TIGER EXPEDITION  2027

Day 3 – 26 April - Morning Photography in Keoladeo • Taj Mahal • Overnight Train to Katni

We start the day with an early morning photography session in Keoladeo National Park.

Around 11 AM we drive approximately two hours to Agra. Following lunch, we visit the magnificent Taj Mahal, one of the world's most iconic monuments.

Built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahanin memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj Mahal stands as the ultimate symbol of eternal love. Construction began in 1632 and was completed in 1653. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is considered one of the finest master pieces of Mughal architecture, beautifully blending Indian, Persian, and Islamic design.

In the evening, we board the 20:20 overnight trainfrom Agra to Katni.

Overnight: 1class AC coach - Sleeper train.

Day 4 – 27 April - Arrival in Katni • Bandhavgarh National Park • Evening Safari

We arrive in Katniat approximately 06:30, where our private vehicle will be waiting. From there, we drive around two hours to Bandhavgarh National Park, one of India's premier tiger reserves.

After checking into our lodge and enjoying some time to relax, we head out on our first afternoon safari in search of the park's incredible wildlife.

Accommodation: Bandhavgarh Jungle Lodge

Bandhavgarh National Park - Bandhavgarh National Park is one of India's most famous wildlife reserves and is widely regarded as one of the best places in the world to photograph wild Bengal tigers.

The park takes its name from the ancient Bandhavgarh Fort, a historic fortress believed to be over 2,000 years old, perched dramatically on a hill in the heart of the reserve.

While tigers are undoubtedly the park's greatest attraction, Bandhavgarh is also home to an impressive variety of wildlife, including leopards, sloth bears, golden jackals, jungle cats, gaur, sambar deer, chital, barking deer, and many other fascinating species.

For bird photographers, the park is equally rewarding. Among the many species that may be encountered are the Malabar Pied Hornbill, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, White-rumped Shama, Asian Paradise Flycatcher, Stork-billed Kingfisher, Lesser Adjutant, Crested Hawk-Eagle, Crested Serpent Eagle, Red Junglefowl, Brown Fish Owl,and Jungle Owlet, along with many other resident and migratory birds.

Bandhavgarh offers exceptional opportunities for both wildlife observation and photography, making it one of the highlights of the expedition.

Day 5 – 28 April - Morning Safari • Village Visit

We begin the day with an early morning safari in Bandhavgarh National Park, when wildlife is most active and the light is ideal for photography.

As the park is closed in the afternoon, we take the opportunity to visit a nearby village. This offers a wonderful chance to experience rural Indian life, meet the friendly local community, and photograph colourful scenes of everyday life, traditional homes, and local culture.

Overnight: Bandhavgarh Jungle Lodge.

Please Note:  National parks included in this itinerary are closed for afternoon/evening safaris every Wednesday.

Days 6–8 – 29 April to 1 May - Morning & Afternoon Safaris in Bandhavgarh National Park

Over the next three days, we enjoy morning and afternoon safaris in Bandhavgarh National Park, maximising our chances of encountering the park's extraordinary wildlife.

With multiple game drives through different zones of the reserve, we continue our search for Bengal tigers, while also looking for leopards, sloth bears, golden jackals, jungle cats, gaur, deer, and the park's rich diversity of birdlife.

Each safari offers unique photographic opportunities, with changing light conditions, wildlife behaviour, and landscapes ensuring that no two game drives are ever the same.

Overnight: Bandhavgarh Jungle Lodge.

Day 9 – 2 May - Transfer to Kanha National Park

After breakfast, we leave Bandhavgarh and drive approximately six hoursto Kanha National Park. Along the way, we'll make several stops to visit local villages and traditional markets, providing opportunities to experience everyday rural life and capture authentic cultural photographs.

Upon arrival, we check in at the beautiful Kanha Jungle Lodge, our home for the next few days.

Kanha National Park - Kanha National Park is one of India's largest and most beautiful tiger reserves, renowned for its healthy population of Bengal tigers and its breathtaking landscapes.

The park is also home to a remarkable diversity of wildlife, including leopards, sloth bears, dholes (Indian wild dogs), the rare hard-ground barasingha (swamp deer), and the mighty gaur, the world's largest wild bovine.

With its vast meadows, sal forests, bamboo groves, and scenic valleys, Kanha is widely believed to have inspired Rudyard Kipling's `The Jungle Book`. Its varied habitats and spectacular scenery make it one of India's premier destinations for wildlife photography.

Overnight:Kanha Jungle Lodge.

Days 10–11 – 3–4 May - Morning & Afternoon Safaris in Kanha National Park

During the next two days, we enjoy morning and afternoon safaris in Kanha National Park, exploring different areas of this magnificent reserve.

Our focus will be on photographing Bengal tigers, while also searching for leopards, sloth bears, dholes, barasingha, gaur, and the park's abundant birdlife. Kanha's beautiful landscapes and rich biodiversity provide outstanding opportunities for wildlife photography throughout the day.

Overnight:Kanha Jungle Lodge 

Day 12 – 5 May - Morning Safari • Transfer to Pench National Park

We begin the day with a final morning safari in Kanha National Park. After lunch, we drive to Pench National Park, where we check in at our lodge for the next stage of the expedition.

Accommodation:Tuli Tiger Corridor, Pench.

Pench National Park - Pench National Park is one of India's finest tiger reserves and is famous for its high density of tigers, leopards, and dholes (Indian wild dogs).

Tigers in Pench are often offering excellent opportunities for wildlife photography and memorable encounters.

The park takes its name from the Pench River, which flows through the reserve and supports a rich diversity of wildlife and birdlife. With its teak forests, open woodlands, and riverine habitats, Pench provides beautiful scenery and outstanding photographic opportunities.

Days 13–14 – 6–7 May - Morning & Afternoon Safaris in Pench National Park

Over the next two days, we enjoy morning and afternoon safaris exploring the different areas of Pench National Park.

Our primary focus in Pench National Parkis to photograph its exceptional population of leopards and dholes (Indian wild dogs). Pench is widely regarded as one of the best places in India to observe and photograph both species.

Of course, tigers are also very much on our wish list, and Pench offers excellent opportunities to encounter these magnificent cats as well. 

With its beautiful teak forests, open landscapes, and diverse wildlife, Pench provides outstanding opportunities for wildlife photography and exciting safari experiences.

Overnight:Tuli Tiger Corridor, Pench

Day 15 – 8 May - Final Safari • Flight to Delhi

We enjoy one final morning safari in Pench National Park before departing for Nagpur Airport.

From Nagpur, we take an afternoon flight to Delhi, where we spend our final night before returning home.

Overnight:Delhi.

Day 16 – 9 May - Departure

This morning, we depart on our flight to our final destination, bringing home unforgettable memories

Please Note ! The itinerary may be adjusted due to practical or logistical considerations, weather conditions, wildlife movements, or park regulations. Any changes will always be made with the aim of providing the best possible experience for the group.

What's Included

• All meals throughout the tour.

• Accommodation in shared twin rooms.

• 18 wildlife safaris in Bandhavgarh, Kanha, and Pench National Parks.

• Entrance fees to all national parks.

• Entrance fee to Keoladeo National Park.

• Domestic flight from Nagpur to Delhi on 9 May, including 23 kg checked baggage.

• Drinking water during all road transfers.

• Camera permit for up to two cameras per person.
  

Not Included

• International flights to and from Delhi (approximately NOK 10,000, depending on departure location and booking date).

• Travel insurance.

• Indian visa fee (approximately USD 28).

• Optional activities not included in the itinerary.

• Alcoholic beverages.

• Personal expenses (laundry, telephone, souvenirs, etc.).

• Gratuities for local guides, drivers, lodge staff, and other service personnel.

Safari Schedule :

The tour includes 18 safaris in Bandhavgarh (8), Kanha (5), and Pench (5)National Parks. Morning safaris usually begin around 06:00, with departure from the lodge at approximately 05:15. Afternoon safaris normally run from 14:30–15:00until sunset. The exact timings vary between parks and seasons.

Please note: All parks are closed for afternoon/evening safaris every Wednesday.

Tiger Permits :

Tiger Tracker arranges all safari permits in advance using your passport details. Your passport (or a photocopy) must be carried with you on every safari for identification at the park entrance.

Meals :

All meals are provided during the tour (except during transit). Breakfast is usually served as a packed jungle breakfastduring the morning safari, while lunch and dinner are enjoyed at the lodge.

Wildlife : 

Central India is home to an incredible variety of wildlife, including Bengal Tiger, Leopard, Sloth Bear, Dhole (Indian Wild Dog), Gaur, Barasingha, several deer species, and over 130 bird species, making this an exceptional destination for wildlife photography.

Safari Vehicles

We use fully open 4WD safari vehicles (without a roof)to provide the best possible wildlife viewing and photography experience. There are a maximum of four guests per vehicle, ensuring plenty of space and unobstructed views for everyone.

Recommended Photography Equipment

• Camera:A full-frame DSLR or mirrorless camera is recommended for the best image quality and low-light performance.

• Lenses: A 300–600 mm telephoto lens is ideal for wildlife. A  70–200 mm, or 100–600 mm lens is recommended for landscapes, portraits, and general photography.

• Memory Cards: Bring several high-capacity, fast memory cards.

• Batteries: Carry spare batteries and charger.

• Cleaning Kit: Dust can be an issue during safaris, as we use fully open safari vehicles. Bring a lens cleaning kit and something to cover your camera equipment (a rain jacket works well). Be careful when changing lenses in dusty conditions.

• Monopod: Very usefull.

• Bean Bag: Highly recommended for supporting large telephoto lenses while photographing from the vehicle. Bean bags can be purchased in Bandhavgarh for approximately NOK 200 if needed.

• Camera Bag : A sturdy, dust-resistant camera bag is recommended to protect your equipment.

Domestic Flight Baggage (Nagpur – Delhi)

The domestic flight is included in the tour price and allows:

• 7 kg carry-on baggage

• 23 kg checked baggage

If required, you can purchase an additional 10 kg of checked baggage (approximately NOK 600, subject to airline pricing). This must be arranged well before departure.

Indian e-Visa

An Indian e-Tourist Visais required for this trip.

• Apply online up to 30 days before departure.

• Processing usually takes around 24 hours.

• The current fee is approximately USD 28for a 30-day single-entry tourist e-Visa.

Once your visa status shows "GRANTED", print a copy of the approval and keep it with your passport throughout the journey.

Please ensure your passport is valid for at least six months after your return dateand contains at least two blank pages.

For the latest visa information and to apply online, please visit the official Indian Government e-Visa website.

Travel Insurance

Comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory. We recommend a policy that covers medical expenses, trip cancellation, theft, lost baggage, and travel delays. Please ensure your insurance covers travel to India, and always carry proof of insurance during the trip.

Register Your Trip

We recommend registering your travel plans with your country's foreign affairs or travel advisory service before departure. This allows authorities to contact you in the event of an emergency.

Tipping

Tipping is customary in India and is greatly appreciated by safari guides, drivers, and lodge staff.

To make things simple, all gratuities are collected by the tour leader and distributed fairly throughout the trip.

Recommended amount: Approximately NOK 2,100 per person (around NOK 150 per day).

Clothing

Lightweight, comfortable clothing in neutral colourssuch as beige, khaki, or olive green is recommended. Pack both short- and long-sleeved shirts, long trousers, a light rain jacket, comfortable walking shoes or sandals, a hat or cap, sunglasses, and a buff or scarf for cool morning safaris.

Mosquito Repellent & Sunscreen

Mosquitoes are generally not a major issue, but insect repellent is recommended for the evenings. Don't forget to bring sunscreen.

Headlamp

A headlamp is recommended, as it is often dark during early morning departures and after evening safaris.

Internet & Card Payments

Wi-Fi and card payment facilities are available at all lodges except Kanha, where internet access may be limited and card payments are not always possible.

Time Difference

India is UTC +5:30, which is 3.5 hours ahead of Central European Summer Time (CEST)and 4.5 hours ahead of Central European Time (CET)during winter.

Accommodation

Throughout the expedition, we stay in carefully selected comfortable hotels and wildlife lodges known for their excellent service, quality food, and ideal locations close to the national parks.

Our accommodation includes:

• Bharatpur: Birder`s Inn

• Bandhavgarh:Bandhavgarh Jungle Lodge

• Kanha:Kanha Jungle Lodge

• Pench:Tuli Tiger Corridor

• Delhi:Four Points by Sheraton, New Delhi Airport Highway

All accommodations have been chosen to provide a comfortable and relaxing stay after each day's wildlife adventures.

Please Note

The itinerary is subject to change due to weather conditions, park regulations, wildlife movements, or other operational reasons. Any changes will be made with the aim of providing the best possible experience.

Interested in the Tiger Expedition?

If you're interested in this expedition but the scheduled dates don't suit you, we'd still love to hear from you.

Send us a message using the contact form below, and we'll be happy to discuss alternative departure dates or future expeditions that may better fit your schedule.

Photos from the Expedition

"A picture is worth a thousand words."

Trip Map