Tiger reserves in India are not only safe homes for wildlife but also symbols of conservation success. India has the highest number of wild tigers in the world, with about 75% of the global population. This makes protecting tigers very important. There are currently 58 tiger reserves in the country with a total area of 84,487 square kilometers, and these reserves started in 1973 through Project Tiger. As per 2023 numbers, there are a total of 3,682 wild tigers in India. When you look at the biggest tiger reserves in India, you can see just how much space these magnificent cats need to live happily.
If you are interested in wild tigers and their reserves, we are sharing the list of the top 10 biggest tiger reserves in India in 2025. Let’s begin –
1) Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve – 3,728 km
One of the largest tiger reserves with an approximate area of 3,728 km2 is none other than Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve, which is situated across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. This reserve not only supports tigers, but also leopards, sloth bears, and diverse birdlife. This reserve is accessible within 180 km of Hyderabad, which makes it a popular eco-tourism destination with perks like wildlife tour, temple visit, and forest trek.
2) Sundarbans Tiger Reserve – 3,600 km²
Sundarbans Tiger Reserve is admired for being one of the most beautiful tiger reserves, which has been expanded recently by 1,044 km², making it the second-largest reserve in India. Reaching the reserve typically involves boat rides through labyrinthine waterways. In this reserve, tourism focuses on stilts-based lodges and guided river tours. This reserve is also popular for protecting carbon-rich mangrove habitat and effectively contributes to climate regulation.
3) Manas Tiger Reserve – 2,827 km²
Manas Tiger Reserve is located in the state of Assam, and it is approximately 2,837km² in area. As per the Wildlife Institute of India, this reserve has amazing grassland, riverine forest, and rich wildlife, which make it a popular tourist attraction as well. There are many ecological highlights like Bengal tigers, one-horned rhinos, elephants, rare bird species, and much more. This reserve borders Bhutan, and you can access it via road through Assam’s districts. For nature lovers and birdwatchers, this place is no less than heaven.
4) Melghat Tiger Reserve – 2,768 km2
With an area of 2,768 square kilometres, the Melghat tiger reserve is a popular tourist attraction among nature lovers in Maharashtra’s Satpura range. This dry deciduous forest is dominated by teak, rugged hills, and the Tapti River. The Melghat Tiger Reserve was one of the first selected for Project Tiger Areas in 1973. This place offers an amazing wildlife experience for those who want an undisturbed nature and research opportunity.
5) Amrabad Tiger Reserve – 2,611 Km2
The Amrabad Tiger Reserve in Telangana is one of India’s newest yet largest reserves, covering about 2,611 square kilometres. This tiger reserve is carved out of the original Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam reserve. The tiger reserve features hilly terrain, valleys, and thick forests. It is home to Bengal tigers along with sloth bears, wild dogs, and a variety of reptiles. The reserve is also rich in tribal heritage, with local communities still living in harmony with the forests.
6) Dudhwa Tiger Reserve – 2,202 km2
Dudhwa Tiger Reserve is situated in Uttar Pradesh, and it spans around 2,201.77 km2 with dense forest. This tiger reserve is famous for its large grasslands, wetlands, and dense forests. Due to the complex terrains, this is the only tiger reserve in India where tigers and one-horned rhinos coexist. The reserve’s wetlands also support hundreds of migratory birds, making it popular with birdwatchers. Nature lovers or interested people can access this reserve by road or rail from Lucknow. You can get guided safaris and birdwatching tours here.
7) Satpura Tiger Reserve – 2,133 km²
Satpura Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh covers around 2,133 square kilometres of rugged terrain and dense forest. The Satpura hills, valleys, and rivers make it a dramatic landscape filled with natural beauty, to experience something unique from other tiger reserves. It is home to tigers, leopards, sloth bears, and many smaller mammals. Unlike reserves that focus only on jeep safaris, Satpura offers walking trails and boat rides, giving visitors unique ways to explore the wilderness. All these things make this place popular among trekkers and wildlife photographers.
8) Kanha Tiger Reserve – 2,052 km2
Kanha Tiger Reserve holds the eighth place in our list for being a phenomenal attraction for safaris and lodges, with over 200,000 visitors in 2022 alone. This iconological reserve is habitat for tigers, sloth bears, leopards, and endangered barasingha. Reservation of all these animals has been a global acclaim, and it is the most loved reserve, which inspired the book and movie “The Jungle Book.” If you are interested in visiting this reserve, then you can access it through Jabalpur or Nagpur.
9) Indravati Tiger Reserve – 2,799 km2
Indravati Tiger Reserve in Chhattisgarh spans nearly 2,799 square kilometres, making it one of the largest reserves in central India. Considering the size, this reserve should rank higher, but due to limited tourist access, most of the area is inaccessible here. However, its forests are dense and filled with biodiversity, including tigers, leopards, wild dogs, and various prey species. It is also a vital habitat for endangered wild buffalo. The terrain, marked by rivers and valleys, provides perfect cover for wildlife and supports a rich tribal culture around the reserve.
10) Simlipal Tiger Reserve – 2,750 km2
Simlipal Tiger Reserve is similar to Indravati Tiger Reserve in area, but this one also ranks lower because of the core area for tigers. There is also a buffer zone, which increases the size on paper, but it is different. Anyway, Simlipal tiger reserve spans around 2,750 km2. It was named after the red silk-cotton tree found in the dense forest of this reserve. From waterfall to tribal culture, there are so many things to see. Travellers or interested people can access this tiger reserve through Baripada.
Bottom Line
India’s tiger reserves play an important role in the support of tiger lives, and keeping forest safe. These tiger reserves also help in generating tourist attraction, protecting wildlife, and ensure a climate balance. This is the true luxury we are preserving for the upcoming generations.