India's Big Cats and Biodiversity: Lion, Leopard and Tiger Safari
Embark on a journey into wild India, designed to explore some of the country's most emblematic ecosystems in search of its great predators. This 15-day trip combines observing the legendary Asiatic lion in Gir — the only place outside Africa where it lives in the wild — with safaris in central India's best national parks, home of the majestic Bengal tiger.
Along the way, you'll discover an incredible diversity of landscapes: dry forests, open savannas, tropical jungles and wetlands, each with its own wealth of wildlife. In addition to lions and tigers, you'll have the chance to observe leopards, hyenas, bears, jackals and a great variety of birds and herbivores.
With multiple 4×4 safaris, strategically located lodges and expert guides, this trip is designed to maximize sighting opportunities, while maintaining a balanced pace that combines adventure, comfort and deep exploration of India's wildlife.
15 Days
DurationEasy
DifficultyIndia
DestinationWhat you'll experience
Adventure itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival in New Delhi
Upon arrival at the airport, you'll be welcomed by our team and transferred to the hotel, where you'll receive assistance with check-in and the trip documentation.
Rest of the day free to relax.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 2 – Flight to Rajkot and transfer to Gir
Early departure to the airport with a picnic breakfast to catch the flight to Rajkot.
Upon arrival, road transfer to Sasan Gir. After lunch at the lodge, we'll go on our first afternoon safari in Gir National Park.
Gir is the only place outside Africa where it's possible to observe lions in the wild, a true conservation sanctuary where this species has managed to recover from the brink of extinction.
Return to the lodge at sunset.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Days 3 and 4 – Safaris in Gir National Park
During these days we'll explore Gir National Park in depth with morning and afternoon safaris.
This ecosystem combines dry forests, open grasslands and rocky hills, creating an ideal habitat for a great diversity of wildlife. In addition to Asiatic lions, the park is home to leopards, crocodiles, reptiles and more than 300 bird species.
Gir is also an outstanding example of conservation, where the lion population has grown steadily over recent decades.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 5 – Transfer to Velavadar
In the morning, we'll go on one last safari in Gir.
After lunch, road departure to Velavadar National Park.
Upon arrival, time to relax at the lodge.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 6 – Safaris in Velavadar
Full day of morning and afternoon safaris in Velavadar, a park completely different from the rest of the trip.
Here the landscape opens into vast grasslands home to large concentrations of blackbuck antelope, along with predators and birds of prey.
Its open, minimalist character offers a different experience, more intimate and focused on wildlife behavior.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 7 – Transfer to Ahmedabad
In the morning, we'll go on one last safari in Velavadar.
After lunch, road transfer to Ahmedabad, where we'll spend the night before continuing to tiger country.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 8 – Flight to Nagpur and transfer to Pench
Very early departure to the airport to catch the flight to Nagpur.
Upon arrival, transfer to the lodge near the Pench Tiger Reserve.
After lunch and a short rest, we'll go on the first afternoon safari.
Pench is known for having inspired The Jungle Book, and offers an ecosystem rich in wildlife and forested landscapes.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Days 9 and 10 – Safaris in Pench National Park
Days dedicated to exploring the Pench Tiger Reserve with morning and afternoon safaris.
This park stands out for its high density of prey, which increases the chances of observing tigers. It's also home to leopards, sloth bears, hyenas, dholes and a great diversity of birds.
The days combine moments of intense activity with pauses to observe wildlife behavior in its natural environment.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 11 – Transfer to Kanha
After the morning safari and lunch, road departure to Kanha National Park.
Upon arrival, welcome at the lodge and a brief introduction to the park.
Kanha is one of India's great conservation references, with vast grasslands that serve as habitat for numerous species, including the emblematic barasingha.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Days 12 and 13 – Safaris in Kanha National Park
During these days we'll explore Kanha National Park with safaris at dawn and dusk.
Kanha is home to a great diversity of mammals, including tigers, leopards, dholes, sloth bears and the barasingha, a species successfully recovered in this park.
The days will include tracking, interpretation of animal behavior and active searching for predators.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 14 – Return to New Delhi
After the morning safari and lunch, road transfer to Raipur airport to catch the return flight to New Delhi.
Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 15 – International departure
After breakfast, transfer to the international airport for your return flight.
Meals included: Breakfast
Images of the destination
Why travel with us?
You'll leave with incredible photos
We design every expedition to maximize wildlife-watching opportunities and help you achieve unique encounters and the best possible photographs in the wild.
Expert, trusted guides
We work with local guides carefully selected for their experience, knowledge of wildlife and ability to find unique encounters in an ethical and safe way.
Carefully selected accommodations
We reach places off the traditional tourist circuit, where few photographers have been.
Schedules planned for the best light
We organize activities and outings at the key moments of the day to take advantage of the best light conditions and increase wildlife-watching and photography opportunities.
Trip designed by Kike Arnaiz
This itinerary has been personally designed by a professional wildlife photographer, after years of experience in the destination, selecting the best areas, schedules and experiences to maximize encounters and photographic opportunities.
Included services
- Ground transportation during the days of the trip
- Meals specified in the itinerary
- Comfortable accommodation
- All activities listed in the itinerary
- Expert wildlife guide on every activity
- Required permits and national park entrance fees
- International and domestic flights
- Travel insurance and medical assistance
Trip details
- 15 Days
- Easy
Frequently Asked Questions
Clear answers to the most common questions about our trips
To confirm your spot we request a first payment of 50% of the total trip price. The remaining 50% can be paid up to 3 months before the departure date.
We accept payments in euros and US dollars via bank transfer. Once your booking is made, we will send you all the information and details needed to make the payment.
You can find all the details about cancellations, refunds and booking conditions on our page: Cancellation Policy.
Yes. All our trips are designed prioritizing the safety, comfort and peace of mind of our travelers. We only work with trusted local guides and partners, carefully select routes and accommodations, and avoid situations or areas we don't consider suitable for our groups.
We always see wildlife during our expeditions, but since these are wild animals in freedom, no specific sighting can be 100% guaranteed.
Even so, we carefully design each itinerary, choose the best seasons and work with expert guides to maximize wildlife-watching and photography opportunities.
No. Our trips are designed both for people with experience in photography and wildlife watching and for travelers who simply enjoy nature and want to live a different experience.
The most important thing is to have interest, curiosity and a desire to enjoy the environment and the animals.
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