Marieke's Art of Living

With an uncle a founding member of Project Tiger in 1973, my Indian Director is not only passionate about Indian wildlife but has developed an extensive network of the most highly trained and experienced naturalists to provide wonderful interpretative experiences.

Moreover, the luxury Taj hotel group have teamed up with CC Africa expertise to now provide four luxurious game lodges with Mahua Kothi in Bandhavgarh being India’s first Relais et Chateaux property and their Pench and Panna properties stealing multiple awards from travel and design magazines this year.

Search the elusive snow leopard or view the endangered Bengal tiger from the back of an elephant.Make a wildlife safari of India your sole focus or allow us to plan an extra week after one of our tours.

The wildlife safari experience we offer in India continues to be unmatched, as we have been highly selective about the national parks on offer and the choice of accommodations. The lodges we choose for your sojourn have all modern comforts, each catering to only a small number of guests at any one time. In addition, they have knowledgeable English- speaking resident naturalists who accompany guests, so that you enjoy the very best safari experience available in India. 


We can tailor make a Wildlife Discovery Tour for independent travellers. Contact us to discuss your requirements.

We also offer the following scheduled departures:

HIGHLIGHTS OF ALL THE TOURS

• Historical Tiger Habitats.
• Expert naturalists.
• Long distance transportation in comfortable Vehicles that seat 3 persons so everyone gets a window seat.
• Stays in certified small eco friendly lodges, with all modern comforts.
• Interaction with the local community and people who spearhead Tiger conservation.
• Nature walks.
• Supporting TOFT wildlife and community projects.

Incredible Wildlife of India 20 January – 11 February 2010

Cool and dry weather in February is best for viewing wildlife in central and eastern India. Visibility is good, new grass has started to grow and water sources have started to dry up so wildlife start to concentrate around water sources. Migratory birds are still in the Parks.
Bandhavgarh National Park – where there is plenty to see in this small park (168 Sq miles) set around an historic site, with carvings, temples and fort. It has highest concentration of tigers in tourist zone, who are vehicle friendly.
Kaziranga National Park - The strong hold of the Indian rhinoceros. The only natural enemy of the rhino is the tiger, of which there is a sizable population in the Park. Even one day during Kaziranga's short season will reward you with unrivalled sights of the regions' large mammals: Elephants, Rhinos and Wild Buffalos.
Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary - A unique tropical forest ecosystem where one can see Six of North East India's seven primate species including the Hoolock gibbon - Asia's largest ape, several different macaques, the Capped Langur and the highly endangered Slow Loris.

Tigers of Central India and Himalayan Foothills 6-19 February 2010 includes:

Bandhavgarh National Park - written about in Rudyard Kipling’s "Jungle Book" and
Corbett National Park - the only park in India where you can stay inside the park in basic accommodation and also walk inside the Park in certain areas. Currently they have the highest density per sq km: 162 Tigers in total. Out of 1200 species of birds in Indian sub continent, close to 600 are found here as elevation in the park ranges from 400 metres (1312 ft) at its lowest to 1210 metres ( 3970 ft) at its highest Possibility of long 2 or 3 hour elephant rides inside the forest.

Tracking the Snow Leopard March 2010 and again April 9 - 24, 2011

To be led by Dr Raghu Chundawat – a passionate wildlife biologist and leading expert who has spent 14 years researching the Snow Leopard in the region

• March is a good time to spot the leopard as its prey ” the Blue Sheep” come down in the lower valleys in search of food
• 10 days in “snow leopard” habitat studying and searching for the animal
• Stay in mobile camp with support staff and all basic facilities
• First class accommodation in Delhi and A grade in Leh town
The snow leopard trek is for the feline enthusiasts purely interested in tracking and viewing the elusive snow leopard. The stunningly attractive animal has been elevated to mythical status, partly because of its dwindling numbers and partially because of the legends surrounding it. The Snow Leopard of Central and South Asia has a life span of 15-18 years and is unable to roar because of an absence of the larynx. Well known for its beautiful fur, the snow leopard has a whitish-tan coat with ringed spots of dark, ashy-brown and rosettes of black. Its tail is heavy with fur and the bottom of its paws are covered with fur for protection against snow and cold.

 The trip is not for the faint-hearted. But the pay-off is spectacular: the chance to see a rare snow leopard in its natural habitat. Snow leopards are endangered, with only about 4,500-7,500 left in the wild, distributed across 12 countries in Central Asia. They face growing threats, including local sheep farmers who kill the animals to protect their flocks.

This trek can be undertaken throughout the year, though the best time is between December to March when the Blue sheep come down the valley (the primary prey of the leopard).

Tiger Photography Tour 2-13 April 2010

takes you on a wild journey through the jungles of central India visit both Kanha and Bandhavgarh National Parks, both rated as the best for tiger spotting the world over.. Summer is the best time to photograph and observe tigers.
Kanha National Park - The horse shoe shaped Kanha valley has some times been called the N'Gorongoro of India. With its flourishing herds and relatively tolerant predators, Kanha offers almost unrivaled scope to a keen photographer.
Bandhavgarh National Park - Located in the Vindhya mountains, it is a beautiful park with woodlands, rocky hills and grassland valleys.

Tigers of India 7-21 November 2010

In November the Monsoons rains have finished. The Lakes are full and migratory birds start to arrive. Winter is approaching, and it is festival time all over the country as it is the harvest season. It is an excellent time for viewing wildlife in Ranthambhore and Bandhavgarh and include visiting India’s golden triangle Delhi and Agra for their the world heritage monuments and Jaipur for palaces and shopping.
Ranthambhore National Park - In last two years the bold tigers have made a come back, Six tigresses have given birth and successfully raised the cubs. You can often see tigers at close range here; an historic fort and ruins lend the forest a unique atmosphere.
Bandhavgarh National Park - Here once can also see Tigers on elephant back
Our cultural triangle tour also takes you to Jaipur, the "Pink City" and land of royals, with its fading grandeur and martial glory. Enjoy two nights here before going on to Agra – to visit the monument built as tribute to eternal love for a night, before moving to Central India.

INDIAN WILDLIFE

India has 80 national parks including 23 tiger reserves and more than 440 sanctuaries. More than 350 different mammals and 1,220 birds, 1600 species of reptiles and amphibians and 57,000 species of insects populate the Indian subcontinent.

Many of these creatures are unique to the subcontinent, such as the White Tiger, Royal Bengal Tiger, Asian Lion, Lion-Tailed Macaque, Andaman Teal, Great Indian Bustard, and Monal Pheasant. India Harbours 60% of the world's wild Tiger population, 50% of Asian Elephants, 80% of the one-horned Rhinoceros and the entire remaining population of the Asiatic Lion.

Before 1947, India did not protect its wildlife. By 1952, 13 species had been declared endangered, and today the list has multiplied to 70 species of mammals, 16 species of reptiles and 36 species of birds. Tigers, the symbolic mascot of India, were killed so frequently that by 1970, only 1,500 remained. In 1972, the Indian government finally passed the Wildlife Act, which designates natural parks and sanctuaries and provides for the protection of wild animals, particularly endangered species. Three years later, Project Tiger, a large-scale enterprise co-sponsored by India's Department of Wildlife and the World Wildlife Fund was formed to ban killing of tigers and to save its vanishing home. In the process, innumerable other animals received protection, including the Asian Eephant and the great one-horned Rhinoceros. The presence of the Tiger in the chosen habitat indicates that the ecosystem is vibrant, and their number has risen to over 4,000 now. By any measure, Project Tiger must be seen as one of Asia's most successful conservation sagas and the tiger a symbol of the health of the Indian jungle. 

India is also attempting to recover a third of its land with forests-a daunting task that requires more than saplings. The rural poor must find viable fuel sources to replace wood, and a humane initiative is needed to control the movement of aging livestock, including the sacrosanct cow.

Still, many of India's parks and sanctuaries are enchanting. If you have a safari in mind, remember that many of India's animals are elusive, moving in small packs. Come with the proper expectations and you will see many animals: numerous species of Deer, Wild Boar, Langur of all kinds, and spectacular birds. Jungle excursions are in mornings and evenings in open jeeps and on elephant backs with accompanying local naturalists.