20 BIG CATS & THE HOLI & HOLA FESTIVALS DESTINATION March in India is hot, bright and busy, and it lets you do two very different things in one trip: take part in Holi and spend time in tiger country. You can be in the middle of the festival one day, then up early the next morning for a drive in the forest. The contrast is part of the appeal, and March often suits travellers who like a mix of culture and wildlife without overcomplicating the route. Wild encounters and vivid celebrations across springtime India www.wildfoottravel.com If you want a more personalised safari the smaller reserves are recommended. Satpura, Pench, Kanha’s buffer zones and the quieter corners of Tadoba tend to be less crowded than the headline parks. The forest will be drier and more open now, so sightings can be more straightforward. You may find fresh tiger tracks on dusty roads, spot a leopard moving through teak woodland, or watch wild dogs hunting as a group. Holi, which takes place in 2027 on 22 March, changes the cultural pace. In Jaipur, Udaipur and many smaller towns and villages, people head outside to celebrate with coloured powder, music and food. It can be loud and crowded, but it is also friendly and communal, with families and neighbours joining in. If you plan to take part, wear old clothes! Putting Holi (and Hola) together with a quieter tiger reserve makes sense in March because each part balances the other. You get a highenergy festival days, then slower days built around early starts, game drives and time to switch off in camp. It is a simple plan that still feels varied, and it usually works well for travellers who want strong wildlife encounters as well as clear cultural highlights. | Wildfoot Horizons Magazine - Summer 2026
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