Planning the Ultimate Indian Tiger Safari: Corbett, Kanha & Bandhavgarh Adventure

Head-on with a subadult male tiger in Corbett

Planning Our Indian Tiger Safari Adventure

When we decided to travel to India, we had one main goal—to see wild Bengal tigers. Of course, we were also excited about the adventure of a jungle safari, but the dream was always to spot tigers in their natural habitat. During the planning process, I researched the best national parks in India for tiger sightings, what made each park unique, and which time of year gave us the highest chances. Since we only had a little over a week in India, every moment had to count.

We chose to visit in March and April, considered the best time for tiger safaris in India, especially in the central jungles. Since we were already traveling so far, we decided to add a relaxing stop in the Maldives afterward (see my Maldives blog for details). Conveniently, March is also an ideal time to visit the Maldives, so early March became the perfect departure date—great weather for both wildlife and beach time.

When deciding which national parks to include, my research showed that the top parks for tiger sightings are Bandhavgarh, Kanha, Corbett, Ranthambore, Panna, and Pench. Since I had already been to Ranthambore on a previous trip, we took that off the list.

Corbett National Park sits in the foothills of the Himalayas, while Bandhavgarh, Pench, Panna, and Kanha are all located in central India. Wanting a mix of landscapes, we decided on Corbett, Kanha, and Bandhavgarh National Parks for our safari itinerary.

Saw this peacock in India

Best Jungle Lodges for our Indian Tiger Safari

Once we settled on the parks, I began searching for the perfect jungle lodges in India. Location and amenities were key—we wanted properties close to the park gates, and if possible, a pool for cooling off during midday breaks. While we loved the idea of a luxury safari lodge, we also had a budget to stick to, so I looked for semi-luxurious options with local charm.

Our choices were:

• Jim’s Jungle Retreat in Corbett

• Kanha Earth Lodge in Kanha

• Bagh Tola in Bandhavgarh

  
  

Bagh Tola doesn’t have a pool, but with its safari-style luxury tents and excellent reviews, we knew it was worth it—and it turned out to be a wonderful stay.

On a tiger safari in the Indian jungle

Planning the Safari

The activities were simple but thrilling: two game drives a day in search of Bengal tigers. All of our lodges were full-board, which meant meals were included and we could focus entirely on the wildlife experience.

I spent hours researching the best national parks, lodges, and timing to make this trip unforgettable—and it absolutely was. This Indian tiger safari gave us everything we hoped for: adventure, comfort, and memories that will last a lifetime.