Welcome to Wild India. This safari is expertly curated for wildlife lovers. You are whisked away from the concrete jungles of India and are immersed in the natural jungles full of amazing flora and fauna. While tiger viewing is at the forefront here, sightings of sloth bear, deer, and hyena are equally thrilling. Delve into village life with some of the oldest known tribes in India. Indulge in epicurean dining experiences and join a guided stargazing journey across the night sky. You’ll finish this safari feeling restored and invigorated.
Highlights
- An immersive wildlife sojourn with excellent guides
- Experiential dining from your lodges
- Grab your binoculars in search of wildlife in three national parks
- Visit a traditional village in Bandhavgarh
- A sunrise birdwatching walk
- Stargazing experiences abound
Itinerary
DAY 1
Arrive Mumbai – Temple Explorations
India is a melting pot of color, culture and history, and your journey begins today with explorations of Mumbai. After clearing customs, you’ll be transferred to the Oberoi Mumbai, overlooking the bay and ocean. Flights usually arrive late in the afternoon, however if time permits, you’ll be whisked away to three of the oldest and most beautiful temples in the city. Then, settle into your hotel for the evening for a well-earned rest.
DAY 2
Mumbai – Elephanta Caves, Mumbai City Tour, Food Tasting Trail
Today provides an immediate introduction to what India is well-known for: incredible temples, history, culture, and religion. In the morning, a boat takes you to the Elephanta Caves, a temple-shrine hewn out of solid rock, built in the 8th century. A walk to the top of the shrine affords panoramas over the Arabian Sea. In the afternoon explore some of Mumbai’s monuments, an architecturally stunning Jain temple, the seafront boulevard of Marine Drive, and the Hanging Gardens on the Malabar hills with panoramic views across the ocean. Finish your day with a visit to the bustling Dhobi Ghat, where dhobis (public launderers) wash thousands of pieces of laundry daily, rarely losing an item! Freshen up at your hotel for your evening out, on a guided food tasting trail. As you eat your way through Mumbai, discover delicious Indian cuisine and sweets. Return to your hotel for an overnight.
DAY 3
Kanha National Park – Scenic drive and Rainforest relaxation
After breakfast, fly to Nagpur, and transfer by road to Kanha. One of India’s greatest national parks, Kanha contains bamboo forests, grassy plateaus and meadows. Here you’ll find the Indian deer, antelope, blue bull, Bengal tiger and possibly even a sloth bear. Settle into your tented safari camp, the Taj Banjaar Tola, situated on the banks of the Banjaar River. Take an afternoon at leisure in preparation for tomorrow’s safari. Enjoy dinner under a canopy of trees.
DAY 4
Kanha National Park – Safari Game Drives
Dawn breaks and the wildlife awakens for a new day. Head out early this morning on a wildlife safari to explore the national park and its various scenic landscapes in search of the Bengal tiger. Return to your camp in time for a delicious lunch. Relish your tranquil surroundings while the wildlife is at rest during the heat of the day. In the afternoon, embark on another thrilling game drive. Your delicious dinner and stargazing are on the menu tonight in this beautiful remote location.
DAY 5
Kanha National Park – Safari Game Drives
Another early morning of exciting wildlife encounters awaits. Your game vehicle, driven by expert naturalist guides, will take you on morning and afternoon safaris to seek out a variety of wildlife. This park is expansive, and you will investigate new areas today. Discuss your day’s adventures over a lingering dinner before a restful slumber in your luxury camp.
DAY 6
Bandhavgarh National Park – Game viewing and Dining under the stars
Spend a lazy morning over breakfast, before your drive to Bandhavgarh National Park. One of the most recognized national parks in India for good reason; this is an excellent location to spot the rare Bengal tiger. Arrive at your luxury accommodation in time for lunch and a rest, before an evening game drive with tiger trackers. Overnight at your safari lodge, Mahua Kothi, where you can sip an aperitif from the sunset deck enjoying views across the forest landscape. Dinner will be by a lilypond, under a blanket of stars, with lanterns hanging in the trees.
DAY 7
Bandhavgarh National Park – Game Drives and Village Visit
The early bird catches the worm…or the tiger! Your expert tracking guide will search for tigers along with a multitude of other animals. As you enter a clearing with lovely views, a delicious breakfast is laid out on the jeep’s hood. After your wildlife viewing needs are satiated, return to the lodge for lunch. You’ll visit a local village in the afternoon, home to the indigenous Gond and Baiga tribes, some of the oldest in India. Spend time learning about their traditions and meeting some of the villagers. On your evening game drive, challenge yourself to find a Striped hyena or a leopard roaming the jungle in search of their next meal. Return to the lodge in the evening for your next meal and a good night’s sleep.
DAY 8
Bandhavgarh National Park – Birdwatching on Foot and Game Drive
This morning, binoculars in hand, stroll through the marshes and hilly woodlands with your naturalist guide in search of monkeys, deer and a myriad of beautiful birds found in the region; over 250 species. Enjoy a few hours at leisure or a long delicious lunch. In the afternoon, depart on your final safari game drive at Bandhavgarh. Dinner tonight can be served in your private cottage courtyard or as a social affair among cushions and low-set tables next to the organic garden. Tonight, your guide will lead you through some of the famous constellations in the night sky.
DAY 9
Panna National Park – Scenic drive, birdwatching and star gazing
After breakfast, you’ll be transferred to Panna National Park, an important protected area in the North-central highlands of India. The region is a vital corridor linking the Eastern and the Western populations of wild animals. The park features deep ravines, cascading waterfalls and thick tea forests among hills, valleys and gorges. Your afternoon is at leisure in your beautiful stone cottage at Pashan Garh, meaning ‘stone fortress’. The lodge is complete with a lookout tower perfect for birdwatching, and a stone deck overlooking the forest below to enjoy the sunset or stargazing.
DAY 10
Panna National Park – Safari Game Drives and Ox Wagon Dining Experience
Enjoy morning and afternoon game drives with your expert guide on hand to help you spy wildlife such as the majestic tiger, wolf, hyena, wild boar or even a sloth bear with luck. This evening after the sun sets, a signature dinner will be set up for you in a cozy palanquin, or ox wagon. Sample a menu of delicious small meals cooked in earthen pots on a mud stove. Savor each taste, surrounded by flickering lanterns and candles, giving a sense of a dining affair fit for a royal caravan.
DAY 11
Delhi – Khajuraho Temple Exploration and Flight to Delhi
Take an early breakfast before your guide escorts you to the town of Khajuraho, well-known for its magnificent temple complexes. Spend the morning meandering temples depicting gods, nymphs, beasts and cosmic evolution. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Delhi, where you’ll spend the evening at the Oberoi Delhi. Delicious cuisine and luxurious bedding awaits.
DAY 12
Departure Day
Today you’ll transfer to the airport for your international flight home. An appreciation for all the distinctive moments witnessed during your journey will stay with you for many years to come.