Big Five
The Big Five was traditionally a phrase coined by African Big Game Hunters for the 5 most dangerous animals in Africa. However, Indian wildlife has its own Big 5 which compares favourably with its African counterparts: Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Elephant and Rhino. This tour is specifically designed with this is in mind, taking you to 3 of the most iconic parks in India this truly is a safari connoisseur’s ideal trip.
The first park we will visit is Gir National Park, famous for its Asiatic Lions. An arid park akin to the bushveld of Africa interspersed with areas of grassland and one major watering hole it supports a great diversity of mammals including; Sambar, Chital, Nilgai, Four-horned Antelope and Wild Boar and of course another of our target species the Leopard. Unlike its African counterpart Leopards in India are extremely elusive and seldom seen; however, with such a varied prey base it is easy to see why Gir is the best National Park in India to catch a glimpse of the Leopard. Although the Leopard is undoubtly the most successful of the world’s big cats ranging from Southern Africa to Indonesia, here in Gir the Lion is the top predator and King of these forests. If we’re truly lucky we may catch a glimpse of India’s smallest cat the Rusty Spotted Cat which have occasionally been sighted here in recent times.
From Gir we will transfer to Kaziranga “The Land of Giants” in search of two more of our Big 5 the Elephant and Rhino. Kaziranga is famous for its efforts in bringing back the Great One Horned Rhino from the brink of extinction, today its houses nearly 2000 Rhinos, the largest wild concentration of these Rhinos anywhere in the world. Set in the flood plains of the Eastern Terai it is the perfect habitat for Rhinos and our second target species here Elephants and from February onwards is a good time to see them as the tall Elephant Grasslands are annually burnt. We will also take our first Elephant Safari here in the Central Range, which apart from Rhinos is also the best place to see the Critically Endangered Bengal Florican. Kaziranga is also home to some of the more bizarre India Wildlife such as the Hog Badger, Chinese Ferret Badger and Hoary-bellied Squirrel although they are extremely rare to sight. Mammals we will have a chance with are the endangered Barasingha (Swam Deer), Asiatic Water Buffalo, Sambar Deer and the only Primate in India the Hoolock Gibbon in the Panbari Forest. There is also an option of changing one day’s safaris into a day out at the Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary for those real intrepid explorers who don’t mind trekking through dense foliage. The Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary is home to some of the rarest ape species in India and the Slow Loris. Here there is a good chance of seeing the Hoolock Gibbon, Stump-Tailed MacCaque, Pig-Tailed MacCaque and Capped Langur.
Our last park of the tour is Corbett National Park, and what better park to end this tour on than one named in Honour of Legendary Hunter turned Conservationist Jim Corbett. Corbett National Park was the launching pad of Project Tiger in 1973 and has gone on to become one of the finest parks in India. With the chance of overnight stays in the Dhikala Zone which has an unusually high density of Tigers this is a park not to miss for anyone wanting to experience a true Indian jungle safari. Here our focus will be switched to the real King of the Indian Jungles and the most sought after of the worlds Mega-fauna, the Tiger. Many people associate Tiger Safaris with Ranthambhore or the Madhya Pradesh Parks of Kanha and Bandhagarvh due to the popularity with documentaries and historically good sightings. However, in recent times Tiger sightings in Corbett have increased to such an extent that it rivals any park in the world for the premier destination to see Tigers in the wild. Add to this the incredible bio-diversity of the region particularly with Raptors and it becomes apparent to why Corbett is a park not to miss.
Itinerary
Day 1 Meet and greet (Delhi Airport).
Day 2 Flight to Ahedabad and transfer to Sasan Gir by road
Day 3/4 Sasan Gir
Day 5 Transfer back to Delhi by Air
Day 6 Flight to Guwahati and transfer to Kaizranga
Day 7/8 Kaziranga
Day 9 Flight to Delhi
Day 10 Transfer to Tiger Camp
Day 11 Tiger Camp
Day 12/13 Overnight Corbett
Day 14 Transfer back to Delhi
Day 15 Flight home
Price per person £2,495 (Twin Share)
Includes:
All our tours are fully inclusive of all park and guide fees, English Speaking Tour Guide, applicable taxes, transport around India, internal flights, accommodation and meals.
Excludes:
International Flights, Professional Camera Fees, Visas, travel insurance, aerated drinks, alcohol, personal items, local tips (Non compulsory), personal laundry.
Please note that all prices are based on minimum of 2 people on Twin Share. For bookings of 4 or more people please contact us for group discounts.
These prices are not valid between 22/12/2010 and 06/01/2011.
