India Tiger Safaris FAQ's

Introduction

We thought our guide to tiger safaris in India should should take the form of frequently asked questions.  This allows us to fully explore different aspects of such a vast and diverse country as the Indian subcontinent.

As a brief introduction, at the time of writing there are 58 designated tiger reserves in India, all lie under the Project Tiger banner. This initiative, run by the National Tiger Conservation Authority, aims to conserve habitats for sustainable tiger populations. The number of tigers in India is now estimated to be higher than 3,600, standing at around 75% of the total wild tiger population. Of the neighbouring countries, Nepal has a population of less than 500 tigers, whilst tiger numbers are estimated below 200 for Bhutan and Bangladesh.

What are the chances of seeing tigers in India?

 Obviously, wildlife is nature and there is always a chance you will not see a tiger. On the other hand, or you might be extremely lucky and get to observe them in reserves or national parks where sightings are rare. That said, most visitors who include one or more of the top national parks, as outlined below, on a tour in India will enjoy a very high probability of seeing tigers in the wild.

When to go to India for tiger safaris and wildlife watching?

India experiences annual monsoon rains and consequently the national parks are closed during the northern hemisphere summer. Typically, the best tiger reserves in India open from either the beginning of October or from the second week of October until the end of June.

• October – December: Post-monsoon vegetation is lush and green, making tigers harder to spot.

• January – March: Conditions are dry and comfortable, offering excellent wildlife viewing. Mornings can be chilly, but blankets are provided on open safaris.

As the season progresses the land becomes more arid and the herbivores shorten the grasses until around March time the national parks can be dry and dusty but provide excellent wildlife watching opportunities.

• April – June: Increasing heat (often over 40°C) draws wildlife to waterholes and rivers, making sightings easier but travel more demanding.

Generally, you will be out on game drives from early morning and again in the late afternoon and so can relax during the heat of the day.

• July – September: Parks close with the monsoon rains.

Thus, we would normally recommend travelling between January and March or early April for a happy medium of seeing tigers and other wildlife as well as being comfortable in daytime temperatures.

A useful tip: some of the national parks close on Wednesdays to provide the wildlife respite from visitors. We will help you plan around this when designing your itinerary.

What is the accommodation like around the national parks in India?

All major tiger reserves offer a wide choice or accommodation, from luxury lodges and boutique camps incorporating modern contemporary architecture, to simpler safari-style accommodations and even treehouses for adventurous travellers.

We endeavour to marry your style of travel to individual properties.

Browse some of our selected accommodation on our India webpage.

Where are the best places to see tigers in India?

Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan is the prime choice for many first-time visitors as it is accessible from the international hub and capital of India, Delhi. It lies south of Jaipur and fits nicely into a circuit from Delhi to Agra (for the Taj Mahal) and Jaipur, known as the ‘Cultural Triangle’. See our Tigers & the Golden Triangle itinerary for more information. This popular routing and be redesigned to take in some quieter locations in rural India too, as well as the pleasant Keoladeo National Park bird sanctuary at Bharatpur.

For a more wildlife-focused safari in India the state of Madhya Pradesh in central India is unbeatable with superb chances of seeing tigers. Often accessed from the city of Nagpur there are a number of tiger reserves dotted around:

·       Pench National Park - 2 hours north of Nagpur by road

·       Tadoba National Park - a little to the south of Nagpur and in the state of Maharashtra.

·       Kanha National Park  - northeast of Nagpur

·       Bandhavgarh National Park - reached from Kanha or Jabalpur

·       Satpura National Park - reached from Pench or Bhopal

These national parks link together beautifully offering good opportunities for a tiger watching, abundant wildlife, varied landscapes and encounters with rural life in India.

Elsewhere are a number of other national parks:

·       Nagarhole & Bandipur National Parks  - part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve that creates wildlife corridors in the Western Ghats of Karnataka. Elephants are leopards are also regularly seen here

·       Kaziranga National Park - in Assam, northeast India, famous for its one-horned rhinoceros

·       Periyar National Park - in Kerala, southern India (although tigers are rarely seen here)

 What type of safaris are there?

As tailor-made holiday specialists we try to book your morning and afternoon game drives in a jeep usually shared with a few other guests, the driver, and a naturalist guide.

Private safari vehicles can also be arranged but advanced booking is essential to secure the vehicle and permits.

Private guides can be sourced to accompany you on tour and with the budget are an excellent choice.

In southern India, some larger vehicles carry up to 8 or 12 passengers.

Ranthambore also offers “canters” (open buses carrying 20 people), but we generally do not recommend these.

The national parks have buffer zones where walking safaris, cycling, as well as game drives, including night drives for nocturnal wildlife, can be enjoyed.

Satpura National Park is unusual: walking safaris with an armed ranger area allowed inside the national park as well as camps in the buffer zone. Canoeing on the boundary reservoir is a treat and great for eye-level birdwatching. In fact, the diversity of activities within and around Satpura make it an excellent addition to tiger safaris in other national parks in Madhya Pradesh or as a destination in its own right.

For photographers full day permits are available at a higher cost. Vehicles are not designed specifically for wildlife photography but being open sided make excellent platforms and some lodges supply bean bags for long lenses. If you are a keen photographer, and we do get many travel with us, then we can make special requests on your behalf.

What other wildlife can we expect in India?

India’s diversity is staggering:

• Big cats: Tiger, Asiatic lion (in Gir National Park, Gujarat) & leopard

• Other species: Wild elephant, sloth bear, gaur, jackal, dhole (wild dog), Indian grey wolf, mongoose species

Indian grey wolf, are rarely seen although we once encountered one as we were leaving Pench National Park. More common are dhole or Indian wild dog that hunt in packs and can be found in parks as far south as Periyar National Park.

• Deer & antelope: Chital, sambar, nilgai, barasingha (swamp deer), chousingha, chinkara (Indian gazelle) & blackbuck can all be found in the state of Madhya Pradesh

• Primates: Langurs e.g. grey and Nilgiri, and macaques e.g. bonnet & rhesus, and depending on the species, are ubiquitous

• Special species: One-horned rhinoceros (Kaziranga), snow leopard & Himalayan brown bear (Ladakh), red panda (Sikkim & eastern Himalayas)

With almost 1400 bird species recorded and more than 75 endemic species birdwatching in India is near paradise. This probably warrants its own web page but contact us if you are looking for a tailormade birdwatching holiday in India, we are keen birders here too.

Is travelling difficult in India?

Travel logistics are increasingly straightforward. Domestic flights connect most regions, rail journeys offer a classic Indian experience, and private drivers provide flexibility between parks. Road quality has improved dramatically, making overland travel easier.

We can also combine India with neighbouring destinations such as Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bhutan for a rich blend of wildlife and culture. Recent itineraries have also included Sri Lanka leopard safaris with tiger safaris in India.

Are tiger safaris suitable for children?

Yes.  We believe the more you can immerse children in nature the better it is for them, and it can also have a very positive effect on yourself as well.

Children are welcome in tiger reserves and booking a private safari vehicle is often best for your family. Some lodges can provide activities tailored to children.

Can you arrange private trips?

Absolutely! At Wildlife & Wilderness we specialise in tailormade travel. Whether you would like a private naturalist guide, a dedicated birding guide, or a luxury safari to celebrate a special occasion, we can craft the perfect itinerary.

Our long-standing relationship with local partners in India ensures access to creating the best experiences whatever your budget, all designed exclusively for you, your family or your friends.

We look forward to helping you with your tiger safari in India.