India Tiger Safari
Experience Overview
Journey into the heartland of India in search of the majestic Royal Bengal Tiger. On this 15-day tour, we take in five sprawling national parks, spotting tigers, dolphins, gharials and sambar dear amongst others. Soak in the astounding scenery as we travel by boat and 4WD vehicles through the forests, rivers and mountains of central India.
Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve - Search for tigers in Bandhavgarh, boasting the highest population density of tigers in the world.
Kanha National Park - Spot wildlife on jeep safaris through Kanha, the inspiration for Rudyard Kipling's 'Jungle Book'.
Panna, Sariska and Chambal - Explore the rocky Aravalli Hills, boat along the River Chambal and drive through the forests of the lesser-known Panna.
Highlights
Explore 5 different national parks over 2 weeks in search of the majestic Royal Bengal Tiger|Search for wildlife in Bandhavgarh, boasting the highest population-density of tigers in the world|Private 4WD safaris and a boat trip to seek out India's exotic wildlife
Trip Details
Product Code: 20485
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport: Bus4WDBoatTrain
Guide Language: English
Tour Operator:
Explore Worldwide
Supplier Code: WSI
Starts: India
Finishes: India
Duration: 15 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Easy
Includes
- Explore Tour Leader
- Driver(s)
- Safari Guide(s)
Accommodation
- Emarald Hotel
- Sariska Safari Lodge
- Raj Niwas Palace
- Ramada by Wyndham Khajuraho
- Bandhav Vilas
- Chitvan Jungle Lodge
- Overnight Train from Jabalpur to Delhi
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $5,970 ($398 /day)
Itinerary
Arrive in New Delhi, the capital of India and the colourful, bustling centre of the nation. The city has been at the heart of numerous empires and dynasties over time from the Mughals to the British Raj, with each one having left its own unique mark on the city, resulting in the rich patchwork that is modern-day Delhi. For those arriving on time today, our tour leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 5pm for a welcome meeting. We'll then make our way out into the city on foot, arriving at Hanuman's Temple in time to witness the evening prayer rituals. Afterwards, we'll explore the bustling hub of Connaught Place - a colonial-era circus of shops, bars, restaurants and street vendors. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL), which is around 45 minutes from our hotel. Please note, that if you'd like to join the city tour today, you'll need to arrive at the hotel by 4pm. If you're booking your own flights, we recommend giving yourself at least one hour to clear the airport. The drive from the airport to the hotel is then around 45 minutes, therefore the latest your flight can arrive is 2pm. If you miss the welcome meeting, your tour leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up.
This morning, we'll explore more of the city, acclimatising ourselves to the calmer area of New Delhi, and driving along the wide avenues to take in the major sights that begin to tell the story of India's rich history. We visit India Gate and the UNESCO-listed Mughal site of Humayun's Tomb, a precursor to the great Taj Mahal. After lunch, we leave Delhi and drive to Sariska National Park, a drive of approximately three and a half hours. There will be some free time in the late afternoon to enjoy our lodge's facilities before dinner.
Sariska National Park has been a real success story of conservation. Back in the early 2000s, it was thought that due to poaching and habitat degradation, the reserve had no tigers left within its boundaries. A huge conservation effort was mounted and fast-forwarding to today there is now thought to be a population of around 30 tigers including a litter of healthy cubs. Straddling Rajasthan's Aravalli Hills, Sariska is characterised by dry deciduous forests, grasslands and rocky landscapes. The park is generally considered to be a far quieter park than its very popular neighbour, Ranthambore. As the sun rises and the dawn breaks, we head out early to catch our first glimpse of India's incredible wildlife. As well as the tigers, the park is also home to the elusive leopard, jungle cat, jackals, a variety of deer a huge number of langurs. After lunch, we take a second game drive as we continue to search for wildlife. The group will be split into a number of open-topped, private jeeps, with each jeep having an accompanying naturalist.
This morning we will leave Rajasthan behind and cross into India's most populous state, Uttar Pradesh. Such is the population of UP, that if it were a country in its own right, it would be the fifth most populous country in the world. The state is a major industrial and commercial centre and, being on the main Indo-Gangetic plain, it benefits from rich soil for excellent agriculture. We make the five-hour drive across fertile landscapes to the city of Dholpur, sitting beside the Chambal River. The Chambal is one of the few remaining undammed rivers in northern India and is known for its rich biodiversity and relatively untouched natural surroundings. After lunch, we will take a private boat out onto the river where we hope to spot some of the rich variety of wildlife found here. This river is one of the last remaining habitats for the critically endangered Gharial, a species of long-snouted crocodile which are often found on the banks of the river, basking in the afternoon sun. As well as crocodiles, we may spot the playful Gangetic River Dolphin, smooth-coated otters or the Indian softshell turtle. The river is also a haven for birdlife where we hope to be lucky enough to spot Indian Skimmers, Sarus Cranes and Kingfishers.
We head deeper into central India today, making the short drive to the train station this morning where we catch the two-hour train ride to Jhansi. Travelling by train is a wonderful way to experience India, from the bustling railway platforms to the chai wallahs that ply their trade through the carriages, offering hot tea and snacks along the journey. India has one of the largest rail networks in the world, and it serves as a vital lifeline for many Indians - connecting many small towns, villages and rural areas with larger commercial centres. Along the way, we can soak in the rural scenery as it rolls past our window and we're likely to get the chance to chat with some of the locals in our carriage who are often interested to see tourists travelling by train. After disembarking in Jhansi we will continue by bus, crossing into the central state of Madhya Pradesh to Khajuraho, a journey of around three hours. The rest of the afternoon has been left free to relax or to explore this ancient town.
We set off early this morning for our private 4WD game drive through the varied landscapes of Panna National Park. The park's topography provides some truly stunning scenery and makes it quite different from our experience in Sariska. The park is made up of thick teak forests separated by wide plateaus and gorges. The lazy Ken River flows through the park and acts as its main water source, and in parts cascades down stacked rocks forming impressive waterfalls. Known less for tigers (although sightings still can be made) the park is renowned for its birdlife with over 200 recorded species found here. Vultures and eagles are not uncommon sightings, as well as the colourful Asian Paradise Flycatcher; the state bird of Madhya Pradesh. Migratory birds are also prevalent in the winter months. Later this afternoon, we explore the UNESCO World Heritage Temples of Khajuraho. Intricately hand-carved, the erotic sculptures which adorn the Hindu and Jain temples here are full of symbolism and depict various aspects of life at the time, during the 9th to 12th century. We spend the afternoon exploring the main temples including the magnificent Kandariya Mahadev and Vishwanath temples.
Our journey continues today, as we drive further into the heart of India to Bandhavgarh - arguably the most famous tiger reserve in the world. The drive will take approximately five hours with breaks and will give us a real taste of rural India as we pass by patchworks of farmlands and pockets of small villages. It's a common scene in rural India to see children playing in the water from the hand-pumped wells, and cows and other livestock roaming freely through the villages and across the roads. Upon arrival in Bandhavgarh, the rest of the afternoon has been left free to relax.
The former hunting reserve of the Maharaja of Rewa, Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve is today world-renowned for reputedly having the highest population density of tigers in any park on earth. The majestic Royal Bengal is at home here amongst the ideal habitat of high grasslands interspersed with forests of sal and bamboo, while rivers and streams crisscross their way through the park. The trees and high grasslands provide ample food for the park's large deer population, and in turn, provide plenty of cover for the tigers to hunt their prey. The various water sources are an ideal location for tigers to rest and a great place to spot the big cats lazing around on hotter days. Whilst tigers are the focus here, the park is also home to wild dogs, hyenas, spotted deer (chital), bison and many more species. We spend the day taking two safaris through the park, one in the early morning and one in the late afternoon. Safaris will be in private 4WD vehicles with a maximum of four to a jeep and with an accompanying naturalist.
We spend another day in Bandhavgarh, with two further morning and afternoon game drives in our private 4WD vehicles. Game drives are usually taken in the early morning, between the hours of 06.00 and 11.00 and afternoon game drives are between 14.30 and 17.30. The time in between can be spent at leisure, using the facilities of the lodge and enjoying an extended lunch break.
We leave Bandhavgarh National Park this morning and drive to Kanha, a journey of approximately six hours, with plenty of time for refreshment stops. We'll enjoy a late lunch on arrival at our jungle lodge, and the remainder of the afternoon is at leisure.
Kanha's huge expanses of grassy meadows and thick deciduous forests are said to have served as inspiration to Rudyard Kipling for The Jungle Book. It's easy to see why with the sheer variety on offer at Kanha, both for flora and fauna. The park is home to a significant population of tigers, as well as leopards, sloth bears, Bengal foxes, bison and the rare Indian antelope (blackbuck), as well as over 300 species of bird. The park is expansive, covering an area of 940 square kilometres and we plan to explore the park on five private game drives over the following three days. Today we enjoy two game drives, one in the early morning and one in the late afternoon as we look to spot the park's abundant wildlife and take in Kanha's beautiful vistas.
We have another day in Kanha National Park, with morning and afternoon game drives in our private 4WD jeeps alongside a naturalist. Morning game drives can be especially beautiful as we are out in the park just as the sun rises. But during the winter months these drives can be especially cold, so be sure to prepare with extra layers.
We enjoy one final game drive in Kanha National Park this morning before we leave the boundaries of the park and drive to Jabalpur, a journey of approximately four to five hours including stops. From Jabalpur, we board our overnight train which will take us back to Delhi. Indian sleeper trains are a fantastic experience and a great way to meet people as we travel. We make our bookings in second-class air-conditioned sleepers, which have four beds in each compartment and all bedding provided. Whilst we try to ensure the group is all together, due to overwhelming demand and the system for booking train tickets in India, it may not always be possible to have everyone in the same carriage and some reservations may be in third-class air-conditioned. In such cases, our tour leaders will help everyone to find their seats and ensure you get the most out of your journey. For overnight trains, each berth is separated by curtains and has 4/6 bunk beds. Bedding (sheet, blanket and pillow) is provided but you may wish to bring your own sleeping bag liner for added comfort.
This morning has been left free to rest and freshen up before we go out and explore the temples and bazaars of Old Delhi. This afternoon we walk around the narrow, packed lanes of this fascinating part of the city, culminating with a jamboree of sounds at Chandni Chowk Bazaar. A short cycle rickshaw ride then takes us to the (outside of) Jama Masjid mosque, a sublime example of Mughal architecture built by emperor Shah Jahan and a bit of an oasis amid the city. Whilst in Old Delhi we will get to try some of the capital's street food treats straight from the stall sellers including aloo chaat (fried potato and spice mix) or paneer tikka (cottage cheese marinated in spices) along with freshly cooked breads such as parathas and rotis.
The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Delhi. There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart from Delhi at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you would like to receive a complimentary airport transfer today, you need to depart from New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport (airport code DEL), which is around 45 minutes from the hotel.
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Tour Operator
Explore Worldwide
A prominent adventure travel company with over four decades of experience, this business that offers a comprehensive array of unique and thrilling experiences worldwide. Catering to various interests, they provide small group journeys, walking and cycling trips, solo holidays, and family adventures.
In Business Since 1981
Reviews
Rich - Traveled, April 2025
Veeru (Singh) is a top notch tour leader. He's all you could ask for really - exceptionally knowledgeable about wildlife, constantly looking out for you and advocating for your needs and wishes, a good conversationalist, kind, proactive, and has your back. He organised a lovely cake for my birthday, and kitted me with a fabulous pagari, which I've brought home with me. On the night train, he swapped beds, then eventually lost his swapped bed (and seat), all to accommodate the needs of our group. Then he still led the tour the next day on barely any sleep. An absolute trooper. The tour was great, the drives and wildlife portions particularly. Drives can be somewhat guide and driver dependent - if you have good guides then you will get amazing sightings, and it helps if they are photographers themselves. Vamul at Bandavgarh was brilliant, very knowledgeable, skilled at positioning and with good craic with other drivers and park employees; Ashu and Deo made a great team at Kanha getting us the highlight tiger photo of the trip; Raju and Sarita at Kanha worked together brilliantly to get us a glimpse of a leopard, very special even if too fleeting for a photo. Ninja at Sariska was very eloquent, his training as a naturalist meaning that he was able to talk at length about different species we saw, primarily birds. Salman at Panna was kind, and had a good photographic eye. It's worth going on optional extra night drives. We had a thrilling night time encounter with a tiger in the buffer of Bandavgarh, a sighting of a jungle cat, and even without sightings the experience of driving through a moonlit forest is exciting and beautiful. I didn't enjoy the temple and city sightseeing as much as others, though my partner loved it, so in that sense the tour as a whole represented a good compromise in our interests. Food was generally a good standard, though I did find myself unreasonably excited at finding pasta in the buffet at Bandhav Vilas. I do like curry, and had some great biryanis too, but I found spiced food for every meal sat a bit heavy with me after a few days. It should be noted that there are parts of this trip that autistic/neurodivergent people may struggle with. Some temples can be very loud; some spaces, like train stations and markets, very chaotic and crowded; the night train was a bad experience for me. I don't say this to dissuade, but to flag that you may struggle, especially if you don't have coping strategies in place (ear protection, stims, comfort items, grounding items/techniques). I was fortunate that my fellow tourists were very kind and understanding, and did lots to accommodate me even without asking. All in all, I'd recommend this trip to wildlife enthusiasts, and I'd particularly recommend Veeru as a guide. To see my photos from this trip, you can search for user "sasquatchphotog" on Flickr and look in the "Travel - India 2025" album.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/05/2025
Phillip - Traveled, April 2025
The Explore! guide Veeru Singh was absolutely brilliant, able to cater for some people's specific dietary requirements, sort any probles swiftly and put people at ease so they could enjoy the trip. A keen birder he was also great at identifying the wildlife and pointing out wildlife and interesting things on the longer bus travels of the trip. He even gave up his own bed on the sleeper train to ensure a client with concerns about taking a top bunk was comfortable. The tiger sightings were good in Kanha and Bandhavgarh, with Sariska being more birds and other wildlife. There were also sloth bears, jungle cats and jackals alongside the spotted deer, swamp deer and samba deer, with even a couple of rarer black buck so every trip out saw something interesting. Sometimes there were more than 4 guests to a vehicle but this was manageable and everyone got good sightings. The food in the various stays was really good, tasty and plentiful. With the accommodation outside Delhi being of a very good standard. The Sariska accommodation was particularly nice with beautiful gardens.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/03/2025
Eileen - Traveled, April 2025
A thoroughly enjoyable trip! If your sole purpose is to see tigers please bear in mind that they are elusive and sightings can be brief. However, we saw lots of other wildlife too. Accommodation, apart from the rather dated hotel in Delhi, was good. Tour Leader, Abhi, was great and tried to accommodate everyone's requests. Some guides in National Parks have limited communication skills but Jeep Drivers were very good. The Temples at Khajuraho are on a par with Angkor Wat although the site is smaller.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/04/2025
Karen - Traveled, April 2025
Our guide was an experienced birdwatcher since childhood. He was experienced in finding and naming all the wildlife. We were thrilled to have 14 tiger sightings seeing 10 individual tigers. The looking at temples and sites in Old and New Delhi was great. I think the Emerald hotel in Delhi is a bit run down, they need to wash their table clothes! Their staff are nice. All other accommodation was excellent. Be nice to have an option on the train to book lower bunk. A kind Indian man swapped with me, as guide explained I had hip replacements and difficulty getting on top bunk. A lovely holiday.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/05/2025
Barry - Traveled, April 2025
fantastic. A lot of early starts 'pay off ' with good wildlife encounters. but choose dates carefully if only after tigers. Myself I would have liked more energy spent on all wildlife but mostly the format of 2 hours full on looking for tigers and then 2 hours more general worked with 15 tiger sightings and sloth bears on the Ranthanbore extension. part of a leopard, great birdlife and a couple of sightings of a Jungle cat. mongoose, all the varied "deer". monkeys galore. All aided by our glorious leader Veeru. Good job. PS the non wildlife bits were great too and the best accommodation of any other tour. All comfortable with a family feel, Perfect. We would do it again.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/02/2025
Iain - Traveled, April 2025
Trip itinerary was excellent, successfully tiger focused, with a half day spent at UNESCO temples. One daytime and one overnight train journeys were on time and reliable, good fun, however group separation resulting from Indian Railways bureaucracy was unfortunate. Very good double figure tiger and other wildlife sightings were achieved at three of the National Parks and a leopard and other wildlife was sighted in and on the periphery of Sariska NP - Wow! In the NPs, the standard of jeeps was generally good, although one morning game drive at Kanha was delayed (and tiger sighting missed) as a result of poor vehicle maintenance, previously notified to the driver, with his lack of timeous action which would have avoided delay and enabled tiger sighting, seen by other group vehicles. It is fully accepted and endorsed that communities close to the NPs should benefit from the impact of visitors to the NPs. Some jeep drivers and guides were excellent, others less so and pot luck who is allocated to you, which can be frustrating. The NPs rightly employ drivers and guides locally but could and should improve the language and communication training of their employees to enhance the visitor experience. Whilst many ‘guides’ are knowledgeable, many fail to communicate adequately. Hotels were generally of a good standard, with friendly staff however included food was repetitive and lack imagination. The Staff at the Delhi hotel were excellent, however the hotel is located right next to a 24/7 mainline railway line, with associated nighttime noise! Trip leader Gajendra was excellent at dealing with individual questions and issues, supported individual needs very well, was friendly, however group communication and advance and routine notification was limited and could have been greatly improved. Driver and minibus were excellent.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/02/2025
Sarah - Traveled, March 2025
Trip of a lifetime. We were very lucky to see 7 tigers on our India Tiger Safari, as well as four leopards and sloth bear. Even on the days that we didn't see any tigers, there was always plenty of wildlife to see, and we were lucky to be in the company of fantastic guides/drivers who were very knowledgeable and experienced. All the accommodation we stayed at was wonderful, with excellent service and great food. It was a wonderful group to travel with and Inder Singh Chauhan was a fantastic tour leader, who went out of his way to ensure that we had the best and most authentic experience of India. Couldn't possibly recommend any higher. One of the best holidays I've ever had; I'll never forget it.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/02/2025
Jan - Traveled, March 2025
Yes the Emarald is a bit of a shock when you arrive all hot and bothered. Clean sheets and a hot shower help. It didn't seem half as bad by the time we returned at the end of the trip. Inder was a great guide and my fellow explorers were great fun. The places we stayed were lovely and the food consistently good. There is no guarantee you will see a tiger. We spent a day chasing around, sitting waiting for alarm calls. It makes an actual sighting more special and emotional One of the best holidays I've had
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/04/2025
Anonymous - Traveled, February 2025
To call our trip a Tiger Safari is a bit of stretch. After 48 hours of drives in 4/5 National Parks we had seen only ONE tiger. But we did see three leopards, lots of different deer and lots and lots of birds.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/01/2025
Carol - Traveled, February 2025
Our tour guide was brilliant & I felt very safe with him, he looked after us well.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/03/2025
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