Last Updated:April 02, 2025, 12:15 IST

This growing trend combines the thrill of wildlife encounters with the magic of stargazing, far away from the intrusive glow of city lights.

As the sun dips below the horizon and casts India’s wilderness into shadow, a hidden world unveils itself. The forest transforms into a nocturnal theatre where some of the most elusive wildlife emerges from the shadows. Over time, a growing number of wildlife enthusiasts are turning to ‘noctourism,’ seeking after-dark adventures that unveil the mysteries of the forest under the cloak of night. These night safaris offer a unique and thrilling perspective, where the rustle of leaves signals the movement of a leopard, and the distant roar of a tiger echoes through the stillness.

This growing trend combines the thrill of wildlife encounters with the magic of stargazing, far away from the intrusive glow of city lights. If you also want to experience this, here is a list of places where you can see wildlife after dark in India.

Kanha National Park

As night descends, Kanha transforms into a realm straight out of Rudyard Kipling’s tales. From 7:00 pm to 10:30 pm, visitors can witness tigers, leopards, civets, and porcupines emerging from their daytime slumber, accompanied by the haunting calls of wolves and owls. The clear skies of November to February offer exceptional stargazing alongside wildlife sightings.

Pench National Park

Experience the thrill of a night safari in the Pench National Park which offers torch-lit drives from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm. The serene ambience along the Pench River provides a unique glimpse into the interconnectedness of jungle life, with frequent sightings of civets, porcupines, leopards, jackals, and owls under the moonlit sky.

Bandhavgarh National Park

Venture into Bandhavgarh’s Parasi and Pachpedi zones after sunset to witness the jungle’s nocturnal predators. This tiger haven comes alive after dark, where leopards and jungle cats frequently cross paths with visitors. As the park transforms into a moonlit wonder between 6:30 pm and 9:30 pm, the sounds of jackals and spotted deer create a primaeval atmosphere that transports you back in time.

Satpura National Park

Satpura offers a distinctive boat-based night safari experience, providing a unique perspective on the forest’s nocturnal life. From 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm, visitors can spot leopards, sloth bears, civets, porcupines, and crocodiles from the water, mirroring the serene beauty of electric boat experiences on the pristine alpine lakes of Bavaria.

Sundarbans National Park

The night boat safaris through the mangrove ecosystem at Sundarbans offer an eerie yet magical experience. Glowing plankton illuminates the water, crocodile eyes reflect in the water, while the distant calls of jungle cats punctuate the silence, creating an unforgettable experience that rivals even the most captivating barrier reef adventures.

Location :

Delhi, India, India