Overview & Highlights

Immerse yourself into the mystical forests and landscapes of India which inspired ‘The Jungle Book’, by Rudyard Kipling (published in 1894); a childhood adventure, featuring Mowgli, Shere Khan, Rikki-Tikki-Tavi, Toomai of the Elephants and Balloo the Bear.

This tailor made wildlife safari brings the characters to real life in Tadoba National Park and Pench National Park. Nothing compares to the thrill of seeing magnificent tigers up close, looking into the eyes of these precious big cats.

Travel into the heart of Kipling’s India and follow the trail of the endangered Royal Bengal Tiger. Enjoy safari drives guided by expert naturalists.

Kipling’s descriptions of the jungle’s big villain, Shere Khan, may be terrifying, but nothing compares to the visceral thrill of seeing a real tiger up close. The first encounter, that magical moment when you lock eyes with one of these precious big cats, stays with you for life.

Recent reports indicate tiger populations have increased for the first time in over 100 years – good news!

Throughout India Project Tiger works alongside tourism and conservation bodies in 47 of India’s wildlife parks.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Track elusive tigers in Tadoba & Pench National Parks
• Spot some of the famous characters of The Jungle Book
• Experience diverse wildlife landscapes and habitats
• Superb birdwatching opportunities
• Explore two of India’s lesser visited National Parks

Pench National Park in southern Madhya Pradesh contains some of the most pristine surviving pockets of dry deciduous sal forest in the subcontinent, and is one of the best places to spot the elusive Tigers.

This little known park is a genuine off the beaten track wildlife gem, where the chances of sightings – both of tiger and leopard – are as good as anywhere in India.

Pressure on game drives here is significantly less than the more famous parks further north, which makes for a more enjoyable experience for the visitor and better habitats for the wildlife.

Whilst exploring the park’s pot holed roads in Jeeps, wildlife you may encounter include packs of wild dogs and striped hyena and herds of chital deer as well as the odd gaur (bison) and nilgai (blue bull) lumbering through the forest.

Tadoba National Park is notably Maharashtra’s oldest and largest National Park, also known as the “Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve”

The Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve is one of India’s most exciting and best protected tiger reserves, with the most visible number of tiger sightings in the State of Maharashtra. Overlooked by tourism until recently, due to it being off the beaten track, it offers wonderful wildlife experiences.

Divided into three separate forest ranges, wildlife habitats here are diverse. Including two lakes and a river running through the park, which provide vital natural resources to sustain wildlife and birding here is superb.

As well as Tigers, species found in Tadoba include Indian Leopards, Sloth bears, Gaur, Nilgai, Dhole, Striped Hyena, Small Indian Civet, Jungle Cats, Sambar, Spotted Deer, Barking Deer, Chital, Marsh Crocodile, Indian Python, Grey-headed Fish Eagle, Crested Serpent Eagle and many, many more!

Suggested outline itinerary:

• Day 1: Fly from London to Delhi (connect on flight to Nagpur)
• Day 2: On arrival into Nagpur you will be met and transferred to a hotel to freshen up. After breakfast you will proceed to Tadoba, which is approximately a 2 hour drive. Tadoba x 3 nights
• Days 3 & 4: Tadoba has been chosen due its healthy population of tigers. The park is also famous for numerous other animals, including leopard, wild dogs, hyena, jackal, sloth bear, and wild boar – as well as many others. Enjoy morning and evening private game safaris in the park.
• Day 5: Head to the park early morning for one last private game safari. Travel to Pench National Park (approx. 6 hour drive) after breakfast. Nestled in the lower southern reaches of the Satpura hills, the park is named after Pench river which flows from north to south. Pench x 3 nights
• Days 6-7: Pench is divided up into four different forest regions. Two days of private game drives here, village walks are also possible.
• Day 8: Transfer back to Nagpur airport and begin your journey home (or extend to other parts of India).

This is just one example of a bespoke holiday to India. If you want to explore Rajasthan, here is another sample itinerary, staying in luxury hotels.

Contact me to create your own tailor made itinerary, or ask about joining a group escorted tour to India.