From Leopards to Panthers: Top 10 places to see rare wild cats in India
Explore the top 10 destinations in India to witness rare wild cats like black panthers, leopards, and clouded leopards in their natural habitats. A must-read for serious wildlife enthusiasts.
India’s wilderness is a realm of exquisite secrets—dense sal forests, dry teak woodlands, cloud-soaked valleys, and stark Himalayan deserts. Within these varied ecosystems dwell some of the world’s rarest wild cats: from the melanistic black panther to the secretive clouded leopard and the spectral snow leopard of Ladakh. While the tiger has long dominated India’s wildlife narrative, the country is also home to a shadowy league of elusive feline predators—Indian leopards, golden cats, jungle cats, and even the near-mythical caracal. Tracking them is less a conventional safari and more a quiet communion with nature, requiring patience, silence, and a deep respect for the rhythm of the wild. For travellers drawn to the thrill of the unseen, these ten destinations offer India’s most promising opportunities to witness rare wild cats in their natural domain. (Image: AI Gemini)
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1. Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary, Karnataka Kabini lies along the banks of a serpentine reservoir flanked by the Nagarhole-Bandipur corridor. This deciduous forest is among the very few regions in the world where the black panther—a melanistic variant of the Indian leopard—has been reliably documented. Its reputation as the "Land of the Phantom" is well-earned. Rare cat sightings: Black panther, Indian leopard (Image: Canva)
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2. Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra Tadoba’s arid teak forest is among the most tiger-dense landscapes in India. But it also supports a thriving leopard population and smaller wild cats like the jungle cat and rusty-spotted cat. For wildlife photographers, its open vistas and watering holes offer exceptional viewing conditions. Rare cat sightings: Leopards, tigers, jungle cats, rusty-spotted cats (Image: Canva)
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3. Pench National Park, Madhya Pradesh Immortalised in Kipling’s The Jungle Book, Pench is not merely a literary landmark but a leopard stronghold. The buffer zones surrounding the core are especially fruitful for sightings, thanks to minimal human disturbance and a high prey base. Rare cat sightings: Indian leopard, Bengal tiger (Image: Canva)
4. Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka) A vast stretch of protected terrain spanning three southern states, the Nilgiri Biosphere is home to several wild cat species. Leopards are commonly sighted, and black panthers have been photographed multiple times across its various reserves. The region’s undisturbed hills and sholas provide ideal conditions for rare feline sightings. Rare cat sightings: Indian leopard, black panther (Image: Canva)
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5. Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, Karnataka Tucked away in the Western Ghats, Bhadra is far less commercialised than other reserves. This remoteness has aided in preserving its population of Indian leopards and elusive black panthers. Here, the forest keeps its secrets well; sightings are rare but immensely rewarding. Rare cat sightings: Black panther, Indian leopard (Image: Canva)
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6. Sharavathi Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, Karnataka With plunging valleys, dense rainforest canopies, and minimal safari infrastructure, Sharavathi is suited for serious trackers. It has emerged in recent years as a low-key destination where melanistic leopards have been reportedly seen—though not without effort. Rare cat sightings: Black panther (Image: Canva)
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7. Dandeli-Anshi Tiger Reserve (Kali Tiger Reserve), Karnataka Now officially renamed Kali Tiger Reserve, this forested tract in the Western Ghats holds a healthy leopard population. It has also become one of the more credible locations for black panther sightings, thanks to the dense canopy and rugged cliffs that these secretive cats prefer. Rare cat sightings: Indian leopard, black panther (Image: Canva)
8. Mudumalai National Park, Tamil Nadu Part of the Nilgiri ecosystem, Mudumalai lies at the intersection of three states and is an important corridor for leopards moving between forest patches. While its neighbour Bandipur attracts larger crowds, Mudumalai remains a quieter reserve where leopards are frequently spotted. Rare cat sightings: Indian leopard (Image: Canva)
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9. Manas National Park, Assam Manas sits at the edge of the Himalayan foothills and boasts some of the richest biodiversity in India. What sets it apart is the possibility of sighting clouded leopards and golden cats—species that are almost spectral in their elusiveness. The park's terrain of semi-evergreen forests and floodplains makes for ideal feline cover. Rare cat sightings: Clouded leopard, golden cat (Image: Canva)
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10. Hemis National Park, Ladakh A world apart from India’s tropical forests, Hemis is a realm of silence and snow. At over 4,000 metres, it is the largest national park in South Asia and the finest place on Earth to track the snow leopard, known in local lore as the grey ghost. Every winter, a handful of trekkers brave the bitter cold for a glimpse of this magnificent cat. (Image: Canva) Rare cat sightings: Snow leopard (Panthera uncia)
Priyanka Roshan With over eight years in multimedia journalism, is passionate about storytelling—both visual and textual—across travel, jobs, business, markets, politics, and daily news. From crafting engaging articles to producing compelling videos, she blends creativity with strategy to bring stories to life. With a strong foundation in SEO, and video production she ensures content not only informs but also resonates with audiences.
![1. Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary, Karnataka Kabini lies along the banks of a serpentine reservoir flanked by the Nagarhole-Bandipur corridor. This deciduous forest is among the very few regions in the world where the black panther—a melanistic variant of the Indian leopard—has been reliably documented. Its reputation as the "Land of the Phantom" is well-earned. Rare cat sightings: Black panther, Indian leopard (Image: Canva)](https://images.moneycontrol.com/static-mcnews/2025/07/20250721134849_1.jpg "1. Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary, Karnataka Kabini lies along the banks of a serpentine reservoir flanked by the Nagarhole-Bandipur corridor. This deciduous forest is among the very few regions in the world where the black panther—a melanistic variant of the Indian leopard—has been reliably documented. Its reputation as the "Land of the Phantom" is well-earned. Rare cat sightings: Black panther, Indian leopard (Image: Canva)")
