Tiger Safari India

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Giovanni M 
 
 
 
  
16 giorni nei parchi Corbett, Pench, Kanha & Bandhavgarh
Tutto e` stato perfetto, dal primo contatto alla finalizzazione del programma. Sempre immediate le risposte ricevute alle varie richieste, graditi i suggerimenti che si sono rivelati appropriati per ottimizzare il tour. Perfettamente organizzato tutto il viaggio, nessun intoppo, tutti gli appuntamenti per trasferimenti e safari rispettati. Autisti e guide professionali ed amichevoli, tutte le sistemazioni corrispondevano alla dettagliata descrizione sul sito dell' agenzia. Sono molto contento di aver usufruito dell' esperienza di Tiger Safari India che ha reso il viaggio indimenticabile. Giovanni
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 SydneyAdi 
 
 
 
  
India 2023 - Tiger safaris and other adventures
In Feb 23 we finally set forth for our Indian Tiger Safari adventures, 7 years in the planning and delayed for 3 years by Covid. We combined our safaris with Indian sights, including some that focussed on family history in Indore, Delhi, Shimla, visited major Indian sights - Delhi, Shimla, Jaipur, Indore, Maheshwar, all put together beautifully by Sharad Vats. We got our feel for yesteryear and the British Raj when we stayed in an old palace in Shimla, The Woodville Palace Hotel, in a Haveli (an old mansion house) in Jaipur, and in a former palace with a current prince in residence at Ahilya Fort. We also stayed in regular hotels, generally 4 star. We visited many historical monuments and sights, visited the Taj Mahal (with amazing guide called Khizar who is both very knowledgeable about the Taj and Agra Fort and also a wizz on iPhone photography including "trick" photography. For these locations, he knows all the tricks and places and poses for "professional" pictures of you all with your mobile phone camera. You hardly need to take photos yourself), we walked through markets, made woodblock prints in Jaipur, hiked a mountain in Shimla and at loads of nice food. Our tiger safaris were the absolute highlight of our trip and we visited three National Parks - Jim Corbett National Park (5 safaris) , Bandhavgarh National Park (7 safaris) and Kanha National Park (5 safaris). An original itinerary for 2020 had us doing shared jeep safaris, and on Sharad's advice, we changed and undertook all safaris on an exclusive basis, which was so much better. Each park gave us several fantastic tiger sightings including "our own tiger" on several occasions and these "own tiger" sightings were aided by the incredible skills and knowledge of our drivers and guides - Vijay and Pervej in Corbett, Ajeet in Bandhavgarh, and Mahish in Kanha. They know the names of all the birds and animals, and they know just where to look for the tigers, and pointed them out when we couldn't see them! The national parks are spectacular, with awesome sunrises and sunsets and you are removed from the hustle and bustle and crowds and traffic of daily Indian life, to experience space, animals and birds and the natural environment in a peaceful way. Each park was different in its own way, and we saw all of the common animals - tigers, many types of deer, sloth bears including with babies, jackals and pups, wild dogs, elephants, many many birds including peacocks galore. I think the only animal we didn't see was a leopard. The planning for this trip began prior to Nature Safari's visibility on Trip Advisor, and resulted from a pot luck internet search which sounded interesting. Sharad replied very quickly to my first email and it all began from there - Sharad was happy to accommodate anything we wanted to do, rearrange the itinerary and so on, and was always quick to answer emails, answer questions and provide information. When we finally arrived, we were met at the airport by Deepkul and a driver, and had drivers and guides with us the whole time we were in India, making everything hassle free and all the arrangements seamless. Deepkul maintained contact with us via Whats App and phone, providing driver and guide details to us for our new locations. All drivers were professional and safe drivers in the midst of what we saw as mayhem on the roads, helpful, and the cars air conditioned and immaculate with "supplies" of snacks, water and soft drinks, and Wifi!! They stopped when required, took us to nice clean roadside restaurants with generally clean bathroom facilities and western toilets. Some of the drives were incredibly long, but this really helped us cope with them. If I had to say our favourite place - I would say Corbett and Dhikala lodge, it was where we saw our first tiger, and the location of the lodge within the National Park is great, and it is very beautiful overlooking the river. Its a very rustic lodge, vegetarian only, and sometimes the power goes out (take a torch), but we loved it none the less.
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Margaret B 
 
 
 
  
Excellent experience provided by Sharad and his committed team
From beginning to end our experience with Nature Safari was fantastic I would highly recommend this company All staff were very helpful and knowledgeable which contributed to our very enjoyable holiday It is clear everyone at Nature Safari strive to make experiences as enjoyable as possible All communication with Sharad and his team were prompt and informative I would definitely use this company again
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 drpaulhett 
 
 
 
  
ECO/PHOTOGRAPHIC EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME! (Tigers and bears, Oh My!)
In a world where too many species are already extinct, this Tiger Safari is a must-do. We got up close to many species and got excellent photographs. We saw sloth bears, Indian gaurs, mongoose, a barrel of monkeys, peacocks, thousands of deer, macaques, leopards, beautiful birds, wild chickens, wild elephants, and, of course, WILD BENGAL TIGERS...lots of them!! Traveling in India (Hindi spoken) might have been challenging/intimidating were it not for the step-by-step hand-holding of Sharad, Deepkul, and Abishek. They shepherded us thru every challenge without a worry. I have never seen customer service and intimate personal care of this level anywhere else in the world. Thank you so much, Tiger Safari India.
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Chris 
 
 
 
  
Tiger and Taj Mahal safari.
We visited Jim Corbett, Kanha and Bandhavgarh parks and the last two days visited the Taj Mahal. The arrangements from start to the last day were perfect. Sharad even arranged a Zoom meting so that we could discuss our trip and then adapted the itinerary according to our requests. Never on the trip did we have to wait for a driver, and always felt safe and looked after. The hotels were excellent. We saw 21 tigers in all and were able to take beautiful photo's. The thrill of following up on an alarm call of the Barking dear, and then finding a tiger was priceless. Special mention of the drivers who are so skillful (traveling in India is scary) and also Hariom who gave us so much information when traveling to Agra. Nature Safari India is highly recommended.
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 CAH 
 
 
 
  
Top notch experience!
From the time prior to arriving until I arrived back in New Delhi, I could not have been happier with my experience. Being in Bandhavgarh was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. My guide on the safaris, Sanjay, was the best. I was so fortunate to see a tiger up close, wild elephants, bison, and boar, tons of deer and monkeys, a mongoose, and many different species of beautiful birds. My accommodations were the best at Bandhav Vilas, And communication with Sharad prior to leaving for India was top notch! I would definitely choose this company again. Thank you so much for a most memorable experience
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Peter B 
 
 
 
  
Simply the BEST
India was both expected and unexpected. We had planned our trip for March 2020 but the global pandemic had other ideas. Sharad Vats at Nature Safari India was absolutely great about keeping our trip on hold for three years (and holding our deposit) as we allowed the pandemic to subside. When we finally traveled to India in March 2023 we were not sure what to expect as our only contact with Nature Safari India had been through emails with Sharad and others. What a professional organization. We were met at the airport by Abhishek and he was able to arrange an early check in at our hotel (10:00 am instead of 2:00 pm). We were booked into the AeroCity Pride Plaza and it was great as we were able to walk around AreoCity then rest up in our room - unfortunately the pool was under repair. We met Parveen, our driver for three days, the next morning and braved the New Delhi rush hour traffic on our drive to Agra. Parveen was great and provided us with insights into India and driving in India (you only need three things, faith, brakes and horn). We stayed at the Raddison in Agra and had a view of the Tja Mahal from our room (nice if a bit moldy smelling). We were able to use the pool there and then in the afternoon we met Parveen and Nadeem (our guide). Plans changed a bit and we visited Agra Fort in the afternoon, which was great and Nadeem was very informative. Early, before sunrise, we were met again and went for sunrise at the Tja Mahal. Walking through the park in the dark was an experience not to be missed. Nadeem stayed with us for most of the time and then gave us some time on our own. After this we returned to the hotel, had breakfast and then Parveen drove us to Jaipur. The highlight was the pilgrim procession (thousands) walking along the roadway. In Jaipur we stayed at the Traditional Haveli (very unlike the other hotels so far) that we really enjoyed. The next morning Parveen and Karmit (our Jaipur guide) picked us up and we had a wonderful tour of the Amber Fort. Karmit seemed to know everything and added in extra sites along the way. This may have been the warmest day of the entire trip and in the afternoon we visited Gaiter Ki Chhatriyan (the royal crematorium), a site often overlooked by tourists. It was beautiful and the cenotaphs were elaborate (and it was uncrowded). We also visited the Mantar Jantar. The next day Parveen drove us back to the Airport hotel (and gave us another lesson is driving in India). Parveen was a wonderful driver and the guides in both Agra and Jaipur were first rate. The next morning we were met by Deep and escorted to the airport for our flight to Raipur and on to our much anticipated tiger Safaris. Raipur airport was new and very nice and we had an uneventful drive to Chitvan Jungle Lodge just outside Kanha Tiger reserve. What a beautiful place (and rumor has it that it was previously owned by Sharad Vats!) and very peaceful after New Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. After a quick lunch we met our driver - who was fantastic, but sadly I could never pronounce or remember his hame - and went off for our first tiger safari. What an introduction to Indian Safaris. We slowly were able to differentiate the different ungulates (chital from sambar from Barasingha) and even saw a guar but then it rained and hailed and we were introduced to why some tourists had ponchos (we did not). However, our driver and guide (at Kanha we had the same driver but a different guide for each safari) did their best to put up the canvas roof on the vehicle and we all kept good humor through the "monsoon". What followed at Kanha was a pattern we enjoyed: up at 4:45 am, tea or coffee then meet our driver at 5:30, drive to the park, pick up a guide and enter at 6:00 am. Breakfast in the field at designated areas (with WC) about 10:00 am and then back to hotel by 11:30 or 12:00. In the afternoon we met the driver at 2:30 pm and entered the park at 3:00 pm and then returned by 7:00 pm. During the safaris we learned the vegetation and major birds and mammals and of course saw tigers! We saw 8 different tigers at Kanha including a mother and three young (months old) cubs and two 1-year-old "cubs" or subadult males. Our driver and guide on the day we saw the young males were the best as they insisted that the vehicles move back a ways from the animals and this led to great observations. What an observation. We spent at least 2+ hours observing these two young males and there were only three vehicles present with not more than 10-12 people. while all the tigers we observed were impressive these two were the most active and it was great to be able to spend so much time observing them in such a calm atmosphere. After three days and 6 safaris in Kanha we had our last morning safari and then were driven to Bandhavgarth. We had been alerted that the drive was "interesting" by an English couple we met at Kanha and it was. Scenery was fantastic and we arrived in the evening at Bandhav Vilas in Bandhavgarth. It was beautiful and well laid out but a bit more "up-scale" and touristy than Chitvan had been. At Bandhavgarh we stayed 4 nights and had 7 safaris all with the same driver and guide. The driver, Rana, was great and the guide, a seasoned veteran of guiding (whose name I unfortunately can't remember) was a fountain of knowledge. Banhavgarh has the reputation of being the place to see tigers and it did not disappoint. We saw 8 tigers here including a large male and a female with three very grown up "cubs"/subadults. The safaris were wonderful (same schedule as at Kanha) and we had the opportunity to spend time with a foraging mongoose and see an Indian rat snake. Displaying peacocks, scurrying jungle fowl, jackals, storks, Alexandrine parakeets and even a crested or changeable hawk-eagle. We were on tiger safaris but saw so much more and just being able to visualize the ecosystem was enlightening. Kanha and Banhavgarh are similar but so very different. Kanha is home to the Barasingha or swamp deer and has historical significance in tiger ecology in India. This was the site of George Schaller's study of the ecology of deer and tigers in the 1960s and a highlight for me was to actually get to visit the actual site where he had done his seminal work. I have met Dr. Schaller and his work helped propel my own career. In some ways Kanha felt wilder, but then it was our first exposure to a national park in India and Indian wildlife and our first tiger sightings. Banhavgarh seems to be a park built around tiger tourism and was much busier but not in a negative way. Both are interesting systems and seeing them only made us want to visit other national parks in India. Nature Safari India did a fantastic job in organizing the driver and guide services (never a glitch and all worked perfectly) and choosing the accommodations. While not sure that I'd enjoy Bandhavgarh Vilas after Chitvan, I came to enjoy spending time by the pool with the langur troop before our afternoon safari and loved the outdoor shower! Staff at both hotels were wonderful, the food was plentiful and flavorful and the locations were perfect. After our last safari at Bandhavgarh, which included visiting the 1000+ year old prone stature of Vishnu carved into a grotto on the side of the mountain, we headed to Jabalpur and our flight back to New Delhi. We were sad to leave the beauty and serenity (even with all of us tourists) of the natural areas we had visited but had decided to spend a few extra days in Delhi. Deep met us at the airport on arrival and Sharad had (way back in 2020) recommended we stay at Le Meridian in New Delhi. It was a great suggestion as it is central to so much. We were not prepared for how green New Delhi was having only been out by the airport. The next day we, being moderately intrepid travellers and needing a bit of exercise (meals at the lodges were great and filling - in fact in Bandhavgarh we found we only needed breakfast and dinner, which concerned the staff to no end) we set out after breakfast to walk a bit. We found out quickly that two, shall we say mature, tourists walking in New Delhi is a sight that causes every taxi driver and Tuk-Tuk driver to head straight for them and encourage them to ride rather than walk. That and a Farmers' Protest finally caused us to hire one of the Tuk-Tuks for a day of Delhi adventure. The highlights being visiting a Hindu Temple and a Sikh temple. These were wonderful and meaningful experiences and our Tuk-Tuk driver was very kind to help us, especially at the Sikh temple. Our last day in India was a custom made tour of New Delhi and Old Delhi that Deep at Nature Safari India arranged for us on about 12 hours notice. Great guide and driver again and we were able to pick the places we wanted to see and keep our touring reasonable. The Agrasen Ki Baoli step well in New Delhi was a real treat and something the guide added in at the end. Bottom line is that we thoroughly enjoyed every minute of out trip and tiger safaris to India. India was so much more than we expected and as the saying goes, India is Incredible. There may be other tour companies in India but there can't possibly be a better one than Nature Safari India. Sharad Vats was great through the three years of planning and waiting - even giving me his personal cell number if I needed it - and all the staff we met were professional and personable. The drivers and guides that were contracted by Nature Safari India were all professional and knowledgeable. One note: be aware that guides like to get clients to visit merchants (marble tables, rugs and carpets, textiles - rumor has it that they get a kickback) so don't be surprised by that. We enjoyed the merchant visits and did stimulate the economy but would have liked a bit more control over the process. This is not anything to do with Nature Safari India but seems to be part of touring with guides in India. We really appreciate all that Deep at NSI did for us on the ground during our visit. He was attentive at the transfer points in Delhi, arranged our last minute city tour, was always professional and is just a really nice guy. If anyone is questioning if they should visit India (and why not visit the largest democracy and most populous country with warm people and so much to see) don't - just do it. And, make sure you contact Nature Safari India. they have set programs and also are more than willing to design special tours. While India is incredible we are convinced that without Sharad, Deep and the Nature Safari India staff our trip would not have been as incredible as it was. Nature Safari India is the most professional and best choice for India travel. Absolutely fantastic!
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Henrique K 
 
 
 
  
Perfect trip
Our whole esperience was awesome. We did safaris in many diferent parks, and all of them were perfect, not only because the wildlife, but all the care that Tiger Safari India took with us Since the begining of our journey, we felt special due to the care with us. This journey was even more perfect than we expected. All the staff, at the parks, hotels, guides, drivers were vey kind, attentive, reapectiful with us Special thanks to Ishana Vats, who was with us since the begining, very patient ( due to all my questions ) and lovely, even wonderful surprises at the journey we had because of her To meet the country, the wildlife, the culture was a wonderful experience, but to do all of that with Tiger Safari India was very special, and we will definitely come back to see the many others things in the country, and of course, with the company of them
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 laxman_iyer 
 
 
 
  
Fantastic
To the Nature Safari Team Thanks for arranging one of the best safari trips I have been to. From the very beginning your team responded to my enquiry promptly a d answered all my questions. All the arrangements were superb. The tiger sighting were great! Sanjay at Bandavgarh was excellent! The accommodations and the services were the best. The food was excellent. Thanks Sharad and your team for making this trip a very memorable one. Looking forward to doing another trip with you. With regards Laxman
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Alan T 
 
 
 
  
Fantastic Tiger Tour.
The Covid pandemic forced us to put our safari 'on hold' from March 2020 until March 2023. Our thanks to Sharad Vats and his team at Nature Safari India for facilitating this so easily during a time of great global upheaval. It was well worth the wait. I really couldn't find fault with any aspect of our 16-day tour that included Kanha, Pench and Tadoba NPs plus the Taj Mahal. Our transfers from arrival at Nagpur airport, through the parks and the Taj and then to Delhi airport for departure were welcoming and professional. All taxis had a/c and refreshments and special mention must go to Parveen for his great good humour and Hussain who guided us around Agra and showed us some wonderful photographic techniques using an iPhone. The park lodges were great bases for our safaris, all being comfortable and relaxing with pools for post-safari 'recovery'. The variety and quality of the food was excellent, and the staff were friendly and welcoming. We visited Singinawa Jungle Lodge, Pench Jungle Camp and Svasara Jungle Lodge; I was especially grateful to the staff at Singinawa for making me a tiger pawprint birthday cake. Our aim was to see tigers and it was fulfilled on the first drive of the first day. We went on to see excellent views of tigers on half of our 23 drives (over 12 days). The views were more numerous and much closer to the animals than we had anticipated. On days when we didn't see tigers, other travelers were lucky - so there was no shortage of tigers in any of the parks. Thanks to all our guides and park drivers for their skill and professionalism: Sanjay, Prabhir and Bhautik. A special mention to Bhautik who amazed us with tales of his work capturing snakes and crocodiles. In sum, I would highly recommend Tiger Safari India without hesitation. From August 2019 (when we first made contact) to April 2023 (when we finally left India with memory-cards full of tigers) Sharad and his team did everything to make our trip a success. They succeeded completely.
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Tripadvisor rating score: 5.0 of 5, based on 225 reviews