Tucked between the Himalayan foothills in the North and Vindhya ranges in the South, Uttar Pradesh boasts sprawling greenery&ndashabout 12.8 per cent of the state&rsquos total geographical area is covered with dense forests, which are home to diverse flora and fauna. The state&rsquos landscape allows tourists to uncover wildlife mysteries via tiger safaris across forest reserves and sanctuaries. If you are headed to Uttar Pradesh, a drive through these tiger reserves is not to be missed.
Ranipur Wildlife Sanctuary
Located in the Chitrakoot district, Ranipur Wildlife Sanctuary spans 299 sq km. Although the Sanctuary does not have any tigers of its own, they come from the surrounding areas of Panna. The forest is also home to many other exotic animals like leopards, sloth bears, spotted deer, and several species of birds and reptiles.
How to reach
Allahabad airport and Allahabad Railway station are nearest to the Sanctuary. From there, you can reach by bus or a private cab. If you are travelling by road, the area is well-connected to other major cities like Lucknow and Varanasi.
Amangarh Tiger Reserve
Located in the quaint city of Bijnor, Amangarh Tiger Reserve is home to 27 tigers and several other animals like leopards and bears. The forest area, spanning 94 sq km, is marked with stretches of lush greenery and patches of wetlands. Apart from tigers, you can also spot Asiatic elephants, chital and kakar.
How to reach
Dehradun and Lucknow airports are the nearest to the tiger reserve. From here, you can take one of the many local and private buses plying to Bijnor and Amangarh. Bijnor is also well-connected by road to every major city across the state.
Dudhwa Tiger Reserve
Situated on the Indo-Nepal border in the Lakhimpur-Kheri district in Uttar Pradesh, Dhudhwa National Park is beaded with marshes, dense forests and grasslands. The 1,284 km area is traversed by many enchanting wild animals like tigers, swamp deers, rhinoceros, and around 1300 birds.
How to reach
The nearest airport is situated 283 km away in Lucknow, and the nearest railway station is the Shahjahanpur railway station. Lakhimpur-Kheri is well-connected to major cities like Delhi and Lucknow if you want to travel via road.
Pilibhit Tiger Reserve
Located in the Pilibhit district, this tiger reserve is not very far from Dudhwa Tiger Reserve. The deciduous forest here has contributed to the district&rsquos rich biodiversity&ndashapart from tigers. The area is home to many endangered species, such as the Bengal florican. If you&rsquore headed here, you could also check out nearby attractions, like Chuka Beach, which is situated between the Sharda canal and Sagar dam.
How to reach
Same as Dudhwa Tiger Reserve