...Trip idea
Tiger Encounters
"Nothing can prepare you for the thrill of coming face-to-face with a wild Bengal tiger. Home to over half the world’s tiger population, India remains the best place to witness this majestic cat in the wild."
Welcome to India - Day 1-4
Arriving in Delhi you’ll have a night to acclimatise to India, although some say its heady riot of colour, sights and smells assaults you every time you set foot on this spiritual, soul-stirring land. In the morning, fly to Jabalpur and travel by road for four hours to Bandhavgarh. After the journey be welcomed at luxury Taj lodge, Mahua Kothi where your cool, terracotta cottage awaits. Enjoy the pool, shady courtyard and exceptional cooking. For the next few days, rise early for game drives in Bandhavgarh National park, nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas and once the hunting ground of the Maharajas of Rewa. Bandhavgarh National Park has the highest density of tigers in the region, with the last tiger census counted some 70 tigers. In additional to tigers you may see wild boar and gaur, as well as lots of deer, chital, sambar and barking deer. Langurs, Indian bison, wild dog, Indian fox and langurs can also be spotted.
Kipling Country - Day 5-7
After an enlightening six hour journey through remote Madhya Pradesh arrive at Banjaar Tola, another Taj safari lodge, whose position on the banks of the Banjaar River gives it a glamourous camp-style setting with dining decks, floating verandas and luxe tented accommodation. Located at the foot of the picturesque Kanha National Park, inspiration for Rudyard Kipling’s “The Jungle Book” the park features rolling grasslands, large open meadows, and bamboo forests. The park is also famous for barasingha, a southern swamp deer which can only be found here. Recent surveys indicate Kanha’s sal forests and meadows are home to a growing population of around 125 tigers. Some 100 leopards have been recorded along with huge populations of deer. There is plenty of langurs, the odd gaur (Indian bison), wild boar and over 260 bird species.
A Natural Paradise - Day 8-12
Spend the next few days enshrined in nature in the wildlife sanctuary of Pench, nestled into the Satpuda Hills and criss-crossed with rivers and streams. Choose to explore the deciduous forest by jeep or foot in this secluded safari experience where you’re unlikely to see another soul. Although leopard sightings are rare, tiger numbers are on the rise. Other wildlife includes wild dog, wolf, jackal, hyena and jungle cat. Pench is well known as a paradise for birders with nearly 250 species recorded here including crested serpent eagles, white eyed buzzard, hornbills, parakeets, kingfishers, orioles, and wagtails. Fresh water turtles and crocodiles can also be seen lurking in the rivers and langur monkeys swinging through the treetops. When you’re not busy spotting a plethora of wildlife, rest up at Baghvan safari lodge located within the Pench Sanctuary with its infinity pool, shady cocktail spots and gorgeous standalone suites. After three nights here, you will begin your homeward journey, with a two-hour road trip to Nagpur where you’ll fly on to Delhi.
Extend your Safari
There are so many sides to this fascinating country, so you may want to consider extending your trip. To get under the skin of India, include more time to explore Delhi and extend on to Agra. Ruled by a string of empires, eight ancient cities saw their rise and fall in Delhi. At the heart of the city is Old Delhi, home to forts, mosques, and maze-like bazaars whilst south of the old city you can find colonial architecture, wide avenues, and grand Mughal gardens. Just a three-hour journey from Delhi is the mesmerising Taj Mahal, described as the greatest monument ever built for love. Spend a few nights in Agra where you can explore Agra Fort and the Taj Mahal, perhaps one of the most aesthetically pleasing buildings on Earth and the perfect conclusion to your eye-opening trip to India.
Stephanie Carthy
Personal Travel Designer
01488 689700 stephanie.carthy@baileyrobinson.com Read Stephanie’s profile
The review
India’s First True Luxury Camp
The Ultimate Travelling Camp uses ultra-luxe mobile camps to offer one-of-a-kind access to some of the most remote and spectacular corners of India.
Booking with Bailey Robinson means access to the finest travel experiences. When planning your holiday we do all the hard work – in-depth research and meticulous organisation. You can be confident in the individual care for your holiday from your dedicated and experienced Personal Travel Designer and Concierge.
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