Stay in Comfortable Eco-Lodges
Luxury accommodation in small, private safari camps with exemplary eco-credentials.
This holiday suggestion is perfect for anyone keen to see tigers in the wild. Experience 10 game drives over 8 days, accompanied by best-in-field naturalists, in three of the best tiger parks in India; Kanha, Bandhavgarh and Panna.
Luxury accommodation in small, private safari camps with exemplary eco-credentials.
Spend time with renowned conservation biologist, Ragu Chundawat at his home in Panna National Park.
With dense forests and a plentiful prey base, Kanha is the perfect hunting ground for big cats.
Get personally involved in conservation activities during your trip.
We have chosen the combination of Kanha, Bandhavgarh and Panna in order to give you the most exclusive wildlife safari experiences possible. Although spotting a tiger in the wild isn’t guaranteed, this journey gives you the best possible chance of finding yourself in the presence of this majestic creature.
Lodges have been carefully selected according to their location to the park, their eco-credentials and sustainability policy and the quality and standard of their in-house naturalists. And we’ve included all the safaris you’d ever need, avoiding you having to navigate the tricky safari bookings system.
This is the ultimate tiger safari.
Included as Standard
Airport VIP meet and greet, a bottle of wine on arrival, a spa treatment, a dedicated member of our team available 24/7, an upgrade at one of your chosen hotels and cars with Wi-Fi connectivity (region-specific).
Day 1
Mumbai
Day 2
Mumbai - Raipur - Kanha National Park
Day 3 - 4
Kanha National Park
Day 5
Kanha National Park - Bandhavgarh National Park
Day 6
Bandhavgarh National Park
Day 7
Bandhavgarh National Park - Panna National Park
Day 8-9
Panna
Day 10
Panna National Park - Khajuraho - Delhi
Day 11
Delhi
Day 1
Mumbai
Formerly known as Bombay, Mumbai is a city teeming with culture, architecture and people.
Day 2
Mumbai - Raipur - Kanha National Park
Day 3 - 4
Kanha National Park
Kanha is considered by some, as India’s greatest park.
Day 5
Kanha National Park - Bandhavgarh National Park
The setting of Bandhavgarh is impressive – the ruins of the ancient fort, the archaeological remains of the Kachin period provide a stunning backdrop.
Day 6
Bandhavgarh National Park
Day 7
Bandhavgarh National Park - Panna National Park
Day 8-9
Panna
From safaris to boat rides, from spotting spectacular birdlife to seeking out tigers and sloth bears, Panna offers many exciting opportunities to the wildlife lover.
Day 10
Panna National Park - Khajuraho - Delhi
Day 11
Delhi
Steppes Travel is proud to be a member of TOFT, (Travel Operators for Tigers ) who, in conjunction with Global Tiger Patrol, supports a sustainable approach to tourism in the wildlife reserves. This means that you can be confident that your tiger safari holiday is being operated in a responsible manner and will benefit the local villagers and the wildlife within the tiger parks you visit.
TOFTigers is an organisation founded by a former Steppes Director, Julian Matthews. The campaign aims at all involved in the tourism industry – from government bodies to park directorates, from communities to tour operators such as Steppes Travel – to plan and support tourism to save tigers and their habitat. We consult frequently with Julian Matthews and he leads our small group tiger conservation tours.
Kanha is considered by some as India’s greatest park and provides a diverse habitat to support many mammal and bird species. The sheer size and remoteness mean that Kanha is often less busy than other parks and now that vehicle numbers are limited and advance booking is crucial, it offers a superior safari experience.
Morning and afternoon safaris are undertaken by jeep with an English speaking naturalist (usually from the camp you are staying in). You also collect an official park guide at the entrance to the park and although their English generally isn’t very good they have the sharpest eyes and a very tuned ear. A successful tiger sighting is just around the corner. As well as tiger, Kanha is home to barasingha, chital, wild boar, sloth bear, jungle cat, wild dog and leopard.
When designing our tiger safari itineraries, we consider not only current tiger populations and the quality of the safari experience, but also where you put your head at the of the day. Safaris start early in the morning so we want you to be as well-rested and cared for as possible, in order to get you through the park gates quickly and comfortably so you can enjoy your safari. The lodges we use have excellent eco-credentials, with sustainability and community investment at their heart. They also offer a superb standard of personal service, attention to detail and delicious cuisine.
We include Panna within our tiger circuit itineraries as it has a growing reputation for tiger sightings and is less crowded, so the overall safari experience is more personal. Panna is also home to the Asiatic leopard and is one of the best places to spot this creature. The Ken River flowing through the reserve is home to Gharial and Mugger and is a favourite spot for bird watching. Other wildlife spotted here are chinkara, wild dog, sloth bear and jackal.
For the moment Panna doesn’t have fixed zones and set routes like some other parks so on safari you are able to follow alarm calls without any restrictions.
Prices will vary depending on the time of year you are travelling. Prices do not include international flights. Please ask one of our Travel Experts for an accurate quote. Flights purchased through Steppes Travel departing from the UK are ATOL protected.
January is a very popular time to travel to India, due to mild temperatures and very little rainfall. The climate varies across India from snow in the Northern States to the Southern regions experiencing daily sunshine – perfect for an escape to Kerala’s beaches.
During peak season, February is an ideal month to travel to India, experiencing all regions of the country from Rajasthan in the North to Karnataka in the South.
Temperatures begin to rise with March typically being the last month of the peak season. A significant month for religious, Hindu festivals, March can become busy in some regions however also a perfect time to travel to experience Indian culture and wildlife.
With temperatures starting to rise, regions in Northern India start to become more accessible with excellent opportunities to discover hiking trails and the wildlife of these regions. Temperatures can sometimes exceed 40°C, with high levels of humidity in Southern India.
From May to September, Monsoon rains affect the North and Central states of India with daily rainfall and thunderstorms. During the Monsoon season, it is best to experience high altitude regions and avoid beach resorts.
Most regions of India will experience the Monsoon season in June alongside high daily temperatures and high levels of humidity. Whilst, not a popular time to travel, experience the mountainous regions as opposed to Central India to experience slightly cooler temperatures at the start of the month.
At the peak of the Monsoon season, most of the country experiences frequent, heavy rainfall. Whilst travel plans may be interrupted due to the climate, it is a great time to visit India to experience the national parks and the great outdoors.
As the Monsoon continues, the climate is very similar to that of June and July. Whilst not a suitable time to travel to India’s Southern beaches, other Northern Regions are popular with locals for hiking and outdoor pursuits.
As the final month of the Monsoon season, rainfall will be less frequent with the occasional sunny spell showcasing the lush, green vegetation that has flourished during the heavy rains.
As the monsoon rains have finished, humidity levels remain high and the peak travel season begins. During the month of October, there are lots of religious festivals, including Diwali, where some regions may become busier with domestic tourists.
As one of the best times to visit the country, November brings comfortable temperatures for sightseeing with the monsoon rains dying out from October. As the temperatures drop, however, Northern India and the Himalayas will become less accessible.
In December, temperatures and climate will be dependant on the region. In the Southern States, India will see a pleasant and mild climate, ideal for sightseeing, whereas, in Northern India and mountainous regions, snow and cold temperatures are likely.
These may be uncertain times but they are, without a doubt, still full of opportunity to discover the extraordinary safely. Through knowledge and expertise, we can connect you to those destinations embracing travellers with the added confidence of flexible booking and decades of insight.
Are you ready to discover extraordinary once again?