Asiatic Leopards
The dense teak forests make Pench the best place in India to see the Asiatic leopard.
With small private eco-lodges providing a comfortable base, discover the rich biodiversity of India’s most prolific national parks. Pench is famous for its leopard sightings, while the dense forests and the large prey base at Kanha, provide the perfect territory for tigers.
Combining a stay at the Bori Safari Lodge and Reni Pani Jungle Lodge in Satpura provides an opportunity for walking, canoeing and horseback riding and an all-day safari exploring the exciting rewilding project at Bori Sanctuary where the fauna count is high but tourist footfall is low.
Key Highlights of this Itinerary
Safari Activities
Combine Bori and Satpura for a mixture of walking, canoeing and horseback riding.
Majestic Tigers
The perfect combination of lodges and parks to optimise your chances of seeing tigers.
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Expert Naturalists
In-house naturalists are on hand to give guests an insight into local species and their behaviour.
Why Steppes?
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Day 1
Delhi
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Day 2
Delhi - Raipur - Kanha National Park
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Days 3 - 5
Kanha National Park
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Day 6
Kanha National Park - Pench National Park
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Day 7 - 9
Pench National Park
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Day 10
Pench National Park - Bori Wildlife Lodge
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Day 11
Bori Wildlife Sanctuary
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Day 12
Bori Sanctuary - Satpura
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Day 13
Satpura
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Day 14
Satpura - Bhopal - Delhi
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Day 15
Depart Delhi
Day 1
Delhi
Arrive into Delhi and transfer to your accommodation to overnight.
Day 2
Delhi - Raipur - Kanha National Park
Transfer to the airport and fly to Raipur. On arrival transfer to Kanha National Park, a journey of approximately four hours. On arrival check into your jungle lodge accommodation.
Days 3 - 5
Kanha National Park
Spend the next three days exploring the park in search of wildlife with exclusive use of your own jeep and guide.
Day 6
Kanha National Park - Pench National Park
Transfer to Pench National Park, a journey of around four to five hours. Spend the next four nights at Jamtara Wilderness Camp.
Day 7 - 9
Pench National Park
Over the next three days explore the national park in search of wildlife. Jeep safaris are usually taken by four clients at one time.
Day 10
Pench National Park - Bori Wildlife Lodge
One last morning jeep safari in Pench before driving to Bori Sanctuary, a journey of around five hours. Check into your accommodation on arrival.
Day 11
Bori Wildlife Sanctuary
Morning and afternoon safaris in Bori Wildlife Sanctuary.
Day 12
Bori Sanctuary - Satpura
Transfer by boat from Bori Wildlife Sanctuary to the Satpura buffer zone from where you transfer overland to Reni Pani Jungle Lodge for two nights.
Day 13
Satpura
Morning and afternoon in Satpura – safaris can be taken by jeep, boat, on foot or on horseback.
Day 14
Satpura - Bhopal - Delhi
Take a morning walk or horse ride before transferring to Bhopal for a flight to Delhi. The drive from Reni Pani Jungle Lodge to Bhopal is approximately four hours. Overnight in Delhi.
Day 15
Depart Delhi
Transfer to the airport for onward travel.
More Details
Why Kanha?
Prime tiger habitat
A beautiful mix of dense forest and meadow, Kanha provides a spectacular and 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 with advance booking crucial due to limited numbers, it offers a superior safari experience. Morning and afternoon jeep safaris are escorted by one of the lodge’s excellent naturalists and as well as tiger, you can also hope to see barasingha, chital, wild boar, sloth bear, jungle cat, wild dog and leopard.
Why Pench?
Big cats and wild dogs
Pench is the best place in India to spot the Asiatic leopard but also has a high density of wild dogs and tigers. The dam in the park is a favourite spot for bird watching. Spend four nights at Jamtara Wilderness Lodge, the only camp located on the Jamtara Gate side of the national park, giving guests an enhanced wildlife experience due to its seclusion. Take the opportunity to walk in the buffer zone with the resident expert from Jamtara and explore a more diverse area of the jungle.
Why Bori Sanctuary & Satpura?
Game walks and all day jeep safaris
Explore one of the largest contiguous blocks of forest left in India where tourist numbers are low and game drives are all-day affairs across wild and beautiful terrain. Bori Wildlife Sanctuary has recently undergone a rewilding project so is now home to thriving grasslands attracting tigers, leopards and wild dogs. Travel by boat from Bori along the Tawa River and stay at Reni Pani Jungle Lodge in Satpura where sloths, sambhar and tigers can be seen and game walks, canoe trips and horse riding make for exciting alternatives to jeep safaris.
Partnerships
Travel Operators for Tigers (TOFT)
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.
Location
Choice of lodges
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 end 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.
How does this holiday make a positive impact?
- Relevant SDGs
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The correlation between thriving tourism and healthy tiger populations is undeniable. Enhancing the economic and social benefits of having wildlife tourism businesses on local community doorsteps is a vital component of conserving biodiversity in India. Satpura has India’s largest tiger-occupied forest and is unique for its connectedness with other tiger habitats in the area. Neighbouring Bori Sanctuary has recently expanded to protect extensive grasslands, the perfect habitat for chital, sambar, nilgai and tigers.
In Pench, you will stay at Jamtara Wilderness Camp which supports two schools in the nearby village. The camp supplies the schools with clean water, helps with maintenance and provides stationery. Jamtara has also assigned a village liaison person to help teach conservation in the local schools while helping local villagers with any social needs that may require local government assistance.
A recent report by the respected conservationist, Dr Raghu Chundawat found that revenues generated by small businesses are eight times higher in villages with tourism infrastructure than in those without. These villages were also found to have superior health and education facilities. In a country like India, where the habitat of people and wildlife often overlap, it is essential that tourism looks after the needs of community and wildlife in equal measure.
Learn more about the UN's 17 sustainability goals
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A note on price
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.
This Itinerary
Price
From $8,385 Per person
When to travel
India in January
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.
India in February
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.
India in March
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.
India in April
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.
India in May
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.
India in June
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.
India in July
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.
India in August
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.
India in September
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.
India in October
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.
India in November
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.
India in December
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.
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