Central India Tiger Safari

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive in India

Arrive in Delhi, the capital of India. Our tour representative will welcome you at the airport arrival lounge.

Delhi, the capital of India, is a city that offers a glimpse of both ancient and modern day India. It is the third largest city in India and one of the fastest growing in Asia.

Overnight at Radisson Blu Plaza (no meals included)

Day 2

After breakfast you will transfer to the Delhi airport for your flight to Jabalpur - the flight is included in the cost of this trip. Upon arrival at Jabalpur we will drive to Bandhavgarh National Park, about 3 hours away.

Bandhavgarh National Park

Set among the Vindhya Hills in Madhya Pradesh, Bandhavgarh consists of 168 square miles of Sal and a mixed forest of bamboo, grassland, and a complex of deciduous forests. There are at least 150 species of birds in the park, along with other mammals such as tigers, sloth bear, langur monkeys, wild boar, mongoose, and 3 kinds of deer: chital, sambar, and barking, to name a few.

Overnight at Bandhavgarh Jungle Lodge (B, L, D)

Day 3–5

Bandhavgarh National Park

Enjoy an early morning wake-up call with a knock on your room door and tea/coffee.

You will wake up to misty mornings and sounds of birds calling, which will make an exciting start to your day. As soon as dawn breaks you will leave for your jungle safari, accompanied by a resident naturalist and forest park guides in 4×4 Jeeps.

In the winter months morning safaris require warm clothes and woolen caps and gloves to keep you warm from the wind chill factor in your open Jeep. Blankets and sometimes even a hot water bottle are provided to keep you comfortable.

Your afternoon safari by 4×4 Jeep will be accompanied by a resident naturalist and forest guide. Afterwards, we return to the lodge for evening tea and rest of time free to relax.

Overnight at Bandhavgarh Jungle Lodge (B, L, D)

Day 6

After our morning safari and breakfast we will make the long drive to Kanha National Park. One of the largest and most scenic national parks in India, Kanha National Park is an ideal habitat for both tigers and their prey, lush sal and bamboo forests, grassy meadows, and ravines which shelter a significant population of rare species such as tiger, leopard, sloth bear, Barasingha, and wild dog to name a few. Kanha’s mixed forests are interspersed with vast meadows known as maidens. Perennial streams run through a number of such meadows, providing a source of water for the wildlife even in the hot summers. Kanha meadow, with its hundreds of chital grazing on a carpet of green grass against the backdrop of the majestic Sal forest, has been aptly referred to as “the Ngorongoro of India.” Kanha is particularly well known for its endangered swamp deer, or hard water barasingha, which populate the large open tracks of grass amidst the forests of teak and bamboo. Brought back from the brink of extinction, these handsome animals are a remarkable conservation success story for Kanha.

We have chosen to have 4 full days, plus one extra morning in this park as we think it's the most beautiful and productive. The park is closed on Wednesdays so we won't have a safari today but will instead rest up and recharge for our upcoming 4 1/2 days in the park. 

Overnight at Kanha Jungle Lodge (B, L, D)

About Kanha Jungle Lodge

Kanha Jungle Lodge was established in 1987 to provide sophisticated, environmentally friendly experience of untamed beauty of Kanha. Kanha Jungle Lodge is in the midst of a rich Sal forest and thus designed as a Jungle lodge, well camouflaged in the forest. It is tastefully developed with low impact on the land and the environment, with 18 well appointed rooms and 2 deluxe cottages, to give a physical and emotional jungle experience. The jungle lodge is planned to provide a friendly, informal relaxed environment with lots to observe, understand and learn, to make good friends and support conservation. Since it is located close to Kanha National Park and is the closest to the Mukki entrance gate, it has been sensitive to the environment. Guests can listen to Jungle sounds during day or night, which makes it an exciting and chilling experience for some, listening to the alarm calls of the deer or an occasional roar of the Tiger. Its Sal forest and open meadows have become a favorite place for deer (chital) to stay fearlessly in the compound. It is set on strong principles of being environmentally friendly and every aspect of its development and operation is sensitively synthesized towards nature conservation.

Day 7–10

Enjoy an early morning wake-up call with a knock on your room door and tea/coffee.

You will wake up to misty mornings and sounds of birds calling, which will make an exciting start to your day. As soon as dawn breaks, leave for your jungle safari, accompanied by a resident naturalist and forest park guides in 4x 4 Jeeps. 

We have chosen to do two "full-day" safaris in this park alternating days so we have the most opportunities possible. Full-day safaris are special because you can stay all day but also enter early and depart later than everyone else. On alternate days, or when/if it gets too hot, we will have mid-day breaks.On you alternating non-full days rest of the morning is at your leisure where you may go on a nature walk, visit a nearby village/school, or engage yourself in a cooking demonstration.

Your afternoon safari will be in a 4×4 Jeep accompanied by resident naturalist and forest guide. Afterwards you will return to your lodge for evening tea and free time to relax and gaze at the evening stars.

Overnight at Kanha Jungle Lodge (B, L, D)

Day 11

Overnight at Radisson Blu Plaza (B, L, D)

Day 12

After breakfast transfer to the airport for flights home. If you wish to extend or depart late we can arrange for a day-room or an extra night (departing on March 1).

Radisson Blu Plaza (B)

Includes

• Safaris will be on an exclusive basis with 2 people in 1 vehicle - each with a row of seats, inclusive of entry fee to park, resident naturalist services.
• One "full-day" permits in Kanha National Park. Additional "full-day" permits available at additional cost, please inquire if interested.
  
• One "full day" permit in Bandhavgarh National Park. Additional "full-day" permits available at additional cost, please inquire if interested.
• In country airfare economy class: Delhi - Jabalpur, Raipur - Delhi
  
• Packed drinking water during all transfers, drives, and sightseeing (available in vehicle).
• Assistance at airports at the hotels at the time of check in/out in all the major cities.
• Mineral water included (in jungle during meals, safaris, and available in vehicle during drives / sightseeing).
• Entrance fees to all national parks.
• Government Service Tax.

Does Not Include

• Tips
• International Airfare.
• Trip insurance.
• Anything not mentioned in inclusion above.
• Expenditure of personal nature like tabled drinks, laundry, telephone calls, soft/ alcoholic hard drinks
• Room service at any hotel including mineral water (other than what being offered by the hotels on their compliment).
• Any sudden increase in price due to steep hike in fuel cost, significantly increased flight costs, a change in government tax policy or for any reason beyond our control like acts of God, natural calamity, law and order situation, riots, etc. and any forced change in itinerary for any unforeseen situation or reason beyond our control.