Tiger Safari & Birding Tour in India

About This Tiger Safari & Birding Tour

This tiger safari and birding tour in India pairs the tigers of Ranthambore with two of the country's finest places for birds. Ranthambore, where tigers stalk among the ruins of a thousand-year-old fort, is also rich in raptors, owls and forest birds. Keoladeo National Park at Bharatpur, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the world's great wetland sanctuaries, alive in winter with cranes, storks, pelicans and waterfowl from as far away as Siberia. On the Chambal River, a quiet boat carries you past basking gharials, river dolphins and the elegant Indian skimmer.

Tiger safaris are taken in a private 4x4 jeep, reserved for your party alone, and expert birding naturalists guide you at Keoladeo and on the Chambal. You stay at a lodge beside Ranthambore, a former royal residence close to the bird sanctuary at Bharatpur, and a family-run heritage lodge in woodland near the river. A VIP welcome at Delhi airport, chauffeur-driven private SUVs and a domestic flight 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 best time to travel is November to March, when the migrant birds are in residence.

Destinations Covered

Delhi (2 nights), Ranthambore National Park (3 nights), Bharatpur and Keoladeo National Park (2 nights) and the National Chambal Sanctuary (2 nights).

What You Will Experience

Tigers in Ranthambore, where they roam among lakes, banyan trees and the ruins of a hilltop fort.
Private 4x4 jeep safaris, one a day in the morning or the afternoon, reserved for your party alone and led by expert naturalists.
Keoladeo National Park, a UNESCO-listed wetland famed for its sarus cranes, painted storks and winter waterfowl.
A boat safari on the Chambal, home to the critically endangered gharial, Gangetic river dolphins and the Indian skimmer.
Expert birding naturalists who know every call, nest and roost along the way.
A choice of handpicked stays in every destination, from a forest-edge lodge at Ranthambore to a former royal residence at Bharatpur and a heritage lodge on the Chambal.
An optional stop at the Taj Mahal on your final drive back to Delhi.

Painted storks and a spoonbill feeding in a lake in Ranthambore National Park

Long-tailed shrike on a leafy branch in Ranthambore National Park

Peacock in flight across the grass in Ranthambore National Park

Tiger walking past a safari jeep in Ranthambore National Park

Ranthambore, Keoladeo & Chambal Itinerary: Day by Day

Safaris included: two private 4x4 jeep safaris in Ranthambore, one a day (a morning safari on Day 3 and an afternoon safari on Day 4); two boat safaris on the Chambal (an afternoon on Day 7 and a morning on Day 8); and guided birding at Keoladeo on Days 5 to 7, on foot, by bicycle or by cycle rickshaw. If time allows during the day and park tickets are available, we can add further jeep safaris at Ranthambore at an additional cost.

Day 1: Arrival in New Delhi

A VIP representative meets you at the aircraft and guides you swiftly through immigration, baggage reclaim and customs, then a chauffeur-driven private SUV takes you to your hotel, where you can rest after your flight. If you arrive early, nearby Lodhi Gardens is a gentle introduction to India's common birds.

Day 2: New Delhi to Ranthambore National Park

Drive: about 3 to 3.5 hours (160 km) from Jaipur

Drive: about 3 to 3.5 hours (160 km) from Jaipur. A short morning flight takes you to Jaipur, where your chauffeur is waiting for the drive to Ranthambore. In the afternoon, take a birding walk around your lodge with your naturalist, watching for Indian peafowl, grey francolin and the Indian robin.

Day 3: Ranthambore National Park

A morning safari explores Ranthambore's dry forest, rocky ridges and lakes, where tigers are seen beside ancient pavilions and the water of Padam Talao. The reserve is also excellent for birds: crested serpent eagles, brown fish owls, painted spurfowl and Indian paradise flycatchers are all found here, and your naturalist balances the search for tigers with time for birds. The afternoon is at leisure.

Day 4: Ranthambore National Park

Spend the morning at leisure at your lodge, or visit Ranthambore Fort, part of the UNESCO-listed Hill Forts of Rajasthan, where vultures and raptors ride the thermals above the walls and the views stretch across the forest. In the afternoon, a final safari returns you to the lakes and ruined pavilions in the golden light.

Day 5: Ranthambore to Bharatpur

Drive: about 4 to 5 hours (220 km)

Drive: about 4 to 5 hours (220 km). After breakfast, drive north-east through the farmland of eastern Rajasthan to Bharatpur. In the late afternoon, take your first visit to Keoladeo National Park with your birding naturalist.

Day 6: Keoladeo National Park

A full day in Keoladeo, once the duck-shooting reserve of the Maharajas of Bharatpur and now one of the world's great bird sanctuaries. Explore its raised paths on foot, by bicycle or in a cycle rickshaw driven by a local guide trained in birdwatching. Sarus cranes, painted storks, bar-headed geese, pelicans and a host of ducks crowd the wetlands in winter, while dusky eagle-owls, spotted owlets and Indian rock pythons can be found along the drier trails.

Day 7: Bharatpur to the Chambal

Drive: about 3 hours (125 km)

Drive: about 3 hours (125 km). After an early walk in Keoladeo, drive to a heritage lodge in woodland near the Chambal River, built by local landowners and still run by their family. In the afternoon, a boat safari on the Chambal brings you close to gharials basking on sandbanks, mugger crocodiles and Gangetic river dolphins surfacing in the current. Indian skimmers, black-bellied terns and great thick-knees work the river's edge.

Day 8: National Chambal Sanctuary

Spend a second morning on the river, when the light is soft and the birds most active. In the afternoon, explore the ravines on a camel safari or visit the riverside temples of Bateshwar on the Yamuna. Your farewell dinner is served in the lodge's gardens beneath old trees.

Day 9: Chambal to New Delhi

Drive: about 5 hours (300 km)

Drive: about 5 hours (300 km). After a final morning birding walk, drive to Delhi. If you wish, stop in Agra on the way to see the Taj Mahal (closed on Fridays). You spend your final evening in the capital.

Day 10: 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 route runs from Ranthambore to Keoladeo and the Chambal so that each drive is short and you end within easy reach of Delhi and Agra. Ranthambore's safaris follow zones set by the forest department, and the Chambal Safari Lodge is open from October to April.

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 9)

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.

Ranthambore (Days 2 to 4)

Dev Vilas (Eco-Luxury).

A wildlife lodge close to the main entrance of Ranthambore, with rooms and tented bungalows among mango and guava orchards and views towards the Aravalli hills. It has a swimming pool, a courtyard and a relaxed dining room.
Khem Villas (Eco-Luxury · Recommended).

A lodge on about 30 acres at the edge of Ranthambore, where grassland, lakes and woodland have been carefully restored. Villas, thatched cottages and canvas tents are designed with the land in mind, with farm-style organic meals and naturalist-led activities on site.
Sujan Sher Bagh (Luxury Tented Camp).

A camp of twelve canvas tents and two suites in the style of the colonial-era hunting camps, only minutes from the park entrance. It has a pool overlooking the park's buffer zone, a spa and meals made with produce from its own gardens.

Bharatpur (Days 5 and 6)

Laxmi Vilas Palace (Heritage).

A palace that was for almost a century the focus of the princely state of Bharatpur, and has been a hotel since 1994. Its 30 rooms keep a Raj-era character, and it has a courtyard, a pool and an organic farm that supplies the kitchen.
Amritara Chandra Mahal Haveli (Heritage).

A haveli with origins in the 1840s, in the village of Peharsar, about 25 km from Bharatpur. It has eleven rooms around a courtyard with a blue pool, with suites that have private terraces, and a quiet, rural setting.

Chambal (Days 7 and 8)

Chambal Safari Lodge (Heritage).

A restored colonial-era house in about 35 acres of grounds near Jarar, around an hour from Agra. It has thirteen rooms in the main house and cottages, with meals made largely from its own organic farm and local ingredients.

Prices

Prices for Tiger Safari & Birding Tour in India
Two guests sharing, per person	$1,710£1,290€1,530A$2,450C$2,420
Two guests sharing, total for two	$3,420£2,580€3,060A$4,900C$4,840
Solo traveller	$3,070£2,310€2,750A$4,410C$4,350
Single supplement	$1,360£1,020€1,220A$1,960C$1,930

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

Wilderness Spa & Wellness: unwind between safaris with Ayurvedic treatments at your lodge.
Cycling the Bunds of Keoladeo: ride the quiet raised paths through the wetlands at your own pace, stopping wherever the birds hold you.
Camel Safari in the Ravines: explore the dramatic badlands of the Chambal valley by camel, with local camel owners as your guides.
Bateshwar Temples: visit the riverside temple complex on the Yamuna near the Chambal Safari Lodge.
Village Walk at Holipura: walk through a nearby medieval village with a local guide from the community.

A village cook making bread over a wood fire near the Chambal

Breakfast laid out on a safari jeep in the forest at Ranthambore

A private dinner beneath the trees at Ranthambore, lit by lanterns and fire bowls

Something Else in Mind? Our safari specialists can arrange any activity you would like, depending on the destination and your accommodation, such as a dawn owl-spotting walk around the lodge, a session with your naturalist learning to identify birds by their calls, or a one-to-one bird photography session from a quiet hide.

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, Gangetic river dolphin, sambar, chital and nilgai
Reptiles: gharial and mugger crocodile
Birds: sarus crane, painted stork, Indian skimmer, bar-headed goose, dusky eagle-owl and crested serpent eagle

Sightings vary by season and are never guaranteed.

Birds You May See: Ranthambore, Keoladeo & Chambal

This route is one of the richest birding circuits in India, moving from dry forest to wetland to river. These are among the species our naturalists record most often; sightings vary with the season and water levels.

Ranthambore National Park

Raptors and owls: Crested Serpent Eagle, Changeable Hawk-Eagle, Bonelli's Eagle, Shikra, Black-winged Kite, Indian Vulture, Red-headed Vulture, Egyptian Vulture, Brown Fish Owl, Indian Eagle-Owl, Spotted Owlet
Forest and scrub birds: Indian Peafowl, Painted Spurfowl, Grey Francolin, Painted Sandgrouse, Indian Grey Hornbill, Indian Paradise Flycatcher, White-browed Fantail, Sirkeer Malkoha, Plum-headed Parakeet, Alexandrine Parakeet, Yellow-footed Green Pigeon, Indian Golden Oriole, Rufous Treepie, Yellow-crowned Woodpecker, Small Minivet, Indian Roller, Crested Bunting, Indian Pitta (summer)
Lakes and waterholes: Black Stork, Woolly-necked Stork, Asian Openbill, Great Thick-knee, Bar-headed Goose, White-throated Kingfisher, Pied Kingfisher

Keoladeo National Park

Cranes, storks and ibises: Sarus Crane, Common Crane, Painted Stork, Black-necked Stork, Woolly-necked Stork, Asian Openbill, Eurasian Spoonbill, Black-headed Ibis, Glossy Ibis, Red-naped Ibis
Pelicans, cormorants and herons: Great White Pelican, Oriental Darter, Great Cormorant, Indian Cormorant, Little Cormorant, Grey Heron, Purple Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron, Indian Pond Heron, Great Egret, Intermediate Egret, Little Egret, Yellow Bittern
Ducks and geese: Bar-headed Goose, Greylag Goose, Knob-billed Duck, Lesser Whistling Duck, Cotton Pygmy Goose, Ruddy Shelduck, Indian Spot-billed Duck, Gadwall, Eurasian Wigeon, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Common Teal, Garganey, Common Pochard, Ferruginous Duck, Tufted Duck
Rails, jacanas and waders: Grey-headed Swamphen, Bronze-winged Jacana, Pheasant-tailed Jacana, Black-winged Stilt, Red-wattled Lapwing, White-tailed Lapwing, Common Snipe, Wood Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper
Raptors and owls: Greater Spotted Eagle, Indian Spotted Eagle, Eastern Imperial Eagle, Booted Eagle, Western Marsh Harrier, Osprey, Dusky Eagle-Owl, Spotted Owlet, Indian Scops Owl
Woodland birds: Black Francolin, Coppersmith Barbet, Brown-headed Barbet, Black-rumped Flameback, Bluethroat, Black Redstart, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Greater Coucal, Green Bee-eater, Common Kingfisher

National Chambal Sanctuary

River specialists: Indian Skimmer, Black-bellied Tern, River Tern, Little Tern, Great Thick-knee, Small Pratincole, River Lapwing, Pallas's Gull, Brown-headed Gull
Waterbirds: Bar-headed Goose, Ruddy Shelduck, Sarus Crane, Black-necked Stork, Woolly-necked Stork, Red-naped Ibis, Pied Kingfisher
Birds of the ravines: Indian Courser, Bonelli's Eagle, Egyptian Vulture, Brown Rock Chat, Sand Lark, Indian Peafowl

National Parks & Wildlife Reserves

Ranthambore National Park: dry forest, rocky ridges and lakes beneath a 10th-century fort in eastern Rajasthan, home to some of India's most photographed tigers and over 300 species of birds.
Keoladeo National Park: a compact wetland at Bharatpur, once a royal duck-shooting reserve, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. More than 350 bird species have been recorded here.
National Chambal Sanctuary: a long protected stretch of the Chambal River shared by Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, and the world's most important stronghold for the critically endangered gharial.

Inclusions & Exclusions

Included

Nine nights of handpicked accommodation, with breakfast in Delhi and all meals included at Bharatpur, Ranthambore and the Chambal
VIP meet and greet on arrival in Delhi
All transfers in comfortable, chauffeur-driven private SUVs
Domestic flight: Delhi to Jaipur
Two exclusive private 4x4 jeep safaris in Ranthambore, one a day, with expert naturalists, and all park entry fees, permits and conservation levies
Guided birding in Keoladeo National Park, including cycle rickshaw guides
Two boat safaris on the Chambal River

Not included: international flights, visa fees, travel insurance, personal gratuities, premium alcoholic beverages, camera fees, Taj Mahal entrance on the optional Agra stop, additional safaris beyond those listed (arranged on request, subject to park ticket availability), and experiences marked "on request".

Possible Extensions

Ladakh Snow Leopard Safari Extension: fly north to Ladakh in winter for snow leopards, blue sheep and high-mountain birds such as the bearded vulture.
Darjeeling Red Panda Safari Extension: fly east to Darjeeling for red pandas and Himalayan birds in the forests of Singalila National Park.

Tiger Safari & Birding Tour FAQs

When is the best time for a tiger safari and birding tour in India?

November to March is ideal. Migrant waterfowl and cranes fill the wetlands of Keoladeo, Indian skimmers and bar-headed geese gather on the Chambal, and the days are cool and clear for safaris in Ranthambore.

What birds and wildlife can I expect to see?

At Keoladeo, sarus cranes, painted storks, pelicans, owls and many species of duck and geese. On the Chambal, gharials, river dolphins, Indian skimmers and river terns. In Ranthambore, tigers, leopards and sloth bears, along with raptors and forest birds. Wild animals are never guaranteed, but this route offers exceptional variety.

Do I need to be an experienced birdwatcher?

Not at all. Our naturalists tailor each outing to your interest, whether you are a keen birder with a long target list or simply enjoy watching wildlife. Binoculars are provided on safari, though we recommend bringing your own if you have a favourite pair.

Is this tour suitable for families?

Yes. Distances are short, the boat safaris and cycle rickshaw rides are gentle, and the variety of animals and birds keeps younger travellers engaged. Our safari specialists can adjust the pace to suit your group.

How do I book a private tiger safari and birding tour?

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 in the winter season.

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