Madhya Pradesh

River Canyons, Tigers & Birds

Madhya Pradesh is a land of contrasts—riverine canyons, open grasslands, and deep sal forests—supporting over 300 bird species. From river cruises along Chambal to Tiger-backed birding in Kanha and recovering habitats in Panna, it’s a hidden birding powerhouse. The best season is October to June, and you can fly in via Jabalpur, Khajuraho, or Gwalior. Not just birding; expect wildlife safaris, boat rides, local culture, and eco-lodges woven into each itinerary.

At A Glance
Nearest Airports
Jabalpur (Kanha/Panna), Gwalior (Chambal)
Best Time
October–June
Forests
Dry Deciduous & Riverine Grasslands
Min Recommended Stay
03 Days
Main Destinations
Chambal, Kanha, Panna

These three are Madhya Pradesh’s premier birding destinations—ideal for a focused 3-day safari. We can customize further with spots like Bandhavgarh, Pench, or Satpura, depending on your interests and time.

Places to Go:

1
Chambal Sanctuary (~200 m; river canyon & scrub): boat safaris reveal 340+ species including Indian Skimmer, Sarus Crane, River Tern, Indian and Mugger Croc amid dramatic ravines. 
2
Kanha NP (600–1,200 m; sal forest, grasslands, bamboo): ~300 bird species, Asian Paradise Flycatcher, Malabar Pied Hornbill, woodpeckers, raptors — birding on tiger safaris . 
3
Panna NP (300–600 m; dry deciduous with riverine habitats): rich in Bar-headed Goose, Crested Honey Buzzard, Indian Vulture, thriving bird recovery in tiger reserve . 

Suggested Itineraries

Special Interest, Wildlife, Exploration Privately Guided

A Journey into India’s Small Wild Cats

11 nights, 12 days

Traverse wetlands, dry deciduous forests, rocky scrub, and alpine deserts in search of species adapted to each unique habitat

Track Fishing Cats in Dudhwa or the Sundarbans; Rusty-spotted Cats in Bera or Satpura; Eurasian Lynx in Ladakh’s alpine valleys.

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Safari, History, Adventure Privately Guided

Central Indian Wildlife Expedition

14 nights, 15 days

Go on jeep safaris in Kanha

Spot tigers in Bandhavgarh

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Wildlife, Safari, Exploration Privately Guided

Heart of Central India: Satpura Wilderness

6 nights, 7 days

Experience jeep safaris, walking safaris, and canoe/boat rides—each giving you a different face of the forest.

Look for tigers, leopards, sloth bears, gaur, sambar, dholes, and the Indian giant squirrel among forest and river habitats.

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Wildlife, Safari, Exploration Privately Guided

The Hidden Gem of Central India

7 nights, 8 days

Explore Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary, a lesser-known yet biodiverse forest.

Chances to spot tigers, leopards, wild dogs, and sloth bears.

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Wildlife, Safari, Exploration Privately Guided

Jungle Book Trails: Pench Unveiled

6 nights, 7 days

Home to Bengal tigers, leopards, dholes, gaur, sambar and chital, which make for exhilarating safari sightings.

Over 210 bird species including Malabar pied hornbill, crested serpent eagle, Indian roller, migratory waterfowl and forest birds.

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Wildlife, Safari, History, Exploration Privately Guided

Throne of the Tiger: Bandhavgarh’s Wild Majesty

4 nights, 5 days

Bandhavgarh has one of the highest Bengal tiger populations in India; zones like Tala, Magdhi, and Khitauli regularly produce sightings of legendary tigers like Spotty, Dotty, Kajri, and others.

From the open grasslands and meadows of Tala, through the lush meadows of Chakradhara, to steep ridges and thick sal forests—each zone offers its own mood, trails, and wildlife chances

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Safari, Wildlife,Exploration Privately Guided

India’s Dry-Deciduous Royalty

7 nights, 8 days

Home to one of Maharashtra’s densest tiger populations, offering consistently high chances of sightings across core and buffer zones.

Alongside tigers, you may encounter leopards, dholes, sloth bears, marsh crocodiles, and wild dogs amid diverse terrain

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Wildlife, Safari, Exploration, Culture Privately Guided

Kanha

4 nights, 5 days

Morning and evening jeep safaris in Kanha

⁠Spot tigers and Barasingha Deer

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Wildlife, Safari, Exploration Privately Guided

Ken River & Gorges: Wilderness Restored in Panna

4 nights, 5 days

After 2009’s loss, tigers were reintroduced and have since seen a growing population, making Panna a symbol of ecological restoration.

eopards, sloth bears, Indian wolf, chinkara, nilgai, sambar and a host of smaller cats and fauna inhabit this mosaic of forests, grasslands, and riverine edges.

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Birding, Wildlife, Exploration Privately Guided

Evergreen Echoes: Birding the Western Ghats

5 nights, 6 days

Look for Nilgiri wood-pigeon, Flame-throated Bulbul, Malabar Grey Hornbill, Nilgiri Flycatcher, Sahyadri Whistling-Thrush & more in forest zones.

Explore Bhagwan Mahavir, Bondla, and Salim Ali sanctuaries for Malabar trogon, blue-eared kingfisher, Malabar grey hornbill, and winter waders in the estuaries.

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