From the majestic Himalayas to the lush forests and backwaters of Kerala, encounter diverse species in protected national parks.
India has over one hundred national parks to explore on your wildlife safari, created not only to maintain India’s indigenous flora and habitat, but also to protect her extensive wildlife – much of which is now under serious threat of extinction. The habitats of the country range from the soaring peaks of the Himalayas to the forests, lakes and steamy backwaters of Kerala in the south, creating a unique richness of biodiversity that will appeal to any wildlife enthusiast.
With luck, it is still possible here to spot some of India’s last remaining wild tigers on safari – a jeep safari will be one of the highlights of your stay. The tiger is the largest of the big cats, reaching four metres in length and weighing in at around 300 kilograms. Tigers have an unmistakable and unique black striped pattern over orange fur which helps them to stay camouflaged as they lay in wait for their prey. No two tigers will have the same stripes, similar to the fingerprints of a human. Bengal tigers are the most common subspecies of tiger and live in India, becoming a huge part of their tradition and lore over time. Females give birth to litters of between two and six cubs at a time and proceed to look after them for about two or three years when they leave to find their own territory.
Leopards are widely distributed across India and are known for their adaptability to various habitats, including forests and even urban areas. They are one of the most adaptable big cat species and can thrive in diverse environments. Leopards in India are classified as a "Near Threatened" species on; whilst their population is relatively stable in many regions, they face threats from habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflicts. As human populations expand and encroach on leopard habitats, conflicts sometimes arise. Leopards may prey on livestock, leading to conflicts with local communities. Conservation efforts often involve mitigating such conflicts and raising awareness about coexisting with leopards.
Join National Geographic photographer and big cat guru Steve Winter on this immersive safari into the Indian heartland, where your lenses will be trained on the denizens of forests, grasslands and rolling hills – including the famous Bengal tiger.
From 12495 per person
Journey through the heart of tiger country in search of this majestic big cat, travelling to some of the best regions in India for wildlife encounters, including Tadoba, Pench and Kanha National Parks.
From 8000 per person
Slightly smaller than African or Asian leopards, weighing between 35 and 55 Kg, snow leopards are very elusive, found in the mountains of central Asia. These beautiful, grey creatures have thick fur to help them in the cold conditions and an exceptionally long tail which aids in balance as well as keeping the face warmer during snowstorms. Their large paws act like snowshoes as they traverse powder and ice and their distinctive long legs allow them to leap up to 20 feet. In the north, during the winter, the snow leopards of India descend from the mountains in search of food. Solitary, elusive and incredibly hard to study, these remarkable felines make for once-in-a-lifetime sightings among the Himalayas.
Journey into the Himalayas and immerse yourself in the mystical region of Ladakh, visiting Buddhist monasteries and spending six days tracking the elusive snow leopard.
From 7995 per personAsian elephants form a significant part of Indian history and play a major role in ways of life here, with most temples being related to them in one way or another. Shorter than their African counterparts, they also have smaller ears and a more arched back. They are highly social animals, gathering into matriarchal units: these are stable groups, which may consist of more than 20 related females.
The greater one-horned rhino (or “Indian rhino”) is the largest of the rhino species.The greater one-horned rhino is identified by a single black horn about 8-25 inches long and a grey-brown hide with skin folds, which gives it an armor-plated appearance. The species is solitary, except when adult males or rhinos nearing adulthood gather at wallows or to graze. Males have loosely defined home ranges that are not well defended and often overlap. They primarily graze, with a diet consisting almost entirely of grasses as well as leaves, branches of shrubs and trees, fruit, and aquatic plants.
Sloth bears have a patchy but widespread distribution in India, and are found mainly in areas with dense forest cover like Ranthambore National Park Compared to the brown and black bears found throughout Eurasia and North America, sloth bears are lankier, shaggier and can be easily identified by their fluffy mane as well as their long, sickle-like claws and elongated lower lip, which they use to hunt for insects. They have a keen sense of smell, as well as near-sight similar to that of humans.
