India Tiger Safari
Experience Overview
Bengal tigers are a highly seductive class-A predator; they are also desperately endangered. Seeing one in the wild is intoxicating, which is why this comprehensive safari visits three of the best tiger parks in India. Pench, Kanha and Bandhavgarh national parks are all ideal for viewing both predator and prey, and with 15 game drives included the chances of seeing the magnificent Bengal tiger are greatly increased. There are many other animals to see, too, but tigers remain top of the agenda throughout.
Profile
— Accommodation: 12 Superior nights (hotels), 2 Classic nights (hotels), 1 Simple night (sleeper train) — Travel by 4x4, train and air-conditioned private bus — Group normally 4 to 16, plus leader. Minimum age: 16
At a Glance
— Accommodation: 12 Superior nights (hotels), 2 Classic nights (hotels), 1 Simple night (sleeper train) — Travel by 4x4, train and air-conditioned private bus — Group normally 4 to 16, plus leader. Minimum age: 16
Trip For You
This trip has been rated Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate) with a Wildlife Rating of Five. Please visit the Activity Level Guidelines page for more information on our trip gradings, or our Wildlife Holidays page for more on our Wildlife Ratings. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us.
This tour is not physically demanding; however, days can be long (up to nine hours) and busy on occasion, especially when taking the overnight train and driving from park to park. The roads are generally pretty good, but local traffic and/or road damage after the monsoon can slow us down. We travel on comparatively quiet roads for at least half the journey but the road between Pench and Kanha is known to be bad.
Please be aware, there are very early morning starts (4.30am for example) on consecutive days at each national park as this is the best time to get out and spot tigers, which can make for much longer days. We do expect you to have several tiger sightings across this trip; however, the wildlife is free-roaming and unpredictable and we, unfortunately, cannot guarantee you will see tigers or other animals on every game drive. Some days may feel long and uneventful on your search for the elusive tiger but the sightings you do have, are always an exhilarating reward for the wait!
The jeeps throughout the national parks are simple and will often require you to step up into them and have a noticeable step down from them. On the game drives, you will be navigating bumpy tracks for most of the day and this can be uncomfortable for some after a long day in the jeep.
Monuments
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is responsible for the conservation of many monuments in India, including the Taj Mahal. Very occasionally, this means work is taking place at sites visited on this trip. The ASI schedule is never published, so it is impossible to predict when work will take place.
Game drive regulations – book early!
The management of national parks by the Indian authorities and the system for booking game drives is very rigid. The number of 4x4s that can enter national parks has been reduced, and all game drives need to be booked and paid for well in advance.
We must provide a list of client names and passport details at the time of booking each game drive. Once game drives are booked, they are non‐refundable and name changes are not permitted. If you renew your passport after the game drives are booked, you must travel with both your old and new passports so the authorities can ascertain the authenticity of the previous passport mentioned in the booking.
You cannot change or swap 4x4s during the trip. It is four people per vehicle, so please let us know at the time of booking if you are a group of five or more travelling together with separate bookings to ensure you are seated appropriately.
Due to ongoing changes in the system, the following guidelines and conditions now apply to all bookings:
1) We cannot guarantee the operation of any departure until we have the necessary game drives secured. We aim to secure game drives from a variety of gates/zones as per the itinerary, but please be aware that this is subject to availability. The date at which we book the game drives will vary depending on when the booking system allows us to do so for your departure, usually will be around 120 days before travel but this is subject to change.
2) Within 120 days prior to travel it may be possible to book passengers onto a departure after the game drives have been confirmed but additional supplement costs are likely to be incurred. If we have made initial game drive bookings for a departure, we may need to wait until we have a further three or four clients ready to book before we can secure an additional vehicle and spread the cost of any supplement.
3) At the time of booking the game drives, approximately 120 days prior to travel, they are non‐refundable. If for any reason we are unable to secure the game drives and we must cancel the trip, you receive a full refund.
4) We want to encourage you to book this trip as far in advance as possible; we are confident we can secure the game drives needed if passengers are book four to five months in advance of the departure date.
5) It is important we have your correct passport details at the time of booking. If you end up travelling on a different passport, you must carry your old passport, or a photocopy of it, with you. If this isn’t possible, you will need a letter from the passport agency regarding the change of passport, specifying the details of the old passport and the details of the new passport issued.
We regret that these measures are necessary, but we are keen to ensure we secure the game drives as early as possible.
Group Description
Our Indian team has proved very popular with clients with their incredible knowledge, passion and hospitality adding greatly to the experience. There is no better way to experience Indian culture than having a local guide show you around their country.
During the game drives each vehicle will be accompanied by a local Forest Guard (mandatory by the local authorities). The Forest Guards are part of a initiative by the national park authorities to generate employment opportunities for the local villages surrounding the area. They have excellent awareness of the local wildlife and skilled in tracking however, many have very limited English skills so will often communicate through hand signals rather than conversation. Your local Leader however, will rotate around the safari jeeps to ensure you all have an opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the wildlife through his translation.
We will always endeavour to rotate the group around the game drive jeeps to allow you to mix with other members travelling on your departure. However, due to the nature of the Forestry booking system, we secure the main jeeps around 120 days prior to travel, therefore if you confirm onto this trip, after the main jeeps have been secured, this will limit our ability to mix you up across the whole group on the game drives and you may be allocated with same passengers on each game drive throughout the trip.
If you are a bird enthusiast or, just keen to identify the local birds (of which there will be plenty to see) our expert leader, Krishna recommends downloading the app "Merlin Bird ID by cornell Lab" as a great way to quickly identify the many species you'll spot on this trip.
Eating Drinking
Breakfast and 11 dinners are included.
Allow around 1,400 - 2,400 rupees (US$20-US$35) per day for lunch and dinner. You can eat out very cheaply in India, but if you go to the more expensive restaurants, you will spend more than the suggested amount. In Agra and Delhi, there is a good choice of restaurants and a selection of Indian and Western food. If you are a vegetarian, India is probably one of the best destinations to travel to with a wide range of dishes on offer. Please note, there are usually some non-spicy curries while we’re at the national parks, but these are in limited supply. Tea and soft drinks are very cheap. A (large) bottle of beer is approximately 600 rupees (US$7). Mineral water is widely available. Please note, service in restaurants can be quite slow.
Transportation
We use a combination of private minibus, SUVs and a train for our journey, and 4x4s in the national parks. The 4x4s are exclusive to Exodus guests with only four clients allocated to each. All vehicles except the 4x4s will be air-conditioned. Please note that seat belts are not always available on the national park 4x4 jeeps.
Train journeys: The overnight train from Katni to Agra will be booked in second-class (two-tier) air-conditioned sleeper (occasionally we may have to use three-tier if this is unavailable). See accommodation section for further information.
Game drives: At Pench, Kanha and Bandhavgarh, we use 4x4s (we only put four group members in each vehicle allowing you extra space and comfort). During the game drives, each vehicle will be accompanied by a local forest guard; they are not local guides and their English and wildlife knowledge may not reach the same level as your Exodus leader. The Exodus leader will rotate between vehicles throughout the trip.
Domestic Flights: Please note the domestic flight from Delhi to Nagpur has the following baggage allowance (this may be lower than your international flight allowance).
Hand baggage: One bag up to 7kg and 115 cm (L+W+H : dimension: 55cm x 35cm x 25cm) per personCheck-in baggage: 15kg allowance per person (one piece only)Please note, electronic devices, power packs and batteries should be packed in hand luggage as these are not permitted in your hold/main luggage.Excess baggage charge: Approximately 580 rupees (US$7) per 1 kilogram over 15kg
Joining Instructions
Key information
Start hotel: Hotel Deventure, BP -11, near Shadipur Metro Station, Opposite Metro Pillar No 221, West Patel Nagar, New Delhi,110008
Phone: +91-99962 17770
Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today. There will be a welcome briefing in the evening, but if you miss it the leader will update you separately
Airport: Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL)
Getting to the start hotel
The start hotel is approximately 30 minutes’ drive from the airport. Exodus provides free arrival transfers to the start hotel from the airport for all customers. Check in is usually around midday. Your leader will be meeting up with the whole group sometime later in the day and there will be information at the hotel reception about this meeting time. If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative.
Catching your return flight
Exodus provides free departure transfers for all customers to Delhi Airport (DEL) from the end hotel.
Please note, unless specified otherwise, the transfers will be to the start (or pre-tour) hotel and from the end (or post-tour) hotel and will be on the date on which the tour starts/ends; transfers to other hotels in the same city and/or on different dates may attract an extra charge. Transfers should be booked with your sales representative at least two weeks before the tour starts.
Weather Information
September to April is the ideal time to visit these areas of northern India. Days are normally warm to hot and nights cool or mild. Humidity is very low with little or no rain. In March/April and September/October, it can get very hot during the day. Evenings in Delhi and at the game parks can be surprisingly cool. It gets very cold in the early mornings and evenings between December and February.
Spending Money
Money change facilities are available at the hotel in Delhi, your leader will arrange for a money changer to come into the hotel, you will receive a better rate here than the airport. Change most of your money here as there will be few opportunities to do so as we travel between the national parks. You can change money back from rupees into British pounds or US dollars at Delhi Airport; this has to be done before you go through security and please note that only one or two small outlets accept rupees in the departure lounge (the Duty Free shop does not accept rupees), you must produce an exchange receipt showing you changed money in India.
We recommend you allow at least 650 rupees (US$8) per day for minor purchases, such as soft drinks and small souvenirs.
There is now very little opportunity for optional extra game drives but if there is a chance they will cost approximately 10,000 - 14,000 rupees (US$120-US$170) per 4x4 depending upon the zones/gates you will access in the park (based on one to four people per vehicle). The park charges have recently been revised and some zones declared ‘premium zones’ with higher entrance fees. This has been done to regulate game drives and reduce pressure on the park. All optional game drives should be booked and paid for locally. The cost of game drives can change without our knowledge: the prices are correct at the time of publication.
Tipping
Tipping is part of the culture in India and is usually expected. Your tour leader will offer to arrange and look after a group tipping kitty, which will be used to tip hotel staff, drivers and any other support staff used throughout your trip. Your leader will suggest how much to contribute, depending on group size, but it is usually around 4,000 rupees (US$48) per person based on the maximum group size of 16 passengers. For smaller groups, the leader may ask to collect more than the suggested amount relative to the group size, this is to assist with covering the standard tipping expectations for things like the local guides, drivers, and hotel staff (which, are generally fixed amounts no matter the group size).
At any time during the trip, your leader will happily show you an account of how the kitty is being distributed. For smaller groups, the leader may have to collect more than the above amount.
Tipping of leaders is not included in the kitty and is at your own discretion. If you wish to show your appreciation, a tip of 350-430 rupees (US$4-US$5) per person per day would be appreciated.
Highlights
— Immersive yourself in the wilds of India on an in-depth tiger-watching adventure — Maximise your chances of seeing a Bengal tiger with 15 game drives across three national parks — Search for other wildlife: leopards, sloth bears, monkeys and more — Visit the magnificent Taj Mahal, a New Wonder of the World — Support the TOFTigers campaign to protect biodiversity and restore habitats
Trip Details
Product Code: 4159
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport: over 15kg
Guide Language: English
Tour Operator:
Exodus Travel
Supplier Code: WIW
Starts: Delhi, India
Finishes: Delhi, India
Duration: 16 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Unknown
Includes
— All breakfasts and 11 dinners included — All accommodation — All transport as per itinerary — All entrance fees and activities as per itinerary — 15 Game Drives, including park fees — Free arrival and departure transfers for everyoneAccommodation
Hotels, lodges and sleeper trainOn our search for tigers, we spend 14 nights in hotels and lodges and one night on an air-conditioned sleeper train. The accommodation typically used is on the day-to-day itinerary. However, below are a few of the notable places we stay on this trip. Kanha National Park: Celebration Van Vilas (nights 5-8) Just moments from the park entrance, Celebration Van Vilas is ideally placed for our exploration of Kanha. When you’re not out wildlife watching, take a refreshing dip in the pool or treat yourself to an Ayurvedic treatment in the spa. There’s also an outdoor yoga-meditation space, plus a gym and hot tub. Bandhavgarh National Park: Nature Heritage Resort (nights 9-12) Immerse yourself in the wilds of India at Nature Heritage Resort, which is just moments from Bandhavgarh National Park. We stay in air-conditioned cottages with views from the balcony over the Vindhyachal hills. There are also two multi-cuisine restaurants serving produce from local farms, plus a swimming pool with loungers. At night, our groups often gather around the campfire, swapping stories about the day’s wildlife sightings. Katni to Agra: Overnight train (night 13) Experience an icon of travel: the Indian sleeper train! Our journey takes us from Katni to Agra, skipping the long drive, while also allowing us to interact with the local people and sample the snacks often sold on board. The accommodation is basic: we normally stay in two-tier sleepers, the compartments sectioned off from the aisle by privacy curtains. Seats are allocated at the time the tickets are issued, so the whole group isn’t always together; however, our tour leader is an expert at making the journey as hassle-free as possible and will regularly check in with you. Worth knowing Hotels in India usually do not have heating as there are only a couple of months when the weather can get cold. You can, however, request more blankets if needed or the hotel may be able to provide a standing heater for your room. Please talk to your tour leader if you need help in this matter.On the rare occasion a lodge/hotel is overbooked, the accommodation in national parks will be in fixed safari tents, which are fitted with electric lights and an attached toilet with shower with hot and cold water readily available.It’s common for hotels in India to have limited times in the day for hot water use to save energy. If you find your shower is cold, please let your leader or reception know so they can make sure the water heater is on.Within the sleeper train, you may be sharing a compartment of four beds with members of the public depending on how the seats are allocated.Single accommodation excludes sleeper trains.
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $6,080 ($380 /day)
Itinerary
The group flight arrives at Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) and we transfer to our hotel approximately 30 minutes away. You can normally check in around midday. Those not travelling on the group flight, please ensure you provide your flight details at least 2 weeks prior to arrival to secure your airport transfer. There will be a welcome briefing in the evening, your Leader will advise the time and location on your arrival (the information will also be posted in the hotel lobby). Accommodation: Hotel Deventure (or similar)
The group will transfer to Delhi Domestic Airport for a flight (around 1hr 40min) to Nagpur. The drive to Pench National Park, where your safari adventures begin, will take approximately three hours. Accommodation: Pench Jungle Camp (or similar)
We depart in the morning and drive to Kanha National Park. Although the distance is not far, the journey usually takes approximately four hours. On arrival, there is time to relax by the pool and share wildlife stories with your fellow travellers. Accommodation: Celebration Van Vilas (or similar)
We leave Kanha National Park after breakfast and drive to Bandhavgarh, stopping en route for refreshments. This journey will take approximately six to seven hours. On arrival there is free time to settle in. Accommodation: Nature Heritage Resort (or similar)
This morning, we drive for approximately three hours to Katni Railway Station. We stop for refreshments, conveniences and photo opportunities along the way. In the evening, we catch the overnight train to Agra. Accommodation: Overnight sleeper train
Arriving in Agra in the morning, we transfer to our hotel. No stay in Agra would be complete without a visit to the Taj Mahal, built by the Moghul emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died in 1631. The Taj is serenely beautiful and never fails to amaze a first-time visitor – the white marble exterior changing colour according to the position of the sun. Nearby is the imposing Red Fort of Akbar, whose mighty sandstone walls enclose the beautiful white marble Pearl Mosque, palaces, halls, courtyards and fountains. Please note: In December and January, our Taj Mahal visit is earlier in the afternoon to avoid fog that can limit visibility during sunset. Accommodation: Royal Regent Hotel (or similar)
After breakfast, we begin our journey (approximately four to five hours) back to Delhi, stopping on the outskirts of Agra to visit and support Wildlife SOS. Their work is dedicated to rescuing and caring for sloth bears and elephants. At the Agra Elephant Conservation and Care Centre, we meet an education officer to learn about their vital work and commitment to rehabilitating abused elephants and advocating for their conservation through public awareness campaigns. We take a tour and see some of the rescued elephants and hear their stories. After this informative visit, we resume our drive to Delhi and check into our hotel. It’s your last night together so the tour leader can help to arrange a group dinner Accommodation: Hotel Deventure (or similar)
Our adventure draws to a close after breakfast. Those on the group flights will be transferred to the airport. If you are not travelling on the group flight, please ensure you provide your flight details at least 2 weeks prior to arrival to secure your return airport transfer. Alternatively, if you’d like a little more time in Delhi, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.
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Tour Operator
Exodus Travel
It’s all about adventure That is what Exodus was founded upon 50 years ago, and what the company is still all about. Discovering countries, cultures, environments, cities, mountain ranges, deserts, coasts and jungles; exploring this amazing planet we all live on. At Exodus, we know what makes you tick when it comes to holidays. It’s a desire shared by so many others. A yearning to visit new places and come home with a real sense of what they’re all about. This means delving into local traditions, cultures, cuisine, lifestyles – anything that contributes to its unique identity. At the same time, we always remember that we are only guests. So we travel courteously and respectfully, in smaller groups to minimise our impact, to ensure that every Exodus holiday is a beneficial experience for everyone involved. This is a philosophy we take with us around the world, helping you reach some incredible destinations on 500 itineraries across over 90 separate countries. We also strive to provide as much flexibility and choice as we possibly can, making it simple for you to experience a very different holiday. Exodus started life on 4 February 1974 when two friends got together to provide an overland truck to travel to the Minaret of Jam, deep in the heart of the Hindu Kush, the most inaccessible of the world’s great monuments. See our history page for more details about how we began and how we have grown over the past 50 years. Never travelled with Exodus before? Visit our New to Exodus page for some useful, first-timer information.
In Business Since 1974
Reviews
Felicity Eagles - Traveled, April 2024
Amazing Tiger sightings We had a truly wonderful trip. The national parks were lovely with beautiful views. We were really lucky and had some wonderful tiger sightings as well as sloth bears & leopards & wild elephants. A large array of birds from different species of Eagles, Kingfishers, Owls and many more. We didn’t see tigers on every safari & sometimes would have different sightings to our other travel companions. In the last park we didn’t see a tiger until our last safari then we had 3 amazing close displays from them. The accomodation at the last lodge was by far the nicest. The drivers & guides on the safaris could really vary in English ability & knowledge. Obviously it was alot better when you had a good guide. The overnight train was interesting & we enjoyed it. The facilities were better than expected with western toilets. We took a dinner pack up from our hotel & bought drinks & snacks before getting on. Although there was some long travel days they didn’t feel ling. There was plenty of stops and things to see. Travel between was in comfortable Aircon suvs. If you want to see some amazing wildlife but also want abit of culture this trip is for you. Most Inspirational Moment The tiger scratching the tree by our jeep or the sloth bear digging for food. Or maybe the elephant charging us & speeding away Thoughts on Group Leader Krishna was amazing. He was so knowledgeable and looked after everything for us. He would rotate between the heating safari vehicles each trip & we were always happy when he was in ours as he was a lucky charm. Krishna became part of our group & a friend. Advice for Potential Travellers It's not Africa so don't expect to see the constant abundance of wildlife you did there. Go on each safari with an open mind & just enjoy the scenery & any animals you do spot, remember it's wild so if you spot a tiger, bear, leopard it's a big bonus! Take bite sprays we did get bite at the lodges in the evenings. The food was amazing. Breakfasts on safaris plentiful so we didn't need to buy lunches. Although limited can be abit hit and miss we could pay our bills by card at the lodges. Suggestions I felt you should be given the options of an optional something on arrival. Even if it's just arranging a tuk tuk to a local park. Some of us felt like we needed to keep going to stay in Indian time. So it was difficult having nothing on as a single traveller, not so easy to nap when sharing with a stranger at that point. It felt like the tour didn't really start until day 4 as day 3 was then just a travel day.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/28/2024
Mark Ireland - Traveled, March 2024
Appropriate Comprehensive game drives in 3 tiger reserves, Pench, Kanha and Bandhavgarh Most Inspirational Moment Encountering a male tiger close up Thoughts on Group Leader Excellent, efficient and amusing throughout Advice for Potential Travellers Be prepared for cold starts so layer up although blankets are provided. Worth doing additional games drives on Wednesday afternoons when Parks are closed. Good guides and drivers who speak good English are at a premium so ask to keep good ones. Suggestions Picnic breakfasts disappointing in Pench and Bandhavgarh, would be better to offer either Indian or European alternative
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/28/2024
E Sophie Clement-Jones - Traveled, March 2024
Indian tiger safari Would recommend this to anyone Most Inspirational Moment Seeing a tiger and other wild animal including leopards Thoughts on Group Leader Very Good Advice for Potential Travellers Go go go! Suggestions No
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/29/2024
Ali Sainsbury - Traveled, January 2024
If I had boxes this trip would tick all of them Exceptionally well organised trip with a good standard of accomodation throughout. The focus on maximising the chance of seeing tigers in three different parks meant there was a good balance between spending time wildlife viewing, seeing a variety of habitats and having a cultural experience of India. There was a much higher density/abundance of other wildlife than I had expected which was also a real pleasure to see. Most Inspirational Moment Being stared at by a giant orange cat! Thoughts on Group Leader Krishna was everything you could wish for in a guide; experienced, knowlegable, approachable, patient, honest and good fun. Advice for Potential Travellers Yes, the tigers are absolutely amazing but there is far more to experience and enjoy on this trip; the sounds and smells of the jungle and the villages, amazing food, friendly welcoming prople and a whole lots of wildlife besides tigers. Be prepared for a lot of dust and some cold mornings (travelling in Nov) India has a large population and there is now a huge amount of domestic tourism - The experience of being on a jeep with dozens of other other jeeps all jostling to get a glimpse of a tiger or two can be a culture shock and very different to an ideal of trundling quietly through an ecosystem hoping to see a tiger undisturbed in its natural environment. However, these apex preditors seem undetered by daily views of diesel stinking humans and the balance between tourism and protection is more careful balanced than it can superficially appear. Suggestions This trip could turn you into a cat lady (or man) if you're not already!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/30/2024
Tristan Cossey - Traveled, August 2023
Tiger Heaven I’ve seen lots of wildlife all over the world but the buzz you get seeing a Tiger is up there with the best. Traveling in what many see as the peak Tiger viewing period of April, I was lucky enough to come across 20 individuals, some fleeting, some ridiculously close. The supporting cast of other wildlife is also impressive. If you would like to see why, check out my video of the trip – https://youtu.be/1DJV8K421dA Most Inspirational Moment Seeing a tiger suddenly appear out of the Jungle and then melt back into it. Early on in the trip we had one Tiger road crossing where we were the only Jeep there, will remember the Tigress stopping for a few seconds to look at us. Seeing Tigers is something different, you hear the alarm calls of the deer so you know there is a Tiger or Leopard somewhere nearby, but it's only by the skill of the guides second-guessing the Tiger's possible movement and a slice of luck which will result in a sighting. Sometimes you will join a large group of jeeps at a spot, sometimes you will find your own hopefully. Thoughts on Group Leader Krisha is the best, he has been doing this for several years now but still has the same excitement we had and knew his stuff. Advice for Potential Travellers Most has been covered in the other reviews, Jeep Envy (I didn't see a Sloth bear, the other Jeep did!) but I'm sure it all pans out. Yes, it can be pot luck on the guides you get and one left me very frustrated. Just try to accept it is what it is and help them find the wildlife. Be prepared for very early starts so you catch the golden hour. We were getting up at around 0430 and getting back around 11 am in the morning slots but soon learned to have a siesta before the meet-up again at 1530. It's not like Africa where you tend to see lots of animals, you have to seek them out so patience is needed. You may go a while and not see a lot, then a roosting Owl lifts the spirits as an example. Suggestions If like me, you haven't been to India before, maybe go out a day early and do a full Delhi city tour. On the way back on the trip, you will probably only have a few hours in the afternoon in Delhi so barely scratch the surface. I had a full day at the start of the trip and did most of the major sites and was well worth it.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/30/2023
Louise Sampson - Traveled, April 2023
A Fabulous Trip - Tigers and more Angela was on our trip – I do not really feel that I need to add anything to her post. Just that it is a FABULOUS TRIP. Go with the flow and enjoy. Experience the anticipation of spotting the animals, birds etc. See everything as a bonus- you are travelling into their environment. Most Inspirational Moment Seeing the tigers and leopards - it can get quite emotional when you seeing them walking towards and past your vehicles. The trip to the Taj Mahal - was very busy but worth it. We dressed up for it as had spent so long in dusty safari clothes Thoughts on Group Leader Krishna - was a fabulous - a very knowledge and informative guide. he helped make the trip Advice for Potential Travellers We took plugs for India and a USB charging block which served us well. As Angela mentioned the card machines sometimes didn't work so take plenty of cash. Most hotels and lodges exchanged GB pounds but the rates could be variable. Take dust covers for your cameras - and lens cleaning stuff. Plenty of batteries and SD cards! you can get carried away on the Tiger and leopard sightings. Plus phones/ Small video recorders to record the moments when the tiger walks towards you. Travel in the safari jeeps can be very dusty and also very bumpy. Take plenty of tissues and hand sanitizer. Swimming costumes - most of the lodges have a small pool you can cool off in. Suggestions Try and experience some of the sightings through your eyes and not through the lens! Hard I know as always trying to get the perfect shot but it is well worth it. Especially if you get to experience the animals behaviour and their interactions with each other. Just go for it - you will not be disappointed.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/28/2023
Angela Beckwith - Traveled, March 2023
Tigers, Leopards and So Much More What an amazing holiday! We were incredibly lucky with our sightings, not only of tigers but also of leopards (I think our group had 6 individual leopard sighting by the end), wild elephants, Indian Wild Dogs, jackals and the most fabulous array of colourful birds (peacocks, rollers, eagles, vultures – the list is long!). As has been mentioned in previous reviews, there are things to be aware of with the trip, but providing your participate with your eyes open, patience and the right attitude, you will have an absolutely wonderful time: 1) Jeeps are assigned per national park, so the people you share the jeep with will remain the same throughout that national park. Our jeeps were changed up between the parks, so we had three different jeep combinations by the end. 2) If you have one jeep which is not full, the Exodus guide tends to stick in that jeep due to space and comfort. Whilst this is understandable, it does mean that some group members had much more access to the trip leader and his expertise compared to others. 3) Do not expect tigers on every drive or even every day. They can be very elusive and with all things in nature, nothing is guaranteed. We had our first tiger sighting on Drive 2 (one jeep had an amazing view of two separate tigers, the other three jeeps had much lesser views of one tiger). We then did not get another good tiger sighting until Drive 8. And then on Drive 10, the tigers decided to give the most amazing show, with 6 tigers in one day. There was a point when we were leaving Pench where we were joking that we would have to rename the trip ‘India Leopard Safari’, as my jeep had had 3 good leopard sightings and only one glimpse of the backside / ears of a tiger, but by the end of the holiday, the tigers were most definitely the star of the show. 4) As has been mentioned before, it can be difficult when the different jeeps are in different sectors of the parks and thus seeing different things. On our trip, one jeep got two incredible sightings on Day 1, whereas with the different jeep allocations between parks, it took until the very end of the holiday for two members of our group to have an equivalent amazing sighting. Some members did not get a good leopard sighting at all, whereas other jeeps got two or three. It really is just luck and you have to go with the knowledge that each person’s experience will be different. 5) There is so much more to see than just the tigers, so it is important to not get hung up on just seeing them. You can go for days without a glimpse of stripes, so take the time to appreciate the beauty of the parks and the other incredible wildlife that is available. 6) The success of the safari drives can be rather dependent on the quality of the park-assigned driver and guides, some of whom are better than others. I think that every jeep in our group had issues with their driver / guides at some point; however as these change almost every day, you just have to put it behind you and focus on the next drive. Thankfully, with 15+ drives, there is plenty of time for everyone to have the amazing encounters and experiences within the parks. Most Inspirational Moment Seeing the five tigers (mum, three cubs and a young male) in the waterhole at Banghavgarh was truly something special. Watching them interact and relax in the water, before coming out and walking right past our jeep was an experience I will never forget. Driving around the corner in Kanha NP and finding a leopard casually wandering down the side of the road, before crossing right in front of us and disappearing into the trees. We were the only jeep around lucky enough to witness the beautiful big cat just going about his business, thoroughly unconcerned by us. Our guide was so excited by the sighting, as leopards are very rarely seen in Kanha, which really added to the experience. Watching the pack of Indian Wild Dogs with puppies in Kahna NP, playing in the water and on the road in front of us, before heading into the trees to jump around on some fallen logs. Thoughts on Group Leader Krishna was absolutely fabulous. His knowledge and passion for the country and wildlife was obvious and he went out of his way to ensure that we all had an amazing time on the trip and all got to experience that magical moment of the first tiger sighting. He was always in good humour and was ready to answer our questions and provide plenty of additional information on the areas and conservation activities going on around the national parks. Advice for Potential Travellers 1) Take buffs for your face and your camera equipment - the roads, especially in Bandhavgarh, are very dusty. 2) Go with the right attitude - there is more to see than just tigers and you will get out of the drives what you put in. 3) Take lots of bug spray and put it on under your clothes in the afternoon - the insects bit through clothing, especially in Pench NP. Non-DEET sprays like Incognito work well on the insects there. 4) European plug adapters worked everywhere we went. 5) Card machines did not work in all the resorts, so ensure you have cash available as well. ATMs stops can be made on the travel days between the parks. 6) Even in April, a light fleece and rain jacket were beneficial. It can be chilly in the mornings, and two of our drives were pretty much a wash-out from the rain. The jeeps are open-top, so if it rains you will be getting wet. 7) There are a lot of early mornings (4.30am early) and bumpy rides (really not suitable for anyone with a bad back). Although the trip is rated leisurely, it is not really relaxing. Suggestions The train trip was absolutely fine and really nothing to worry about. I probably got the most sleep I had on the whole holiday on that train (a solid eight hours!).
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/16/2023
Hilary Droy - Traveled, November 2019
Tigers WOW! We had such a good holiday, it was wonderful seeing tigers in their natural environment and visiting the Red Fort and the Taj Mahal at the end of the holidays was a special experience. There were only 6 of us in our group and our fellow travellers were lovely friendly people and we all got on well. Our trip started a day later than usual because of Diwali so we didn’t get the chance to do an optional game drive (we’d have done a 16th drive just to maximise any tiger sightings) as Bandhavgarh park is closed on Wednesday afternoon so our 15th drive was on the Thursday morning before leaving for the train. And, again because of the day’s delay, we went to the Taj at sunrise rather than at sunset and were treated to a beautiful blue sky and lovely light. We saw tigers on our very first game drive, a mother and her cubs were resting on rocks at a bit of a distance but easily spottable once we got our “eye” in. We saw a glimpse of a stripey back on drive 2 but then nothing tiger-wise until drive 8 when a magnificent male briefly stepped out in front of our jeep before melting back into the bush. We saw a leopard in the far distance on drive 14 and then on drive 15 at the very last minute we had a tiger dash past all the waiting jeeps into the bush. The other jeep with our fellow travellers had a wonderful tiger sighting in Bandhavgarh (the jeeps did different zones) and, I must admit, it’s hard not to be envious when others have an experience that you don’t. We were happy for them but….. Most Inspirational Moment Seeing tigers, especially when the sightings were so hard-won. A pair of wild dogs following our jeep was also special and sitting underneath an Indian Roller preening herself in the sunshine and flashing her beautiful iridescent feathers made for an excellent photo-op. Thoughts on Group Leader Himanshu (Bagde) was just the best group leader. He was professional, charming and cheerful at all times and worked tirelessly to ensure our holiday went without a hitch. What he doesn't know about tigers and photographing them isn't worth knowing. He took us to the local village so that we could see the Diwali celebrations and we also visited the market in full swing which was an interesting experience. He looked after us and made sure we had the best experiences possible on our holiday. Advice for Potential Travellers Although this is classed as a "leisurely" holiday as you don't actually walk anywhere, it is full-on as every drive day starts before dawn and the jeep rides in the parks are extremely bumpy (not a trip for anyone with a bad back!). It was also cold early in the morning (November) so warm jackets were needed until the sun came up. There is downtime between morning and afternoon drives which we used to rest rather than have lunch as you get plenty of eat for bush breakfast. Lunch is Indian buffet-style at the lodges but there is the chance to go a la carte and order omelettes/fried eggs if preferred. Tipping is an art-form in India so a group kitty managed by the group leader is definitely the way to go, it made life so much easier. We changed money up at Nagpur airport after landing, you get fleeced on the exchange rate but there really isn't an opportunity to change up sterling after the airport as you don't hit a city until the very end of the holiday and, obviously, the rural villages don't have ATMs. Shops air-side at Delhi airport on the way home take rupees (contrary to what we had read) but as rupees are a restricted currency you need to change them up pre-security if you'd don't want to spend them. Prices air-side are typical of airports world-wide, not Indian prices. You need to carry your passport on all game drives as they are taken and checked against the register of who's in which jeep. Do not take a bag/handbag to the Taj Mahal as you have to put it through a security scanner and then leave it to go through the separate frisk queue which can take some time and you can't see where your bag has got to. Put your camera round your neck and your valuables securely in your pocket and you'll be able to bypass the scanner queue. You can take a bag to the Red Fort as it's checked manually rather than through scanners. The local people in small towns (and on game drives) will ask to be photographed with you. Most people were upfront and friendly about this so it really isn't a problem, just smile and go along with the experience. Some people were a little more sneaky, filming "surreptitiously" but as you'll never see their photos/videos ever again it doesn't matter. The train to Agra is an experience but one that shouldn't put anyone off this holiday. We were in 2nd-class sleeper berths, the bedding and (western-style) toilet were clean although the beds were rather hard. Some of the group slept, some didn't. We were grouped together so, apart from people passing by doing a double-take on seeing us, we weren't disturbed once the curtains around the bunks were closed. Luggage is stowed under the bottom bunk and a packed dinner was provided by the lodge to eat on the train as you really do not want to purchase food from the vendors at the station. After the peace of the countryside the train is full-on India so is a good addition to the holiday. All the hotels used were all of a good standard, no-one got ill on our trip, just a few rumblings due to innards getting used to curries at every meal. We were told when water was filtered and drinkable (the water at Bandhavgarh smells strongly of iron so bottled water is provided). Wine was expensive, soft drinks and beer were cheaper options. Suggestions Don't expect to see tigers so that when you do it's a bonus. Tigers can melt into the bush surprisingly easily for big animals. Remember to just relax and enjoy the beauty of the jungle and the other animals rather than focussing just on wanting a tiger/leopard (the leopards are more elusive than the tigers!) and have a good time.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/29/2019
Ann Dowson - Traveled, April 2019
We saw tigers! We travelled to India solely to see tigers in their natural habitat and we were not disappointed. We saw tigers in each of the three national parks we visited as well as many other animals, most notably three sightings of a leopard. The accommodation used on the trip was, we felt, of a good standard. We appreciated the pool at each of the hotels and went to the pool every day after the morning game drive. Most Inspirational Moment In Kanha National Park our jeep drew up to a crossroads to see a tiger walking along the road on the right. The driver turned the jeep so we were facing this big, male tiger. The tiger continued to walk along the road towards us and the driver reversed the jeep a short way, the tiger continued his walk towards us and we reversed again. This went on for 1km! We saw the tiger scent mark and casually stroll along. This was just an incredible encounter with only our jeep present. It was beyond our greatest expectation and when we saw how excited the driver and guide were after this experience we knew just how special it had been. Thoughts on Group Leader Our group leader was very well organised and efficient. He was always approachable and we were happy with the manner in which he organised the group briefings. He was friendly and easy to get along with. Advice for Potential Travellers Even when travelling in April I still required a thin fleece for the early morning game drives. You do not need to pack a lot as clothes dry so quickly in the heat. Remember to take a small bag for your camera, tissues etc on the game drives. Suggestions We should have been informed before the start of the trip that the arrangements in Nagpur were changed. We did not receive the notification and it was only by luck that we returned to the hotel for the rescheduled transfer to Pench. In Agra we would have preferred more time at the Taj Mahal. The trip prior to this to the marble shop did not interest us. Although the hotels in the National Park were of a good standard the hotel we stayed in on the last night in Delhi fell short. Initially we had planned to stay on in that hotel as our return flight was not until the following morning. We were so glad they could not accommodate us and we found a much better hotel at a very reasonable price near to the airport. We think that Exodus should use a higher standard hotel for the last night.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/30/2019
Steve and Tracey Chivers - Traveled, April 2019
Good trip which could be great We thought we should start by explaining why we would score this trip a 4 rather than a 5; 1. On the game drives seating is allocated so you have no say on who you share a drive with (other than your partner) or what zone you visit. As a result, the groups often go to different zones and there didn’t seem to be any rationale as to who was doing what and when. 2. There is some seat rotation however we found this to be extremely limited, therefore out of our 10 fellow travellers we didn’t spend any game drive time with 6 of them. 3. Because of point 1 and 2 we had the understandable issue of some people experiencing better spotting (especially tigers) than others. Our group seemed to have the least sightings and were happy for the others but a tad jealous. That said we had a great group, who were very respectful and with our encouragement were happy to share their experiences and photos, which we loved. 4. Vijay joins a jeep on each game drive and due to the need for a local guide, regardless of whether Vijay is with you or not, when he joins your drive the 3 in the back tend to have an uncomfortable time (this seemed to be the overall view of the group). Although Vijay rotates which Jeep he joins, for us, we had a group of 3 jeeps meaning that for a 1/3rd of the time we had 5 in the jeep not the advertised 4. 5. As with all of these trips there are a few travel days, which was absolutely fine, however the opportunity to mix up the groups up wasn’t taken. 6. As a consequence of the above points we had limited quality time with 6 of our 10 fellow travellers, which was a shame. Putting the above points aside, we wouldn’t want to give the impression that we didn’t have a great time because we did. In the end we saw 16 tigers which was far more than we thought we would. The majority of these came in the last few drives and we were really pleased we took the option of the additional drive, during which we saw 3 tigers, 2 of which were mating. We also saw a huge array of other wildlife although we didn’t see a leopard. The hotels were perfectly fine, although we would agree the food option as a tad repetitive. Loved the train journey and what really adds to this trip is the visit the Taj Mahal which is a true wonder of the modern world. Most Inspirational Moment Has to be the 90 minutes we spent with a young male tiger, on game drive 15, it was incredible!! We were lucky enough to be first on the scene and because of this and due to it being in one of the smaller zones we didn’t have to go through the “jeep scum” that takes place in the bigger zones. Thoughts on Group Leader It seemed to us this is a pretty tricky trip to lead, given the pressure to ensure everyone has the “once in a life time” tiger experience they are hoping for and the added stress of the train journey. During our trip it was Tracey’s birthday and without asking Vijay organised a birthday cake and even bought her a present, which was very much appreciated. We thought he managed the subject of tips well and gave the group the option of allowing him to manage this which everyone agreed was the best option. Vijay provided the group a summary towards the end of the trip detailing how the tip money had been spent which was a little unnecessary but a nice touch. We both loved how excited he got when a tiger was spotted and he waited at the lodge entrance for all the jeeps to return and was always keen to hear how successful the drives had been. Overall, we would say Vijay was an excellent group leader and we both enjoyed his company. Advice for Potential Travellers Read Jackie’s review “its not all about the tigers” with interest as in reality its really difficult to avoid the trip from not being so. We can only suggest you remain patient and enjoy the wildlife that you do see. Out of 16 tigers we saw, our first sighting was on drive 8, with 4 being on drive 15 and 3 on the additional drive. The trip notes are pretty decent and offer any additional info you may need. Suggestions We are sure some of the fellow travellers would give the trip a 5, and with some fairly basic changes we would agree that the trip should rate a 5. This was the second time we have visited India with the aim of seeing tigers in the wild and this trip offers an excellent opportunity to do so at a very reasonable price. Compared with our previous experience, we came away with the opinion that everything was being done, that can be, to help tigers survive and we got the impression that numbers are on the rise which is fab news!! This was certainly reflected in the fact we our many more tigers this time than the last time we visited (should add this wasn’t with Exodus). In summary, we would certainly recommend the trip to others.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/29/2019
stephen roberts - Traveled, April 2019
Worth every penny Its difficult to write this review without repeating what everybody else has all ready said. We had some fantastic tiger sightings that frankly left me breathless, we also saw sloth bears, leopard and fantastic bird life. Some people saw more some saw less, but that’s always going to be the case on these types of holidays. The quality of the guides and drivers is hit and miss, but Exodus has little control over this as they work for the park. Hadn’t appreciate that the jeep allocation was so tightly regulated. Who is what jeep, is decided when the jeeps are booked, and passports are checked on each drive to ensure that’s the case.. but you are moved around so your not sat with the same people all the time. The accommodation on the whole was better than expected, although some people seemed to have problems getting hot water a few times. Being welcomed back of every drive with a warm flannel and cold drink was very welcome. Everybody gets a bit stressed just before the overnight train, but once we were on and settled it was okay, and I slept okay, and the bedding was clean, and didn’t feel the need for a sleeping bag liner. There was a western and Indian style toilet in every carriage, been in worse on UK trains. Make sure you stock up on snacks before you get on the train as the packed lunch taken with you was uninspiring. Most Inspirational Moment For me it was being eye ball to eyeball with a wild tiger walking towards me. Still get the shivers now, just thinking about it. For my wife, getting to touch and feed the working elephants as they passed our jeeps. Thoughts on Group Leader Krishna has great, fed us loads on info on Indian culture, and the wildlife. Kept our spirits up when the tigers wern't playing ball. and took care of the minor problems quickly. My wife is Type 1 diabetic and found the brunches a bit late for her sugar levels. Once we had mentioned this , Krishna sorted out some extras to eat before we left in the mornings. Advice for Potential Travellers Its cold on the first few hours of the morning. Take hats, gloves and a warm jackets. The one afternoon we didn't take waterproofs, we had a storm. So pack them every day. Yes its as dusty as they say, so be prepared for that. Getting small bank notes was an issue, buy some small items(sweets or water) in Delhi airport to try an get some smaller notes. Card machines at resorts not always working. Take cash. In two weeks we spent about £750, mainly on lunches, beers, snack and tips (and a couple of souviners). For info a beer was 350 rupees. We also tipped some of drivers and guides a bit more than suggested Suggestions As the group had bonded well, we had hoped for a few goodbye drinks on our last night. But being a Friday the hotel was dry. If we had been warned we would have brought a couple of beers earlier and put them in the fridge in our rooms.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/19/2019
Maureen Mansfield - Traveled, April 2019
Amazing experience Absolutely brilliant holiday. Have waited so long to see Tigers in the wild and this trip did not disappoint. Would definitely go again. We were so lucky as had good , even exceptional signings in all three reserves. All of our group had sightings some more and better than others , but no one was disappointed. We also saw a leopard , and sloth bears , jungle cats, and so much more wildlife. The lodges were all good, the food in Penchants being the best, although all were a bit the the same. Breakfasts were on the drive and were a bit uninspired I have never eaten so many boiled eggs. The one day we had samosas was great. Hotel in Agra good the one in Delhi not so . The overnight train trip was an experience! enough said! Most Inspirational Moment Seeing my first tiger in the wild of course, but also seeing a leopard albeit at a distance. Thoughts on Group Leader Krishna was great, very caring and went out his way to help if anyone had a problem. Advice for Potential Travellers Take some protein bars for the breakfasts, the morning drives are cold so take layers , also all the drives are dusty so take covers for cameras and something to cover your mouth and nose especially if you have any respiratory issues. Be prepared for long bumpy drives, and lots of sitting around just listening for any alarm calls and waiting , and be prepared to be disappointed, as you will not see Tigers on every drive, they are elusive, and you may only see glimpses of them through the jungle . Enjoy the rest of the wildlife especially some of the beautiful birds. Take plenty of tissues , and be prepared for the Indian style toilets . Also remember to just watch the tigers not always through a lenses.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/18/2019
Evelyn Alpert - Traveled, February 2019
Nothing short of amazing So first, I need to state unequivocally that if you love wildlife, and in particular tigers, then you need to do this trip. The tigers are exquisitely beautiful and the thrill of tracking them is fun in and of itself. I am already dying to repeat this trip. Most Inspirational Moment My first tiger sighting of course! Thoughts on Group Leader Our leader was Vijay and he was great. He worked so hard to get everyone to see a tiger, and he clearly loves his country and is eager to share his knowledge with the group. Advice for Potential Travellers I think anyone doing this tour needs to understand clearly how it works to avoid disappointment and frustration. So tiger safaris are not at all like African safaris - the tigers are solitary animals ( not like the lions that gather in prides) and while their numbers are increasing, most of them reside in what is called the core area of these reserves. The tourists (you and me) are not allowed in the core, so the truth is you are looking for a very finite number of tigers that are residing in the tourist area of the parks. Finding them is no easy task, but your drivers and guides in the parks will (if they are good, and not all of them are) work hard to find them for you. Secondly, your tour group will be broken up into groups of 4 for the game drives, and each group does not necessarily go to the same place. The jeeps are given proscribed zones and routes, so it is entirely possible that part of your tour group will see tigers and some may not. In our group, we had 2 people that didn’t see any tigers till about 2 days before the tour ended, and there were 6 that went about 2/3 of the way through the trip with no sightings. Needless to say, for those not seeing the tigers, it is hard to enjoy the time when the others are seeing them. But if you understand how this works in advance (and I did not think this was at all clearly spelled out in the tour literature) then you will be better prepared for it. No one can control the appearance of the tigers, so to some extent it is the luck of the draw, but it’s best to fully understand how the game drives work. And PS since most days you have breakfast in the reserves, you will get tired of hard boiled eggs and cheese sandwiches, so think about packing some protein bars to take along instead! Suggestions Remember to put your cameras down and just look at the tigers. They are magnificent but if you only see them through a lens then you’ve missed the point. It’s hard to do, and one of the reasons I want to do the tour again.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/28/2019
Hugh Price - Traveled, January 2019
First Class Trip Excellent opportunities to see not just Tigers but many other mammals and birds as well. Helpful staff and good lodges and time just flies by. Others have rated this trip highly and deservedly so. Most Inspirational Moment Viewing a tiger fairly closely over a period of about 90 minutes Thoughts on Group Leader Vijay was excellent. Nothing was too much trouble and his knowledge and experience was invaluable, even to the extent of finding a suitable battery charger in rural India. Advice for Potential Travellers The trip notes warn you it can be cold early am and late pm but it can also be cold during the day in February. Take layers, take a buff for the dust, possibly a bag to keep the dust off cameras. A head torch is quite useful too. Suggestions Most enjoyable trip
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/19/2019
Paul Tunnah - Traveled, January 2019
India Tiger Safari I agree with all of the previous tiger trip review comments so I am not going to rehash them.. I saw 10 * Tigers, 3 * Leopard, 4 * Sloth Bears, 1 * Jungle cat & lots of other wildlife, deer, birds etc. I didn’t see a tiger until 8/15 game drives so don’t panic as everybody on my trip eventually got a great tiger experience. The morning game drives in February are cold so definitely bring Jumpers, hats, gloves etc. I would finally like to tell you the best months to see tigers according to the drivers which are April / May when the Tigers cool down at the water holes. Of course the temperature then is 45 degrees Celsius. Most Inspirational Moment Seeing your first tiger in the wild is amazing. I still don't know how our driver spotted him driving at 20 kmh & seeing him through the brush. The Tiger was 30 foot in the brush & just watched us as we took photographs. My digital camera struggled to auto focus (Did eventually & great photos) so I would advise anybody else to have knowledge of focusing methods for there camera. I certainly had to read the manual. Thoughts on Group Leader Our group leader was Vijay Chansoria & he war brilliant. Honestly he couldn't do enough for the whole party. His knowledge of wildlife was amazing, especially birds. Advice for Potential Travellers If you go on this trip in February then wrap up warm for the morning game drives as it is very cold for the first 2 hours. Suggestions Just enjoy the 3 NP's & all of the wildlife in them. NOBODY is guaranteed to see a Tiger ( 2 people in my group only had there tiger experience on the optional extra game drive) although in my tour party we all good sighting of a tiger.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/26/2019
Lorna Thomas - Traveled, March 2018
L Thomas Wonderful trip. Just the right mixture of wildlife and culture. Can’t describe the feeling when we first saw a tiger at close range. At a loss for words. Sloth bear also made it a fabulous trip Most Inspirational Moment Seeing a tiger at close range for the first time was awe inspiring. Literally couldn’t speak. X Thoughts on Group Leader Vijay was fabulous. Made us feel very safe and helped us integrate with the local people . Advice for Potential Travellers Take a bit more money than you think you will need. Most of our money went on beers each day!!! Suggestions Fabulous holiday. Go with the flow. Train journey is not as bad as you think it will be. X
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/28/2018
Brian & Ann Lythgoe - Traveled, March 2018
FANTASTIC TIGERS The trip was excellent from start to finish. We were met at Nagpur by Krishna who gave us information about the trip and introduced us to the other members of our group. It was a group of mixed personalities and could not have been better. We all got on very well. The drive to Pench Jungle Resort was a bit of a problem due to an accident in the road ahead meaning we arrived late at the Resort, but the staff had kept the Restaurant open so that we could have a meal before bedtime. On our first game drive we saw our first tiger, but saw no more tigers in Pench. We did see a leopard with its kill and lots of monkeys, deer and a large variety of birds. We saw one tiger in Kanha and another 6 in Bandhavgarh. All in all worth every penny! Most Inspirational Moment Seeing the tigers in their natural habitat We also saw a leopard with its kill and two wild dogs chase catch kill and eat a fawn. It was exciting and you didn't want to watch - but you did want to watch! It was fascinating to see how the dogs worked to capture the deer. The tigers of Bandhavgarh were fantastic. On our first game drive in Bandhavgarh we saw a male tiger lying in the middle of the road, to be joined a few minutes later by a female. They both lay there for a while and we watched them as they moved from the road to the bush and eventually into the forest. We watched them for almost 2 hours. It was fabulous. Thoughts on Group Leader Krishna was excellent. He made sure that we were at the gates of the reserves early so that we were among the first to enter. He was informative and extremely knowledgeable about the wildlife and especially the birds. It was clear that he loved his country and gave us information and insights of life in India, including the local villagers and their lives. At Bandhavgarh he managed to obtain an extra game drive, by getting up very early to go to the gate for tickets. Nothing seemed to be too much trouble for him. He showed great concern for his party of guests. Advice for Potential Travellers Take a scarf or 'snood' to cover your nose and mouth on the game drives - it gets very dusty. Make sure you have the correct electrical adaptors - although the European two pin (round pins) do fit. It does get quite cold in the early mornings as you travel n the open-top jeeps. It is advisable to have several layers. Suggestions In Pench there was a fridge in the room, but nt in Kanha or Bandhavgarh. A fridge in the room would have been useful for keeping water cold. The hotel in Agra was excellent but that in Delhi left a lot to be desired. Although the room was clean and comfortable the breakfast was very uninspiring The overnight train trip was not as difficult as expected. All in all, Exodus were a great Group to deal with and we would use Exodus again if we wanted to do something in their itinerary. The trip was worth every penny!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/19/2018
Elisabeth Blunt - Traveled, February 2018
Land of the Tiger A great mix of nature, tigers, birds and culture led by a No.1 Guide Most Inspirational Moment Just 4 in a jeep we are driving through the forest when - WOW - a tiger comes through the bush. Our driver, guide, us AND the tiger are surprised! We were SO close - a really precious moment just between the few of us, until he gently turned away and crossed the road. Such beauty and such power. But we were lucky - many ,more special moments. Drawn into a small local community to celebrate the festival of light; the tiger with her kill of barahsingha; the glorious stags of sambar; the marsh deer; the plain of vultures drying out; the efforts of our guide, the sun rises and sun sets; learning how jiggery is made - and tasting it! Thoughts on Group Leader Our group leader was one of the best - in fact the best I've ever had. Knowledgeable, fun, experienced, calm in emergencies - and he went that extra mile - or marathon! He had a birthday cake driven 70 km for one of our group; he got up at 3am to get tickets for others - a star!! Advice for Potential Travellers I took a hot water bottle for the nights and a mini hot water bottle to put up my jumper for those hours 6-9 a.m. in the jeep. Enjoy Indian food - such a range of flavours and fresh local food. Put oil on your face if you go to the festival of light - or the dyes wear off slowly!! Suggestions February seemed an ideal time to go - hot but not too humid. Try to learn a few words beyond namast . . . Read some of William Dalrimple for atmosphere. Enjoy the train ride - much improved in the last 49 years! Take a hot water bottle and always keep tissues in your pocket.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/17/2018
D Gray - Traveled, April 2019
Fabulous Experience The overall trip experience was superb and the opportunity to see the tigers at three different National Parks was incredible. The inclusion of a visit to Agra (and its attractions) was a great way to finish a wildlife holiday. The overall itinerary was well thought out, the accommodation and transport were good, all local staff were always friendly, helpful and efficient. Himanshu’s knowledge, manner and professional leadership were particularly outstanding. Most Inspirational Moment There were many inspirational moments: seeing the tigers at close range; seeing so many tigers (our group saw 25 different tigers, at 28 sightings); visiting the Taj Mahal and the opportunity to experience a little of the Indian culture. Thoughts on Group Leader Himanshu is an outstanding tour leader. He is friendly, professional, efficient, calm, caring and really went “the extra mile” to meet the individual needs of everyone in our group. All of this he successfully did in a calm, professional and positive manner, nothing was too much trouble. His extensive knowledge of the tigers (their names, family history, behaviours etc.) was exceptional. His genuine enthusiasm and passion for the tigers and their preservation, inspired us and added greatly to the whole wildlife experience. Himanshu’s additional understanding of what makes for good wildlife photography was a real bonus. Advice for Potential Travellers Good things come to those who wait and to those who get up early! Collectively our group had 28 tiger sightings, the tigers when we encountered them were a sight to behold. Sometimes we had no tiger sightings for a few days, other times a few well camouflaged stripes sleeping in the grass, then we were treated to fabulous displays of a tigers walking on the road past the jeeps, going to the water hole, drinking and taking a bath … awesome! Suggestions Usually we had 2 game drives a day, a 5 hr safari in the morning (departing at 5am) and a 3 hr safari before sunset (departing around 3.30pm). In the mornings we were served tea/coffee before departure, then searched for tigers until around 9am. Tiger depending, the jeeps then went to a fenced-in area, for breakfast and a bathroom-stop. Breakfast was a ‘packed-lunch format’ served on a table cloth on the bonnet of the jeep. It was a mixture of western and Indian foods, great. The game drive then continued, after which we returned to the Safari Lodge. We were greeted by hotel staff with face cloths and a cool drink. Afternoons were then free to sit by the pool, sleep, purchase lunch or do whatever folk chose. After the evening safari dinner was usually served between 7.30pm and 8.30pm. The food at all of the Safari Lodges was varied and delicious. We used a number of different modes of transport. We travelled by taxis between the three National Parks, the taxis were comfortable and air-conditioned. The jeeps at the parks were great, bring a scarf or neck gaiter for the dust. The Sleeper Train was fun – just don’t expect to get much sleep! The standard of cleanliness and comfort on the train was better than we had expected, one night was perfect. The minibus was comfortable and air conditioned. All drivers were friendly and welcoming. Our local guides in Agra and Delhi were knowledgeable with good English. All in all this India Tiger Safari trip was an excellent experience, to be recommended.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/18/2019
JANICE DUNCAN - Traveled, April 2019
Taj and Tigers= terrific. 26 encounters with tigers,(I lost track of how many different ones – think it was 17) one sloth bear and a leopard. That’s a safari. Loved the landscape and all the animals from Langurs to Deer to the beautiful Indian Rollers.Tiger moments from 3 brothers in a water hole to single sightings were wonderful. Taj Mahal took my breath away. Most Inspirational Moment Loved the Sloth Bear appearing just before we left the park for the evening. A late and lovely surprise. Did the whole tree scratch just in front of us. Much to all our delight,3 out of four of our jeeps were there and able to enjoy the encounter. Loved the excitement after a tiger walked just behind our jeep and I realised I was shaking with the adrenaline buzz.. I had too big a lens on my camera but boy will I remember the moment. Thoughts on Group Leader Kryshna was helpful, knowledgeable and entertaining. He was very organised. Jet Airways folded whilst we were In India but there was no stress for us as the back up team had alternatives for us all in a couple of days. Kryshna liased with the office and all was sorted out. Advice for Potential Travellers It is all in the lap of the gods when it comes to sightings. We were very lucky although we were helped by the heat as they were all at the water holes. The jeep system has been criticised by others but I think it is good that the Park Authorities are trying to control numbers and tourist behaviour. Suggestions Enjoy. The sheer arrogance and power of a tiger is a sight to behold
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/18/2019
Melissa Rainbow - Traveled, October 2018
Absolutely Amazing. This trip from start to finish was just absolutely amazing. Most Inspirational Moment The first time we saw a tiger. What an unbelievably beautiful moment that was. The first tiger we saw on this trip was in Kanha (we saw 2 cubs in the distance in Pench but they were spotty little blurs) was a male tiger named Chota Munna. Another jeep had seen him cross the road and pass into the forest when we arrived. We just saw the bushes move and thought we had missed our chance. After 20 minutes or so of alarm calls and driving around the area he was believed to be moving, there he was, all of a sudden, strolling through the clearing and then crossing the road in front of us and continuing down the road for a good 5 minutes or more. That just blew my mind. To see this amazing animal walking through his home in all his glory was magnificent. We were to be blessed twice more in Kanha. Once more that day as we were leaving the lunch area a female tigress Choti Mada was walking down the road, we were one of only 3 jeeps to have been lucky to see her. On our last morning drive in Kanha, we had what our tour leader Vijay described as a once a year sighting. We heard alarm calls, and then there she was the beautiful Dhwajhandi (daughter of Choti Mada), she crossed the road, scenting as she went and passed into the grassland, we sat and waited for quite some time and were super lucky in this time to also see a Sloth Bear bounding across the grassland, after the bear passed we sat and waited on the other side of the grassland, listening to her roar, most jeeps gave up and left, but we insisted on waiting, we knew she was there. And then, alarm calls, the remaining jeeps all started their engines and we went further up the grassland road to where the deer were now running and calling, and then she was there, strolling through the grassland and past the deer. She walked across the road near our jeep, stopped for a bit, then continued at this point she was behind us and we got to watch her and she sauntered down the road, scenting as she went, rubbing herself on a tree and then eventually going back in to the forest. This whole experience lasted over 2 hours. We were so incredibly blessed to have witnessed this amazing sighting. I will forever be grateful for this trip. We also saw 3 more tigers when we were in Bandhavgarh, Spotty, Solo and Tara. All female tigress. We were lucky to see Tara twice. In all we saw 8 tigers if you include the cub blobs, 2 sloth bear and so many deer, birds, monkeys etc. It really was the trip of a lifetime. I won't be coming down off that high for sometime. Thoughts on Group Leader Oh Vijay was just truly wonderful. He is the best group leader I have ever had. He was so knowledgeable, passionate and committed. Every time we saw a tiger, it blew him away too, which was really touching. We were lucky to only have a group of 7, but he just did a marvelous job. I would 100% do another tour in India if Vijay was the leader. His passion for wildlife and knowledge of birds was phenomenal. He is a complete asset to your company. Advice for Potential Travellers Pack thermals. It's only cold in the morning game drives, but you will need it, that and also some sort of windproof jacket. They give you blankets, but don't rely on them. You will need something else to keep you warm in the early mornings. Another thing you should 100% pack is something to cover you nose & mouth as the dust is pretty crazy.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/24/2018
Guy Darby - Traveled, November 2018
Saw a Tiger Great trip for wildlife lovers which gives you the best opportunity to see a Tiger. Visiting 3 National Parks allows you to see a variety of landscapes, the full range of Indian bird and wildlife. Most Inspirational Moment We all saw lots of evidence of Tigers including paw prints and alarm calls, and even caught glimpses of Tigers as they crossed road, or were asleep in the bush. And then finally on game drive number 15, that's over 60 hours on safari, with 5am starts and getting bounced around and covered in dust in the back of a jeep...we had a great clear close sighting of a magnificent Tiger. Fantastic. Thoughts on Group Leader Our group leader Krishna was excellent, helpful, informative and with a great sense of humour. Advice for Potential Travellers We took up the opportunity to do two extra optional game drives. The more time you spend in the parks then the better chance of seeing a Tiger. Suggestions the trip finished off with a visit to Agra, the Taj Mahal and Red Fort which were magnificent. We also did an optional tour of Delhi on the last day for which the Jamel mosque was great but New Delhi was a disappointment and covered in smog. We went out early and did a tailor made extension to Amritsar Dharamshala and Shimla which was excellent. If you have the time I would recommend doing an extension and exploring somewhere else in India.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/26/2018
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