Indian Tiger Safari Itinerary: Corbett, Kanha & Bandhavgarh National Parks

Our Indian tiger safari itinerary covered multiple parks dense with tigers, and it was an unforgettable experience. I would recommend this trip 10/10 for anyone looking to explore India’s wildlife and spot the majestic Bengal tiger in its natural habitat.

Day 1: Arrival in Delhi & Transfer to Corbett National Park

We landed in Delhi at 4 a.m., checked into a hotel near the airport for a short rest, and later began the six-hour drive to Corbett National Park. The journey took us through villages, bumpy roads, and even past cattle blocking the way. As the countryside gave way to dense jungle, the darkness felt alive with possibility—I half-expected a tiger or elephant to appear in the headlights.

We arrived at Jim’s Jungle Retreat just in time for dinner. The lodge was quiet, the night sky filled with stars, and the only sounds were those of the forest. Dinner was set up for us by the pool, intimate and serene—a perfect start to our wildlife adventure.

Peacock in Kanha National Park, India

Days 2–3: Corbett National Park Tiger Safari

As we drove through Corbett National Park, I was captivated by the scenery. The hills were blanketed in fog and mist, adding an eerie, almost mystical tone. The jungle came alive with the sounds of birds and monkeys waking up. We kept our ears tuned for the alarm calls, signals that a predator—possibly a Bengal tiger—was nearby.

On the road, we suddenly heard a commotion and caught the tail end of an elephant making a false charge toward another Gypsy jeep. Finally, after nearly two hours, our incredible guide, Amath, picked up the distinct sound of an alarm call. Soon, we came across a cluster of jeeps, and a fellow guide whispered that a tiger was in the bush just off the main entrance road. Our eyes scanned the brush, searching for that unmistakable striped pattern. Then—movement. Stripes slid gracefully through the undergrowth until, at last, he emerged onto the roadway. He was a beautiful subadult Bengal tiger. He paused, glanced in our direction, and then crossed the road, disappearing back into the forest. It was the perfect ending to our first tiger safari drive in India.

Back at the lodge, we enjoyed breakfast, some rest, and a dip in the pool before heading out for our afternoon safari. Almost immediately upon entering the park, we spotted a tigress lying in a waterhole. Our guide quickly reversed, and we watched her resting quietly through the leaves. We were the only ones around when she suddenly rose, water dripping from her belly, and began walking along the main path. We kept a respectful distance but followed. Anticipating her route, our driver maneuvered ahead, giving us the chance to capture incredible head-on shots. The red sandstone and olive-green forest backdrop framed her perfectly. For ten magical minutes, it was just us and her—until other jeeps began to arrive, at which point she melted back into the jungle. I floated on a cloud from that encounter, convinced nothing could top it. I was wrong.

My favorite photo! Tiger in jungle

The following afternoon, we joined a large group of jeeps watching a male tiger resting beside the road. He groomed himself lazily, yawned, and glanced around. We snapped photo after photo, thrilled beyond words. Then he rose, sauntering into the jungle. Once he was out of sight, most jeeps left, but we lingered. Twenty minutes later, our patience was rewarded. On the far side of the thicket, he reappeared—this time walking directly toward us. That was when we captured my favorite photo ever: a head-on shot of him framed perfectly by the forest. (That photo now hangs in my home.) As it turned out, he was the son of the tigress we had seen the previous afternoon. Back at the lodge that evening, we swapped stories with fellow travelers under the stars, but my mind kept drifting back to our unforgettable Bengal tiger sightings in Corbett.

The next day, we explored different safari zones of the park. Though we didn’t spot any tigers, we did see a large herd of elephants, wild boars, sambars, and countless deer. There was something so peaceful about sitting in the jeep, sipping hot coffee, and listening to the forest wake up around us. Moments like that reminded me that an Indian wildlife safari is about so much more than just tigers—it’s about the entire jungle experience.

Day 4: Return to Delhi Overnight

The next day, we had one more game drive in Corbett before heading back to Delhi. We drove to the east end of the park and searched for the other animals in the park. We saw lots of other wildlife, including elephants, colorful birds, and the giant hornbill. After a filling lunch, we headed back to Delhi and stayed the night until our early morning flight the next day.

Day 5: Arrival in Kanha National Park

We flew to Madhya Pradesh mid-morning and drove four hours to Kanha Earth Lodge. After checking in, we explored the lodge and its surroundings, and prepared for the next two days of game drives. We ate a delicious meal (this was the best food on the trip) and walked around the grounds.

Days 6–7: Kanha National Park Wildlife Safari

At Kanha National Park, we continued our twice-daily game drive routine. Midday breaks were spent lounging by the pool or wandering the lodge gardens, where playful monkeys entertained us. This part of our India wildlife safari brought incredible sightings of tigers, deer, exotic birds, and the park’s rare species.

Kanha has four core regions, and we explored a different one on each drive. Since our lodge was about 30 minutes from the main gate, we had slightly earlier start times. This park was busier than Corbett National Park—when we arrived each morning, a long line of jeeps was already waiting to enter. Luckily, our permits were pre-arranged, so we could relax until the gates opened. Kanha quickly became my favorite for its scenery. Towering Sal trees blanketed the forest, and the soft mist rolling between them made for breathtaking photos. It was here that we finally saw the giant Gaur, and later, the Barasingha—known as the “Jewel of Kanha.” We spotted a large herd grazing in the ponds, complete with young Barasingha, an unforgettable moment.

One highlight was the breakfast in Kanha National Park, arranged by our lodge. They packed delicious snacks, and by the time we stopped, the sun was climbing high and the heat was rolling in. The standout was a cold, sweet lime drink—refreshing and energizing, just what we needed before continuing our search for wildlife.

Our Bengal tiger sighting in Kanha happened in the Mukki zone. Word spread quickly of a female tiger hunting in the area, and before long, jeeps began gathering. She wasn’t hunting at that moment, but we watched her move gracefully through the Sal trees before disappearing into the dense forest. The sighting wasn’t as close-up as those in Corbett, but the misty, picturesque backdrop of Kanha made it just as special.

Some of my favorite memories, though, came in the quiet moments. One afternoon, parked in a small valley, we were the only jeep around. Butterflies danced in the air, birds sang from the trees, and clouds drifted lazily overhead. It was so peaceful, a reminder that an Indian safari in Kanha National Park is as much about soaking in the atmosphere as it is about spotting wildlife.

Bengal tiger yawning in Corbett National Park, India

Day 8: Morning Game Drive & Transfer to Bandhavgarh National Park

After our final morning game drive in Kanha, we drove four hours to Bandhavgarh National Park, one of the most famous destinations for a tiger safari in India. Traveling during the “flame of the forest” season made the countryside spectacular—the trees glowed in vibrant coral hues, creating one of the most stunning landscapes I’ve ever seen. Upon arrival at Bagh Tola tented camp, we were welcomed with cool towels and refreshing drinks before settling in for dinner under the stars. The night sky was incredible, free from city lights, and set the tone for our adventure in Bandhavgarh.

Bandhavgarh is renowned for having one of the densest Bengal tiger populations in India, so my hopes were high. The park is divided into three zones—Tala, Magadhi, and Khitauli—and we visited two of them during our stay.

Days 9–10: Bandhavgarh National Park Tiger Safari

Our morning game drive took us to the Tala zone, where we stopped at Shesh Shaiya, a striking statue of Vishnu reclining beside a small spring. The area was tranquil, though I couldn’t help imagining a tiger emerging from the forest to complete the scene (our guide mentioned this had happened once before!). Clouds rolled in, and light rain began, which our guide said might affect sightings. By this point in the trip, with only a few drives left, I was anxious—we hadn’t had as many close tiger encounters as in Corbett.

That afternoon, as soon as we entered Tala, our luck shifted. We spotted a tiger in the distance—too far for great photos, but thrilling nonetheless. As we continued, we were treated to the sight of a peacock displaying his full plumage and colorful birds like the lilac-breasted roller and racket-tailed drongo. Just before sunset, we came across a cluster of jeeps gathered around a shy female tiger known as Raa. She doesn’t usually tolerate vehicles and is known for her mock charges. True to reputation, she growled and lunged in our direction before retreating. It was exhilarating and unnerving all at once—but also unforgettable.

Day 10 – The Ultimate Tiger Encounters

On our final full day, the morning began slowly. For hours, there was little activity, and it seemed we might leave without another close sighting. But about an hour before the park closed for its midday break, we struck gold. Our guide positioned us perfectly near a thicket, and eventually, a tigress emerged, walking down the road in the golden light of the morning sun. She moved gracefully between pink sand and Sal trees, marking her territory as she passed. For over ten minutes, we watched in awe—just our jeep and one other—before reluctantly leaving as the park gates closed.

That afternoon brought the most extraordinary sighting of the trip. Word spread of a massive male tiger resting in a ravine. We arrived and caught glimpses of orange and black through the foliage. Then, in one breathtaking moment, he leapt up onto level ground and sprawled directly across from us. It was Chotta Bheem, one of Bandhavgarh’s most famous tigers. His sheer size and power were staggering compared to the subadults we’d seen earlier. For nearly two hours, we watched him, capturing incredible photographs as more jeeps arrived. Eventually, we moved to allow others closer access, but the experience stayed with me. It was the perfect climax to our Bandhavgarh tiger safari.

Day 11 – Final Drive

On our last morning, we had a relaxed game drive, no longer chasing sightings but simply soaking in the beauty of Bandhavgarh. To our surprise, we spotted a sloth bear crossing the path—a rare and thrilling encounter to end the journey. Afterward, we returned to camp for breakfast before heading to the airport for our flight back to Delhi.

Day 12: Departure

We flew home—or, in our case, continued on to the Maldives—leaving behind memories of tigers, forests, and incredible wildlife experiences in India.

Overall:

This 12-day Indian tiger safari was absolutely unforgettable. Traveling in March—prime season for Bengal tiger sightings—we experienced incredible wildlife encounters across Corbett, Kanha, and Bandhavgarh National Parks. Our lodges were exceptional (for a detailed review, see my blog on the hotel reviews), the food was delicious, and the memories we made are some of the most cherished of my life.

I would highly recommend this India wildlife safari to anyone seeking adventure combined with a touch of luxury. From witnessing majestic tigers in their natural habitat to exploring misty Sal forests and spotting exotic birds and rare species like Barasingha and Gaur, this journey offered a perfect blend of excitement, nature, and comfort.

Indian Tiger Safari FAQs

What is the best time to go on a tiger safari in India?

The best time for an Indian tiger safari is from February to June, when vegetation is thinner and tigers are easier to spot near waterholes. November to January is also great, with cooler weather and clear skies.

Which national parks in India are best for tiger sightings?

The top parks for a tiger safari in India include:

• Corbett National Park – India’s first national park and a stronghold for Bengal tigers.

• Kanha National Park – Known for its lush sal forests and rare barasingha deer.

• Bandhavgarh National Park – Famous for having one of the highest densities of Bengal tigers in the world.

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How many days do you need for an Indian tiger safari?

A 12-day tiger safari itinerary like ours is ideal, covering multiple parks (Corbett, Kanha, Bandhavgarh) for the best chance of multiple Bengal tiger sightings. Shorter trips (5–7 days) are possible if you focus on one or two parks.

How many game drives per day are included in a tiger safari?

Most lodges and parks in India include two game drives per day—one at sunrise and one in the late afternoon. These are the times when tigers and other wildlife are most active.

What wildlife can you see on an Indian safari besides tigers?

While the highlight is spotting the Bengal tiger, you may also see:

• Leopards, sloth bears, and wild elephants

• Barasingha, sambar, and spotted deer

• Indian gaur (bison) and wild boar

• Exotic birds such as peacocks, hornbills, and drongos

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What should I pack for an Indian tiger safari?

Essential items for an India wildlife safari include:

• Neutral-colored clothing (avoid bright colors)

• Binoculars and a good camera

• Sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses

• Insect repellent and hand sanitizer

• A light jacket for early morning drives