Wild India
Why India? Wildlife: tigers, rhinos, Indian wild dogs, elephants. Diverse landscapes. Culture.
Of course, there are lots of options & permutations... so contact us to tailor-make a safari just for you.
Why an Indian Safari?
Tigers - best chance to see the world's biggest cat in the wild. This fast-disappearing cat is critically endangered, and strikingly beautiful.
Rhinos - see critically endangered, amour-plated Indian one-horned rhino.
Indian Wild Dogs (dhole) rusty red, with large rounded ears. They are highly sociable & live in family groups. Endangered.
Asian Elephants - a rare & beautiful sight: wild Asian elephants in their natural habitat.
Asiatic lions - Asia's last remaining lions can be seen only in Sasan Gir National Park. Critically endangered.
Leopards - shy, elusive, beautiful big cats.
Highlights: Tigers & Wild Dogs in central India's jungles & open plains.
Is this for me? For those that want to maximise wildlife viewing & minimise travel time.
Day | Location | |||||
1 | Mumbai | |||||
2 | Bandhavgarh | |||||
3 | Bandhavgarh | |||||
4 | Bandhavgarh | |||||
5 | Kanha | |||||
6 | Kanha | |||||
7 | Kanha | |||||
8 | Mumbai | |||||
Safari Highlights | ||||||
Bandhavgarh: famed for high tiger densities & sightings - it's one of the best places in the world to see wild tigers. |
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Day | Activities | |||
1 | Arrive in Mumbai and transfer to your hotel. Relax & prepare for the coming days of adventure. | |||
2 | Transfer to domestic airport & fly to Jabalpur. Drive through interesting countryside and see village life. After lunch, you'll go on your first game drive & have a chance to spot tigers. Relax at your Lodge this evening. (B L D) | |||
3 | Morning & afternoon game drives in Bandavgarh. Search for tigers & other unique wildlife in the forest, including the world's largest deer, the Sambar. (B L D) |
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4 | Another day of morning & afternoon game drives in Bandhavgarh National Park in search of tigers and other wildlife. (B L D) | |||
5 | After breakfast, road transfer to your lodge at Kanha. After lunch, have your first game drive in this beautiful and less visited park. (B L D) | |||
6 | Early morning game drive, and a chance to spot tigers from elephant back. Continue your drive and search for the sometimes elusive Indian Wild Dogs. Watch the pack of adults & youngsters at play, rest, or even hunting. Afternoon game drive in Kanha National Park. (B L D) |
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7 | Spend another morning & afternoon in beautiful Kanha National Park in search of tigers, Indian Wild Dogs (dholes), and other rare species such as sloth bears, leopards and barasingha deer (twelve horned deer). (B L D) | |||
8 | After breakfast, transfer to Jabalpur airport to fly back to Mumbai for your flight home, or continue with one of our other adventures. (B) | |||
Want more Luxury or Exclusivity? from $9,795 to $13,000+
Highlights: Tigers, Asiatic one-horned Rhino & Wild Asiatic Elephants.
Is this for me? For those that want diverse wildlife, ecosystems, and enjoy the extra travel.
Day | Location | |||||
1 | Mumbai | |||||
2 | Bandhavgarh | |||||
3 | Bandhavgarh | |||||
4 | Bandhavgarh | |||||
5 | Delhi | |||||
6 | Kaziranga | |||||
7 | Kaziranga | |||||
8 | Kaziranga | |||||
9 | Delhi (or Mumbai) | |||||
Safari Highlights | ||||||
Bandhavgarh: famed for high tiger densities & sightings - it's one of the best places in the world to see tigers. Kaziranga: Wild & remote in India's north eastern corner. Best place to see Asiatic one-horned Rhino - by vehicle, and on elephant-back, sailing through a sea of green elephant-grass. Also excellent for seeing herds of wild & magnificent Asian elephants. |
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Day | Activities | |||
1 | Arrive in Mumbai and transfer to your hotel. Relax & prepare for the coming days of adventure. (D) | |||
2 | Transfer to domestic airport & fly to Jabalpur. Drive through interesting countryside and see village life. After lunch your first game drive & chance to spot tigers. Relax at your Lodge this evening. (B L D) | |||
3 | Morning & afternoon game drives in Bandavgarh. Search for tigers & other unique wildlife in the forest, including the world's largest deer, the Sambar. (B L D) |
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4 | Another day of morning & afternoon game drives in Bandhavgarh National Park in search of tigers and other wildlife. (B L D) | |||
5 | After breakfast, transfer to Khajuraho Airport. Fly from Khajuraho to Delhi. Transfer to your hotel and relax. (B L) |
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6 | Transfer to Delhi airport & fly to Guwahati. Drive from Guwahati to your lodge at Kaziranga. Time permitting, have your first game drive in search of rhinos on the plains. (B L D) | |||
7 | Early morning elephant back safari to see the beautiful Asiatic one-horned rhinos up close. Their skin folds are such that they look like they are amour-plated tanks! After lunch, afternoon game drive in Kaziranga in search of rhinos, wild Asiatic elephants & other wildlife. (B L D) |
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8 | Another day exploring Kaziranga. Go in search of its incredible wildlife on elephant-back and 4x4. (B L D) | |||
9 | After breakfast, transfer to Guwahati to fly to Delhi (or Mumbai) for your flight home, or continue with one of our other adventures. (B) |
Want more Luxury or Exclusivity? from $10,985 to $15,000+
Want even more?
See the Taj Mahal, do the 'Golden Triangle', see Delhi or Mumbai, see Asiatic Lions, experience the varied Indian culture & delicious food... it's your choice. Here are some ideas:Taj Mahal - min 2 nights From $975 pp for 2 nights. |
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Golden Triangle - min 4-5 nights From $1,975 pp for 4 nights. |
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Asiatic Lions - min 3-4 nights From $1,998 pp for 3 nights. |
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Choose your own adventure! India is a huge country packed full of interesting and exciting things to see & do - so if there's something that's caught your eye, just let us know, and we'll organise it for you! |
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Q: How much does it cost?
The long answer: The World's wildlife & wilderness destinations are often expensive because of strict government controls, high park fees & complex logistics. Amongst other things, it also depends on accommodation quality, location & exclusivity; what type of vehicles are used; whether you're flying around a lot; and how many days you spend in-country.
Whatever your budget, we will recommend the best possible adventure to suit you.
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Prices based on 2 people travelling, sharing a room.
Choose your own Private Safari or a Small Group - contact us for your tailor-made adventure!
No hidden costs - Guaranteed!
We include everything possible to make your adventure as easy as possible.
Accommodation & responsible travel
We are strongly committed to the principles of responsible travel, and therefore recommend accommodations that are trying to do the right thing - by the environment, their staff & local communities, and their guests! Environmental initiatives include using renewable energy such as solar power, using low-impact structures, reducing waste, and recycling wherever possible. They support their local communities by providing employment as well as educational, medical, and other support; some even include profit-share arrangements. Many have, or support, anti-poaching units to de-snare and protect the wilderness areas within which they operate.
Great, so what's the difference between a luxury vacation and an even more luxurious or exclusive one?
Luxury | More Luxury & Exclusivity | ||
Good quality lodges, tented camps or hotels, which tend to be on the simpler/ larger side. Food is of a good standard, often presented as a self-serve buffet. |
Small & intimate, Lodges or camps, often on a house drinks & extra activity inclusive basis. Usually in the best locations for wildlife viewing. High standards of Guiding, food & service. |
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Accommodation featured: | Accommodation featured: | ||
Monsoon Forest Bandhavgarh Lodge Sher Garh Kanha Tented Camp Grassland Kaziranga Lodge Trident Nariman Point, Mumbai Lion Safari Camp, Gir |
Mahua Kothi Bandhavgarh Lodge The Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra |
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We clearly explain what's included & what's not:
Inclusions: All your accommodation, most meals, wildlife viewing activities in safari vehicle with Driver/Guide, all internal flights, all airport transfers.
All government taxes, fuel surcharges, Park & Conservancy entrance fees are included and correct as at date of quote. However they are subject to government & local authority imposed changes, often without notice (!) and therefore beyond our control. We will always endeavour to minimise their impact and inform you if a supplement is required.
Exclusions: International airfares to & from your chosen destination. Visa fees, personal & travel insurance, excursions not specified, drinks unless specified, laundry, telephone or internet costs, gratuities, and all other personal expenses. Some airports now charge safety fees, which are payable directly at each airport upon departure.
In India, at many historic monuments, as well as in National Parks, you may be required to pay a video &/or still camera fee. These vary and can only be paid directly at the gate.
Additional things to consider: Busy times of the year normally have a supplement added by the accommodation providers - Easter, Xmas & New Year holidays. These will be included in our costs - so no surprises when you get there!
Q: When is the best time to go to India?
A: It depends on what you want to see & experience, and how comfortable you are with hot and often humid conditions!
We recommend wildlife viewing in India from December through to June. Wildlife viewing is good throughout the dry season, getting better later in the season as the vegetation dies back. The cooler months are more comfortable for travel. The hotter months (and we mean HOT!) are for the serious wildlife lover, when the wildlife viewing can be spectacular.
If you're constrained to travelling at a particular time, don't worry: we'll recommend the best places & parks to visit at that time.
If you have specific interests - such as seeing tigers, rhinos, elephants, lions or wild dogs - then you do need to travel at the right time of year, AND to the right destination.
Guide to the safari seasons & the best time to go to India
For wildlife viewing in India, the Indian National Parks are open from the end of October to the end of June.
Temperature-wise The most pleasant time to travel in India is between December & February. These months usually have the most comfortable temperature range. February, March & early April are the optimum months for wildlife viewing - this takes into account the wildlife movements, missing the monsoon & avoiding the heat! For 'hard-core' wildlife photographers & videographers, May & June are excellent months, however the temperatures are high (as high as 45C/ 115F, or more)! |
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For Tigers & Asiatic Lion There are a number of different National Parks in India where you can explore for tigers - Bandavgarh, Kanha, Ranthambore, Corbett, & Kaziranga are the most well known. For wildlife viewing, February to June is best, as animals concentrate around water holes as vegetation dies down & due to the higher temperatures. The later in the season you can go, the better! However, by May the temperature is usually too hot for most people, with temperatures in the mid to high 40s, Centigrade (105-115F). |
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Asiatic Rhino (One Horned Indian Rhino) We recommend rhino viewing from November through to mid April. The best time is around February to March as the India National Parks authority usually do controlled burning in January, so the grass is shorter, making it easier to see wildlife. |
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Whenever you choose to travel, rest assured that when you choose to travel with us, we will advise you of the best safari locations, safari seasons and safari dates for your particular interests.