Indian Safaris - Unmissable Wildlife Experiences by Anecdotes India DMC
With some of the most exhilarating wildlife experiences in the world, India is a land of thriving biodiversity, magnificent mammals and iconic flora and fauna - a bucket list must for any nature lover! If you have clients who love to go on Safari and love wildlife - this could well be for you!
We asked Anecdotes DMC, our experts on all things India, to share their suggestions for an unparallelled nature tour - one where every destination presents unique encounters with wildlife set against a backdrop of stunning landscapes.
Whether it’s the dense jungles of Madhya Pradesh, the arid expanses of Gujarat, the royal terrains of Rajasthan, the foothills of the Himalayas, the lush swamps of the Sundarbans or the floodplains of Assam, these unmissable wildlife experiences will leave your guests with endless cherished memories of the natural heritage of the Subcontinent. Let’s explore!
The Tiger Trails of Central India
Our tour begins in Central India, where a short flight from Delhi to Nagpur brings guests within striking distance of Pench National Park.
Pench National Park, Madhya Pradesh - Tiger Safaris
Established in 1975, Pench National Park straddles the border of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra and is famed for its diverse wildlife and bird species spread across 758 sq/km. Here guests will discover one of the highest densities of prey animals, chased by an estimated 65 tigers. And although tigers are the main attraction, the park also boasts huge diversity of mammals and birds, including a significant population of leopards, wild dogs, Indian bison (gaur) and jackals, all living in this unforgettable landscape of scrubland, teak forests and lakes and streams.
Best time to visit: From October to June, with February to April being particularly good for wildlife viewing.
Where to stay - Some of our recommendations include:
Jamatara Wilderness Camp - This intimate and authentic safari camp offers a unique blend of luxury and wilderness while emphasising eco-friendly practices and supporting local communities. Its ten spacious and elegant tents with open-air showers blend seamlessly into the natural surroundings, offering a wonderful backdrop for the personalised service, delicious cuisine and serene setting. Or…
Pench Tree Lodge, Pugdundee Safaris - luxurious treehouses and cottages blending comfort with adventure.
Baghvan, Taj Safaris is a charming safari lodge that focuses on luxury and wildlife. Think standalone suites with private verandas, gourmet dining, a swimming pool, and spa treatments.
Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh
Next, drive to Kanha National Park, a highland jewel of Madhya Pradesh, whose spectacular sal and bamboo forests, rolling grasslands and meandering streams provided the inspiration for Rudyard Kipling’s “The Jungle Book.” The only home to the rare hardground barasingha (or swamp deer), who roam the 940 sq/km of park and grasslands as they have for millennia, guests can also spot Benghal tigers, leopards, sloth bears, wild dogs, ungulates, lesser cats and close to 300 bird species.
Optional Activity from Anecdotes: Gond art session - led by an expert artist, learn this form of painting practised by the Gond (or Koitur) tribe
Best time to visit: Between October and June
Where to stay - Some of our recommendations include:
Bagh Villas, Kanha: A luxurious, eco-friendly jungle retreat, Bagh Villas offers the perfect blend of modern amenities and rustic charm, providing guests with an immersive wildlife experience. Accommodations include well-appointed tents with private decks and the property features a swimming pool, spa and organic farm-to-table dining for the ultimate in comfort amid nature.
Kanha Earth Lodge, Pugdundee Safaris - eco-luxe cottages built with local materials, providing a rustic yet comfortable stay.
Banjaar Tola, Taj Safaris - an exquisite blend of luxury and nature, whose two elegant camps offer stunning views of the Banjaar River along with gourmet dining, pool and spa treatments.
Bandhavgarh National Park, Madhya Pradesh
Driving on to the heart of India, Bandhavgarh National Park is known for having one of the highest densities of Bengal tigers in the world and offers a thrilling opportunity to spot these majestic cats. Established in 1968, the park was declared a tiger reserve under Project Tiger in 1993, and now these majestic creatures wander grasslands spread over 32 hills and across 448 sq/km alongside leopards, sloth bears and a variety of deer species.
Best time to visit: From October to June, with Feb to May being a good time for tiger sightings.
Where to stay - Oour recommendations include:
Mahua Kothi by Taj Safaris: Mahua Kothi is a luxurious safari lodge that combines traditional charm with modern comfort. With twelve charming cottages (Kutiyas) featuring rustic decor and contemporary amenities, guests can indulge in gourmet dining, relax by the pool or enjoy spa treatments. Mahua Kothi emphasises sustainable tourism and community engagement, providing an authentic and responsible wildlife experience which, combined with impeccable service and stunning surroundings, offers an unforgettable stay in Bandhavgarh.
Kings Lodge, Pugdundee Safaris - an exceptional wildlife experience with a focus on sustainability.
Satpura National Park, Madhya Pradesh
Driving (or flying from Jabalpur to Bhopal) to Satpura National Park offers a more secluded and intimate wildlife experience in this lesser-known natural gem, where guests can expect to see tigers, leopards, sloth bears and rich birdlife in this 524 sq/km park. Here, an expert naturalist from Reni Pani Jungle Lodge (more details below) guides guests on a Jeep Safari that focuses on forest life, looking for tracks and signs, flora, butterflies, wildflowers and insects while visitors spot an array of stunning indigenous birds and possibly mammals ranging from leopards, sloth bears and wild dogs to nilgai, gaur and the Indian giant squirrel.
Optional additional experiences include: Cycling, Canoeing experience and a Sunset boat cruise on the Denwa River, with the potential to spot Indian freshwater crocodiles
Best time to visit: Between October and April for the best experience.
Where to stay - Our recommendations include:
Reni Pani Jungle Lodge, Jehan Numa Hotels: This exquisitely designed contemporary Jungle Lodge offers an authentic wilderness experience with a focus on nature, conservation and luxury. Accommodations feature twelve cottages, including luxury tents, nallah units and hill units, each combining rustic charm and modern amenities in an immersive setting. Emphasising sustainability and conservation, Reni Pani supports local communities and eco-friendly practices, and blends this perfectly with personalised service, gourmet dining and a spectacular natural landscape that encompasses magnificent trees, a sprawling meadow, uneven yet beautiful topography and water holes that attract several species of birds & animals.
Bori Safari Lodge - another Jehan Numa Hotel, this exclusive, luxe resort is tucked away in the lush locale of Dhapada village near the Bori Wildlife Sanctuary, offering tastefully designed rooms and cottages.
Gujarat and the Lions of Gir National Park
Heading west now to the state of Gujarat, Gir National Park is the only place in the world where you can see Asiatic lions in the wild - in fact, outside Africa, it’s the only place in the world you can see lions of any species in their natural habitat. Spanning 1,412 sq/km, Gir is a biodiversity hotspot that teems with wildlife of all shapes and sizes. Aside from its 600-strong lion population, guests could encounter all manner of creatures, from leopards, antelopes and crocodiles to a cornucopia of bird and reptile species including monitor lizards. The park is also home to the fascinating Maldhari tribes, who have coexisted with the animals here for centuries.
Optional Activities to include: Add-on trip to Velavadar National Park, the best national park to see black bucks in the wild. This 36 sq/km tapestry of grassland and scrubby plain is reminiscent of the African savannah and also provides a home to the endangered Indian wolf, jackals, Indian foxes, jungle cats, blue bull antelope, and hare. Velavadar is a 6-hour drive from Gir and is closed between 15 June and 15 October.
Also, get a chance to watch the utterly absorbing Siddhi Dhamal dance. Legend has it that the Siddhi tribe settled in Gujarat decades ago when the Maharaja of Junagadh brought them in from Tanzania. Even though Gir is now their home, they’ve managed to keep parts of their culture alive, including this special dance.
Best time to visit Gir National Park: From November to April (Gir is usually closed between 15 June and 15 October)
Where to stay - Our Recommendations include:
The Postcard Hotel, Gir: In its own words “raw yet luxurious”, The Postcard Gir Wildlife Sanctuary is a haven of luxury and intimacy in the heart of Gujarat's Gir National Park. Known for its personalised service and stunning environment, this is a beautiful boutique hotel, whose spacious rooms come with modern amenities and private verandas. The hotel’s sustainability efforts include sourcing local produce for its gourmet dining and supporting community initiatives.
Aramness Gir, a taste of authentic Gujarat at its finest, Aramness Lodge features kothis (villas) that blend premium-yet-traditional design with modern comforts, private pools and stunning forest views. Here, guests can indulge in gourmet cuisine, wellness treatments and impeccable service.
Little Rann of Kutch, Gujarat
Travelling north from Gir, don’t miss the Little Rann of Kutch, a unique, shimmering salt marsh over 5,000 sq/km known best for its population of the rare and endangered Indian wild ass. This surreal landscape is one of the largest sanctuaries for wildlife in India, hosting everything from desert foxes, wolves and jackals to snakes - and, with its vast range of bird species (including flamingoes), is a paradise for any bird lover.
Best time to visit: Between October and March to enjoy the migratory bird season and pleasant weather.
Leopard Safari in Jawai
We continue now into vibrant Rajasthan, known for its rich cultural heritage, majestic palaces, historic forts, colourful festivals and vast desert landscapes. Jawai is an adventurer’s retreat particularly renowned for its leopard population, who live out their shy existence amidst the rugged, rocky terrain of the Aravalli ranges - but it’s possibly most fascinating because of the harmonious relationship between these beautiful mammals and the local Rabari community. Jawai is one of the few places on earth where leopards thrive around a human settlement.
Scattered with ancient rocks of the Precambrian period, religious shrines and temples, the leopards of this 60 sq/km area have accepted their human neighbours and their artefacts completely - one of the most incredible sights here is that of the villagers at prayer, while the big cats sit quite calmly and watch! What other animals live here? Guests can look for chinkara, desert cats, Indian wolves, pythons, jackals, and striped hyenas, amongst others - and a lucky few might even spot a caracal, the medium-sized wild cat known for its distinctive long tufted ears, short reddish-gold fur and incredible agility.
Best time to visit: From October to April.
Where to stay - Our recommendations include:
Sujan Luxury Resort: This luxurious safari camp offers an exquisite blend of wildlife and opulence amongst the billion-year old granite rock formations, featuring lavish tented suites with contemporary decor and modern amenities, gourmet cuisine crafted from locally sourced ingredients and personalised service.
Ranthambore and the Golden Triangle - with a touch of luxe
From Jawai, a 6-hour drive brings guests to Ranthambore National Park, that classical tiger reserve that is an unmissable feature of any Golden Triangle itinerary and which sits within reach of both Jaipur and Agra. Tucked between the rugged Aravali and Vindhya hills, Ranthambore is perhaps most famous for being one of the original ‘Project Tiger’ reserves and still presents one of the best opportunities anywhere in India for visitors to spot tigers. Better yet is its peerlessly atmospheric setting - a backdrop of ancient ruins that include old Mughal and Rajput temples, palaces and forts enveloped by greenery. An interesting travel tip: Make sure to discover the 10th-century Ranthambore Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, perched atop a hill that dominates the landscape around.
The park's landscape is incredibly diverse, with dry deciduous forests, open grasslands, rocky hills, rivers, streams and waterfalls across 392 sq/km, housing a thriving but elusive population of Bengal tigers, as well as leopards, sloth bears, striped hyenas, deer, gazelles, crocodiles and birds. Accompanied by experienced guides and storytellers, travellers head off the beaten track to spot as much as they can, while learning more about the park's efforts to preserve its unique ecosystem and meeting the local communities and conservationists working tirelessly to protect this magnificent landscape.
Best time to visit: From October to June, with some interesting sightings from March to May.
Where to stay - Our recommendations include:
Aman-i-Khás - Palatially opulent and luxuriously lush, Aman-i-Khás is a stunningly indulgent stay near Ranthambore, its intimate tented pavilions inspired by Mughal architecture and its amenities as exceptional as those you’d expect from an Aman resort - a fabulous touch of luxe on this safari adventure.
Sujan Sher Bagh - authentic and luxurious, this elegant tented camp features spacious accommodation with vintage decor and private verandas as well as gourmet dining, a swimming pool and spa treatments.
A Himalayan Safari at the Corbett Tiger Reserve
From Jaipur, a flight to Delhi brings guests within reach of India’s oldest park, the Jim Corbett National Park, which sits in the Himalayan foothills of Uttarakhand near the border with Nepal. Established in 1936 and now named after Jim Corbett, a British hunter turned conservationist, the park is renowned for its Bengal tiger population, who roam over 520 sq/km of diverse terrain that includes hills, grasslands and riverine belts. Corbett is a significant part of the Project Tiger initiative and provides a home to tigers, leopards, elephants and over 600 bird species, making it a premier destination for nature enthusiasts.
Best time to visit: From November to June, with March to May being ideal for wildlife spotting.
Where to stay - Our recommendations include:
Jim's Jungle retreat: In the lush southern forests of Jim Corbett National Park, Jim’s Jungle Retreat offers 18 immersive residences, each designed with a focus on good looks, comfort and capturing the area's history - think jungle cottages, forest bungalows and Raj-inspired rest houses filled with luxe fabrics and fine linens, genuine antique lithographs and locally crafted furnishings.
The UNESCO Forests of Sundarbans
East of Calcutta lie the unique mangrove forests of the Sundarban National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest mangrove forest in the world at around 10,000 sq/km. Here live elusive Royal Bengal tigers, who use their swimming abilities to navigate the region’s intricate network of tidal waterways, mudflats and small islands - as well as saltwater crocodiles, spotted deer and a vast range of bird species. Playing a crucial role in coastal protection, this rich ecosystem supports a variety of local communities through fishing and honey collection and is a vital area for conservation and ecotourism. Explore by Boat safari, Guided Jungle walks and treks and from watchtowers (offering panoramic views).
Best time to visit: From October to February for the best experience.
Where to stay
An interesting way to explore the Sundarbans would be via river cruises offered in this region such as Antara Cruises, sailing from Calcutta/Kolkata! Discuss options with Anecdotes to offer your guests a unique experience suited to their needs.
The Elephants and Rhinos of Kaziranga
Finally, we wander further off the beaten track into India’s less-travelled North East region, making for Assam and the fabulous biodiversity of Kaziranga National Park. With stringent anti-poaching and conservation measures in place, the 1,000 sq/km park is famous for its population of the endangered one-horned Indian rhinoceros, also sheltering elephants, Bengal tigers, wild water buffalo and a rainbow of birds amongst its abundant flora and fauna. And flower lovers will be in their element too, exploring the largest orchid park in the North East of India with more than 600 regional species to swoon over.
Best time to visit: From November to April.
Where to stay - Our recommendations include:
Diphlu River Lodge: Consistently voted amongst one of the best lodge accommodations in India by the likes of Vogue India and Architectural Digest, Diphlu River Lodge is a celebrity favourite, chosen by Prince William and Kate Middleton during their visit to India. This luxurious, eco-friendly retreat blends rustic charm with modern comfort, its charming cottages raised on stilts for the best views, and built with local bamboo, timber and thatch for a true authenticity. Think smiling staff, hilltop BBQs and local dance performances, assam tea by the pond, picnics by the river and massages and treatments in the stunning jungle spa. A fabulously luxurious way to round off an unmissable wildlife adventure!
For an example itinerary including Kaziranga National Park, please check out our article, INDIA BEYOND.
When is the best time to visit to see as much as possible?
Choosing a single time of year to experience the best of India’s diverse wildlife is always challenging because of the varying climates and optimal wildlife sighting seasons across different regions. However, the period from October to April is generally considered the most favourable for visiting the majority of these locations. It avoids the extreme summer heat in most parts of India and coincides with the peak season for wildlife sightings in many national parks.
And if we had to pick one period to do it all?
We’d opt for February-March. Striking a balance between comfortable, dry weather conditions and prime wildlife viewing opportunities across various regions, a sample month-long tour could be configured as follows:
Week 1 - Central India
Bandhavgarh National Park - begin with Bandhavgarh for thrilling tiger safaris.
Kanha National Park - move to Kanha to experience the lush forests and spot barasingha deer.
Week 2 - Central India
Pench National Park - explore Pench’s rich biodiversity.
Satpura National Park - enjoy a variety of safari experiences, including walking and boat safaris.
Week 3 - Western India
Gir National Park - head to Gujarat to see the Asiatic lions.
Little Rann of Kutch - witness the Indian wild ass and vibrant birdlife.
Week 3 - Rajasthan
Jawai - spot leopards in the rocky terrains of Jawai.
Ranthambore National Park - experience the historical landscapes and abundant wildlife of Ranthambore.
Week 4 - Northern and Eastern India
Jim Corbett National Park- discover the wildlife of the Himalayan foothills.
Jim Corbett National Park- discover the wildlife of the Himalayan foothills.
Sundarbans National Park - explore the unique mangrove ecosystem of the Sundarbans.
End of month - Northeastern India
Kaziranga National Park - conclude this incredible journey in Assam, marvelling at the one-horned rhinoceroses and other wildlife.
We sincerely hope that this information on safari and wildlife viewing opportunities across India is of interest. Please get in touch if you would like to set up a meeting with the owners of Anecdotes DMC to learn more about what they can offer you and your valuable clients across India.
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