Tigers And Cricket Safari With Paul Goldstein

Day 1
Flights usually depart London in the evening.

Day 2
The group flight will arrive during the morning into Delhi and we transfer to a hotel where you can have lunch if you wish. Those not travelling on the group flights will meet us here. Overnight train

Day 3
Arrive Katni in the morning, then a two-hour drive over very mediocre roads to Bandhavgarh. There is then time to relax and have lunch before an afternoon game drive.

Day 4 - 8
Our lodge accommodation just outside the Park gates is perfect for the ease of access and is managed by a very experienced conservationist. Of all the parks in India this one has the highest chance of spotting the tiger. Bandhavgarh with only 437 square kilometres is one of the smaller and least visited National Parks (although it will still be busy) and enjoys an impressive setting with a stunning cliff-top fort overlooking grasslands, birch forests and bamboo that provide cover to the plentiful indigenous wildlife. In common with many other parks, Bandhavgarh is home to a wide variety of game including leopard, sloth bear, gaur, sambar, chital, wild pig and of course tiger. The healthy population of approximately 60-70 animals means that this Park has the highest tiger density of any of India's reserves. Aside from the game and the tigers the Park also plays host to up to 150 species of birds including many on the migratory trail, such as the steepe eagle. The format for the game drives is a 3.00pm entrance and out by dark and 6.00am entrance in the morning and out by 10.00am. Depending on whether the mahouts have spotted the tigers early in the morning there is a chance to pay approx. GBP9-12 (approx. USD13-18) to get up on the elephants and enjoy the best possible view of the tigers. Meals are traditional and the staff outstanding. The days in Bandhavgarh are very special and should give us some wonderful sightings. On Wednesday the park may be shut for half a day or the whole day (this is still being decided); this is the day for our afternoon cricket game at the local school.

Day 9
Morning game drive and then afternoon transfer to Katni for the overnight train back to Delhi. Overnight train

Day 10
Arrive Delhi in the morning. Transfer to hotel for breakfast and later we transfer to the airport for the flight home. Those who have made their own flight arrangements will leave us on arrival in Delhi. If travelling on the group flight you will arrive in London during the late afternoon.