The journey
Six forests. One tiger country.
Across the forests of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, the tiger tale acquires a different character. In one reserve, it may emerge from the sal at first light, its presence first aurally confirmed by the alarm calls of chital. In another, it may appear beside or in a waterhole in the fierce afternoon heat. In yet another, it may slip between bamboo and shadow before disappearing as quietly as it arrived. The pleasure of seeing a wild tiger, along with learning how to read the forest around it — the tracks, calls, scents, movements and silences — is one of the many timeless experiences this Journey is crafted to offer.
Six parks also mean six distinct worlds of wilderness. Days here are unhurried, away from the usual urban din, with early mornings in the field, long afternoons of stillness and leisure, and evenings returning to the forest as the light softens. Between sightings are the several smaller encounters that make these landscapes whole: the magnificent gaur, the adorable sloth bear, the surreal wild dog and the ever elusive leopard to name a few. And a vast diversity of birds adding sound and colour in these forests.
This Journey is designed for you to linger long enough where the wilderness is known to prize patience. The overland route allows you to explore each forest with time to understand the subtle differences in terrain, vegetation and wildlife behaviour. Comfortable lodges, private vehicles and experienced naturalists bring ease to this grand Central India expedition, while our thoughtful pacing leaves space for those unscripted moments that the wild always offers if one keeps the inner eye and ear open, too.
What defines this journey
A route designed for depth, not haste.
This immersive expedition traverses six legendary tiger reserves in Central India, creating exceptional opportunities to photograph tigers, leopards, sloth bears, wild dogs, and more than 300 bird species across riverine forests, open grasslands and rugged plateaus. Seamless overland transfers remove the need for internal flights, allowing India’s changing landscapes to unfold naturally, while thoughtfully selected luxury lodges offer privacy, refinement and an intimate relationship with the wilderness. The itinerary can be extended to cultural icons such as Varanasi, Agra or Jaipur, or onward to Gir for Asiatic lions or the Himalaya for snow leopards, creating a wholly bespoke wildlife-and-culture journey across India.
- In focus
- Bengal tiger · Indian leopard · Sloth bear · Wild dog · Gaur
Private brief
Everything is considered before anything is confirmed.
- Ideal for
- Private travellers, families and small groups seeking a wildlife-led route shaped around their interests, pace and comfort.
- Transfers
- Private transfers and air routing are planned around the final itinerary, with appropriate buffers for terrain, permits and seasonal conditions.
- Lodges and comfort
- Handpicked wilderness lodges and characterful stays selected for privacy, access, naturalist quality, good food and restorative time between field sessions.
- Wildlife expectation
- Sightings are never guaranteed. The route is designed to increase meaningful time in the right habitat, with honest guidance before departure.
- Photography
- Vehicle position, guide pairing, light, lens needs and patient field behaviour are considered before the itinerary is confirmed.
- Journey style
- Customisable private journey
- Pace
- Unhurried, with the final rhythm shaped around field conditions and guest comfort.
The worlds within
Each landscape changes the story.
Together, these six landscapes offer a sense of the striped big cat in its larger context, for they are always more than the isolated portraits populating social media. From ancient sal forests and open meadows to river-carved ravines and rugged woodland, the tiger is the common thread connecting six different wildernesses. This is Central India at its most intimate and richly varied, with the privilege of spending enough time in the forests for their profound stories to slowly, gently emerge.
Day by day
Day 1Arrive in Delhi
Arrive in India’s dynamic capital, an ancient city, and settle into your hotel near the airport. Take the evening to relax and recover from your journey, with a restful night before setting out for the forests of Central India.
Day 2Delhi to Tadoba
Take an early morning flight from Delhi to Nagpur. On arrival, collect your luggage and begin the comfortable three-hour private drive to Tadoba. Check into your lodge and enjoy a leisurely lunch before heading into the forest for your first safari. Return to the lodge for dinner and a relaxed evening.
Days 3-5Safaris in Tadoba
Over the next three days, explore Tadoba’s rich forest, meadow and lakes on morning and afternoon safaris. The reserve is home to thriving populations of tigers, leopards, sloth bears and wild dogs, with each outing offering a different perspective on this extraordinary wilderness. Breakfast is carried into the park, allowing you to remain immersed in the forest through the morning before returning to the lodge for lunch and a little time to rest. In the afternoon, head out once again, remaining in the field through the golden hours before returning for dinner.
Day 6Tadoba to Pench
Depart early and travel overland to Pench, the forest that has inspired many a popular wild tale. Arrive at your lodge, settle into the surroundings and, after lunch, head out on your first safari through this very different landscape.
Days 7-8Safaris in Pench
Spend two full days exploring different areas of Pench and discovering its distinctive forest character. Each day includes two carefully paced safaris, with breakfast enjoyed in the park before returning to the lodge for lunch and a period of relaxation. Later in the afternoon, return to the forest and remain out through sunset, when the changing light and cooling temperatures bring a different rhythm to the wilderness.
Day 9Transfer to Kanha
Following an early breakfast, travel overland to Kanha, one of Central India’s most beautiful wilderness landscapes. Vast sal forests and open grasslands are home to barasingha, gaur, leopards and tigers, with the landscape itself becoming an integral part of the experience. Check into your lodge and head out for your first safari.
Days 10-11Safaris in Kanha
Spend two days exploring Kanha’s varied habitats, including its stunning open grasslands throbbing with wildlife. Each day brings two safaris, beginning with an early morning outing and breakfast in the park, followed by a return to the lodge for lunch and time to unwind. The afternoon safari begins later in the day and continues through sunset, offering the opportunity to experience Kanha as the forest changes character with the fading light.
Day 12Transfer to Bandhavgarh
After breakfast, travel onwards to Bandhavgarh, much sought-after for its tigers and ancient fort-topped hills. Arrive at your lodge, settle in and, after lunch, venture into the park for your first safari amid this dramatic landscape.
Days 13-14Safaris in Bandhavgarh
Spend two days exploring Bandhavgarh, renowned for its exceptional tiger habitat and the striking terrain surrounding its fabled ancient fort. Safaris take you through forest and open country, where every outing brings the possibility of a memorable encounter against a landscape rich in history and atmosphere.
Day 15Bandhavgarh to Panna
Begin with a final morning safari in Bandhavgarh before returning to the lodge for breakfast. Check out and continue overland to Panna, arriving in the late afternoon. Settle into your lodge and enjoy a quiet evening at leisure.
Days 16-18Safaris in Panna Tiger Reserve
Enter Panna’s dramatic wilderness, where sandstone gorges, waterfalls and the pristine Ken River shape an extraordinary Tiger landscape. Explore the reserve by jeep and boat, with opportunities to encounter tigers, leopards, crocodiles, raptors and a rich diversity of other wildlife. The character of Panna is markedly different from the forests encountered earlier in the journey: more expansive, sculpted and riverine, with the gorgeous Ken adding another dimension to the safari experience.
Day 19Transfer to Satpura
Conclude the journey in Satpura, a quieter and more intimate wilderness of rolling hills, dense forests and river valleys. Depart Panna early and travel south towards Satpura. Arrive at your lodge, settle in and, time permitting, head out for an afternoon safari.
Days 20-21Safaris in Satpura
Spend your final two days exploring different parts of Satpura, with two safaris each day and ample time to experience the reserve at an unhurried pace. Enjoy breakfast in the park before returning to the lodge for lunch and a period of rest. Later, venture out again in the afternoon and remain in the forest through sunset, when Satpura’s hills, valleys and woodland take on an especially atmospheric character.
Day 22Departure
After breakfast, depart Satpura for Bhopal Airport for your return flight to Delhi, bringing your journey through six of Central India’s great Tiger landscapes to a close.
Inclusions
- All accommodations and meals as per the itinerary
- Safari and wildlife activities listed above
- Domestic flights between locations
- Comfortable road transfers
Exclusions
- International flights
- Indian visa
- Excess baggage on domestic flights
- Tips, gratuities
- Laundry
- Alcohol, soft drinks
- Any extra nights before or after the trip or during the trip
- 5% GST on the total cost of the tour
- Anything else not mentioned under inclusions
Gallery
Private journey questions
Before we refine the route
Is this a fixed itinerary?
No. This is something akin to a blueprint. Dates, pacing, lodge character, transfers and field priorities are refined around you and your preferences before confirmation.
Can the journey be shortened?
Yes. The full route is designed as an immersive experience, but individual sections can be adapted depending on your priorities.
Can we add India’s cultural landmarks?
Absolutely! Any city/town in and around the regions/states part of this itinerary can be incorporated before, after or between the wildlife chapters.
Are the wildlife sightings guaranteed?
No. And we would never suggest otherwise. Wildlife is wild. Our job is to put you in the right landscape, at the right time, with the right people – and give the experience enough time to happen to you.
Is this suitable for families?
Yes. Because the journey is private, its pace can be adapted to different ages, interests and energy levels.
Journey information reviewed September 2026.