Central India Tiger Safari

About this Safari

This is a sample itinerary – for inspiration only

The actual trips are either full/or already been conducted

A Central Indian Tiger Safari

We descend from the Himalayas (for those joining our first section) and fly from Delhi to Nagpur to start our Wildlife Safari in Central India at Tadoba Tiger Reserve. The park has emerged as one of the finest habitats to see the Tiger in recent years and is also a excellent site for the Sloth Bear, Indian Wild Dogs and Leopards, including a bold Black Panther (melanistic). Other predators include the Jungle Cat, Golden Jackal, Striped Hyena and the highly nocturnal Honey Badger. The rich prey base comprises Spotted Deer, Sambar, Wild Boar, Nilgai, Munjtac, Chousingha – four – horned antelope and Gaur.

Driving across the state border to Madhya Pradesh, our next stop is the scenic Pench Tiger Reserve. Pench holds a significant place in the natural history of Central India, as vividly described in Rudyard Kipling’s Jungle Book, which highlights the region’s rich fauna. The reserve provides an idyllic habitat for mammals such as Sloth bears, Leopards, Tigers, Indian Wild Dogs, and Gaurs. We will also take a night drive in the park’s buffer zone to look for the smallest wild feline in India – the Rusty-spotted Cat. While searching for the tiger, you should also add some birds to your checklist. Notable species include Mottled Wood Owl, Grey-headed Fish Eagle, Lesser Adjutant Stork, Painted Spurfowl, Jungle Bush Quail, Brown Fish Owl, Orange-headed Thrush, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Indian Scops Owl, Crested tree Swift, Sirkeer Malkoha, Scarlet Minivet, White-rumped Shama, Indian Nightjar and Indian Thick-knee.

SANGEETA SAHAYA

Snow Leopards, Tigers, Red Pandas & More

You’ve heard that old adage “Once Bitten Twice Shy?”  Well, that’s not our motto at all.

Anytime we get bitten (by the wildlife bug) that only makes us Twice As Curious, and ever more eager to explore our natural world.

This is the spirit in which we have designed this unique 3-pronged safari that will hopefully bring us into proximity with several of the most elusive animals of the Indian sub-continent.

Section 1: The Mountain Kingdom of the Snow Leopard In the Himalayas, our safari will take place on the other-worldly Ladakh Plateau, and we will focus our efforts on the Snow Leopard, Pallas Cat and the Siberian Lynx. With some luck, we’ll also see other Himalayan specialties like the Tibetan Wolf, Blue Sheep, Ladakh Urial, Red Fox, Mountain Weasel, and Large-eared Pika.

Section 2: The Jungle Kingdom of the Bengal Tiger In the dappled jungles of Central India, we’ll shift our focus onto the Royal Bengal Tiger, whilst also keeping a sharp eye out for the Sloth Bear, Indian Wild Dogs (dholes) and Leopards, Jungle Cat, Golden Jackal, Striped Hyena all manner of herbivores, including the majestic (and enormous) Indian Gaur.

Section 3: The Misty Mountains of the Red Panda & Sipping Tea in Darjeeling The last wildlife leg of this epic trip will take us on a Red Panda quest to the eastern part of the great Himalayan Range, where in addition to this unique Aluridae, we also hope to see yellow-throated marten, Blood Pheasant, Kalij Pheasant, Satyr Tragopan, and on clear days, four of the world’s five highest peaks, including Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Kangchenjunga. This trip has been designed in such a way that you can join us for any of Sections 1, 2 and 3 – or do the whole trifecta, if you have the time. Each leg has been priced separately.

I can’t wait to go on this one myself! Join me if you can. – Sangeeta

Rates –

• The 09 day / 08 night Snow Leopard Expedition in the Himalayas costs USD 6190 per person.
• Costs are based on six to eight participants sharing a twin or double room.