Central India Birding Tour Overview & Route Map
Central India Birding Tour is a unique birdwatching tour led by experienced guides covering Satpura, Pench and Kanha National Parks.
These parks are world renowned for Tiger Safaris but at the same time make the best birding tour in India.
All these 3 parks are recognized as IBAs – Important Bird Areas and offer different
forest type and terrains making for a great bird diversity.
Satpura National Park is a bird watcher’s paradise. The large water body in Satpura
attracts a host of local and migratory birds, and over 300 species of birds
are found in this bountiful landscape. Satpura hosts a variety of birds,
including many migratory species from November to March.
Satpura is probably the best place for bird watching in India due to its unique terrain. At the foothills is a large water body attracting a variety of migratory including Bar Headed Geese. These waters are also home to Indian skimmer, River terns and a variety of Kingfishers & Ducks. At the foothills of Satpura are grassland and mixed forests which are home to many forest birds including Grey & Red Jungle Fowls, Racket Tailed Drongo, Savanna Night Jar and Grey Headed Fish Eagle.
Satpura’s uniqueness is that its terrain rises from near 600 feet to almost 4400 feet with the forest type and its bird life changing accordingly.
Pench National park is a dry deciduous forest with prominent forest of teak and bamboo. Pench Tree Lodge alone has recorded over 100 species of birds within the campus and also boasts of India’s first luxury bunker style hide – The Kipling Hide, which is top rated for bird watching and photography. Pench has recorded over 280 species of birds and is great for Indian Silver bill, Black Headed Buntings, Chestunt-Shouldered Pitonia and much more.
Kanha National Park is amongst the largest in central India and is mix deciduous forest with
prominent Sal vegetation. Its towering Sal forests are world renowned for its scenic beauty.
Kanha has recorded over 350 bird species and is known for Paradise Fly Catcher, Great
Crested Grebe, Rufous Woodpecker, Spot-Bellied Eagle Owl, Black Headed Oriole, Rufous Eagle,
Bearded Bee Eater and much more.
Between these three parks they cover more than 1/3rd of India’s bird diversity which is at a
whopping 1300 species plus.
This tour offers several walks in different habitats including different forest types,
around water bodies, farmlands and also several jeep safaris. The jeep safaris also offer
good opportunity to view mammals including Tigers. Our team happily also conducts many brief
walks late evening to look for Owls, Night jars and Thick Knee.
CENTRAL INDIA BIRDING TOUR ITINERARY DAY BY DAY
Day 01: Satpura National Park
Arrive Satpura National Park Arrive Bhopal and transfer to Tawa Dam to take a boat to Satpura. Enroute birding on Denwa River
Day 02: Satpura National Park
Satpura National Park Morning bird walk in and around the campus, evening jeep safari
Day 03: Satpura National Park
Satpura National Park Morning jeep safari and evening bird walk in the adjoining forest and farm lands
Day 04: Satpura National Park
Satpura National Park Morning jeep safari and evening boat safari
DAY 01 - 04
Satpura National Park
ACCOMMODATION
Denwa Backwater Escape
TOP ANIMALS IN PARK
Leopard, Sloth Bear & Crocodile
Day 05: Drive from Satpura – Pench National Park
Morning bird walk. Post Breakfast drive to Pench National Park (6-7 hours) with packed lunch.
Day 06: Pench National Park
Morning bird walk and evening jeep safari
Day 07: Pench National Park
Morning jeep safari and evening bird walk
DAYS 05 - 07
Pench National
Park
ACCOMMODATION
Pench Tree Lodge
TOP ANIMALS IN PARK
Tiger, Leopard, Jackal & Wild Dog
Day 08: Drive from Pench – Kanha National Park
Morning bird walk and then transfer to Kanha post breakfast, Arrive for late lunch. Evening bird walk
Day 09: Kanha National Park
Morning bird walk and evening jeep safari
Day 10: Kanha National Park
Morning jeep safari and evening bird walk
Day 11: Kanha National Park
Morning jeep safari and evening bird walk
Day 12: Depart Kanha National Park
Jabalpur and exit for further connections
DAYS 08 - 12
Kanha Tiger
Reserve
ACCOMMODATION
Kanha Earth Lodge
TOP ANIMALS IN PARK
Tiger, Sloth Bear, Swamp Deer & Gaur
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Twin sharing accommodation at the lodge as per program.
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All meals starting from lunch on arrival till breakfast on departure (9 breakfasts, 9 lunches & 9 dinners) & tea/coffee service.
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Nature walks as per program.
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Four jeep safaris each in Tadoba, Kanha & Bandhavgarh national parks with entry fees, jeep charges & guide charges included.
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Road transfers by air-conditioned chauffeur driven vehicle between Tadoba-Kanha-Bandhavgarh.
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All applicable taxes.
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New year night supplement (31st Dec) USD 50 per person.
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For foreign nationals, please email on [email protected] or call on +91-9540537711
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For Indian nationals, please email on [email protected] or call on +91-8800637711
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Camera fee in Tadoba National Park (varies from INR 200-500 per camera for still cameras & INR 1000 for video cameras). As on date, still & video cameras are free in Kanha & Pench.
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Any airfare, rail travel & transfers from the nearest airport or railway station & back.
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Any kind of personal expenses or optional tours, extra meals & beverages ordered.
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Insurance, laundry & phone calls.
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Bottled water (we provide filtered water), soft drinks and alcoholic beverages.
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Tips and gratuities.
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Anything that is not included in the above inclusion list.
*This is an indicative program & can be tailor-made as per your requirement.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Which season is best for birding in India?
November to March is considered the best time for birding in India. During this time besides the resident birds, migratory birds are also there in large numbers escaping from the extreme cold of Siberia and up north. Also the weather is conducive to do long walks and spend time outdoors.
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What are IBAs – Important Bird Areas?
An Important Bird Area (IBA) is an area identified using an internationally agreed set of criteria as being globally important for the conservation of bird populations.
IBA was developed and the different sites are identified by Bird Life International. There are over 13,000 IBAs worldwide and could be also national parks, sanctuaries, lakes etc. These sites are small enough to be entirely conserved and differ in their character, habitat or ornithological importance from the surrounding habitat.
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How many bird species should we expect to see on this tour?
We focus more on quality of sighting rather than just go after the number of species. One can comfortably see over 130-140 species including the common ones. Over 60-70 species will be seen several time on this tour.
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Can this birdwatching tour to India be altered?
The itinerary is totally customizable for individuals who are taking up this tour. When it comes to a group of people where alterations can be made to the suggested itinerary, basis comfort of each of the participants involved.