Tigers, Leopards, & Desert Wildlife
Wild India
January 31 to February 17, 2028
Private Trip Available Safari Overview
An immersive 17-day journey across three of India’s most compelling wildlife regions — from Delhi’s layered history to the tiger-dense forests of Bandhavgarh, the leopard hills of Bera, and the salt-flat wilderness of the Little Rann of Kutch. Along the way, you’ll track Bengal tigers through Sal forest, watch leopards move through granite hills where they’ve coexisted with pastoral communities for generations, and search the salt flats for the threatened khur (Indian wild ass), found nowhere else on Earth. Designed with five nights in Bandhavgarh — including a rare full-day safari permit few travelers ever get — this itinerary provides exceptional time in one of India’s highest tiger-density parks, while Udaipur’s palaces and artisan quarters add a rich cultural counterpoint. Led by Cheesemans’ co-owner and wildlife photographer Scott Davis alongside expert local naturalists, in small vehicle groups built to maximize time in the field, this trip pairs India’s wildlife spectacle with its deep cultural texture.
WHY CHOOSE THIS TRIP?
- Explore Three Distinct Wildlife Regions: The Sal forests of Bandhavgarh, the granite leopard hills of Bera, and the salt flats and wetlands of the Little Rann of Kutch — three ecosystems, three very different kinds of encounters, in one trip.
- Spend Five Nights in Tiger Country: Enjoy multiple morning and afternoon game drives plus a rare full-day safari permit, which allows extended time and greater flexibility within Bandhavgarh National Park.
- Learn About Human–Leopard Coexistence: Track leopards through rocky dens and granite hills where the pastoral Rabari community has shared the landscape with these cats for generations — a rare window into how wildlife and people coexist.
- Discover the Rare Wildlife of the Little Rann: Look for khur (Indian wild ass), desert foxes, jackals, wild cats, antelope, flamingos, cranes, waterbirds, and raptors in one of India’s most unusual and least-visited ecosystems.
- Culture Woven Throughout: Explore Delhi’s Mughal history and Udaipur’s palaces and artisan quarters with knowledgeable local guides, learning how history, livelihoods, and wildlife shape contemporary India.
- Expert Leadership, Small Group: Led by co-owner and wildlife photographer Scott Davis and expert local naturalists, with small vehicle groups designed to maximize your time and your photos in the field.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Your company takes the time to know the local communities, finds the best guides, respects the environment and teaches conservation.” – Catherine T. |
TRIP MAP
NOTABLE EXPERIENCES
Itinerary Updated: August 2026
FAQ Safari Options
| Date | Description | Lodge | Meals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 31–Feb 1 | Travel to Delhi, India. Depart home and begin your journey to Delhi — the historic gateway to three weeks of tigers, leopards, and desert wildlife across three distinct regions of the subcontinent. | ||
| Feb 2 | Arrive in Delhi. Meet our local representative at Delhi International Airport and transfer to The Claridges. With the remainder of the day free, rest, settle in, and get your first taste of Delhi before the adventure begins in earnest tomorrow. | The Claridges, Delhi | |
| Feb 3 | Cultural Exploration. Explore the many layers of Delhi, visiting Humayun's Tomb, traveling by rickshaw through Chandni Chowk, and visiting Jama Masjid and Bangla Sahib Gurudwara, before concluding at Khan Market. | The Claridges, Delhi | B, L, D |
| Feb 4–8 | Tiger Safaris in Bandhavgarh. Journey to Bandhavgarh National Park, one of India's premier tiger reserves, where one of the country's highest tiger densities shares the forest with more than 25 mammal species and 250 bird species. Morning and afternoon game drives, along with a full-day safari permit, provide exceptional opportunities to observe this remarkable wildlife. | The Untamed, Bandhavgarh | B, L, D |
| Feb 9 | Travel to Udaipur. After breakfast, drive back to Jabalpur Airport and fly via Delhi to Udaipur, arriving in the evening and transferring to the Taj Fateh Prakash Palace overlooking Lake Pichola. | Taj Fateh Prakash Palace, Udaipur | B, L, D |
| Feb 10 | The Magic of Udaipur. Explore Udaipur's City Palace complex, Jagdish Temple, and old-city artisan lanes before driving three and a half hours to Bera, where granite hills and scrub form a distinctive landscape for leopards and people. | Bera Safari Lodge, Bera | B, L, D |
| Feb 11–12 | Leopards of Bera. Spend two days exploring Bera's rocky hills during early-morning and late-afternoon drives, guided by local trackers who know every den site and rock outcrop in this landscape. | Bera Safari Lodge, Bera | B, L, D |
| Feb 13 | More Leopards and then to the Salt Flats. After a final morning drive in Bera, travel toward Bajana with a stop at the 11th-century Modhera Sun Temple before arriving at the edge of the Little Rann of Kutch. | Royal Safari Camp, Bajana | B, L, D |
| Feb 14–15 | The Biodiversity of the Little Rann. Spend two full days exploring the Little Rann's salt flats, wetlands, grasslands, and wildlife-rich "bets," looking for the rare khur (Indian wild ass), white-footed desert fox, golden jackals, desert and jungle cats, striped hyena, flamingos, and raptors. | Royal Safari Camp, Bajana | B, L, D |
| Feb 16 | Depart for Home. After breakfast, drive to Ahmedabad Airport to board your flight for home or, for those continuing the adventure, to join our Snow Leopards trip. | Royal Safari Camp, Bajana | B |
| Feb 17 | Arrive Home. Arrive home with three regions and ecosystems behind you, and a lifetime of photographs and memories of India's living history and the tigers, leopards, and wildlife whose future you've witnessed being protected firsthand. |
Get the Full Daily Itinerary
Our Trip Leaders
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Surya Ramachandran
Surya RamachandranSurya is an award-winning naturalist and wildlife guide with extensive experience across India's most biodiverse regions. He has spent the past six years developing community-based snow leopard and Himalayan brown bear tracking programs. Author of the Photographic Guide to Central Indian Wildlife and recipient of the 2016 TOFT Award, Surya is widely respected for his deep ecological knowledge, conservation work, and expertise in India's wildlife and landscapes.
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Scott Davis
Scott DavisScott, co-owner and co-CEO of Cheesemans’ Ecology Safaris, is an expert wildlife, nature, and travel photographer. Trained as a wildlife and marine biologist, he's explored all seven continents for research and photography. National Geographic, BBC, Animal Planet, NY Times, and other prestigious publications have featured his inspiring work. Scott's passion for teaching and talent for capturing the essence of his subjects make him a highly sought-after tour leader.
- Cost & Payments
- Included
- Not Included
- FAQ
- Climate
- Fitness Level
- Accommodations
- Transportation
- Flights
Conservation- Conditions
Cost & Payments
Costs (in US$)
| Type | Cost Per Person |
|---|---|
| Trip Cost, double occupancy | $12,800 |
| Single supplement | $3,620 |
Costs are per person, double occupancy, not including airfare, singles extra. See Included and Not Included sections for more details.
If you are a single traveler, we will try to find a roommate for you, but if we cannot pair you a roommate, we may charge you a single supplement. Single rooms cost extra and are subject to availability.
Payment Schedule
| Payment | Due Date | Amount Per Person |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit | Due now to reserve your space | $1,500 |
| Final | August 24, 2027 | Remaining Balance |
Payments are due based on the schedule above. All reservations require a deposit to confirm reservation of your space.
Cancellations
Until the Final Payment due date, deposits are refundable except for a cancellation fee of $1,500 per person ($1,500 per person is for the pre-purchased, non-refundable and non-transferable game drives in Bandhavgarh and the three internal flights); $150 per person of the cancellation fee can be applied toward another trip if reserved within six months of the canceled trip’s departure date. Cancellations are non-transferable. No refunds are given after the Final Payment due date.
Included
- All leaders, transport, park entry fees, and permits for all activities unless described as optional.
- Transfers between the The Claridges hotel and the Delhi Airport on February 2 and Royal Safari Camp, Bajana to Ahmedabad airport.
- Accommodations for the nights of February 2 through February 15.
- Meals from breakfast on February 3 through breakfast on February 16.
- Internal flights from Delhi to Jabalpur and Jabalpur to Udaipur (via Delhi); non-refundable and non-transferable.
- Transportation by private bus in Delhi.
- Game drives by 4×4 jeep in Bandhavgarh; all-day safari ticket non-refundable and non-transferable.
- Refillable water stations at hotels.
- Gratuities for porters, local guides, restaurants, park guide, jeep driver, lodge naturalists and drivers
- Trip Materials – information about flights, packing, entry and departure requirements, airport transfers, etc.
Not Included
- All airfare (except flights listed as included), airport and departure taxes, and excess baggage fees.
- Passport and visa fees.
- Divergent airport transfers and extra hotel nights for an extra cost.
- Gratuities for accompanying local tour guide.
- Emergency medical and evacuation insurance and trip cancellation insurance. For more information see www.cheesemans.com/travel-insurance.
- Items of a personal nature such as laundry, telephone calls, medical costs or hospitalization, room service, alcoholic and other beverages, items not on the regular menu, etc. If you have special dietary needs, please indicate them on your Traveler Form.
Climate
Temperatures generally range from the 50’s°F at night to the 80’s°F during the day. Although most days will be hot, it can be cool and breezy in the early morning. It is the dry season, but rain is possible.
Fitness Level
Expect early mornings, full days focused on wildlife viewing, and game drives over sometimes rough, uneven roads. Driving between destinations will be in various types of air-conditioned vehicles and range from approximately two to seven hours. Visits to cultural and historical sites involve a few hours of walking on uneven surfaces, while walking around the lodges between game drives is generally optional. Good mobility and stamina will help you fully enjoy the trip. Please contact us if you have any health concerns that may make this journey challenging.
Flights
Detailed logistical information is included in the Trip Planning Materials we will send you.
Please wait to book your flights until you receive confirmation from your Coordinator that the minimum number of participants has been met to operate the trip. If you choose to book flights before receiving this confirmation, we strongly recommend purchasing flight cancellation insurance to protect your investment.
Flights you book
- Arrive in Delhi, India (DEL) by 11:59pm on February 2.
- Depart from Ahmedabad, India (AMD) after 2:00pm on February 16. If you are continuing on our Snow Leopards trip, see the Flights section in its itinerary for departure information.
Flights we book for you
- The flights from Delhi to Jabalpur and Jabalpur to Udaipur (via Delhi) are included in the trip cost.
FAQ
How close will we get to tigers?
Bandhavgarh is one of the world's premier destinations for Bengal tigers, and our itinerary includes multiple game drives—including all-day permits—to maximize our time in the park. While tiger sightings can never be guaranteed, the combination of experienced naturalists, flexible scheduling, and extended time in the field gives us an excellent chance of observing these magnificent cats, along with leopards, sloth bears, elephants, and a rich diversity of birds.
What is an all-day safari permit, and why is it valuable?
Unlike standard morning and afternoon safaris, an all-day permit allows us to remain inside the park throughout the day. This flexibility lets us stay with wildlife activity as it unfolds, spend more time observing interesting behavior, avoid the midday rush of vehicles entering and leaving the park, and enjoy a more relaxed pace. It is one of the best ways to maximize both wildlife viewing and photography opportunities.
What makes Bera and the Little Rann of Kutch special?
Bera offers one of the best opportunities anywhere to observe wild leopards in a spectacular rocky landscape. In contrast, the Little Rann of Kutch is a vast seasonal salt-flat wilderness where we'll search for Indian wild asses, desert wildlife, and a rich array of birds found nowhere else on our journey.
Accommodations
All lodges have air conditioning.
Motion Sickness
Transportation
On game drives in the parks, you travel in open, six-passenger 4×4 jeeps that provide 360° viewing and excellent photography opportunities; we’ll have three or fewer participants in each vehicle sharing with one of our resident guides, a park ranger, and a park driver. Between parks and cities, travel is by private van or bus, plane, or 4×4 vehicles.
Conservation
Our company ethos has always regarded conservation as inseparable from responsible tourism. We struggle with the dilemma that traveling worldwide expends climate-changing carbon. However, we wholeheartedly believe that traveling with us will cultivate your passion for conserving our beautiful world while stimulating each destination’s local economy. We encourage you to explore the various ways in which Cheesemans’ operates within this context:
- Ecotourism & Conservation in India
- Cheesemans’ Trips are Carbon Neutral.
- Offsetting your Travel to/from our Trip: We ask you to pledge to offset the carbon emissions for your travel to and from our trips. You can purchase offsets with most airlines (Delta includes them automatically), use our handy carbon calculator and donate to Sustainable Travel International, or contribute to your favorite offsetting organization.
Conditions
Read our current Terms and Conditions.