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 eight days, accompanied by best-in-field naturalists, in three of the top tiger parks in India; Kanha, Bandhavgarh and Panna.
We have chosen the combination of Kanha, Bandhavgarh and Panna in order to offer the most exclusive wildlife safari experiences possible. Although spotting a tiger in the wild isn’t guaranteed, this journey gives the best possible chance of finding yourself in the presence of this majestic creature. Carefully selected lodges are well located with outstanding in-house naturalists and a positive impact ethos.
Luxury accommodation in small, private safari camps with exemplary eco-credentials.
Spend time with conservationist, Ragu Chundawat at his home in Panna National Park.
The dense forests and a plentiful prey make Kanha the perfect hunting ground for big cats.
Get personally involved in conservation activities during your trip.
Day 1
Mumbai
Day 2
Mumbai - Raipur - Kanha National Park
Days 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 National Park
Day 10
Panna National Park - Khajuraho - Delhi
Day 1
Mumbai
Arrive into Mumbai and transfer to your accommodation. Formerly known as Bombay, Mumbai is a city teeming with culture, architecture and people.
Day 2
Mumbai - Raipur - Kanha National Park
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Raipur followed by a journey of around four and a half hours to Kanha National Park.
Days 3 - 4
Kanha National Park
Over the next two days, journey into the park in search of tiger and other wildlife. Morning and afternoon safaris are undertaken by jeep with an English speaking naturalist from your lodge as well as an official park guide who have the sharpest eyes and excellent hearing.
Day 5
Kanha National Park - Bandhavgarh National Park
Transfer to Bandhavgarh, a journey of around six hours, and check into your accommodation.
Day 6
Bandhavgarh National Park
Explore the park in search of tiger as well as leopards, monkey and many bird species. The setting of the park is impressive with the ruins of the ancient fort, the archaeological remains of the Kachin period and numerous prehistoric caves providing a stunning backdrop.
Day 7
Bandhavgarh National Park - Panna National Park
Transfer to Panna National Park, a journey of around four hours and check into your accommodation.
Day 8 - 9
Panna National Park
Spend two days spotting spectacular birdlife, seeking out tigers and sloth bears via jeep safari and boat trips – Panna offers many exciting wildlife opportunities.
Day 10
Panna National Park - Khajuraho - Delhi
Transfer approximately one hour to Khajuraho for your flight back to Delhi and onward travel.
Steppes Travel is a founding member of TOFT, a campaign group which supports a sustainable approach to tourism in India’s wildlife reserves. TOFT brings together the stakeholders that make up the tourism industry – from government bodies and park directorates to local communities, lodge owners and tour operators such as Steppes Travel – to plan and support tourism to save tigers and their habitat.
As a TOFT member, Steppes Travel commits to working with partners in India who operate in a manner that prioritises benefits to conservation, community and commerce.
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. 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 crocodile, and is a favourite spot for bird watching. Other wildlife spotted here are chinkara, wild dog, sloth bear and jackal.
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.
Our knowledge and expertise set us apart. So too our curiosity. It is this that drives us to create a journey that is really bespoke to you, all the while ensuring we travel and operate sustainably.
Are you ready to discover extraordinary once again?