Possibly the most iconic big cat on the planet, the majestic tiger has been through incredibly hard times with numbers dropping by more that 95% since the beginning of the 20th century. There are now estimated to be around 3,900 tigers left in the wild - but for the first time in conservation history with the help of many protectors and a variety of conservation efforts across many different countries, the numbers are slowly starting to go in the right direction.  

The national parks in India and Nepal are tiny compared to those in Africa and face a variety of pressures; selecting where and when to go to, choosing intelligently guided safaris and small camps run by passionate conservationists gets you away from the crowds - and gives you the best possible tiger safari.

Some of India’s tiger reserves, such as Ranthambhore and Tadoba, are former hunting grounds of maharajas and the ruins of their deserted forts and palaces provide a regal backdrop to the tiger’s jungle domain.

Using small lodges and camps we use jeeps to cover large areas of the parks in the company of people who are passionate about all wildlife and will interpret the sights and sounds of the jungle to track their hidden inhabitants. 

Tracking tiger on elephant back: while you’re still in bed in Kaziranga national parks mahouts are already preparing their elephants for the day ahead. Listening for alarm calls as the jungle awakes, they know if a tiger is in the area. Seated in a howdah on atop your trusty pachyderm there are no barriers as you lumber through the undergrowth in search of tiger on an elephant back safari. If your timing is right - and with some luck too - you may literally get just a few meters away from this majestic creature.

Safaris by boat: Boat safaris and canoeing are part of the mix at Tadoba and Satpura giving access to inlets, bays and islands otherwise hidden within the forest. The open grassy banks at Tadoba regularly prove to be a photographer’s dream as tiger come to the waters’ edge to drink, bathe and even play, oblivious to their awestruck admirers. While exploring along the banks of the Kabini River by small motorised boat in Nagarhole, in south India, rarely leads to a clear sighting of a large predator like tiger, the views are magical, bird life is prolific and elephant sightings are common. It's a wonderfully relaxed way to search for tiger and other incredible wildlife.

In Nepal we track tiger while walking with elephants and raft on the Babai River through the sal forests and jungle of Bardia National Park.