When India's national parks are open: a seasonal calendar

By the Nexara Holidays travel desk · 2 min read

Many of India's best-known national parks close their core zones during the monsoon. Timing your trip is essential.

General pattern

Most parks open their core zones between October and November and close around the end of June, when the monsoon makes roads impassable and animals breed.

Popular parks (approximate)

• Ranthambore: core zones open from about October to June; some buffer areas stay open longer.
• Kanha National Park, Bandhavgarh and other Madhya Pradesh parks: about mid-October to June, with one weekly closure for some zones.
• Jim Corbett National Park: the Dhikala zone opens from about November to June; some zones, like Jhirna, are open year-round.
• Kaziranga National Park: about November to April, closing during the flood season.
• Gir National Park: closed from mid-June to mid-October.
• Periyar (Thekkady): open most of the year, with boat safaris on the lake.
• Sundarbans: best from October to March.

Exact dates change by season and by forest department decisions, so we confirm them before booking.

Best time for sightings

• March to June: hot, but animals gather near water.
• Winter: cool and pleasant, with beautiful light.

Plan around closures

• Choose parks open year-round for monsoon trips.
• Book safari permits early through official portals.

See Your first tiger safari in India: how to improve your chances and our Wildlife safaris page.

Monsoon alternatives

If your holiday falls in the monsoon, consider Periyar in Thekkady, zones that stay open in some parks, or a safari abroad in East Africa, where July to October is the peak migration season. See Best time for a safari in Kenya and Tanzania, and where the migration is.

Weekly closures

Some parks close certain zones or sessions one day a week. Check before planning.