Tiger & Leopard Safari in India (10N/11D)
From $2,530£1,900€2,260A$3,630C$3,580
Prices are per person, twin share, private departure, and are rounded. They are estimates and vary with the accommodation you choose and the season. Contact us for a final price.
This itinerary is completely customisable, including accommodation that is not on our list. Speak to our safari specialists and they will design a fully bespoke journey around a romantic dinner in the forest, a family adventure or a serious wildlife photography expedition.
About This Tiger & Leopard Safari
This tiger and leopard safari in India explores two contrasting reserves in the hills of Madhya Pradesh. Pench, the teak country of Kipling's The Jungle Book, is one of Central India's most rewarding tiger forests. Satpura, a wilderness of sandstone peaks, deep gorges and river backwaters, is known for its leopards and sloth bears, and is one of the few tiger reserves in India you can explore on foot and by canoe.
This is an active and intimate journey. Alongside private 4x4 jeep safaris with expert naturalists, you cycle forest trails on the Kanha–Pench tiger corridor, walk through Satpura's forests with a naturalist and forest guide, glide along the Denwa River by canoe and spend a night under canvas at a private fly camp. A VIP welcome at Delhi airport, chauffeur-driven private SUVs and domestic flights make every transfer effortless.
Every journey is curated for you alone. Choose any hotel on our list in each destination, and your programme stays the same while the lodges change to suit the way you like to travel. Each journey contributes to TOFTigers, winner of a Travel + Leisure Global Vision Award in 2025, supporting responsible tiger tourism and the communities beside the forest. The parks are open from October to June.
Destinations Covered
Delhi (2 nights), Pench National Park (4 nights) and Satpura National Park (4 nights, including one night at a private fly camp).
What You Will Experience
- Tigers and leopards in two great reserves, Pench and Satpura, in the forests that inspired The Jungle Book.
- Private 4x4 jeep safaris, one a day in the morning or the afternoon, reserved for your party alone and led by expert naturalists.
- Cycling on the Kanha–Pench tiger corridor, with lunch at Sakata, a colonial forest rest house built in 1904.
- Walking safaris in Satpura, reading tracks and watching birds at close quarters with a naturalist and forest guide.
- A canoe safari on the Denwa River, gliding past basking mugger crocodiles, river terns and fishing ospreys.
- A night at a private fly camp, with dinner by lantern light beneath the Satpura hills.
- Breakfast in the forest during the morning safaris in Pench.
Design your journey with a safari specialist
Every journey is private, bespoke and curated around you: share a few details and one of our safari specialists will be in touch within 24 hours.
Thank you
Your enquiry is with our safari specialists, who will be in touch within 24 hours to begin shaping your bespoke, curated journey.
Pench & Satpura Itinerary: Day by Day
Safaris included: four private 4x4 jeep safaris with an expert naturalist, one a day and alternating between morning and afternoon: two in Pench (morning on Day 3 and afternoon on Day 5) and two in Satpura (morning on Day 7 and afternoon on Day 9). The journey also includes guided cycling on the Kanha–Pench corridor, a walking safari and a dawn walk in Satpura, and a canoe safari on the backwaters. If time allows during the day and park tickets are available, we can add further safaris at an additional cost.
Day 1: Arrival in New Delhi
A VIP representative meets you at the aircraft door and guides you swiftly through immigration, baggage reclaim and customs, then a chauffeur-driven private SUV takes you to your hotel. The afternoon is yours to rest, swim or unwind, with a quiet dinner ahead of tomorrow's flight into the heart of India.
Day 2: New Delhi to Pench National Park
Drive: about 3 to 4 hours (145 km) from Nagpur
Drive: about 3 to 4 hours (145 km) from Nagpur. A morning flight carries you south to Nagpur, where your chauffeur is waiting for the drive to Pench. Settle into your lodge, and over tea your naturalist introduces the forest and the plan for the days ahead.
Day 3: Pench National Park
A morning safari, with your naturalist choosing the gates and zones that keep crowds to a minimum. Midway through the morning safari, stop at a designated spot in the forest for a breakfast hamper from the lodge kitchen. Teak forest opens onto grassy meadows along the Pench River, and your naturalist reads the alarm calls of chital and langur for signs of a tiger or leopard on the move. Packs of dhole and herds of gaur are often seen too. The afternoon is at leisure at the lodge.
Day 4: Cycling on the Kanha–Pench Corridor
After breakfast, drive about 30 minutes to Rukhad, a buffer-zone sanctuary on the tiger corridor that links Pench with Kanha. With your naturalist and a local forest guide, cycle quiet trails through teak and bamboo at a gentle pace, with a support vehicle never far behind, and learn how these forest links allow tigers to move between reserves. Lunch is served at Sakata, a colonial forest rest house built in 1904. The late afternoon is yours at the lodge.
Day 5: Pench National Park
A slow morning at the lodge is followed by a final afternoon safari in Pench, perhaps exploring the forest along the Pench River, where leopards hunt among the rocks and thickets. Your naturalist shares the story of Collarwali, the Pench tigress celebrated for raising 29 cubs, and the generations of tigers she left behind.
Day 6: Pench to Satpura National Park
Drive: about 5 to 6 hours (240 km)
Drive: about 5 to 6 hours (240 km). After breakfast, drive west through the farmland and forested hills of Madhya Pradesh, with a picnic lunch along the way. Arrive in time to watch the light fade over the forest and the water.
Day 7: Satpura National Park
The morning begins with a short boat crossing to the park gate, where your jeep waits for a safari into the reserve. Satpura's sandstone ravines, teak forest and meadows shelter leopards, sloth bears, gaur and the striking Indian giant squirrel, as well as tigers. In the afternoon, set out by canoe along the backwaters, where mugger crocodiles bask on the banks and ospreys, river terns and woolly-necked storks hunt along the shore.
Day 8: Walking Safari and Fly Camp
Satpura is one of the few tiger reserves in India where you may explore the forest on foot. This morning, cross the river by boat and walk with your naturalist and a forest guide, reading tracks, studying birds and plants, and feeling the forest around you in a way no vehicle allows. After lunch, transfer to your private fly camp, where spacious walk-in tents, a dining tent and a dedicated camp team await. Take a short walk near camp as the light softens, then dine by lantern light beneath the stars.
Day 9: Satpura National Park
Wake to birdsong and a dawn walk from camp, then return to the lodge for a late breakfast. In the afternoon, a final jeep safari offers another chance of leopard and sloth bear. Your last evening is celebrated with a private dinner in the lodge grounds.
Day 10: Satpura to New Delhi
Drive: about 3.5 to 4 hours (140 km) to Bhopal, then a flight of about 1 hour 30 minutes
Drive: about 3.5 to 4 hours (140 km) to Bhopal, then a flight of about 1 hour 30 minutes. Spend a final early morning on the water, perhaps kayaking across the still backwaters. After breakfast, your chauffeur drives you to Bhopal for your flight to Delhi, where you spend your final evening.
Day 11: Departure from Delhi
A chauffeur-driven private SUV takes you to Indira Gandhi International Airport for your onward journey, with a VIP escort through departures.
A note from our planners: the Madhya Pradesh reserves rest on Wednesday afternoons and close for Holi and Diwali. Walking safaris, canoe safaris and the fly camp depend on forest department permits and water levels. Your itinerary is arranged around these, and an in-lodge experience takes the place of any affected activity.
Where You Stay
Every hotel and lodge for this journey is listed below by destination, each with a label that describes its style. There are no fixed packages: you may choose any hotel in each destination, and our safari specialists will gladly arrange a stay that is not on this list. Every property is handpicked and has been used by us over many years.
Delhi (Days 1 and 10)
-
Colonel's Retreat (Boutique).
A family-run guest house in a townhouse in Defence Colony, on quiet, tree-lined avenues in central Delhi. It was begun some twenty years ago by a retired army colonel and is now run by his son and daughter-in-law, with dinner served on the roof terrace.
-
ITC Maurya (Luxury).
A landmark of the Diplomatic Enclave, known for its restaurants, among them Bukhara, long celebrated for its north-west frontier cuisine, and Dum Pukht. It offers established comfort and polished service in the heart of the capital.
-
The Oberoi, New Delhi (Luxury).
Opened in 1965 on Dr Zakir Hussain Marg, overlooking Humayun's Tomb on one side and the Delhi Golf Course on the other. Its interiors take their inspiration from Lutyens' New Delhi, and it has a wellness sanctuary, indoor and outdoor pools and several restaurants.
-
Roseate House (Luxury).
A contemporary hotel of 216 rooms in Aerocity, about 4.5 km from the international airport, which makes it a practical first or last night. It has a rooftop infinity pool, a spa and a fine dining restaurant, Kheer.
Pench (Days 2 to 5)
-
Pench Tree Lodge (Eco-Luxury · Recommended).
Sixteen units, six of them treehouses built on stilts around mahua trees, on 40 acres of forest in the Karmajhiri landscape. Meals use produce from the organic garden and nearby villages, and breakfast can be served in the forest during a safari.
-
Baghvan (Luxury).
Twelve colonial-style bungalows among teak and banyan trees, beside a seasonal dry riverbed a few minutes from the park. It has a pool and a spa, and dining that ranges from breakfast in the safari vehicle to private dinners beneath a mahua tree.
Satpura (Days 6 to 9)
One night, on Day 8, is spent at a private fly camp set up for your party alone. The other nights are spent at the lodge of your choice.
-
Denwa Backwater Escape (Eco-Luxury · Recommended).
Eight cottages and two treehouses in about ten acres of woodland beside the Denwa river, with views towards the Pachmarhi hills. Steep roofs, exposed beams and picture windows make the most of the water, and the lodge offers boat and walking safaris.
-
Reni Pani Jungle Lodge (Eco-Luxury).
Twelve widely spaced cottages in the Satpura hills, together with a few tents beside a lake. The lodge has a pool, a library and communal dining around fire pits, and the park is reached by a short boat crossing of the Tawa reservoir.
Prices
| Two guests sharing, per person | $2,530£1,900€2,260A$3,630C$3,580 |
|---|---|
| Two guests sharing, total for two | $5,060£3,800€4,520A$7,260C$7,160 |
| Solo traveller | $4,310£3,240€3,850A$6,190C$6,100 |
| Single supplement | $1,780£1,340€1,590A$2,560C$2,520 |
Estimated prices, per person, based on two guests sharing one room, one safari vehicle and one car. A solo traveller pays the per-person price plus the single supplement. Prices vary with the accommodation you choose and the season, and are rounded. Contact us for a final price. See what is included
Tailored Leisure & In-Lodge Experiences
- Breakfast in the Forest: pause midway through a morning safari for a breakfast hamper from the lodge kitchen, served at a designated spot in the forest as the jungle wakes around you.
- Wildlife Photography Hide: at selected lodges, spend a quiet afternoon in a hide, photographing birds and animals at eye level as they come down to drink.
- Dinner Under the Stars: dine outdoors on regional dishes cooked in clay ovens and over an open hearth.
- Kayaking on the Denwa: paddle the calm backwaters at your own pace, with the Pachmarhi hills on the horizon.
- Village Walk: visit a tribal hamlet beside your lodge with a member of the team and learn how life is lived at the forest's edge.
Something Else in Mind? Our safari specialists can arrange any wildlife activity you would like, depending on the destination and your accommodation, such as a dawn birding walk along the Denwa, an afternoon learning to read pugmarks and alarm calls with your naturalist, or a one-to-one wildlife photography session in the field.
Dining & Reservations: in Delhi, our private concierge secures reservations at the finest restaurants the city has to offer, including hard-to-book tables, and arranges private dinners for special occasions.
Popular Fauna
- Mammals: Bengal tiger, Indian leopard, sloth bear, dhole, Indian giant squirrel, gaur, sambar and chital
- Reptiles: mugger crocodile
- Birds: crested serpent eagle, woolly-necked stork and Indian paradise flycatcher
Sightings vary by season and are never guaranteed.
National Parks & Wildlife Reserves
- Pench National Park: named for the river that divides it, Pench spreads across the hills of Seoni and Chhindwara in a mosaic of teak forest, bamboo and open meadow. Its core of 411 sq km supports tigers, leopards and dhole, and the surrounding landscape gave Kipling the setting for Mowgli's adventures.
- Satpura National Park: covers 524 sq km of sandstone peaks, gorges and river backwaters, and together with the Bori and Pachmarhi sanctuaries forms the Satpura Tiger Reserve. The reserve is on UNESCO's Tentative List for World Heritage status and is one of the few in India that welcomes visitors on foot, by canoe and by boat.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Included
- Ten nights of handpicked accommodation, with breakfast in Delhi and full board at the lodges
- VIP meet and greet on arrival in Delhi
- All transfers in comfortable, chauffeur-driven private SUVs
- Domestic flights: Delhi to Nagpur and Bhopal to Delhi
- Four exclusive private 4x4 jeep safaris, one a day, with expert naturalists (two in Pench and two in Satpura), and all park entry fees, permits and conservation levies
- Breakfast in the forest during morning safaris in Pench
- Guided cycling on the Kanha–Pench corridor, with lunch at Sakata Forest Rest House
- Guided walking safaris and a canoe safari in Satpura
- One night at a private fly camp
Not included: international flights, visa fees, travel insurance, personal gratuities, premium alcoholic beverages, camera fees, additional safaris beyond those listed (arranged on request, subject to park ticket availability), and optional experiences marked "on request".
Possible Extensions
Golden Triangle Tour Extension: begin or end your safari with Delhi, the Taj Mahal at sunrise and the palaces of Jaipur.
Ladakh Snow Leopard Safari Extension: in winter, fly north to Ladakh to track snow leopards in the high valleys of Hemis National Park.
Tiger & Leopard Safari FAQs
What are my chances of seeing a tiger and a leopard?
Wild animals can never be guaranteed, but this route gives you excellent odds. Pench is one of Central India's most rewarding tiger reserves, Satpura is known for its leopards and sloth bears, and expert naturalists accompany you throughout.
When is the best time for a tiger and leopard safari in India?
The Madhya Pradesh reserves are open from October to June. November to March brings cool, comfortable days, while April to June is often the most rewarding time for sightings, as wildlife gathers near water.
What is a walking safari in Satpura like?
You walk in a small group with your naturalist and a forest guide, usually in the cool of the early morning. The pace is gentle, with time to study tracks, birds and plants, and every walk follows the forest department's rules for that zone.
Is this tiger and leopard safari suitable for families?
Yes, for active families who enjoy the outdoors. The cycling is gentle, with a support vehicle on hand, and our safari specialists can adapt walks and activities for younger travellers. Some activities carry minimum age limits set by the forest department, and we will advise on these as we plan your journey.
How do I book a private tiger and leopard safari?
Speak with our safari specialists, who will curate this itinerary around your dates, interests and pace. Every journey is private and bespoke, and we recommend booking six to nine months ahead for the best choice of lodges and park permits.