India Great Cats Safari

Upon arrival in Mumbai, you will be met and transferred your hotel (approximately an hour from the airport). It is located in the heart of the city, with a view of the harbor, and just a couple minutes' walk away from the Gateway of lndia, Prince of Wales Museum, and other historical sites. Rest up for the start of your safari at the Fariyas Hotel.

This morning, you transfer to the domestic airport for your flight to Bhuj (Note: Baggage allowances for this flight are 33 lbs.  for checked and 22 lbs. for carry-on bags.) .  Upon arrival, you will be met and drive to Great Rann of Kutch (about one hour),  a salt marsh located in the Thar Desert. 

The Banni grasslands got it's name from its geological past, the land was formed from the sediments deposited by several rivers that flowed through the region over several thousand years. Golden Jackals can be seen often. Nilgai, Chinkara, Blackbuck, Wild boar, Desert Fox and Indian Hare may also bee seen.

After breakfast we will drive to Gir (approximately 8 hours), and then check in to the Gir Birding Lodge, your home for the next three nights. Experience the diverse habitat of Gir on your early morning and afternoon game drive safaris from the lodge.

Gir National Park is the only place in the world outside of Africa where the Lion (Panthera leo) can be seen in its natural habitat. The last remaining stronghold of the Asiatic Lion, Gir is also home to one of the largest leopard populations in any park in India, making it an excellent place to see many types of big cats. The Lion Sanctuary Project was initiated in 1972 to create a balance between the endangered lions and the indigenous Maldhari Tribe. With over 800 guards patrolling the entire park, Gir has become one of the best-protected sanctuaries in India. The tribesmen's efforts have succeeded; the Gir lion population has increased from 20 lions at the turn of the century to over 300 lions now. This makes your chances of sighting a lion very high.

Apart from being a good place to spot a colorful array of birds, Gir is also a great place to interact with local tribes. The main tribe, the nomadic pastoral Maldhari community, live in scattered settlements called "nesses."  Gir is also home to a Negroid community known as Siddis, who are African in origin but speak Gujarati.

Each morning and afternoon, you will take an extended game drive in open jeeps to look for the Asiatic Lion. Other possible mammal sightings here include leopard, Nilgai, Chinkara, Sambhar, Black Buck, Wild Boar, Indian Flying Fox, Small Indian Mongoose, and jackal. There is a good chance of seeing the Jungle Cat as well. 
Bird species include Rufous-Tailed Lark; Painted Sandgrouse; Indian, White-backed, and King Vulture; Crested Lark; Great Thicknee; Indian Stone Curlew; Marshall’s Iora; Mottled Wood Owl; and more.

This morning, after an early morning drive through the park, you will return to the lodge for breakfast. Afterwards, you will be transferred to the Ahmedabad Airport and connect to your flight to Delhi. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to the Ashok Country Resort. The rest of the day is at your leisure.

After an early breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Khajuraho where you will be met and driven to Bandhavgarh National Park (approx. 5 hours).  Check in at the Nature Heritage Resort, where you will spend three nights.

Bandhavgarh National Park, named after Bandhavgarh Fort, is situated in central India and was formerly a royal hunting reserve of the princely state of Rewa, where the first White Tiger was found. This is one of the most famous places in India for tigers, and the chances of spotting one (or more) are very high, especially when accompanied by a skilled naturalist such as your guide, Avijit. The park is situated in more than 150 square miles of mixed forest.  The core area of the park is a fairly small, fragile ecosystem which supports such wildlife as the Chital (Spotted Deer), Sambar, Muntjak (Barking Deer), Nilgai (Blue Bull), Chowsingha (Four-horned Antelope), Wild Boar, Leopard, Dhole (Wild Dog), Tiger, and other mammals.  Birdlife also abounds with over 275 species of birds, such as hornbills, orioles, parakeets, peacocks, and eagles. During these two days, explore the reserve with a mixture of early morning and evening game drives by jeep.

Early this morning, you will be driven to Panna National Park (approx. 5 hours). The route is through remote villages. Bush stops will be available along the way, as well as the opportunity to get out, stretch your legs, and take photos.  Upon arrival, check into the Ken River Lodge, where you will spend two nights.

The focus in Panna National Park is on spotting the Rusty-spotted Cat, as well as hyena, wolf, Wild Dog, and the Sloth Bear. Your guide, Avijit, and the local chief naturalist will discuss with you how to make the most of your visit to Panna. While not as well-known as some of India’s other wildlife parks, Panna offers a good diversity of habitats and wildlife species. It is less crowded than other parks and offers more opportunities for serendipitous encounters with wildlife. Enjoy early morning and afternoon game viewing activities within the park.

This morning, enjoy a last game drive in Panna. In the afternoon, you will be transferred to the Jhansi Railway Station in time for your train to Agra. The train ride is approximately 4.5 hours, during which you can enjoy observing the Indian countryside along the way. On arrival at Agra, you will be met and transferred to the Trident Hotel.

Early this morning, tour the Taj Mahal by sunrise. Following that, you will take a drive to Delhi, visiting sights along the way. Upon arrival in Delhi, transfer back to the Ashok Country Resort. This concludes the main safari.

Transfer to the airport for onward connections to the USA.  Your flight may depart very early in the morning.
If you are fit and ready for more cat-tracking, you may wish to continue  to Ladakh in search of the Snow Leopard.   From Delhi, fly  to Leh to join our ten-day JOURNEYS Signature Trip (JST), Tracking the Snow Leopard of Ladakh with Avijit Sarkhel