Satpura and Bhopal Explorer

Overview

While India is dotted with magnificent locations for wildlife safaris and tours, one of the best destinations for enjoying them is Central India. This itinerary encompasses a bespoke travel plan to our boutique lodges in Satpura Tiger Reserve and to our luxury resort in Bhopal.
Satpura Tiger reserve lies in the northwestern part of one of 10 critical bio-diverse regions that have been declared by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) in India. This region is known as the Satpura Maikal Landscape or the central Indian Highlands. Home to nearly 17% of the world wild Tigers, the Satpura Maikal landscape is spread across close to 118,867 sq Kms is a very important wildlife geographical zone. Satpura is an important and the largest tiger reserve that falls in the Central Indian highlands. Apart from Tiger, the Satpura National park is home to large carnivores such as the Leopard and Indian wild Dog. The sloth bear which is endemic to the Indian subcontinent is also an animal frequently seen.

The Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival at Bhopal Airport & Transferred to Reni Pani (L & D)

On arrival at Bhopal, you will be transferred to Reni Pani Jungle Lodge which is situated at the buffer zone of Satpura National park. Optional breakfast service can be availed at Hotel Jehan Numa Palace, en-route to Satpura. You will reach Reni Pani by lunchtime, have your lunch. If time permits, guests can go out on a night drive to search for nocturnal animals. Overnight stay at Lodge.

Day 2 Full Day Activity (B L D)

This morning guests can enjoy a jeep Safari at Satpura National Park in the Madhai. You can expect to see the Sloth bear, Leopard, Wild Dog, Giant Squirrel, Sambhar, Gaur and other central Indian games. If lucky, there is a chance of seeing tiger as well. Birds are abundant in the various habitats the park has to offer. After Lunch guests will have another safari to the Madhai Area. Dinner and overnight stay at Lodge.

Day 3 Transferred to Satpura under Canvas (B L D)

Early morning game drive, searching for birds and mammals. After lunch, guests will depart from Reni Pani Jungle Lodge and arrive at an exclusive campsite set up by us. Satpura National Park is the only park in Central India to permit guests to experience this unique camping adventure. After settling in guests will enjoy a nice sundowner in the picturesque location and enjoy the serenity of this beautiful camping site. Overnight at campsite.

Day 4: Satpura under Canvas ( B L D)

The next morning after an early breakfast, guests can do a full day walking safari designed as per the requirement and ability of the guests. Although the walk will focus on the smaller aspects of the forest like tracks and signs, flora, butterflies, wild flowers, and insects, guests can also expect to see a wide array of Central Indian birds including Black Naped Orioles, Malabar Pied Hornbills, Crested Hawk Eagles, Grey Headed Fish Eagles and many more. Dinner and overnight at the campsite.

Day 5: Full Day Activity (B L D)

Early morning walk around the campsite searching for birds and mammals. Hot breakfast will be served at camp and guests will proceed to the lodge post breakfast. This afternoon, we will take you for the Canoe ride at Satpura National Park, again an activity unique to this landscape. It will be an unforgettable experience to have a Canoe ride on the vast Tawa reservoir. Here, guests can expect to see a large variety of water birds including bar-headed geese, Indian skimmers, herons, egrets, cormorants, osprey, grey headed fish eagle among others. Enjoy a brilliant sunset over the Tawa reservoir during the canoe safari. Dinner and overnight at Reni Pani Jungle Lodge.

Day 6: Transferred to Bori Safari Lodge (B L D)

Depart for a full-day game drive en-route to Bori Safari Lodge, which is situated south side of Satpura Tiger Reserve close to the Bori Wildlife Sanctuary. During the drive, you will have a chance to see classic central Indian fauna, and as we move south, there is a higher chance of seeing tigers. A large chunk of the full day drive will be conducted in the Churna Forest which is an area within the park with the highest density of big game. After the full day drive, we will proceed through the park to the Bori Safari Lodge. Dinner & Overnight stay at Lodge. Alternately, guests can also transfer using a combination of a 2.5-hour guided boat ride and a 1.5-hour road transfer. The boat ride offers great views of the Satpura / Bori landscape and also the expanse of both Denwa and the Tawa river. In this option, guests will arrive at Bori Safari Lodge at lunch and then do a sunset game drive in the Bori Wildlife Sanctuary. Both options are highly recommended and should be selected based on your personal choice.

Day 7: Morning & Evening Drive (B L D)

Guests will do another full-day drive to the Churna Forest, searching for birds and mammals with higher chances of sloth bear, tiger, and wild dog. The Bori Wildlife Sanctuary used to be home to a number of villages, but as a result of the voluntary village relocation program conducted by the forest department, several grasslands have emerged in the erstwhile village sites. This has enabled a repopulation of wildlife and Bori offers a higher chance of seeing large game compared to the Satpura Tiger Reserve Landscape. Dinner and overnight stay at the Bori Safari Lodge.

Bhopal, the city of lakes, is the capital city of the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. Dotted with marvelous built heritage sights across the city, Bhopal is a must-visit for anyone coming to the state of M.P. The city is known for its people who can spend hours at leisure and tell stories that take you back to the splendor of the years gone by.

Day 8: Transferred to Bhopal (B L D)

Guests will do an optional short game drive or have a morning at leisure and then proceed to the capital city of Madhya Pradesh Bhopal. It will be a 4-hour drive from Bori Safari Lodge to Bhopal. En route, guests can visit the Bhimbetika Rock Shelter Paintings, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Upon arrival at Bhopal check in to Jehan Numa Retreat. The day is free at leisure. Dinner and overnight stay at Hotel.

Day 9: Old Bhopal Visit (B L D)

Your day will be planned based on your interests. There are some interesting sites to explore in and around Bhopal, these include Sanchi (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), Islam Nagar, Moti Masjid, Taj-ul- Masajid, Bharat Bhawan, State Tribal Museum, Bhojpur Temple, Raisen Fort, and others. We do arrange guided Bhopal city tours that can be pre-booked with our hotel or through your agent. Guests can also spend the day at leisure enjoying the lush environs of the Resort. The Jehan Numa Retreat is one of the best luxury hotels in Bhopal known for its SPA. A massage and leisure time spent could also be a great way to relax after an adventure-filled safari tour. Please do reach out to the front desk to make arrangements as per your choice or pre-book your day excursion. dinner and overnight stay at Jehan Numa Retreat.

Day 10: Departure (B)

After Breakfast check out and onward to the Bhopal Airport for your onward flight.

Inclusions of the package

3 Nights stay at Reni Pani Jungle Lodge
2 Nights at Camp- Satpura Under Canvas
2 Nights at Bori Safari Lodge
2 Nights at Jehan Numa Retreat
All activities as mentioned in the itinerary
Meals as mentioned in the itinerary

Exlusions of the package

Anything not mentioned in the itinerary
Alcoholic and Non-alcoholic beverages
Things of personal nature like laundry

Hotels in Bhopal

Satpura Tiger Reserve

Bori Wildlife Sanctuary