As the first rays of the golden sun kiss the vast expanse of the Indian wilderness, a symphony of nature awakens. The air is filled with a cacophony of exotic bird calls, the rustling of leaves, and the distant roar of a majestic Bengal tiger. A Tiger safari embodies the real meaning of wildlife photography and is high on the list for any photographer passionate about wildlife. Unlike a safari in Africa, where there seems to be a cat around every turn, one must work for the tigers, creating a deeper level of satisfaction and appreciation for a stunning tiger image.
We don’t just take you to the top Tiger Park in India with complete access to every zone, but we also take you away from the crowds and into an exceptional, peaceful, and enchanting world filled with India’s one-of-a-kind wildlife, where it will seem exclusive!
Piper Mackay has once again teamed up Shivang Mehta, a Canon Explorer of Light and one of India’s top wildlife big cat photographers. He has spent thousands upon thousands of hours in the wildlife reserves throughout India, highly recognized and respected by the locals when out in the field. Piper and Shivang have been photographing side by side for more than a decade during the migration season in Kenya and have been running tiger safaris together for nearly as long. Shivang has published several books; his knowledge of tigers, Indian wildlife, habitats, conservation, and fauna will make this a life-enriching journey far beyond the lens.
CORBETT NATIONAL PARK
Nestled amidst the Himalayan foothills, where nature unveils its secrets at every turn, lies the captivating canvas of Corbett National Park. Being the first national park established in India, it serves as a refuge not only for Bengal tigers but also for a diverse range of other species, including majestic elephants, elusive leopards, graceful antelopes, and vibrant birdlife. The landscape, adorned with hills and a river, is breathtaking, and the forest is simply indescribable.
Iconic to the park are the tigers walking across white rocks as they come to the river to drink and cool off. Spectacular and the most similar to Africa are the herds of elephants.
PANNA NATIONAL PARK
Situated near the ancient architectural marvels of Khajuraho and nestled amidst some of India’s stunning wild gorges, Panna National Park is also known as the Emerald Forest of India. Tigers were once extinct in this park, but the government took on a mammoth task and conservation project and translocated many tigers from other central Indian parks. The numbers continue to grow, thrive, and flourish in the spectacular landscape studded with ancient and natural history. When crafting this incredible itinerary, there are no zones in the park, and we will have complete access to every corner of the park!!
BANDHAVGARH NATIONAL PARK
Known as the Mara of India, Bandhavgarh needs little introduction. Having the highest density of Tigers makes it legendary. The park covers 168 square miles, predominated by sal forest combined with mixed deciduous/bamboo forest and broad expanses of grassland. Imposed across the skyline is an impressive plateau, crowned with the ancient Bandhavgarh fort—thought to be some 2,000 years old—rising more than 2,600 feet above the forest. For two of our three days, we will have VIP all-access passes. We will enter the park before anyone else, have access to all zones, and leave the park after everyone else. This has been the key to an extremely successful tiger safari.
Itinerary
Day 1 – April 7, 2025 – Arrival in Delhi
Upon arrival in Delhi, our representative will meet and greet you and privately transfer you to the hotel. Arrival can be anytime on April 1, 2023. Your room will be ready by 14:00. If you arrive early, we will gladly request an early check-in. Dinner will be at your leisure tonight; as this is a travel day, meals are not included.
Day 2 – April 8, 2025
We will rise very early this morning and bring a packed breakfast as we drive to Corbett National Park. We will enter this stunningly beautiful park, have our lunch, take a quick rest, and embark on our first-afternoon drive in search of the Tigers and herds of elephants.
B,L,D
Our accommodations, which are centrally located, are simple but rare and unique because Corbett is the only government park that allows you to stay in the park. Only vegetarian food is served.
B,L,D
Day 3&4 – April 9&10, 2025
Morning and afternoon game drives
B,L,D
Day 5 – April 11, 2025
We will have one last morning game drive. After breakfast, we will check out and drive through the stunning forest on our way out. We will stop for lunch along the way back to Delhi. Lunch is payable directly.
B,D
Day 6 – April 12, 2025
We rise a little slower today and enjoy a hardy breakfast. There will be time for image review and tips from your leaders for the next part of your photographic journey. We then transfer to the airport for our 1.5-hour flight to central India and the tiger capital of the world. We have a short 30-40 minute to our lodge that overlooks the river. In the evening, we will be treated to a bush dinner in a scenic location.
B,L,D
Day 7,8,9 – April 13,14, 15, 2025
Morning and evening drives in Panna National Park.
B,L,D
Day 10 – April 16, 2025
We will have one last morning game drive, return to the lodge for a hot and delicious breakfast, check out, and proceed to Bandhavgarh with a packed lunch.
All Indian wildlife parks are closed on Wednesday, so our itinerary was specially crafted around this. High tea will be waiting for us when we arrive. Evening at leisure.
B,L,D
Day 11 – April 17, 2025
This morning, we will rise early. We have special all-day, all-access passes to every zone of Bandhavgarh Park. These passes also allow us to enter the park before everyone else, which means we will see the tracks first, which is a big plus in locating a tiger. We also get to leave later than anyone else. These passes are extremely limited.
B,L,D
Day 12 – April 18, 2025
Morning and afternoon game drive
B,L,D
Day 13 – April 19, 2025
Once again, we rise rise early. We have special all-day, all-access passes to every zone of Bandhavgarh Park. These passes also allow us to enter the park before everyone else, which means we will see the tracks first, which is a big plus in locating a tiger. We also get to leave later than anyone else. These passes are extremely limited.
B,L,D
Day 14 – April 20, 2025
Today, we will rise slowly and enjoy a hot, delicious breakfast. We will check out with a packed lunch and drive to the airport. Upon arrival at Delihi airport, we will be transferred to our hotel. Most flights depart very late or early in the morning, so we have secured overnight rooms.
You will be privately transferred to the international terminal for your flight home.
B,L,D
Important Details
The Price
The price of this ultimate Indian wildlife safari is $12,295.00. This price is based on double occupancy.
Single room premium is $2,195.00 ” if available.” Single accommodations are very limited at Corbett. Therefore, you may have to share accommodation in Corbett. However, we could accommodate you with single accommodations at the lodges for $1595.00. Single accommodations will be honored as requested and registrations received.
If you are a solo guest requesting shared accommodations, we will do our best to match you with another guest of the same gender. However, the single-room premium will be charged if we cannot match you with a roommate. Should this happen, we will do our best to discount this cost, but there is no guarantee.
***The cost of this safari is based on a minimum of 7-8 participants. If there are less than 7 participants, a small supplemental fee of $895.00 will apply.
A USD $4,000.00 Non-refundable deposit is due at the time of registration to secure your spot.
Payment Terms
- USD $4,000.00 non-refundable deposit to confirm your place on this safari
- 2nd payment of USD $4,000.00 (+ single Supplement) is due August 1, 2024
- Final payment/Balance is due December 15, 2024
We STRONGLY recommend Travel Insurance to protect your investment, as you never know what life may have in store that might alter your plans.
Included:
- All accommodations as stated in the itinerary
- All meals, as stated on the itinerary, except on arrival and lunch on April 11, 2025.
- Exclusive use of custom gypsy’s on safari – 2 clients per gypsy
- Fixed drivers for Bandhavgarh
- Entrance fees and game drives in Bandhavgarh, Corbett, and Panna
- 2 days all-access passes in Bandhavgarh
- Camera fees for two still cameras per person
- 1 RT Domestic flights from Delhi to Jabalpur
- Extra checked weight allowance to 23KG (economy international standard)
- Private airport transport on arrival and departure dates of itinerary
- Private transfers by private AC Innova vehicles throughout the safari
- Bottled water on safari and during transports.
What’s Not Included:
- Visas
- Travel Insurance
- Personal purchases (such as Curious, spirit liquors, telephone calls, internet, laundry…)
- Gratuities for the main driver/guides
- Optional extra activities and photo excursions
- Pre- and post-safari tours
- Meals or accommodation before or after the safari
- International flights to and from Delhi, India
REGISTRATION AND DEPOSIT
If you are excited to join this safari now is the time to secure your spot. Use the buttons below to fill out your online e-registration form and to make your deposit. We must receive both your completed registration form and your deposit/s to confirm your spot.
Registration form –
Please complete all the required fields. At the end of the form you will be asked to confirm your email address, which will complete the registration. A copy of your registration will be emailed to you and to Piper Mackay Photo Safaris.
Deposit–
Click the deposit button, under the registration button, to make your deposit. You do not need to have a Paypal account to use this payment service. You may make more than one deposit at a time by changing the quantity on the purchase details that will come up once you click the deposit button.
