Largest Cats

Tigers are the largest cats in the world, ahead of lions, jaguars, pumas and leopards. Like most cats, tigers are largely solitary creatures, with males living alone except during territorial fights and mating.

           Conservation Success

Tiger populations have recovered from fewer than 1,800 individuals in the 1970s to over 4,000 today, thanks to dedicated protection efforts across India's expanding network of reserves.

          Quality Reserves

India operates well-established tiger reserves with experienced guides and proven track records for wildlife viewing, particularly in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

          Large Home Ranges

Tigers require very large territories to find sufficient prey and maintain distances from each other. Most reserves support populations of 30-70 individuals maximum.

          Photographer Permits

These permits allow all-day access instead of standard two-hour sessions, providing opportunities for quality encounters away from crowds. They offer earlier entrance and multi zone access inside the core zone.

         Seasonal Advantages

The heat builds from November to May, making tigers increasingly likely to visit waterholes. Sightings climb dramatically in April, but temperatures can be oppressive.

            3-4 nights 

3-4 nights is the minimum we recommend for a tiger safari. This allows for 6-8 game drives across two reserves, giving you a reasonable chance of tiger sightings while experiencing different park environments. This duration works well for those combining tigers with other India experiences like the Golden Triangle.

           5-7 nights

5-7 nights represents the optimal duration for most visitors. This timeframe allows you to visit 2-3 different reserves, each with their own character and tiger populations. You'll have 10-14 game drives, significantly improving your odds of quality encounters. This duration also allows for some flexibility if weather or other factors affect particular days.

             8-10 nights

8-10 nights is recommended for serious wildlife enthusiasts or photographers. This extended period allows for visits to 3-4 different reserves, including some of the more remote locations. You'll have time to really understand tiger behaviour and potentially witness hunting, territorial displays, or family interactions. This duration also justifies the expense of photographer permits in multiple locations.

The cost of tiger trips

Tiger safari trips can range from USD 2,000 to USD 8,000 per person for a complete India experience, excluding international flights. The wide variation depends primarily on accommodation choices, duration, number of reserves visited, and whether you opt for photographer permits.

For budget-conscious travellers (USD 2,000-3,500 per person), we focus on one or two reserves with simpler accommodation options. This typically includes 4-5 nights with standard game drives in government-run lodges or basic private properties. Transport is usually by road, and we avoid the premium reserves during peak season.

For mid-range budgets (USD 3,500-5,500 per person), we can include 2-3 reserves with a mix of accommodation standards. This allows for some higher-end properties in prime locations, combined with more basic options in secondary areas. We can include some internal flights to reduce travel time and add one photographer permit.

For higher budgets (USD 5,500-8,000+ per person), we create comprehensive experiences combining the finest lodges across multiple reserves. This includes photographer permits in 2-3 locations, internal flights between destinations, and extended stays that maximize your chances of exceptional encounters.

The single biggest cost variable is photographer permits, which can add USD 300-800 per person per day depending on the reserve. These permits transform the experience but represent a significant investment.

Accommodation ranges from government forest lodges at around USD 150 per night to luxury private properties at USD 800+ per night. The mid-range options around USD 300-500 per night often provide the best balance of comfort and location.

Transport costs vary significantly depending on whether you travel by road (included in most packages) or internal flights (USD 200-400 per sector). Road travel between reserves can be long but is often scenic.

Park fees and guide costs are relatively standardized across reserves, typically adding USD 50-80 per person per game drive.

Most guests find that investing in quality accommodation and at least one photographer permit significantly enhances the overall experience, making the additional cost worthwhile for this once-in-a-lifetime wildlife encounter.

Our insider tips

To many, the word 'safari' immediately conjures up a vision of Africa, its plains and beautiful landscapes. The idea of an Indian safari is less well known, but India offers a unique wildlife experience that differs significantly from its African equivalent. Unlike African countries with national parks boards, India's parks are controlled by individual state forestry commissions, each setting their own rules for park use.

Indian safaris operate with smaller, more agile jeeps rather than the powerful Land Cruisers used in Africa, as narrow forest roads thread through valleys, ridges and grasslands. 

Game drives typically include multiple guides - a lodge naturalist, forest ranger, and tracker - meaning you're surrounded by experts. The parks are divided into core zones and buffer zones, with most lodges situated in buffer areas that allow free movement of wildlife.

It is important to us to ensure we provide a high quality safari experience.

In Central India, you can upgrade to what is called a 'Full Day or Photography Permit'. This entitles you to stay in the reserve all day, instead of an early morning or late afternoon safari. You are able to enter the park 30 minutes earlier, avoiding some safari vehicle traffic, as well as multi zone access within the core zone of the national park.

The heat of the day can be really oppressive, especially as the November to May season builds into the last two months, but this does mean that the tigers are increasingly likely to come to the waterholes to bathe. Sightings climb dramatically into April, but you certainly pay a price with the heat.

The best time to see tigers

The tiger viewing season in India runs from November through May, when the parks are open and weather conditions allow for regular safari activities. The parks close during the monsoon season from June to October.

November to February offers the most comfortable temperatures for visitors, with cool mornings and pleasant daytime conditions. However, tigers tend to be less active during cooler periods and may not visit waterholes as frequently. Vegetation is still relatively thick from the monsoon, which can make spotting more challenging.

March and April represent the peak tiger viewing period. As temperatures rise, tigers become increasingly dependent on water sources, leading to more predictable sightings around lakes and rivers. The vegetation has died back significantly, improving visibility. This is when most serious tiger enthusiasts choose to visit.

May can be extremely hot, with temperatures often exceeding 45°C (113°F). However, this is also when tiger sightings reach their absolute peak, as the cats are forced to visit water sources throughout the day. If you can handle the heat, May offers the best chances of quality encounters.

The timing of your visit will significantly affect not just your chances of seeing tigers, but also the crowds you'll encounter and the prices you'll pay. March and April are the busiest months, requiring advance booking and commanding premium rates.

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Bandhavgarh National Park

Bandhavgarh National Park in Madhya Pradesh offers the highest density of tigers per square kilometer in India, with around 50-60 tigers in a relatively compact area. The park's excellent road network and smaller size make it the most reliable location for first-time visitors, with tiger sightings reported on over 80% of game drives during peak season.

The park is divided into three main zones, with Tala zone offering the highest tiger densities but also the most crowds. Tiger sightings are frequent around the main watering holes, though this popularity also means higher vehicle traffic around popular areas.

Kanha National Park

Kanha National Park, also in Madhya Pradesh, provides more varied terrain with open meadows where tigers can be observed hunting in daylight hours. The park supports around 80-90 tigers and is famous for its successful conservation of the hard ground barasingha deer.

Kanha's landscape of sal forests, grasslands and bamboo thickets creates excellent photographic opportunities. The park is larger than Bandhavgarh, which spreads out vehicle traffic and creates a more peaceful experience, though this also means longer drives between different areas.

Pench National Park

Pench National Park tends to be less crowded than the other major reserves while still offering good tiger densities, with around 40-50 tigers across the Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra sections. The park straddles both states, with the Madhya Pradesh side generally preferred for tiger viewing.

Pench's terrain is characterized by undulating hills, teak forests, and the Pench River running through the center. The quality of tiger encounters can be higher due to reduced vehicle pressure, particularly in the buffer zones where some of the best sightings occur.

           Seasonal planning

The dry season (July-October) offers the easiest wildlife viewing, but June and early November are 'secret seasons' with excellent sightings and far fewer visitors. Early June can be particularly rewarding.

           Jaguar viewing
 
While many lodges advertise jaguar sightings, the northern 'Jaguarland' area around Porto Jofre offers unparalleled reliability. Early morning and late afternoon boat trips avoid the midday crowds.

           Lodge locations

The Pantanal is vast, with distinct northern and southern sectors. We often recommend combining areas - perhaps the reliable jaguar viewing of the north with the exclusive ranch experiences of the south.

           Boat traffic

Peak season can see up to 20 boats at a single jaguar sighting. We know the best lodges and locations to avoid crowds - staying upstream from Porto Jofre or choosing more remote southern properties. 

           Conservation focus

Look for lodges actively involved in conservation. Properties compensating local ranchers for jaguar predation or conducting research programs often offer more meaningful and exclusive experiences.

          Special seasons 

The annual floods (December-March) transform the landscape. While challenging for general wildlife viewing, this period offers spectacular birding and unique photography opportunities.

          Multiple Locations

The best areas for tiger viewing are Bandhavgarh, Kanha, Pench and Tadoba in Madhya Pradesh, and Ranthambore in Rajasthan, each offering different advantages.

          Exclusivity

We only offer private safaris, with clients joined by an in-house naturalist and an additional guide from the Forest Department to assist with tracking on safari.

          Practical Challenges

Strict park regulations mean most visitors see tigers surrounded by multiple vehicles. Higher quality experiences require careful planning and additional investment.

Kaziranga National Park

Kaziranga National Park in Assam offers a completely different tiger viewing experience, where elephant-back safaris are necessary due to the tall elephant grass that can grow up to 3 meters high, making vehicle safaris largely impractical. While tiger densities are lower than the central Indian parks, with around 100-120 tigers across the much larger area, the experience of viewing from elephant-back is unique and offers a perspective impossible elsewhere.

The park's primary claim to fame is its population of over 2,400 one-horned rhinoceros, making it an excellent destination for those wanting to combine tiger viewing with other rare wildlife experiences.

Ranthambore National Park

Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan provides a unique setting with the ruins of the 10th-century Ranthambore Fort creating dramatic backdrops for tiger photography. The park supports around 60-70 tigers in a landscape quite different from the central Indian reserves.

The park has recovered remarkably well from past challenges and now offers reliable sightings, particularly around the lakes during hot weather when tigers come to drink and cool off. It's the most accessible option for those staying in Delhi or visiting Rajasthan.