Lions, Tigers & Bears - An India Jungle Adventure

Lions, Tigers & Bears - An India Jungle Adventure

Prices From £6,582pp
December to April | 13 nights

Lions, Tigers & Bears - An India Jungle Adventure

Lions, tigers & bears, oh my! Throw on your ruby slippers for this fantastical trip through the jungle that will leave you feeling, “There’s no place like India”! This magical itinerary will see you discover some of India’s most inspiring National Parks and Tiger Reserves on a search for unparalleled wildlife encounters and dreamlike landscapes. India is home to an incredible diversity of wildlife, with almost 10% of the world’s wildlife species calling it home, including 15 species of wildcat and 4 of the world’s 8 species of bear! Your itinerary will focus mainly on observing 3 of these big cats (the Asiatic Lion, Bengal Tiger and the Indian Leopard), and the endemic Sloth bear, and will visit the parks and reserves most renowned for sightings of these unique creatures. You will explore through Gir National Park, Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, Pench Tiger Reserve and Satpura Tiger Reserve, enjoying multiple jeep safaris and activities designed to get you up-close to this magnificent wildlife.

Staying in high standard accommodation throughout, and with private transfers and internal flights, this is the ultimate Indian jungle safari itinerary.

Toto, I’ve got a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore…

Highlights

  • Search for Asiatic lions in Gir National Park, Bengal tigers in Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, Indian leopards and Dholes in Pench Tiger Reserve and Sloth bears and Gaurs in Satpura Tiger Reserve
  • Encounter various other wildlife species including the endemic rusty-spotted cat, four horned antelopes, jackals, striped hyenas, Indian wolves and much more
  • Abundant birdlife
  • Private jeep safaris included in each Park or Reserve
  • Enjoy a half-day tour of vibrant New Delhi
  • High standard accommodation and private transfers throughout

What's Included

  • Domestic flights: Delhi to Rajkot | Rajkot to Nagpur | Bhopal to Delhi
  • Private road transfers throughout
  • 13 nights’ accommodation as described in itinerary
  • All activities as described in itinerary

Our popularitinerary Suggestions

All our itinerary holidays are fully customisable

London to Delhi
1Day

London to Delhi

Your itinerary begins in Delhi where you will be greeted by your tour representative and transferred to your hotel in Aerocity New Delhi. This afternoon you can enjoy an included half-day city tour designed to showcase the diverse heritage of India’s capital city.

Accommodation: 1 night’s accommodation at the Lemon Tree Premiere, Aerocity on a Bed & Breakfast basis.

Activities Included: Half-Day City Tour

Fly to Rajkot
2Day

Fly to Rajkot

After a late breakfast this morning you will transfer to the domestic airport for an included afternoon flight to Rajkot. The flight duration is just under 2 hours. Upon arrival in Rajkot your tour representative will greet you and transfer you by road (approx. 4 hour drive) to the beautiful Gir Serai Hotel on the boundary of the fantastic Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary.

Accommodation: 3 nights’ accommodation at Gir Serai Lodge with all meals included.

Activities Included During Your Stay: 4 Private Jeep Safaris in Gir National Park

Gir National Park
3 - 4Days

Gir National Park

Over the next two days your search for sightings of the Asiatic Lion will begin as you explore the magnificent Gir National Park, the only place in the world where Asiatic Lions can be spotted in the wild. It is also the only place in the world where lions and tigers coexist in the wild. Two private jeep safaris have been organised for you for each day you are here.

The Park has many tourist routes and your route taken will be allocated at the start of each safari. Early morning, morning and afternoon slots are available, and we recommend taking up the options for early morning and afternoon drives as sometimes there can be less wildlife activity during the peak of the day. As well as searching for the Asiatic Lions that roam here, there are also great chances of spotting leopards within the park along with Sambar, the largest Indian deer, Chowsingha, the world’s only four horned antelope, jackals, striped hyenas, India foxes and a multitude of birds and reptiles.

Fly to Nagpur
5Day

Fly to Nagpur

After an early breakfast this morning, you will take your transfer to Rajkot airport for your included flight to Nagpur, via Indore. After a long day of travelling, your tour representative will greet you at Nagpur airport and transfer you to Le Meridien Hotel for a well-deserved rest.

Accommodation: 1 night’s stay at Le Meridien Nagpur on a Bed & Breakfast basis.

Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve
6 - 8Days

Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve

After breakfast on the morning of day 6, you will take your approximately 2.5 hour road transfer to the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve where you will check in to the beautiful Bamboo Forest Safari Lodge. The remainder of the morning will be at your leisure, before your exploration of Tadoba begins.

Over the next few days, your exploration of the area will largely be targeted on seeking out sightings of the Bengal Tigers that are found in great numbers here. Out of all the parks you will visit on your tour, Tadoba holds the highest probability of viewing these iconic animals. During your time here you can enjoy up to 5 included jeep safaris designed to offer the best wildlife viewing opportunities. As well as the Bengal Tigers, you can also hope for sightings of other enigmatic animals such as the Indian leopards, sloth bears, dhole, hyenas, spotted deer and much more that reside here, along with an incredibly rare melanistic leopard that roams the park.

Accommodation: 3 nights’ accommodation at Bamboo Forest Safari Lodge with all meals included.

Activities Included During Your Stay: 5 Private Jeep Safaris in the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve.

Pench Tiger Reserve
9 - 10Days

Pench Tiger Reserve

On the morning of day 9, after an early breakfast, you will transfer by road (approximately 4 hour drive) to the famous Pench Tiger Reserve and Pench National Park where you will check into the excellent Pench Tree Lodge by lunchtime. After lunch you can begin your exploration of the reserve, with 2 private jeep safaris and a night safari included during your stay here.

The park derives its name from the Pench River which runs through it and supports a wide variety of wildlife. It is one of the most popular wildlife reserves in India and is even mentioned in Rudyard Kipling’s ‘The Jungle Book’. Our focus here will be particularly upon the Indian Leopards and tigers which reside here, along with gaur, one of the tallest bovines in the world. Tourists also tend to flock here to spot the famous characters from The Jungle Book including Akela (The Indian Wolf), Raksha (the female Wolf), Baloo (Sloth Bear), and the vicious Shere Khan (Royal Bengal Tiger). Other sightings may include wild boar, striped hyena, monkeys, four-horned antelopes, jackals and much more. During your night safari you can also hope for sightings of flying foxes, flying squirrels and more tigers and leopards.

Accommodation: 2 nights’ accommodation at Pench Tree Lodge with all meals included.

Activities Included During Your Stay: 2 Private Jeep Safaris and 1 Night Safari in Pench Tiger Reserve.

Satpura Tiger Reserve
11 - 13Days

Satpura Tiger Reserve

Your last park to discover on your Indian wildlife adventure is the beautiful Satpura Tiger Reserve which you will transfer to on the morning of day 11. After an approximately 6 hour drive, you will arrive at the wonderful Reni Pani Jungle Lodge where the rest of the day will be at your leisure. After the long drive you may simply want to relax within the comforts of your lodge, or you could join a dusk/night time drive through the reserve which is included as part of your package. Nighttime drives here are highly recommended as they offer excellent chances of spotting species such as rusty-spotted cats (one of the world’s smallest wildcat species which is endemic to the Indian subcontinent), sloth bears (also endemic), Chausinghas (four-horned antelopes), leopards, a variety of owls, and nightjars. You may also be lucky enough to spot tigers at night.

Over the next 2 days you can enjoy your included jeep safaris through the reserve in search of sightings of the area’s iconic wildlife. Entering the park is an adventure in itself as you transfer to the river front to take a motorboat across into the core forest where your safari jeep will be waiting to collect you. As this is one of the best places in India to see sloth bears, your safaris will have a focus on finding them and the chances are very high. Leopard sightings in the park are excellent too, however, over the last 3-4 years we have seen a rise in tiger numbers which had made the other stars of Satpura a little shyer since they are no longer the top predators. Indian giant squirrels are another unique species that can be found here.

During your time here you can also enjoy an included canoe safari or walking safari. The canoe safaris offer excellent birdwatching opportunities as well as sightings of crocodiles and the land mammals that come down to the water to drink. Walking safaris are a great way to get closer to the smaller fauna that is often too well camouflaged to be seen during jeep safaris.

Accommodation: 3 nights’ accommodation at Reni Pani Jungle Lodge with all meals included.

Activities Included During Your Stay: 4 Private Jeep Safaris, 1 Dusk/Night Drive and 1 Canoe or Walking Safari in Satpura Tiger Reserve.

Return to Delhi - End of Tour
14Day

Return to Delhi - End of Tour

On your final morning you can enjoy a last jeep safari into the reserve with breakfast provided, before returning to the lodge to freshen up, check out and transfer by road to Bhopal airport to catch your flight to Delhi. Upon arrival back in Delhi a representative will greet you and help you to transfer to the international airport.

A view from Above

Accommodation Options

Lemon Tree Premier Aerocity, Delhi

The perfect base from those wishing to stay close to Delhi's International Airport, the Lemon Tree Premier offers 280 stylish and bright rooms. Nice touches such as blackout curtains, soundproofing and orthopaedic mattresses ensure a good night's sleep before your flight.

Reni Pani Jungle Lodge, Satpura NP

Situated close to close to Satpura National Park, the largest tiger reserve in Madhya Pradesh, this exquisitely designed conservation and wildlife-focused lodge is the perfect place from which to explore this remarkable area. During a stay here you can expect a very high level of service and comfort, with personal butlers and an experienced team taking care of your every need. Choose from beautiful luxury tents located around a perennial waterhole which offer high-quality modern amenities and feature air-conditioning, separate living areas, bathrooms and spacious decks, or plushly crafted cottages which are available in a number of styles and feature spacious viewing decks, large lounging bay-windows, and luxury bathrooms. The lodge’s facilities include a beautiful swimming pool, a well-stocked library, massage facilities, a lounge bar and a restaurant with a warm & uniquely designed ambience where magical meals and refreshing cocktails are served. Activities available include 4x4 game drives, birdwatching, boat safaris, canoeing, nature walks, horseback safaris, anthropological expeditions and more.

Le Meridien, Nagpur

Conveniently located just 6kms from Nagpur’s Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport, Le Meridien Hotel offers beautiful accommodation in a chic, modern style. The hotel offers gorgeous, landscaped lawns, a fantastic restaurant offering international cuisine, an elegant cocktail bar, a mobile restaurant, a wonderful wellness spa and fitness suite, and a sparkling outdoor swimming pool. Each expansive bedroom has been decorated in a modern style and features include large, comfortable beds, marble bathrooms, desk or lounge areas, mini fridges, city views, Wi-Fi and much more.

Bamboo Forest Safari Lodge, Tadoba

Set in the magnificent Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR), world-renowned for its tiger safaris, the beautiful Bamboo Forest Safari Lodge offers a luxurious home from which to explore the wonders of this area. An eco-tourism destination like no other, this is where luxury and grandeur go hand in hand with nature. Offering 3 styles of accommodation - bungalows, villas and chalets – each spacious retreat is as special as the next. The 9 lakeside villas offer a high-end experience and feature large bedrooms and bathrooms, patios overlooking the lake, and private gardens with open-air bath tubs for a dip under the stars. The 3 chalets offer 4 individual rooms to accommodate families and groups, and the 2 luxurious bungalows offer 2 bedrooms with bathrooms, spacious living rooms and private gazebos overlooking the lake. A wealth of activities are on offer here, including jeep safaris in search of tiger sightings, nature walks, birding tours, bush glamping, nighttime trails, local village visits, astronomy and young naturalist programmes. In between activities, guests can enjoy the wonderful facilities of the lodge, including the wellness spa, gorgeous outdoor pool, welcoming library and terrace with fabulous views. First-class, fine dining meals are served within the lodge's 2 restaurants (one indoor and one outdoor).

Pench Tree Lodge, Pench NP

Pench Tree Lodge is located in the small tribal hamlet of Sarahiri just 20 minutes from the Karamajhiri gate of the famous Pench National Park and Tiger Reserve and offers an exquisite forest experience amongst forty acres of wilderness. Following the eco-luxury concept to a tee, Pench Tree Lodge keeps it carbon footprint to minimum, whilst providing supremely comfortable accommodation within luxury family cottages and wonderfully unique Tree House lodges. The Tree House lodges are perched upon stilts 18ft from the ground on top of the Mahua trees and offer a fantastic level of privacy and a memorable experience for guests. Each Tree House has been decorated with a boutique style feel and features include large French windows opening out to a private deck, large four-poster beds, bay window loungers that double as daybeds, air-conditioning and spacious, well-designed bathrooms. The luxury family chalets feature king-size beds plus queen-size beds in the attic, air-conditioning, spacious bathrooms and private sit out decks with uninterrupted views of the deciduous forest and the wild animals that roam here including wild boars, civets, jungle cats, jackals, spotted deer and much more. The lodge offers fantastic farm-to-fork dining experiences of delicious locally sourced cuisine, with breakfasts served on safari, lunches by the pool and dinners under the stars or in the bright and welcoming dining room. A wealth of activities are offered here, from jeep safaris and nature trails to bush dinners and villages walks, and there is also a beautiful swimming pool and an excellent wildlife photography hide.

Gir Serai - IHCL SeleQtions

Part of the IHCL SeleQtions group, Gir Serai is a secluded jungle retreat on the fringes of Gujarat’s iconic Gir National Park, home to the world’s last remaining Asiatic lions. Once part of the Nawab of Junagadh’s private hunting reserve, today it offers a front-row seat to nature at its most raw and beautiful, from prides of lions strolling through the scrub to deer darting past and the calls of over 300 bird species overhead.

With a deliberately limited number of guests, stays here feel intimate and deeply personal. Spend lazy afternoons with a good book and a telescope trained on the Vasadhor Hills and Hiran River, or listen at night as the distant roar of lions drifts across the darkness. Rooms and suites blend warm, contemporary comfort with a sense of place, each with its own private sit-out, so you can savour the wilderness in peace. Add immersive dining experiences and genuinely attentive service, and Gir Serai becomes less a hotel stay and more a quietly thrilling encounter with the wild.

Too much to choose from? This is where we come in

Take advantage of our vast experience, passion and expertise to help you hand craft the perfect India adventure for you.

Simon Rowland Senior Travel Expert

With a lifetime of unforgettable nature and adventure based travel under his belt, Simon shares his passion, enthusiasm and hands-on experience to help create the perfect itinerary for every client.

Michael Gardiner Senior Travel Expert

Mike has more than fifteen years hands-on experience in the industry, travelling to some of the most incredible wild places on the planet. His far-reaching knowledge and invaluable skills will ensure that your wildlife travel adventure is a dream come true.

Sheena Ogley Senior Travel Expert

With countless travel experiences and an enduring hunger for adventure, Sheena knows exactly what’s needed to craft a holiday of a lifetime. Her experience and generosity of spirit are legendary and she’ll help you build an itinerary that will make all your dreams come true.

Ready to start planning youronce in a lifetime trip?

Call us
0800 195 3385
Outside the uk
+ 44 1625 5811 43
Call us
+ 44 1625 5811 43
Call us
+ 44 1625 5811 43

Chat Now

Fill in our
Enquiry form

Book Consultation

Book a
Consultation

text
close

Ready to start planning youronce in a lifetime trip?

Call us - 0800 195 3385
Outside the uk? + 44 1625 5811 43
+ 44 1625 5811 43 Call us - 0800 195 3385

Chat Now

Fill in our
Enquiry form

Book Consultation

Book a
Consultation

Start your adventure here

From first ideas to final itinerary, we'll guide you every step of the way. Tell us where you'd love to go and a specialist will be in touch.

We take your privacy seriously. See our privacy policy for how we handle your data

Call Us
0161 568 2004
From outside UK:+44 1625 58 11 43

Lines are open from 9am -5.30pm Monday - Friday