Lions, Tigers and Leopards
Meet the Asiatic Lions and Tigers of India and the Leopards of Sri Lanka - From £8,370 per Person Sharing, Excluding International Flights
Day 1
Upon arrival into Delhi International Airport you will be met by our local representative who will present you with all onward travel documentation. You will then be transferred to your hotel where you will have the rest of the day to relax.
Overnight: The Leela Kempinski – Deluxe Room – Comfortable, en-suite bedrooms. The hotel has a pool and a choice of restaurants.
Day 2
This morning you will be transferred to the airport in time for your flight to Jabalpur (departs Delhi at 0610hrs, arrives Jabalpur at 0820hrs). You will be met upon arrival and driven to Bandhavgarh National Park (approx. 4.5 hours).
One of the smaller National Parks in Central India, Bandhavgarh is set amidst the Vindhyanchal ranges and covers an area of 437 sq km. The forest is tropical, moist and mixed deciduous forest with bamboo in the higher areas and grasslands interspersed with streams in the lower areas. Because of the terrain and the fact that the parks roads cut across the forests, your chances of spotting the tigers here are increased; you might also spot sambhar deer, wild boar, barking deer Asiatic jackal and leopard. As well as the park, the Bandhavgarh Fort (additional charge) is a must see and sitting here with a picnic, and spectacular views overlooking the park is not to be missed!
Overnight: Samode Safari Lodge – Cottage – Beautifully designed, individual cottages with large bedrooms leading out onto a decked veranda. Each cottage has a large en-suite bathroom decorated in intricate local art, which leads out to an outdoor bath and shower. The food here is fantastic and there is a lovely pool perfect for cooling off in during the heat of the day. (B/L/D)
Days 3, 4, 5
Spend three full days exploring Bandhavgarh National Park with knowledgeable guides and naturalists, if you're lucky enough to spot the tigers - you will spend these days following their movements.
Overnight: Samode Safari Lodge – Cottage (B/L/D)
Day 6
After your final morning safari you will be driven to Kanha National Park (approx. 5.5 hours). Kanha is one the largest and most beautiful Central India Parks, extending over 1945 sq km of undulating country, including a core area of 940 sqkm. Kanha has some 22 species of mammals; the most commonly spotted being the langur, jackal, wild boar, spotted deer, swamp deer and sambhar deer, all of which let you know as soon as a tiger is about. Driving through the jungle listening out for their warning calls is extremely exciting! Less commonly seen are the tiger, Indian wild dog, sloth bear, jungle cat, panther and wolf. As well as the mammals, Kanha has some 200 species of birds including the peafowl, crested serpent eagle, hawk eagle and the grey hornbill.
Overnight: Shergarh Tented Camp – Tent – Shergarh is a beautiful tented camp located on the southern edge of Kanha National Park. En-suite tents, individually located throughout a wooded grove, ensure the maximum privacy possible. Each tent is covered by a tiled roof and has its own private veranda and en-suite bathroom, with coolers provided for warmer months. The main house is the centre of action in the evening, with a cosy log fire outside and beautifully home-cooked Indian or continental meals, often consisting of home grown vegetables or locally farmed fish from the lake. (B/L/D)
Days 7, 8, 9
The mornings will start with a wake-up call and tea before heading off on your morning game drive in the National Park. Kanha is a fantastic park and the tigers here are doing exceptionally well. As well as the tigers, there is a whole host of wildlife which you could spot, from Jungle cats, leopard cats and striped hyenas, to wild dog, sloth bear and gaur.
Breakfast will be taken in the park surrounded by the beautiful jungle and you will then continue with your morning safari before heading back to the camp around lunch time. The afternoon is yours to relax before heading out on your second game drive around 3pm; spending so much of your day in the park means you will come across a huge diversity of wildlife. You also have the option of doing nature walks, cycling through the forest and bird watching walks, all escorted by the one of the camp’s naturalists.
Evenings are spent with the other guests excitedly sharing the day's stories and eating delicious, freshly cooked meals either at a large table in the dining room, or outside by the camp fire under the stars.
Overnight: Shergarh Tented Camp – Tent (B/L/D)
Day 10
Following your final morning safari and breakfast you will head back to camp for lunch Later you will be met and driven to Nagpur for your flight to Delhi (departs Nagpur at 1705hrs, arrives Delhi at 1825hrs). Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Overnight: Leela Kempinski – Premier City View (B/L)
Day 11
After a leisurely morning you will be met and transferred to the airport for your flight to Diu (departs Delhi at 1335hrs, arrives into Diu at 1440hrs – Daily excluding Saturday). You will be met upon arrival and transferred to
Gir National Park (approx. 3 hours).
Located in southwest Saurashtra, the Gir forest extends across an area of 1,412 sq km and is covered by a combination of grassland, scrub and forests of teak and an aerial view reveals low undulating hills rising from a height of 225 to 648m. Apart from being the last and only home to the Asiatic lions, Sasan Gir is also a great place to see leopards, or panthers as they are also called. Sambar, chital (now abundant), nilgai, four horned antelope and chinkara, langur and wild boar have all made this park their home. As well as the main predators, the lions and leopards, other predators include the wildcats, jackals, foxes and hyenas. There is an abundance of reptiles in Gir, the most visible of which are the marsh crocodile, which can be seen in the rivers and the Kamleshwar dam reservoir.
If you are a keen birder, you’ll enjoy spotting some of the 200 species found in Gir National Park. Ospreys, Peregrine Falcons, Fish Owls, Crested Serpent Eagles, Bonelli's Eagles, Goshawks and Pale and Montagu's Harriers are just some of the birds you may be lucky enough to spot here!
You will be staying at Lion Safari Camp, which is set in a private Mango Orchard overlooking the Hiran River inside Sasan Gir National Park, the last remaining bastion of the Asiatic Lion and a popular leopard territory.
Overnight: Lion Safari Camp – Luxury, air-conditioned tents with well-appointed, spacious bedrooms and en-suite bathrooms with bathtubs and showers. All of the tents are beautifully furnished with natural eco-friendly materials and open out to an extended deck which is perfect for relaxing during the day. The communal areas include an open-air, river facing restaurant, a lounge bar and a recreation room featuring indoor games and a pool table. The Camp has an in-house multi- cuisine restaurant and food is served communally in the open air restaurant. There is often a barbeque in the evenings and the camp can arrange a candlelight dinner for two on request.
Days 12, 13, 14
Enjoy three full days exploring Gir National Park. You will head out on early morning game drives in the National Park in search of the Asiatic lions. Following your morning safari you will head back to camp where you will have the afternoon to relax and enjoy some lunch. If you are feeling up to it, why not go on nature walks around the lodge? Later in the afternoon you will head out on your second game drive of the day into the National Park. The evening will be spent relaxing around the camp and enjoying the freshly cooked food.
Overnight: Lion Safari Camp (B/L/D)
Day 15
Following your final morning safari in Gir National Park you will be met and transferred to Diu Airport for your flight to Mumbai (departs Diu at 1510hrs, arrives into Mumbai at 1745hrs – Daily excluding Saturday). On arrival you will be transferred to airport hotel.
Overnight: Leela Kempinski – Premier City View (B/L)
Day 16
Today you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Colombo (arranged yourselves) On arrival into Colombo International Airport you will be met by our local representative who will hand over your onward travel documents and introduce you to your driver who will transfer you the short distance to your overnight hotel, The Wallawwa.
Overnight: The Wallawwa – Wallawwa Bedroom – A former traditional manor house, this enticing boutique property is set is acres of beautifully manicured gardens. Its location only 15 minutes from the airport makes it the perfect arrival destination. Bedrooms are beautifully designed are all have en-suite bathrooms. (B)
Day 17
This morning you will be collected early from the Wallawwa and transferred to the Kelani River to board your scheduled flight transfer to the south of the island. The air transfer is arranged by Sri Lankan Airlines. The flight by a Twin Otter Float Plane is due to depart at 0730hrs and you will require 30 minutes check in. Your estimated departure from the Wallawwa should be no later than 0630hrs. The plane seats a maximum of 15 passengers and baggage allowance are limited to 10kgs if you did not travel internationally with Sri Lankan Airlines (otherwise you are allowed your international allowance). All excess baggage is transported by road to your final destination. You should take immediately required items and clothing for the next 24 hours.
The flight is fantastically scenic travelling down the coast and over the historic fort city of Galle, making a stop at nearby Koggala before continuing to Dickwella. On arrival at the Dickwella landing point you will be met and transferred by a local air-conditioned minivan to the gate at Yala National Park. Here you will be met by a representative of Leopard Safaris and transferred to camp in a 4WD safari vehicle - your first taste of a Sri Lankan game drive...
Leopard Safaris are pioneers of tented safaris in Sri Lanka, offering abundant wildlife viewing opportunities deep inside the national parks, with an excellent chance of seeing leopards, elephants,
bears and primates as well as a myriad of birds. By staying with Leopard Safaris you get to camp inside the park itself, which means that you can be out and about on safari whilst the rest of the world queues outside the gates, and similarly on the afternoon drive, whilst the rest of the jeep traffic rushes back to the gates before sunset, you can continue your game drive at a more leisurely pace.
Meals are taken al fresco and the food provided is incredible, especially if you consider the limited kitchen resources. Conditions permitting you will certainly have a BBQ under the stars one night, surrounded by the sounds of the Sri Lankan jungle.
Overnight: Leopard Safaris – Tent – Large tents equipped with comfortable beds. Facilities are not en-suite but comfort is a premium and hot showers and flushing loos are available on site (B/L/D)
Day 18, 19, 20, 21
Unlike in Africa, leopards in Yala are not primarily nocturnal hunters, since they have no predators to fear, so they are often to be seen during the day as well. Yala has the highest concentration of leopards anywhere in the world, so it is only very unlucky people who do not spot these elegant, beautiful cats during their stay in Yala. The male leopards in Yala are very confident animals and they are often seen walking the jeep tracks during the day, and seem quite unaffected by the jeeps too which makes it a photographers paradise. As well as leopards, the large number of elephants can sometimes be seen wandering on the deserted beaches or bathing in the numerous watering holes in the park. The best time for seeing leopards in Yala is first thing in the morning as the sun is rising and last thing during the day when they generally get up and start thinking of hunting. Each of these days you will head out at dawn and again in the afternoon to make the most of these peak times.
Overnight: Leopard Safaris – Tent (B/L/D)
Day 22
After your morning safari and breakfast, you will be transferred back to the gate to be collected by a local air-conditioned minivan and taken back to the Dickwella for your flight back to Colombo. The flight departs at 1630hrs and arrives back at the Kelani River at 1720hrs with no stops en route. Again any excess baggage will be transferred by road. After disembarkation you will be met and transferred to the Wallawwa.
Overnight: The Wallawwa – Wallawwa Bedroom (B)
Day 23
You will be met and transferred to the international airport for your flight back home. We recommend a minimum of two hours for check in and the journey to the airport is 20mins. Our representative will be on hand to assist you through the security checks and the check in desks. (B)
