Embark on the adventure of a lifetime with MaiaWildlife, where the wild heart of India beats in every moment. From the lush jungles of Bandhavgarh National Park and Panna National Park, our safaris are more than just a journey—they’re an immersion into the raw, untamed beauty of India’s most iconic landscapes.
With MaiaWildlife, you’re not just a tourist; you’re a traveler led by passionate naturalists and conservation experts who know the forest like their own home. Whether it’s tracking the elusive Bengal tiger, watching a herd of elephants bathe in the river, or listening to the haunting call of a distant leopard at dusk, we ensure your experience is authentic, ethical, and unforgettable.
Our small-group safaris blend luxury and sustainability, offering hand-picked accommodations, personalized attention, and deep connections with local communities and ecosystems. Every moment is crafted to inspire awe, respect, and a deeper love for the natural world.
Come with MaiaWildlife—not just to see India’s wildlife, but to feel it. To breathe in its forests, listen to its calls, and be changed by the wild in ways you never imagined.
Bandhavgarh National Park is spread over the Vindhya hills in Madhya Pradesh. The national park consists of a core area of 105 sq km and a buffer area of approximately 400 sq km. The topography of the whole area varies between steep ridges, undulating forest and open meadows. Bandhavgarh National Park is known for the Royal Bengal Tigers. The density of the tiger population at Bandhavgarh is the highest known in India as well as in the world. The national park was the former hunting preserve of the Maharaja of Rewa and at present is a famous natural hub for White Tigers. White Tigers, now a major attraction around the world’s zoos, were first discovered in Rewa, not far from here. It is also believed that all the white tigers across the globe trace their roots to Bandhavgarh. The terrain is broken, with rocky hill ranges, running roughly east and west, interspersed with grassy swamps and forested valleys.
A flawless place to take a walk into the home to some of the biggest predators and cascading waterfalls for a remarkable experience. Nestled in Central India, Panna Tiger Reserve (PTR) lies in the districts of Panna and Chhatarpur of Madhya Pradesh. Managed and best maintained by the Ministry of Tourism of India, the popular Tiger Reserve in MP won the Award of Excellence in the year 2007. Today, the national park has been successful in grabbing the attention of oodles of wildlife buffs and nature lovers travelling from across the globe. When visiting the park tourists can take a walk in the deciduous forest while spotting the species including Sloth Bear Pangolin, Indian Wolf, Four-Horned Antelope, Leopard, Rusty Spotted Cat, Gharial, Chousingha, Indian Fox, Porcupine and a lot more.
The park is gradually growing in popularity among tourists, and the best way to enter this national park is through Khajuraho. Just 25 km away from well-connected roads and rails, tourists can also take taxis and buses easily to reach the park. Additionally, for visitors arriving by air, Khajuraho Airport is the closest airport to this wildlife heaven.
Covering an area of approx 542.67 sq km, the Panna National Park not only lets the tourists come across the rich wildlife and nature but also numerous sites that hold historical importance. In the sense of visiting the park, tourists get the opportunity to witness the stone paintings that date back to the Neolithic era. Declared as a wildlife sanctuary in the year 1981, the national park offers the tourists a number of things to do that makes holidays in the Panna National Park a memorable one. The best time to visit this Panna Tiger Reserve (PTR) to see the wildlife and explore these stone paintings is during the winter season from November to March.
Tourists will get the opportunity to indulge in the Jungle Safari that lets one experience the dense ambience and encounter the wildest ranges of mammals, reptiles, birds, flora, fauna and avifauna. Other than this, tourists will even be able to get the chance to take the Tiger Safari which will let one spot the tiger species at close quarters.
While visiting this pristine land, tourists must adhere to all the guidelines set by the Ministry of Tourism and refrain from any actions that could harm the flora and fauna there.
- Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended for all participants. Your insurance should ideally cover:
Medical expenses and emergency treatment
Trip cancellation or interruption
Personal liability
Loss or theft of luggage and equipment
Emergency evacuation and repatriation
India is a safe destination for travellers, but proper insurance provides peace of mind and ensures you are protected in unexpected situations.
- Dressing appropriately is not only about comfort, but also about respecting wildlife and the natural environment. Neutral clothing helps create a quieter presence in nature and allows you to enjoy closer and more authentic wildlife encounters.
With the right clothing, your MaiaWildlife India Expedition will be both comfortable and perfectly suited for unforgettable safari experiences.
- India is a country of contrasts, traditions and vibrant daily life. Keeping an open mind, respecting local customs and embracing the experience will greatly enrich your journey.
- Packing light but smart will allow you to travel comfortably while being fully prepared for the incredible wildlife encounters and experiences awaiting you during your India Expedition with MaiaWildlife. 🌿🐅📷
Our team will always assist you with practical advice before departure and throughout the expedition to ensure that your experience in India is both safe and truly unforgettable.
If you have any questions regarding travel requirements, documentation or preparation, the MaiaWildlife team will be happy to assist you.
Economy class (Delhi - Jabalpur and Khajuraho - Delhi)
In a AC vehicle
In a AC wildlife resort with deluxe rooms on double sharing basis
From lunch on day 1 to breakfast on day 8
In the resorts (no plastic policy)
In the transfers throughout the expedition
In the best possible areas in an exclusive private safari vehicle
Professional and experienced, exclusively selected for MaiaWildlife group
From MaiaWildlife
Like: laundry, telephone bills, personal items, etc
To guides, resort staff, etc
Wherever required
Upon arrival in Delhi, we board a flight to Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh (10.10 - 11.35am). We then drive to our resort at Bandhavgarh (3 hours drive) and check in to the wildlife resort. We spend the evening at leisure and rest for the day.
(As there is only one direct flight to Jabalpur from Delhi, the arrival of international flights are advised to arrive before 7am or on the day before.)
(The itinerary may be changed accordingly with your wishes, weather conditions, etc.)
We kickstart our day with an early morning wake-up call for the morning safari which is an exhilarating experience that offers visitors an opportunity to witness the majestic tigers and other wildlife in their natural habitat. The park's stunning natural beauty and rich biodiversity make it a must-visit destination for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts. Bandhavgarh is an excellent place to try our luck with leopards and sloth bears too, for these creatures of the night do inhabit the woods in good numbers. After the evening safari, we have an interactive session over wildlife in India and our sightings for the day. Post dinner, we disperse and rest for the day.
(The itinerary may be changed accordingly with your wishes, weather conditions, etc.)
Today we have our last safari in the park. We try to look out for the best sightings, which might have been missed out in the previous rounds. We also try for the best frames in the early morning light. After the safari, we check out and now its time take a leave of
Bandhavgarh National Park and head towards Panna. We drive to Panna (~5 hour drive) and check into the resort. We spend the evening at leisure and rest for the day.
(The itinerary may be changed accordingly with your wishes, weather conditions, etc.)
After an early wake-up call, we leave for our morning safari. We enjoy our breakfast alongside the beautiful Ken river in the forest. We spend all our time exploring the best wilderness in the park tracking some big cats like tigers, leopards, wild dogs, etc across the varied landscapes of rocks, ponds and dense vegetation in the forest of Panna. After the safari, we have lunch and rest for some time. Then we leave for the evening safari. Its a beautiful ride through these grand landscaped areas, where the river Ken flows through the
jungle. A forest where the tiger population was on the verge of extinction is now successfully flourishing with a healthy number of big cats!
(The visit to UNESCO World Heritage Site of Khajuraho Temple Complex can be swapped with one of the safaris)
(The itinerary may be changed accordingly with your wishes, weather conditions, etc.)
Its time to bid adieu to land of successful rehabilitation of the tiger population. We check out after breakfast and drive to Khajuraho airport (~30-45 minutes drive). With our minds still lingering in the Central Indian forests, we board the flight to Delhi (1.50 - 3.00 pm) for the onward international flight journey. Tour ends with some amazing moments from the wilderness of central Indian jungles.
MaiaWildlife is a boutique expedition company offering authentic, immersive wildlife experiences in some of the world’s most remarkable destinations. Our journeys combine exploration, education, and a deep connection with nature.
Led by specialised guides with strong backgrounds in wildlife, photography, and conservation, each expedition is designed to be both inspiring and insightful. We focus on small groups, personalised service, and carefully selected locations to ensure a high-quality, meaningful experience.
Our mission is simple: to create unforgettable journeys that inspire a deeper understanding of wildlife while supporting conservation and the protection of natural habitats.