Top 5 FAQs about a Wildlife Safari in India
Considering traveling to India to spot the Tiger?
Wildlife Tours in India require some planning, and it is imperative that it is done a few months in advance. Here, we try to answer some frequently asked questions that travelers have asked and must know before planning a safari tour in India.
Indian wildlife is more than just the Tiger. There is equally majestic wildlife that has been roaming the wilds of India along with the Tiger. In many cases, they are found in the same areas as the Tiger is. Key species such as the Snow Leopard, Red Panda, Indian Rhinoceros, and of course birding in India, make for very unique and enriching itineraries, that are growing in popularity today.
1. How much in advance should I book my safari tour to India?
One should confirm their safari bookings at most 4 months before actual travel dates.
Tiger Safari permits are hard to obtain due to a strict control over how many vehicles can enter a National Park in India : These are usually 25-30 jeeps per zone.
The demand for safaris clearly outweighs the supply, especially at Tiger Reserves, hence it is important to firm up travel arrangements 4-5 months prior.
Room inventory at most wildlife lodges is 10 to 20 rooms, hence there is a limitation on that as well, hence planning 9 months to 12 months in advance is an ideal time to book the best lodges, especially for overseas travelers.
2. Will I see a Tiger on Safari in India?
The Tiger is an elusive animal, and a lot of luck and patience is required in order to spot one on a jeep safari in India. It is unlikely that one will see the Tiger on every drive ; the ideal ratio for tiger sightings is one sighting per three or four safaris.
A safari in India is not merely about “sighting” a species, but is about learning about its habitat and its behaviour. All drivers and guides endeavour their absolute best to spot the elusive big cat, however, it is not possible at every outing and absolutely no such expectations should ever be set. The overall jungle experience is what counts and not counting how many tigers one has seen a trip.
Often, traveling in the jeep, away from other vehicles, can be very rewarding as you may end up being very lucky with a sighting of a predator in these circumstances!
The magic of the Tiger is its ethereal beauty and its life that is shrouded in mystery. We only see it if it decides to leave the environs of the jungle and walk in the grasslands or on the safari tracks. Our endeavour is to watch it without disturbing its natural behaviour if possible.
There are walking safaris in India as well, however, it is totally unlikely that predators such as a Tiger will be seen on foot. They are as afraid of us as we are of them, and this mutual fear keeps them well clear of our presence, especially when we are walking in their home.
The beauty of the Tiger is in spotting it in its natural habitat, and about learning about the habitat of the Tiger. Even if you do not see one, the jungle makes known the Tiger's presence.
3. What are the most popular wildlife tours in India?
Simply put, India is extremely diverse and it is a hotspot for wildlife in the world.
Here are the Top 5 wildlife tours in India in 2025 :-
Explore the heart of India, with a trip to the National Parks of Pench, Kanha, and Bandhavgarh for the ultimate Tiger Safari Tour that India has to offer.
To know more about the Tiger Tour of Central India, click here.
The Trans Himalayas are massive, unexplored, and hold secrets that we are yet to discern. Here, the terrain causes the natural world as well as humanity to remain extremely rugged and adaptive. Life here, at the border of India and Tibet, at 12000 feet still thrives, and one can find the Snow Leopard, Himalayan Wolf, Himalayan Fox, Asiatic Ibex, Urial(Wild Sheep), Lammergeier, Chukar Partridge, and Golden Eagles. Ulley in Ladakh, India, is the best place in the world to see the Snow Leopard.
To know more about the Snow Leopard Tour of India, click here.
A journey across India, this comprehensive tour is for serious wildlife travelers, photographers, and adventurous seekers. The big 5 of India are : The Bengal Tiger, The Asiatic Lion, The Indian Rhino, The Indian Elephant, and the Indian Leopard. The Big Five Tour covers 5 different national parks in different regions of India, namely : Kaziranga, Gir, Bera/Jawai, Pench, and Kanha. There is so much to see on this wildlife tour and it is easily the most thorough tour of India, with a wide range of habitats and species that are covered on this trip.
To know more about the Big Five Tour of India, click here.
The Best place in the world to see the Red Panda. The cloud forests of the Himalayas are home to a healthy population of the Red Panda that live in their natural habitat. A five to six days stay here provides fantastic chances of seeing the wild Red Panda. A stunning landscape, Singalila is rich in bird life as well as orchid life. Summers(March to July), are the best time to do a Red Panda safari tour in India.
To know more about the Red Panda Tour of India, click here.
Home to big mammals such as the Greater One Horned Rhinoceros, the Indian Elephant, Asiatic Water Buffalo, Eastern Swamp Deer, the North-Eastern forests of Kaziranga, Manas, Hoollongapar, Dihing Patkai, Mishmi Hills, and Eaglenest, are real bucket list destinations for wildlife lovers. Bird-watchers especially, absolutely love the diversity of the oriental birds found in these areas.
North East India is also the best place to see primates in India and it includes species such as the Endemic Golden Langur, India’s only ape species : the Hoolock Gibbon, and rare primates such as the Pig- tailed Macaque, Assamese Macaque, Stump-tailed Macaque, Bengal Slow Loris, and the Capped Langur.
To know more about the North East India Wildlife Tour of India, click here.
4. Which is the best time of the year to travel to India for Wildlife?
For Tiger Safaris : October to May is the ideal time for Tiger Safaris in India.
· Winter Safaris are absolutely stunning and are the most enjoyable in the deciduous forests of Central India and in the evergreen forests of the Terai region at Corbett.
· By Spring-time, the water sources in the Indian forest recede, and animals gather around small pools, lakes, and river banks for much needed nutrition and relief from the heat. Beautiful flowers and fruits emerge and the jungle takes on a magical colour, as the insects and birds rejoice this bounty.
· Peak Summer Safaris, the temperature exceeds 40 degrees Celsius. Tigers invariably visit the waterholes for a drink or to completely immerse their bodies in the water. The chances of spotting the tiger remain highest in the summer, however, much activity is around the waterholes only and your safaris are concentrated in these areas. Spotting a Tiger in water holes is exciting, but not as exciting as in winter when chances of seeing a tiger remain throughout your safaris as the weather makes it conducive for them to move around a lot more.
· National Parks in India remain closed during the Monsoon Season when it rains for about 3 months from July to September.
While most tour operators recommend the summer, we do not have a recommendation for the best time to see the tiger : it is purely based on what type of safari experience interests you.
After all, sighting an animal is a matter of chance and not right :)
Plan your Tiger Safaris in India here.
For Snow Leopard Safaris : November to April is the best time to visit the Snow Leopard Lodge at Ulley in Ladakh, India.
· Winter ensures that the snow-line is closer towards the areas accessible to humans, and our expert group of spotters are able to follow the tracks and thus gauge as to where the Snow Leopard might be. A lot of the snow leopard spotting is done through a scope, which is carried as you make the short treks to the nearest vantage points. A truly wonderous and beautiful landscape of the Trans Himalayas awaits.
Plan your Snow Leopard Safaris in India here.
For Bird-watching in India, below is the best time for birding in India:
· For those interested in spotting winter migrant waders that make the long visit from Central Asia and Eastern Europe, then the winter months from November to February are the best time to visit for a birdwatching tour in India.
· However, for the most interesting and bold behaviour of resident birds of the Indian subcontinent, the summer months of March and April are fabulous as the courtship needs of the birds ensures that they are in prime colour and song.
· For birding at slightly higher altitudes in the Foothills of the Himalayas, once again, Summer-time from April to June is the best time as this is when the snow begins to melt, and as it is the flowering season – one can get to witness and photograph the birds in fine fettle.
· In the Evergreen forests of North east India, the best months for birding would be December to Mid-April. Ideally Feb and March is the best time to travel to world renowned places such as Eagle nest, Mishmi Hills for birding. The monsoon rains arrive early in the North East, towards the end of April.
· In South India(Western Ghats and Nilgiri Mountains) and in the Andaman Islands, Winter time : from November to March is the best time to go birding. These areas are the best places to see Endemic birds of India.
Plan your Birding Tour in India here.
5. What are the parks in India with the highest chance of spotting the Tiger?
· Deciduous forests of Central India such as Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, Kanha Tiger Reserve, and Pench Tiger Reserve are the best places to spot the Tiger in the world. The overall safari experience is superior here as well, as you feel as if you are in the real wilderness, and can observe the local communities who share their lands and their lifestyle with the Tiger and the other animals of the jungle.
· Dhikala at Corbett Tiger Reserve is a stunning evergreen landscape, and is one of the best places in the world to spot the Tiger in India. The Himalayan foothills, the crystal clear waters of the Ramganga river, and massive grasslands that are filled with Elephants – all make for a photographic and sensory haven. Bird life in the Terai region is fantastic as well with over 600 species recorded in these areas.
· National Parks that are not traditionally known for Tiger sightings, but are absolutely stunning and are increasing in stature for their frequency of tiger sightings, are Satpura National Park and Panna National Park, in Central India. Both, Satpura and Panna, are stunning, and are now gaining popularity for their Leopard, Sloth Bear, and Tiger sightings ; they are now as easily accessible as the afore mentioned parks.
· Popular parks such as Tadoba National Park, and Ranthambore National Park, are also highly commercialised and though rather crowded, the Tigers have seemingly become more used to the jeeps than at other places. However, the wildlife experience is not an ideal one, though the landscapes are beautiful.
The Snow Leopard is the biggest attraction for a big cat safari in India, after the Tiger of course. The enchanting Trans-Himalayan region offers insight into this magical animal's life and many others' including that of the the Himalayan Wolf.
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