Tiger tour, Panna National Park, India

This is a 10-day wildlife holiday, operated in partnership with the Environmental Investigation Agency, to whom 10% of the proceeds are donated for their work with Tiger conservation. Unlike most other wildlife holidays to India, it focuses on just one Tiger Reserve, Panna in Madhya Pradesh, one of India’s truly peaceful, unspoiled and spectacular national parks. Thus, both tiring travelling (and associated environmental damage) and travel-stress are minimised, whilst your chances of encountering and enjoying Indian wildlife in an exquisite and undeveloped national park are maximised. Winnie Singh will guide and host your small group (of 6 to 16); the son of the local MP and maharaja, he has a gentle charm, and is a passionate naturalist and conservationist whose life revolves around this reserve, about which he knows so much.

Panna is one of India’s recent success stories, having been saved and rejuvenated through the dedicated work of a handful of Indian researchers and international environmentalists (including the EIA).

Today it holds a thriving population of Tigers, although these remain quite shy, having not been habituated as in some of India’s better known reserves. The simple rustic lodge and tented camp that we use, constructed only with local labour and materials, is run by Winnie and his wife, together with staff from the local village; its meals are based on fresh local produce.

You are unlikely to encounter many other tourists during your exploration of the forests, plateaux and waterways of Panna, but you will be making a major contribution to the economy of the local community and the sustainability of wildlife preservation in this up-and-coming park. Travel now; be a pioneer… and help lead the way in taking the focus (and excessive tourist pressures) away from India’s more popular Tiger Reserves! An optional 5-day extension to Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve is also available.

As a company we have achieved AITO’s top level, 3-star Responsible Tourism accreditation and we have always tried to operate our holidays in an environmentally responsible manner, striving to contribute to wildlife conservation and habitat preservation at all times.

Our policy includes:

To focus, particularly, on visiting areas which do not benefit from the rewards of mass market tourism.

To minimise environmental damage by exploring in small groups and, as much as possible, on foot.

To use, wherever possible, local guides. 

To involve local communities and to ensure that they receive a fair share of  the benefits of wildlife tourism.

To use, wherever possible, small, locally owned accommodations & specialist local agents/ground operators. 

To purchase, where possible, local produce.

To develop and commit to long-term plans to visit rural areas and support the local communities.

To contribute financially to projects local to the areas that we visit (ie. schools, hospitals, etc.)

To educate the local people on the importance and long-term benefits of wildlife tourism.

To keep our clients well-informed on aspects of wildlife management and conservation.

To work with British and overseas conservation organisations to develop new wildlife tourism destinations.

To run our UK office in as energy-efficient a manner as possible.

We also encourage our clients to offset their carbon dioxide emissions.