Bandhavgarh & Central India Safari

16 Nights/17 Days

This is one of the most diverse Tiger safari tours that you will ever do while on any Central India Safari. The 5 national parks of Tadoba, Pench, Kanha, Bandhavgarh and Pench in central India are uniquely beautiful, different terrain, and flora. From almost dense and lush green in Kanha woodlands to the dry Tadoba, the cliffs of Panna, to the teak forest in Pench and finally to the bamboo thickets, mixed with Sal forest and the background of an ancient fort in Bandhavgarh national park.

They are all good with Tiger sightings in their own ways. But it is Bandhavgarh which stands at a different pedestal when it comes to Tiger sightings in India. Tadoba also is a great place to see the Tigers, and also the Indian Wild Dogs. Kanha is one park which you will not only admire for its beauty, but also its sanctity, the way tourism is managed here, and the sheer size of the male Tigers of Kanha is unparalleled.

Carry lot of memory cards for this 15 days safari will give you unimaginable opportunities to see the rich and diverse Indian Wildlife.

National Parks Covered

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Detailed Itinerary

Tadoba Main

Day 1

Arrival in New Delhi

Arrive New Delhi. Overnight stay at the hotel in New Delhi.

Day 2

New Delhi – Nagpur – Tadoba (by surface 100 kms/2 hrs drive + flight)

Transfer to the airport in the morning to board a flight at 0610 hrs to arrive Nagpur at 0750 hrs. Met at the airport at 0750 hrs and drive to Tadoba National Park 100 kms / 2 hours drive. On arrival check into the Resort. Lunch and then depart for afternoon Jeep tiger safari to Tadoba National Park.

Tadoba Tiger

Day 3 - 4

In Tadoba National Park

Tadoba Tiger Reserve is a rare jungle jewel amongst India’s leading tiger reserves and national parks. It is affably called the Land of the Tigers, due to its high tiger density. Recent estimates indicate around 64 tigers over a rich jungle spread over 625 square kilometers.

Visitors report frequent Tiger and wild dog sightings. In general, the park offers plenty of opportunities for close encounters of the wildlife kind which also include: Leopard, Sloth Bear, Gaur (Indian Bison), Rusty Spotted Cat, Ratel, Indian Mouse Deer, Spotted Deer, Sambar, Wild Pig, Four Horned Antelope, Flying Squirrel, and more.

Over 195 species of birds include the crested serpent eagle, honey buzzard, paradise flycatcher, grey-headed fishing eagle, the shy jungle fowl, and much more.

Densely forested hills form the northern and western boundary of the tiger reserve. The elevation of the hills ranges from 200 m (660 ft) to350 m (1,150 ft). To the southwest is the 120 ha (300 acres) Tadoba lake which acts as a buffer between the park’s forest and the extensive farmland which extends up to Irai water reservoir. 

This lake is a perennial water source which offers good habitat for Muggar crocodiles to thrive. Other wetland areas within the reserve include the Kolsa lake and Andhari river.

Tadoba reserve covers the Chimur Hills, and the Andhari sanctuary covers Moharli and Kolsa ranges. It’s bounded on the northern and the western side by densely forested hills. Thick forests are relieved by smooth meadows and deep valleys as the terrain slopes from north to south. Cliffs, talus and caves provide refuge for several animals. The two forested rectangles are formed of Tadoba and Andhari range. The south part of the park is less hilly.

Day 5

Tadoba – Pench (By road 200/ 5 hrs drive)

After breakfast drive to the national park and later drive to Pench National Park 200 kms / 5 hours drive. On arrival check into the Resort.  Lunch at resort and afternoon game drive to the national park. Dinner and overnight stay at the resort.

Pench tiger
Tiger Pench

Day 7 - 8

In Pench National Park

Morning and afternoon tiger safari in Pench National Park. All meals and overnight at the resort.

Pench is located between four different mountain ranges – Aravali, Vindhyanchal, Satpura and Maikal. The tracks are smoother, the trees are thicker with dense undergrowth, perhaps one reason why the herbivore population here is larger in size compared to Kanha and Bandhavgarh.

As a prey concentration is high along the Pench River, tiger usually inhabits and frequents this belt. 

Leopards though generally operate in the peripheral areas but are occasionally seen in the deep forest also. Jungle cats are commonly seen. Leopard cats, small Indian civets and palm civets are seen rarely.

In Pench, Cheetal, Sambar, are commonly seen grazing on the open sites on roadsides and banks of river & reservoir. Jackals can be seen in search of food anywhere in the Park. Packs of upto 15 or more wild dog can be seen near Chhedia, Jamtara, Bodanala and Pyorthadi areas of the Reserve. Herds of gaur can be spotted near streams and bamboo patches commonly in summer months. Sloth beer occupy the rocky areas and favour mahul bel infested forest. Chinkara is present in very small numbers and is found in open areas around Turia, Telia and Dudhgaon villages.

Day 8

Pench – Kanha (210 kms /4-5 hrs drive)

Morning jeep tiger safari to Pench national park and after early lunch drive to Kanha national park 210 kms/ 5 hour drive. On arrival check into the Resort.  Dinner and overnight at the resort in Kanha.

deer with antlers
Male tiger in kanha

Day 9 - 10

In Kanha National Park

Kanha’s sal and bamboo forests, rolling grasslands and meandering streams stretch over 940 sq km in dramatic natural splendor which form the core of the Kanha Tiger Reserve created in 1974 under Project Tiger. The park is the only habitat of the rare hardground Barasingha.

This is the original Kipling country of which he wrote so vividly in his Jungle Book. Packed breakfast which comes from the Lodge is served at a designated spot and spread on the bonnet of the tiger safari vehicle. Enjoy your breakfast in the wilderness of Kanha. The forests of the Banjar valley and Halon valley, respectively forming Kanha’s western and eastern halves.

Since then, a string of stringent conservation programmes have been launched, for the overall protection of the park’s fauna and flora. Kanha boasts of about 38 species of mammals. Some of the inhabitants of this park are the gaur, the largest of the world’s cattle; the sambar, the largest Indian deer; and the chausingha, the only four-horned antelope in the world. Other frequent visitors include the Nilgai antelope, the sloth bear, the dhole, or Indian wild dog, and an occasional Leopard. Some 300 species of birds inhabit the park, that includes the storks, egrets, black ibis, raptors, owls, and the red-wattled lapwings.

Depart for evening jeep tiger safari to Kanha National Park. Return at 6pm from safari. Dinner and overnight at the Lodge.

Day 11

Kanha – Bandhavgarh (by surface 280 kms/6 hrs drive)

Morning jeep safari to the national park and after early lunch depart for Bandhavgarh, 280kms, 6 hour drive. On arrival check into the Lodge. Dinner and overnight at the Lodge.

Barasingha sunset
Cubs and tiger BNP

Day 12 - 13

In Bandhavgarh National Park

Morning and afternoon tiger safaris in Bandhavgarh national park. All meals and overnight at the resort.

The national park is mainly known for the density of its tiger population. The other wild attractions in the park include Leopards, Blue Bulls, Indian Gaur (Bison) Chausingha (Four Horned Antelopes), Spotted Deers, Sambar Deer, Wild Boar, Sloth Bears Fox, Jackals, Wild Dogs, etc. There are at least 22 mammal species and about 250 bird species in the Park. The other animals found in Bandhavgarh are Ratel, Porcupine, Small Indian Civet, Palm Squirrel, Lesser Bandicoot rat, the Jungle Cat, and the shy Hyenas. 

The reptile population in the park includes Cobras, Kraits, Vipers, Ratsnakes, Pythons, Monitor Lizards and turtles. The two primate species – the rhesus macaque and the Hanuman langur – inhabit Bandhavgarh.

Day 14

Bandhavgarh – Panna (by surface 240 kms/5 hrs drive)

Morning jeep tiger safari to the national park. After early lunch drive to Panna national park 240 kms/5 hrs drive. On arrival check into lodge. Panna Tiger Reserve, known for its tigers and leopards, as well as its hyenas and wolves. Dinner and overnight at the Lodge.

Panna Leopard
Female Deer

Day 15

In Panna National Park

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner at the Lodge. Morning & Evening Jeep drive in the park. Overnight In resort Panna is situated in the Vindhya Hill range and spreads over the Panna and Chhatarpur districts in the northern part of Madhya Pradesh. Panna National Park is the most important protected area in the north-central highlands of India,Panna National Park is located along the banks of the Ken River.

The Park, with its deep ravines, cascading waterfalls and thick teak forests, is predominantly a plateau, with sprawling flatlands punctuated by hills, deep valleys and gorges. 

The terrain is largely rocky and uneven. There are mixed dry deciduous forests with short grasses and open woods. Panna is home of majestic tiger, including leopard, wolf, hyena, jackal and sloth bear. The reserve is also well known for sightings of nilgai, sambar, chital, wild boar and Indian crocodile.

Day 16

Panna – Khajuraho – New Delhi

Morning a boat ride at Ken river to find Gharials. A separate sanctuary for Gharial has been set up. The park can probably boast of the highest density of the Paradise Fly-Catchers. This rich avian and faunal life combined with its picturesque scenery make a visit to the Park a memorable. After lunch drive to Khajuraho 40 kms/1 hrs to board a flight to New Delhi. Met at airport on arrival and transfer to the hotelhotel. Overnight stay at the hotel in New Delhi.

Day 17

New Delhi Fly back home

Morning free for leisure activities and later transfer to International airport to board a flight back home or onward destination.

Itinerary Inclusions

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