Wildlife Safari in Kanha, Pench, Bandhavgarh and Beyond
Central India: In the Realm of the Tiger
Overview
This one-of-a-kind safari visits four of India's Project Tiger reserves, where we'll search not only for tiger, but also for leopard, sloth bear, dhole (Indian wild dog), and the endemic barasingha deer. We begin in Bandhavgarh, a small national park with a thriving tiger population, then head to renowned Kanha, which became part of Project Tiger in 1973. Moving to the lush & "Kipling country" of Pench National Park, we might, with luck, catch a glimpse of its leopards and jungle cats, and we finish our safari at Reni Pani, a luxury property at Satpura National Park, for game walks, village and school visits, and canoe safaris. As we travel, we'll be welcomed by our local hosts and the communities they are connected to.
Arrive: Delhi, India
Depart: Delhi, India
Highlights
- Explore four of India's Project Tiger reserves with an expert naturalist Trip Leader
- Stay in welcoming, boutique-style game lodges operated by pioneers in wildlife conservation
- Enjoy game drives, game walks, and visits to local villages and schools
- Witness the amazing diversity of Indian wildlife, from tiger and endangered barasingha deer to leopard, sloth bear, gaur (Indian bison), and jungle cat
Itinerary
After an overnight in Delhi, we head to Bandhavgarh, a Project Tiger reserve and one of India's most beautiful national parks, with its temples and 10th century shrines. It boasts one of the highest densities of tiger anywhere in the world. From our welcoming lodge, we head out for safaris by open 4WD vehicle. The forests and grasslands are also home to over 150 species of colorful birds, including golden orioles and purple sunbirds.
The Bengal tiger is the big draw at Kanha, an iconic Project Tiger reserve, but it's also the only place in the world to see the golden-hued barasingha. This magnificent species of deer, once near-extinct due to poaching, was rescued through remarkable conservation efforts in this park. Kanha recently celebrated the survival of the barasingha by naming it the park's official mascot. At the lodge, we can take a cooking lesson and visit a local school. In the evenings, we'll share stories by the fire pit, listen to talks by our guide, and stargaze.
The subtropical landscape at Pench is known as the fictional home of Mowgli, the main character in Kipling's The Jungle Book. The park's name comes from the meandering Pench River, sprawling through dry broadleaf teak forests and tropical deciduous forests. Our award-winning lodge features 10 safari-style en suite tented rooms overlooking the forest.
Our grand finale is a luxury lodge at Satpura National Park, where we might see leopard, four-horned antelope, wild boar, and bear. Options include guided game walks and canoe safaris, and walks to the local village and primary school are a highlight. Depart on Day 15 via Delhi.
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
What the Trip is Like
This trip is Level 2, Easy to Moderate, according to our trip grading system. This is a lodge- or tented camp-based safari with game viewing by open 4WD vehicle. Although the trip is not rigorous, it does involve some long driving days over rough roads and rugged game tracks—you will enjoy it more if you are in good shape and good health. Any safari is an adventure, and the traveler to India should bring along flexibility, a sense of humor, curiosity about new peoples and places, and an openness to the unexpected.
Review Trip Level Details
In the Central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, February-March are warm months, with average temperatures ranging from highs of 91F to lows of 60F, sometimes dropping into the 40s at dawn. Because water sources are more scarce during this time, it can be easier to find the wildlife.
October-November, the last months of the post monsoon-autumn, it is slightly less hot, with temperature averaging highs of 82F and lows of 50F. The forest is generally more beautiful at this time, but the wildlife may be a bit harder to spot among the greenery.
In the early dawn, when we start our morning safari drives, it can often be quite cold (40-45F) and you will need a warm jacket, hat, and gloves for these early drives in an open jeep. By 11:00 am, it will warm up considerably, and by mid-day, it will be 80-90F, with high humidity. Again in the evening, it cools off and you will need a light jacket. Because of the varied temperatures each day, it is best to dress in layers.
Our accommodations are top-notch wildlife lodges ideally located for wildlife viewing. Each lodge is unique and comes with its own special touches, but delicious food and comfortable sleeping arrangements can be expected throughout your journey.
Fresh food, much of it locally sourced, is prepared daily at each of our lodges. It will be a mix of Indian and Western cuisine, customized for the Western palate. It will be mild and not spicy (unless requested). A few of our dinners will be al fresco, served by candlelight in lovely settings. Because we start our safari drives very early, we will generally have picnic breakfasts on our drives—they may include fresh muffins, cookies, eggs, samosas, sandwiches, juice, tea, and coffee. Cooking classes at some of our lodges will offer lessons and tips in preparing Indian cuisine. Special diets (gluten-free, dairy-free) can be accommodated but please advise us in advance.
Our safari vehicles have two rows for travelers, with two passengers per row, for a maximum of four trip members per vehicle. Each vehicle is attended by a certified driver as well as one of our expert naturalist guides. Our vehicles are open-roofed, so travelers can turn around for 360-degree wildlife viewing. In Delhi and on transfers between parks, we use comfortable vehicles with AC. Depending on the group size, vehicles range from a minivan that can accommodate up to three travelers and their luggage, to a minibus that can accommodate up to fourteen travelers and their luggage.
A typical day begins with an early morning wake-up call (5:00-5:45 am), when tea and coffee are brought to our rooms. We head out by 4WD vehicle for a morning safari. We'll stop at a scenic spot for a picnic-style breakfast, and return to the lodge for lunch, with a second 4WD safari in the afternoon. Game walks are not allowed in any of the national parks except Satpura, where we have options for guided game walks.
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Our Area Specialists know every detail about our tours. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!
Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.
Level 1 – Easiest
Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Level 2 – Easy to Moderate
Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Level 3 – Moderate
Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
- Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
- Argentina: Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
- Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
- Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.
Level 4 – Moderate to Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Level 5 – Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Level 6 – Very Strenuous
Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.