India is home to more cats than any other country. Five charismatic cats – caracal, rusty-spotted cat, jungle cat, desert wildcat and leopard – all live in the states of Rajasthan and Gujarat.
This pioneering trip goes in search of these five, plus many other mammals and birds. The traditional Rajasthani villages of Jawai and Siana are famed for leopards, but are also home to desert wildcat, jungle cat and rusty-spotted cat, which is a Subcontinent endemic and the world’s smallest cat. The vast wetlands, saltpans and semi-desert of the Great Rann of Kutch support the exquisite caracal. Desert and Indian foxes, Asiatic wild ass, striped hyena and chinkara are all possible too.
Suggested Itinerary
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Day 1:
Depart UK
Depart the UK on an overnight flight to Mumbai.
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Day 2:
Arrive in Mumbai, fly to Udaipur, transfer to Jawai
On arrival in Mumbai you take a connecting flight to Udaipur where you will be met and transferred to the village of Jawai. In the evening you take your first safari in search of leopard, rusty-spotted cat, jungle cat and desert wildcat.
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Days 3-4
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Safaris in Jawai
You spend two full days in Jawai, taking morning and evening safaris in search of the cats which live here, in addition to Asian golden jackal, Indian wolf, striped hyena and chinkara.
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Days 5-6
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Explore Siana for wildlife
In addition to many of the mammals found in Jawai, Siana is home to Indian and desert foxes and caracal.
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Days 7-8
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Explore the Little Rann of Kutch
Last home of the khur (a subspecies of Asiatic wild ass), the Little Rann of Kutch is also a fine site for desert and Indian foxes, jungle cat, Indian wolf and chinkara. You have a full day to explore this little known wilderness.
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Days 9-12
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Explore the Great Rann of Kutch
In the far west of Gujarat, the Great Rann is a vast plain composed of saltpans, wetlands and semi-desert. In addition to great flocks of cranes, flamingos, geese and ducks, and their attendant raptors, it is home to caracal, Indian wolf, nilgai and a host of smaller mammals. You have three full days to explore the wildlife and culture of this remarkable place.
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Day 13:
Transfer to Bhuj by road, fly to Mumbai & depart
This morning, following a final safari, you transfer to Bhuj and take a domestic flight to Mumbai. Here you catch your international flight to the UK, arriving the following day.
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Day 14:
Arrive UK
