The Classic Tiger Safari – Tigers of Central India
Tiger – The greatest of the cats, a charismatic, enigmatic, elusive predator. The largest of the world’s big cats is found in the greatest numbers in its last stronghold, India. Central India is the tiger heartland of the country. With some of the largest contiguous stretches of tiger habitat, and an estimated population of 350 animals, this is some of the best country for tiger watching. On this classic safari, Enchanted India takes you on a journey of discovery and exploration to wilderness areas, led by the best guides, on a quest for the Royal Bengal Tiger. This is truly an opportunity to meet Shere Khan in Kipling Country.
Best Time: Mid October – June
Outline Itinerary:
Day 0: Arrive at Delhi
Day 01: Delhi – Agra – Katni
Day 02: Katni – Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve
Day 03-05: Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve
Day 06: Bandhavgarh – Kanha Tiger Reserve
Day 07-10: Kanha Tiger Reserve
Day 11: Kanha – Tadoba Tiger Reserve
Day 12-14: Tadoba Tiger Reserve
Day 15: Tadoba – Nagpur – Delhi
The journey
Your journey begins from Delhi when you set out to Central India with a brief stop to see the Taj Mahal at Agra. Central India is home to some of the best forest areas of India and some of the greatest Tiger Reserves scattered along the Satpura Maikal Hills and the Vindhayan Ranges. Your first destination is the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in the Central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.
Bandhavgarh, literally translating to Brother’s Fort, is the hunting reserve of the Maharajah of Rewa. Rewa is famous as being the place where the first White Tiger, Mohan, was captured alive and bred. All white Tigers today are progeny of Mohan. In 1968, the Maharajah handed over the reserve to the Government of India and it was declared a National Park.
The Park has a rich history and archaeological heritage. The fort still has a live temple and a shrine to the sufi poet-saint Kabir. Bandhavgarh has a number of cave dwellings scattered all over with inscriptions in the ancient language of Pali. With four ranges, the Reserve has 37 mammalian species and over 350 bird species.
Kanha Tiger Reserve is one of the oldest and largest Project Tiger Reserves in the country. With an estimated population of over 100 tigers, Kanha is a perennial favourite for tiger watching. Famous for its Sal (Shorea robusta) forests and open meadows, Kanha is also home to the highly endangered, endemic deer – the Hard Ground Swamp Deer or Barasingha. The Park has Tigers, leopards, sloth bear, wild dogs and a total of 43 species of mammals and about 277 bird species. Kanha was the hunting reserves of the British Viceroy’s of India.
From Kanha you travel across an ecocline to the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve in the neighbouring state of Maharashtra. Tadoba is the largest National Park in the state and referred to as the ‘Jewel of the Vidarbha’. With 65 tigers and 195 bird species, Tadoba is considered one of the finest places to view and photograph tigers today. It is also excellent for sightings of the fabled Whistling dogs or Dhole.
From Tadoba you return to Delhi via the city of Nagpur.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 0: Delhi
Arrival in Delhi. Check into your hotel.
Day 01: Delhi-Agra-Katni
You take an early morning train to Agra where you see the Taj Mahal. You then catch a connecting train in the evening to the town of Katni in Central India.
Day02: Katni – Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve
You are received at the railway station at Katni and driven to Bandhavgarh. This journey takes you through beautiful landscapes and picturesque tribal villages and takes about two hours. At Tala village you check into your lodge and in the afternoon go for your first safari in the Tiger Reserve. Overnight in Lodge
Day 03-05: Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve
You will do two safaris a day in one of the four forest ranges of Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve – Tala, Maghdhi, Milli and Khitauli. Overnight in Lodge
Day 06: Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve – Kanha Tiger Reserve
After the morning safari you will drive to the Kanha Tiger Reserve. The journey will take you through some magical rural landscapes and across the River Narmada. Check into your lodge and enjoy an evening of leisure. Overnight in Lodge
Day 07-10: Kanha Tiger Reserve
Three days of safaris follow. The safaris will be in one of the four zones open to tourism – Kanha, Kisli, Mukki or Sarhi.
Day 11: Kanha Tiger Reserve – Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve
You will drive to Tadoba Tiger Reserve in the morning after an early breakfast. Since this is a long drive you will be carrying a picnic lunch with you. You arrive in Tadoba in the late afternoon and check into your lodge. Evening at Leisure.
Day 12-14: Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve
Three days of Safari follow in Tadoba.
Day 15: Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve – Nagpur – Delhi
You leave Tadoba to return to Delhi from the Airport at Nagpur.