Tiger watching tours in India

Planet

The experience of seeing a tiger (or tigers!) in the wild is one of the most incredible wildlife encounters imaginable… yet the tiger is critically endangered. By taking people to see these magnificent beasts, we encourage their protection and provide an income for the local people that run the lodges and campsites we stay in. We try to choose accommodation that supports conservation and at Pench National Park, for example, the eco-friendly resort we use actively promotes sensitivity to the environment and participation in the conservation of wildlife.

The Resort’s mission is to maintain the natural habitat by not over constructing and leaving lots of wide open green spaces throughout the hotel. The hotel has also constructed a nursery where hundreds of indigenous palms, flowers, ficus, arucaria, bamboo and bushes are nurtured to preserve the species and teach people about local fauna.

Whilst on game drives we ensure we abide by park regulations to minimise disruption to the wildlife and the environment we have come to see.

As a company we support Cool Earth. Protecting rainforest is one of the most effective actions to tackle climate breakdown. CoolEarth work with indigenous communities empowering them to conserve their forest; keeping CO2 locked in.

People

Our Indian tour leaders are passionate about their country and have a strong desire to help travelers experience all it has to offer. We run an annual dedicated training course for them, with a strong focus on responsible tourism practices so they can ensure that our tours run in accordance with our code of practice. For example, at the start of each trip they are able to provide guidance concerning local customs and culture so as to ensure that local sensibilities are respected.

We visit the Satpura National Park which is one of the least visited Parks in India and allows us to contribute to the local economy through our use of accommodation and local food, as well as local safari guides. It is a similar situation in Pench which is less visited than many Parks. The Park has a high density of wildlife and the conservation projects undertaken by hotels such as the Village Machaan, where we stay, help to preserve this. The hotel also undertakes education for students on wildlife and conservation.

In addition to the above, we are continually looking for ways to improve and are proud to be ‘Responsible in everything we do’. Education is key and so all staff, Tour leaders and partnering suppliers are trained in responsible and sustainable tourism. At our UK Head Office, we continually strive towards a sustainable and planet-friendly working environment, including having solar panels installed and a company commitment to reducing our plastic usage. As well as this, we have valuable and longstanding partnerships with UK charities Toilet Twinning and Send a Cow, plus many smaller initiatives and projects around the world. We’re members of UK travel industry bodies Tourism Concern and AITO because we believe it’s important to share our knowledge and experience, as well as learn from other operators.