Big Cats Safari India Tour
Duration: 12 Days | Route: New Delhi › Sawai Madhopur › Ranthambore › Jawai › Ahmedabad › Gir › Ahmedabad › Delhi
Itinerary Outline
- Day 1: Arrive Delhi, transfer to Ranthambore.
- Days 2 to 4: Morning and evening tiger drives in Ranthambore.
- Day 5: Drive from Ranthambore to Jawai.
- Days 6 & 7: Leopard tracking across the Jawai granite hills.
- Day 8: Road transfer from Jawai to Ahmedabad.
- Day 9: Drive to Sasan Gir, first evening safari.
- Days 10 to 11: Morning and evening lion safaris in Gir.
- Day 12: Final drive at Gir, fly Delhi from Ahmedabad.
Tour Overview
The route connects naturally by road, with the drives between destinations passing through rural Rajasthan and into Gujarat. Each location offers a different landscape, a different big cat, and a different kind of light. Ranthambore gives you forest and ruins, Jawai gives you open rock and sky, and Gir gives you dry teak woodland. Together they make a complete picture of wildlife photography in western India.
Highlights
- Three big cats across three distinct habitats
- Tigers near lakes and ruins in Ranthambore
- Leopards on granite outcrops in Jawai
- Asiatic lions in the dry teak forests of Gir
- Ranthambore Fort as a backdrop for landscape photography
- Rabari shepherd communities coexisting with leopards in Jawai
- Rural Rajasthan and Gujarat by road between destinations
- Golden hour light across three very different landscapes
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Delhi, then on to Ranthambore
Fly or take the train into Delhi. Leave in the afternoon by road, or take the overnight train to Sawai Madhopur. Check in to the lodge. In the evening, get a briefing on tiger tracking and the best camera settings for the morning drives.
Day 2 - 4: Ranthambore, tiger territory
Three full days, two drives each day. You will cover Zones 2, 3, and 4, which are the best zones for spotting tigers near lakes and ruins. Ranthambore Fort makes a striking backdrop for wide landscape shots in the golden hour light. Each evening, review your shots and talk through composition with your guide.
Day 5: Ranthambore to Jawai, 5 hours by road
Start with a morning drive, then head out by road through the Aravalli landscape toward Jawai Bandh. Arrive by evening. The drive itself is worth photographing. You will pass villages, camels, and open farmland in good afternoon light.
Days 6 & 7: Jawai, leopards on granite
Two days tracking leopards across the Jawai granite hills. This is one of the most unusual big cat habitats anywhere. Evening drives are great for silhouette shots of leopards on rock outcrops against the Rajasthan sky. You can also spend time with the Rabari shepherds who live and graze their flocks alongside the leopards here.
Day 8: Jawai to Ahmedabad, 5 to 6 hours by road
Leave in the morning and drive through rural Rajasthan into Gujarat. Arrive in Ahmedabad by early afternoon. Check in and rest, then explore the old city at your own pace in the evening. The lanes of the walled city and the street food are best taken slowly.
Day 9: Ahmedabad to Gir, 4 hours by road
Leave in the morning and arrive at Sasan Gir by afternoon. Check in and head out for your first safari in the evening.
Day 10 & 11: Gir, Asiatic lions
2 days in the only place in the world where Asiatic lions live in the wild. Morning and evening safaris through dry teak forest. The open terrain in Gir gives you good natural light for photographing prides, cubs, and adult males.
Day 12: Gir to Ahmedabad to Delhi
One last morning drive at Gir, then drive to Ahmedabad airport, about 4 hours. Fly to Delhi. Trip ends here.
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Travel Information
Inclusion
- Accommodation in Ranthambore, Jawai, and Sasan Gir with all meals during safari stays.
- Forest entry fees, safari jeep, and guide charges included.
- 6 jeep safaris in Ranthambore National Park.
- Leopard tracking drives in Jawai.
- 5 jeep safaris in Gir National Park.
- All road transfers in an air conditioned vehicle.
- Airport transfers and travel assistance during the tour.
- Drinking water during transfers and safaris.
Exclusion
- International and domestic flights (except where specified)
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses such as drinks, laundry and phone calls
- Tips and gratuities for guides, drivers and lodge staff
- Camera fees at national parks if applicable
- Any optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary
- Anything not listed in the inclusions section
Customization options
- Safari days in Ranthambore, Jawai, or Gir can be increased or reduced.
- Birding walks and village experiences can be added in Jawai and Gir.
- photography focused drives can be arranged on request.
- The route can be combined with the Golden Triangle or other wildlife parks.
- Extra nights can be added based on flight timings and travel pace.
Cancellation Policy
- If cancellation requested before 120 days (or more) prior to departure, Full refund.
- If cancellation requested before 60 days (or more) prior to departure – 75% of the tour cost will be refunded.
- If cancellation requested before 45 to 59 days prior to departure – 50% of the tour cost will be refunded.
- If cancellation requested before 30 to 44 days prior to departure – 25% of the tour cost will be refunded.
- If cancellation requested before 15 to 29 days prior to departure – 10% of the tour cost will be refunded.
- If cancellation requested less than 15 days prior to departure, No Show – No Refund.
