This tour explores central India’s wildlife hotspots in search of tiger, sloth bear, leopard, wild dog, and a superb variety of birds, and includes a visit to the ever-impressive Taj Mahal.
Our journey begins with an avian focus while exploring Chambal and Bharatpur, each of which offers spectacular birding and a chance to find the endangered gharial. We then head to Satpura National Park, which is little known but unique in offering walks and boat safaris away from the crowds. The dry bamboo forest and open landscape of Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve offer fantastic photographic opportunities, with great scope for birding and other wildlife viewing. The park has boasted some of the best tiger sightings in recent years.
Typical Itinerary
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Day 1:
Depart UK
We depart London on an overnight flight to Delhi.
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Day 2:
Arrive in Delhi
Arriving in Delhi this morning, we transfer to our hotel and the rest of the day is free to relax and enjoy at our leisure.
Accommodation: Pride Plaza Hotel Aerocity, 1-night
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Day 3:
Birdwatching in Bharatpur
In the morning we drive to Bharatpur, also known as Keoladeo Ghana National Park, a bird reserve which is both a Ramsar and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Amongst the species that may be spotted during early morning and afternoon guided excursions are black-necked stork, greater and Indian spotted eagles, sarus crane, black bittern and large-tailed nightjar.
The park also boasts an interesting range of mammals and reptiles. Sambar, chital, nilgai, wild boar, rhesus macaque, golden jackal and five-striped palm-squirrel are all commonly seen. Local guides can also often find Indian monitors and Indian rock pythons.
Accommodation: Laxmi Villas Palace Hotel, 1-night
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Days 4-6
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Birding in Chambal
We leave Bharatpur and drive to Chambal, a fantastic wetland bird reserve. National Chambal Sanctuary provides protection for increasing populations of around 2,000 gharials and more than 300 marsh crocodiles, both species previously decimated by poaching, along with eight species of turtles, and smooth-coated otters. It boasts an impressive and rapidly increasing list of birds with over 290 species of resident and migratory birds, and is gaining a reputation as one of the most reliable places to see the Indian skimmer.
From a boat safari on the Chambal River, accompanied by a local naturalist expert, to nature walks through the National Chambal Sanctuary, or blackbuck jeep safari in the Chambal ravines, during our stay here we have plenty of time to explore the rich diversity Chambal has to offer.
Accommodation: Chambal Safari Lodge, 3-nights
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Day 7:
Visit Agra – The Taj Mahal & Agra Fort
This morning we leave Chambal and drive to Agra where we transfer to our hotel. After lunch we visit the majestic Taj Mahal and Agra Fort.
Accommodation: Grand Mercure Agra, 1-night
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Days 8-11
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Safaris in Satpura & Pachmarhi
We leave Agra and travel to Bhopal and on to Satpura. Central India’s least known national park covers 524 square kilometres and is trebled by the adjoining sanctuaries of Bori and Pachmarhi, creating a unique highland ecosystem.
We have two full days to explore Satpura, and we enjoy morning and evening drives into the buffer zone. Rich in biodiversity, although not yet widely visited, Satpura offers opportunities for nature walks and boat safaris within the park. In addition, traditional jeep safaris search for the magnificent tiger, the elusive leopard and the sloth bear, and for birds including Indian peafowl, Indian eagle owl and Indian grey hornbill. Our four days here will combine all the different wildlife experiences on offer within the park.
Accommodation: Reni Pani Jungle Lodge, 3 nights and Welcomheritage Golf View, 1 night
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Days 12-15
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Explore Tadoba
This morning, we leave Satpura and Pachmarhi for our drive to Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve. Here, we have three full days of wildlife activities, and Tadoba offers our best chance for a grand tiger finale.
Maharashtra’s largest and oldest national park, created in 1955, Tadoba is one of India’s Project Tiger reserves. With its forested hills, glistening lakes and open grasslands, this beautiful park is home to an important population of tigers (estimated at around 100 individuals). Among the other classic Indian mammals found here are leopard, sloth bear, gaur, Asian wild dog and striped hyena. The area is also an ornithologist’s paradise. Birds commonly seen here include brown fish owl, crested serpent eagle, grey junglefowl and oriental paradise flycatcher.
Accommodation: Svasara Jungle Lodge, 4-nights
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Day 16:
Return to Delhi
This morning we transfer by road to Nagpur, where we have lunch before our flight back to Delhi. We then transfer to the hotel and the rest of the day is free to do a city tour, explore the art and craft markets or just relax by the pool. In the evening we have our farewell dinner and reflect on our recent incredible wildlife encounters.
Accommodation: Pride Plaza Hotel Aerocity, 1-night
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Day 17:
Fly to the UK
We transfer to the airport and board our flight to London.
