and deciduous forest cover dotted with lakes. While the experience will be obviously different as Maasai Mara National Reserve features a more expansive grassland safari experience, Ranthambore National Park is packed with ample flora and fauna to fulfill your desire for a wildlife centric getaway. Apart from tigers, you can also spot leopards, sloth bears, sambar deer, spotted deer and wild boars. Since there are a number of luxurious and premium accommodations available that take all the headache of arranging safaris for you, you can opt for a fancy stay and enjoy the wilderness without any hassles.

Must-Do Things: Safari for tiger spotting, hot air balloon ride and visiting the Ranthambore Fort which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site 

Places To Stay At: Aamaghati Wildlife Resort, SUJÁN Sher Bagh, Aangan Resort Ranthambore and Aangan Resort Ranthambore

Best Time To Visit: October to March

Best Suited For: Couples, families and groups

Pench got its name from the Pench River that flows through the reserve. It was declared a tiger reserve years back but is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna which is said to be around 1,200 species. A cool fact for you is that this place is the backdrop of Rudyard Kipling's famous novel 'The Jungle Book', the description of landscapes and locations are loosely based on the forest of Seoni which is now Pench Tiger Reserve.

Pench offers mixed visuals including those of dense forests, open grasslands, and rocky hills with the famous Bengal tigers, Indian leopards, Indian bison, sloth bear, dhole and the famous barking deer for wildlife spotting. Yes, it is different from Maasai Maara due to obvious geographical differences but nevertheless, a great spot for seeking thrill on the wild side.

Must-Do Things: Jungle safari as well as night safari, walking along the Runi Jhuni Nature Walking Trail and visiting the Potter's Village at Pachdhar

Places To Stay At: Jungle Camps, Baghvan- A Taj Safari, Tuli Veer Bagh Resort and La Selva Resort

Best Time To Visit: November to February

Best Suited For: Wildlife enthusiasts, particularly those interested in photography and exploring different flora and fauna

Bandhavgarh National Park in Madhya Pradesh can be a good alternative to Maasai Mara for domestic travellers who are more interested in tigers (with the highest density of Royal Bengal Tigers reported) and lush forested area than savannah wildlife. Nestled in the Vindhya hills of Madhya Pradesh's Umaria district, Bandhavgarh is known for its dense sal and bamboo forests, steep ridges, and open meadows. Unlike the wide-open plains of the Maasai Mara, Bandhavgarh’s terrain is more varied and atmospheric so you will spot a mix of hills, valleys, rivers, and marshes. It is named after the Bandhavgarh Fort which is barely two kilometres away from the national park. This is quieter and less commercial, which makes it more attractive for folks seeking a more peaceful and immersive safari experience.

Must-Do Things: Tiger safari, hot air balloon safari, check out the Shesh Shaiya statue which is a 35 foot-long reclining stone statue of Lord Vishnu dating back to the tenth century in the forest, visit the Bandhavgarh Fort and exploring the ancient caves (Bari Gufa)

Places To Stay At: Mahua Kothi- A Taj Safari, Tree House Hideaway and Syna Tiger Resort

Best Time To Visit: October to June

Best Suited For: Budget travellers and leisure travellers keen on tiger spotting and exploring a bit of history 

Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary is fairly unexplored with rich biodiversity and peace luring you into making that trip. Nestled on the borders of Maharashtra and Telangana, its topography is a mix of rolling hills, luscious forest and rambling rivers with four of them flowing through the sanctuary— Purna, Krishna, Bhima, and Tapti. 

Tropical dry deciduous forests mostly populate the sanctuary and Bengal tiger is again the prime fauna along with Indian leopards, sloth bears, hyenas, chital, blackbucks, nilgai among others. Being home to a few luxurious accommodations, it is perfect for a weekend getaway in the lapse of luxury and nature if you don't mind spending the buck.

Must-Do Things: Morning and evening safaris, trying local cuisine, driving to the Isapur Dam and visiting Kelzar Ganpati Temple

Places To Stay At: Tipai by Wildlife Luxuries, Sterling Tipeshwar and Avani Tiger Resort

Best Time To Visit: October to February

Best Suited For: Those wanting to splurge on a luxurious getaway in the middle of nowhere with greens and animals all around

For those of us looking for a shorter, more accessible wildlife experience with a hint of culture, consider Sariska Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan. Located just a few hours from Delhi and Jaipur, Sariska offers a landscape of dry deciduous forests, rocky hills, and grasslands that support Bengal tigers, leopards, hyenas, jackals, antelope, and a variety of bird species. While it doesn’t match the scale or diversity of the Maasai Mara, Sariska is a comfortable option as it doesn't require extensive travelling (and planning for that matter).

It also offers a unique mix of nature and heritage, with ancient temples, forts, and the haunted ruins of Bhangarh nearby, so you won't be at the mercy of safaris all day long for your entertainment. For those on a tighter schedule or budget, or already visiting Northern India, Sariska offers a more compact and culturally layered alternative without compromising on the flora and fauna experience.

Must-Do Things: Safari (duh) for exploring the jungle, visiting the Sariska Bird Sanctuary for some bird watching, visiting the Bangarh fort and check out India’s first astronomy resort, Astroport.

Places To Stay At: Astroport Sariska Resort & Spa by Eight Continents, Trees N Tigers Sariska, Vanaashrya Resort and Spa Sariska and Amanbagh

Best Time To Visit: October to March

Best Suited For: Budget travelers or those on tight schedules looking for a more accessible wildlife reserve experience in India

While this option isn't as financially viable as others on the list, it's a strong contender.  While Maasai Mara is renowned for its never ending expansive grasslands and epic migration; Yala provides a different type of adventure, being one of the greatest places on Earth to spot wild leopards. It is also home to elephants, crocodiles, sloth bears, water buffalo, and several hundred species of birds, all in a setting of scrub jungle, rock formations, and even bits of beach along the Indian Ocean. Yala is not as large as Mara but has more varied terrain while also giving you the option to add more to your trip by visiting places such as Kataragama and nearby ancient Buddhist monasteries.

Must-Do Thinhs: Jeep safari, birdwatching, visit the ancient Sithulpawwa Rock Temple and remote Patanangala beach inside the park

Places To Stay At: Jetwing Yala and Cinnamon Wild, Wild Coast Tented Lodge, Kulu Safaris and Yala Safari Camping 

Best Time To Visit: February to July

Best Suited For: For those seeking a more compact and varied wildlife experience but wanting to travel out of India for the same