The Most Asked Questions about India

Faq Listing

• Can I drink the water in India?
  We always recommend drinking bottled water, no matter whereabouts you are in India.
  
  There is excessive fluoride from melted granite rocks in well waters and this can be poisonous to humans in large doses. Ensure you always drink bottled water, which will be readily available during your time on safari. This includes water to brush your teeth with, and ice cubes. We strongly recommend you take hygiene seriously in India, making sure you always wash your hands.

• What's the best place to see tigers in India?
  Tigers are often the reason behind an Indian safari, and seeing them in the wild is totally unforgettable.
  
  Click here for information on the best national parks to see tigers.

• What can I do outside of India's national parks?
  With such a fascinating culture and great architecture, it would be shame to travel all that way and miss it.
  
  If you are able to fit in some cultural time in your safari then by all means do. India is an extremely busy and vibrant country with plenty to see and some fantastic historical fort, palaces and cities.
  
  To name all of the cultural highlights would be impossible; however, seeing the Taj Mahal, the Red Fort or even the Ghats on the Ganges really will make your India Tiger Safari. If you do decide to add on a bit of culture, please do bear in mind the religious belief and expectations of the people here. When visiting temples and other religious buildings you may need to take of your shoes and cover your head and some places on allow Hindus to entre. Do always check before visiting. Another thing to note is that the Taj Mahal is closed on a Friday and certain museums do not open on Mondays.
  
  When visiting temples or other religious places you may be required to cover your head and take off your shoes. You may not be allowed to enter some temples if you are wearing or carrying any leather articles. Certain temples only admit Hindus. If you are in doubt, ask about the place you intend visiting. Most museums in India are closed on Mondays and site museums near archaeological monuments do not open on Fridays. Smoking is not permitted in public places, including all trains and railway stations.

• What is the accommodation like in India?
  The accommodation in India can vary hugely, from large luxury resort type hotels to smaller basic rest houses.
  
  Our preference is the smaller, more personal lodges, camps and hotels. We work closely with colleagues on the ground in India as well as travelling to the regions ourselves. This ensures we know exactly what you are getting and can tailor the accommodation to suit your needs. In general, staying inside the National Parks is not permitted. However, this is not the case in Corbett. The government rest houses within Corbett are very basic and are more of a ‘place to sleep’ than somewhere to enjoy luxury. Private lodges are generally located on the edges of the national parks.
  
  Depending on what you want to see and where you want to go, the accommodation will vary. The safari lodges and camps around the National Parks such as Bandhavgarh and Kanhacomprise of a range of luxury lodges and tented camps. However, in other areas such as Sasan Gir, the last home to the Asiatic lions, the accommodation is comfortable but more basic.  
  
  If you are thinking of adding on some cultural time, the accommodation again can vary hugely. There are small quaint home-stays, comfortable bed and breakfast type accommodation, and the complete other end, palace style hotels. Both of these, depending on the traveller are great places to stay if you want to see the cultural side of this fantastic country.

• What wildlife can I see on an India Safari?
  It's not just tigers in India, but a fantastic array of flora and fauna just waiting to be explored and discovered.
  
  Depending on where you travel to India you will come across a fantastic variety of wildlife. Whether you are here to see tigers, lions, leopards or even birds, the National Park in India are home to a whole host of wildlife.
  
  Pench National Park is one of the smaller national parks, and with the Pench River running through it, provides a haven for the wildlife. Pench National Park is home to not only the tigers but to the beautiful Asiatic leopards. Pench is one of the best places to spot the Asiatic leopards and they have made this rocky terrain their home. The dam in the Park is also a fantastic place for bird watching.
  
  Kanha National Park is a large Park with a diverse range of flora and fauna. Consisting of hills, meadows and valleys filled with water, this is a beautiful National Park. Kanha is home to an array of wildlife and on a safari here you are more than likely to spot a number of the following, barasingha, chital, sambar, wild boar, sloth bears, jungle cats, wild dogs, leopards and the famous Bengal tiger.
  
  Bandhavgarh National Park is home to around 90 tigers, 25 leopards, chital, sambar, langur monkeys, jackals and a number of birds including the crested serpent eagle, white eyed buzzard and parakeets! And is one of the best destinations to visit on a tiger safari.
  
  Corbett Tiger Reserve has a dense prey base making it one of the best areas in India to go on a tiger safari. Asiatic elephants, crocodiles, otters, jackal, sloth bears, leopards and of course the tiger are all found within the park. The Ramganga River is the main source of water in the park and it is for this reason the wildlife thrives here.
  
  Sasan Gir National Park is the only home to the last remaining Asiatic lions with just 350 remaining. More shaggy looking than the African lions, these cats are a must see if travelling to India. These lions behave slightly different to the African lions. Although they still live in prides, these prides are usually made up of females and their cubs. The male lions tend to be solitary and only join a pride to mate. As well as the lions, this park is home to leopards, sloth bears, jungle cats, striped hyenas, golden jackals, Mongoose, Civets, and Porcupines! Gir is also home to around 300 species of bird making this a fantastic wildlife destination.

• When is the best time to see tigers in India?
  India’s tiger parks are not open year round, so if you’re looking to for tiger sightings, India is not a year round destination.
  
  Click here for details on the best time to see tigers in India.

• Where do snow leopards live?
  Snow leopards live throughout India, China, Afghanistan, Mongolia, Nepal, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Bhutan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyz Republic.
  
  Despite having such a wide spread area across the rugged mountains of Central Asia, about 2 million square kilometres, their population is sparse and patchy. 
  
  In the Himalayas, where we create our safaris, snow leopards live at elevations of 3,000 to 5,400 metres above sea level, although in Mongolia and Russia, they are found much lower, at around 1,000 metres. In these areas, the habitat is dry and cold, with just shrubs and grasses growing on the mountainsides. The cliffs, rocky outcrops and ravines provide excellent shelter for the snow leopards, as well as good spots to hide and watch unsuspecting prey. This can mean the spotting a snow leopard on a snow leopard safari can be hard work, but it is always a thrill worth waiting for.

• Why are snow leopards endangered?
  Snow Leopards are endangered for more than one reason; firstly, the more obvious answer, poaching.
  
  Their skin, organs and bones are valuable to the local people, with a high resell value for uses such as traditional medicine. Despite being protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), poaching for trade remains very lucrative.
  
  Human-snow leopard conflict is not only seen through poaching. The habitat of the snow leopard is getting more fragile due to more livestock grazing. More livestock means less land for the wild prey to feed on, which combined with increased hunting of said prey means declining numbers, endangering the snow leopards food chain. This leads to snow leopards looking elsewhere for their meals, often preying on livestock, leading to them becoming hated by herders, often killed by them to protect their livelihood.
  
  Snow leopards need space to roam; we need to protect their habitat to ensure the wellbeing of this incredible species. By joining a snow leopard safari with us you are contributing to the conservation, and therefore the future of endangered snow leopards.