My best Indian Trip - five National Parks !!!

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My best India Vacation - A trip through five National Parks

I am also a nature lover and my wife and I enjoyed your fantastic well detailed report.we have been to africa four times and will visit India in march.Due to time constraints we are only visiting one national park--ranthambore for three nights and 6 gamedrives.Do you have any tips for us? we are staying at the oberoi lodge.
Thanks.
Mike.

ya i too have the impression reading from blogs ,bandhavgarh is the worstly managed park in India.many rate it highly because there is high chance of seeing tigers.but its so organised ,with info spread through gadgets abt tigers and jeeps speeding to locate them there is little fun in safari.you will get to see tigers but its is like seeing one in circus....come down south tiger trail in periyar is one of best managed programmes where you will trek (not travel in jeep) and if you have luck you will spot animals.that brings in the whole fun and satisfaction of trekking looking out for animals and enjoying views of thick forest on foot.people who come to thekkadty, periyar should definetly do the tiger trail it cost 5000 INR per person for three day stay but its worth it .i will give it 9 /10 .

thats a detailed report , thanks for sharing!!!

Just came across this thread, good reports indeed. But I tend to disagree with Bandhavgarh view. It's not a mis managed park. It's a small park with highest density of tigers. Some facts I would like to larify on:

1] Now vehicles are limited to only 50 in the Tala zone. Movr vehicles are then allowed in other two zones.
2] Elephant show is not the only means to see a tiger in the park. It's like the mahouts on the Elephant locate a tiger who is resting at a partiular location, then they inform the counter who issue tickets to see the tiger who is resting. In case he moves then the show is stopped. No pressure (by Elephants) is applied on the tiger to restrict his / her movements. In fact during my visit in May 08, out of seven occassion in the park only two times Elephant show was held, rest they were not able to locate a tiger who had settled at one place. Jeep safaris also give equal opportunity for a tiger sighting. In case of Elephant show if a tiger is sighted then only you board the Elephant & go to see a tiger otherwise you don't board hence you pay no money.
3] The drivers & forest guides do not have any means of communication with them, as they are not provided with Walky talkies & mobile phones have to be switched off once you enter the forest gates. So they have to rely on their skills & experience to locate a tiger.
4] The guides & drivers also have a fair bit of knowledge about other animals & birds. Since Tiger is the star attraction they try to show you the tiger (most tourists also insist the same), but if you wish they can also concentrate on bird life & other animals. Bandhavgarh has plenty to offer apart from Tiger.
5] Professional photographer can hire the Elephant for full day (of course at a higher price) to pursue their photography. In fact well known tiger photographer Kakubhai from Mumbai prefers Bandhvagarh to any other tiger sanctuary & opts for a full day Elephant safari.
6] Also the charges for safari in Bandhavgarh are cheaper as compared to Kahna & Ranthambore.

Ronak.

I have a had great experience in Bandhavgarh. That was about 5 yrs ago. I think the catch is to make it during off season. We went in summers. Though it was hot, the place was very peaceful and quiet. Worth the extra bit of sweat.

No elephant circus was required. We say the tiger on every trip that we made. It has a very interesting trekking option too, bang in the middle of the jungle.

Heve You seen different tigers in different places or the same?

hi Afbe75,

Awesome trip. Thanks for sharing.

cheers,
-Nitin

Friends,

My wife and I are visiting India (our 7th visit) and are determined to see at least one tiger in its natural habitate this time.

It would suit us to visit Ranthambore (c.15 December 2009) but our travel agent says we have a better chance of seeing one in Kanha, which, for our plans, is an awkward deroute.

Urgent advice please, which of the two Parks would offer us a better chance of a sighting?

Your advice will be much appreciated.

Greetings from London

Very detailed description! This has been a lot of help to me to decide what places to visit, had been to Bandhavgarh last December, though my experience wasn't as bad as yours, I do agree about the pesty visitors who make a lot of noise and the elephant circus which is so not worth it.

Between Kanha & Ranthambore, the later has better chances of sighting a tiger. However Bandhavgarh in M.P. is the place with highest density of tigers per Sq. KM.

Please note that chances of Tiger sightings are reduced in the month of December as compared to summer months of April & May. Since Ranthambore is more suitable for you visit the same & keep at least 3 days so that you can take 6 safaris in the park which I feel should guarantee you a tiger sighting (or more).

Ronak.

Hi.. great post!

We're off to Ranthambhore in February, any ideas on where is best to stay, we'll have our daughter with us..

Thank you

Regarding Bandhavgarh, I totally agree with Afbe, the guides are rude and mistreat you, after sending you on wild goose chases and keep you standing for three four hours to save on gas in their vehicles. I wish the park admin would do something about it, but because of the unionization of the guides, they can mistreat anyone without any recourse for the poor visitors who are at their mercy.

Woah....awesome,thanks 4 sharing man!

Amazing writeup and great info. Thanks