10 Places To See Leopards In India

OT Staff

Jawai, Rajasthan

Jawai in the Pali district of Rajasthan is famous for its estimated 60 leopards, who have co-existed with their human inhabitants for many decades.

A leopard in Jawai, Rajasthan | Shutterstock

Nagarahole National Park, Karnataka

This national park’s rich forest cover, small streams, hills, valleys and waterfalls are populated with Bengal tigers, gaur, Indian elephants, Indian leopards, chital and sambar deer.

A leopard in Nagarahole National Park | Shutterstock

Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Maharashtra

According to a 2018 census, an estimated 41 leopards live on Mumbai's outskirts in Sanjay Gandhi National Park, making it one of the top places in India for sightings of this wild cat.

A pathway in Sanjay Gandhi National Park | Shutterstock

Bandhavgarh National Park, Madhya Pradesh

This national park has a large breeding population of leopards, tigers, sloth bears, jackals, wild dogs, pond herons, white-necked storks, sarus cranes and more such wildlife.

Sambar deer in Bandhavgarh National Park | Shutterstock

Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan

A 2022 government report found that the Sariska Tiger Reserve is home to 21.43 leopards in every 100 square kilometres, making it the place with the highest density of leopards among all camera-trapped sites in the country.

A leopard rests in a tree | Shutterstock

Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra

According to a 2020 state government survey, the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve’s core and buffer areas are estimated to be home to 151 leopards.

A tiger called Raka at the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve | Shutterstock

Satpura Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh

Tucked away in the districts of Narmadapuram and Chhindwara, the rugged trails and dense forests of the Satpura Tiger Reserve are home tigers, leopards and wild dogs, among others.

A chital in Satpura Tiger Reserve | Shutterstock

Bandipur National Park, Karnataka

This park had an estimated 88 leopards, according to a 1997 census. The “Status of Leopards in India 2022” report by the central government found that Karnataka’s protected areas shelter at least 1,879 leopards in total.

Close-up of a leopard in Bandipur National Park | Shutterstock

Pench National Park, Madhya Pradesh And Maharashtra

At least 100 leopards live in Pench National Park, which spans 2,000 square kilometres. In addition to that, wild dogs, Indian gaur, chital, sambar, nilgai, jackals, bison, jungle cats and palm civets can also be found here.

A leopard in Pench National Park | Shutterstock

Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary, Rajasthan

The leopard is the apex predator in this sanctuary and preys on animals like sambhar, nilgai, chausingha (the four-horned antelope), chinkara and Indian hare.

Leopards in the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary prey on chinkara, seen here | Shutterstock

A Guide To Jawai In Rajasthan For Nature Lovers And Wildlife Seekers

A leopard peeks out from a rock in Jawai, Rajasthan | Shutterstock
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