Where to stay, best safari operators, etc.

Want the very best. Tentatively planning first weekend of March.

I did Nagarholeand Bandipura few years ago.

How did you like Nagarhole & Bandipur? Any luck.

I was there with large family group in Dec 2012 & saw a leopard on a tree for 20 minutes.

In Nov 2017 I did a quick solo trip to Nagarhole - real low budget. I saw a tiger on the road. You can see porcupine quills sticking out of its cheek and also raw scar on paw. Very skinny & obviously it had not eaten much for a while due to the injury.











Simple low cost accommodation & home cooked south Indian food - total including the safari was about US$400 for 2 days & 2 vehicle safaris.

I do not have any contacts for Corbet now. Let me ask around and get back to you.

I went to Corbet 3 times in the late 70s. On one trip we saw 3 tigers in 20 minutes while riding elephant back.

In those days Dikala camp was operating in the core area and we stayed in the tent camp. That camp has been closed after the man eater problem a few years back. Not sure of latest status.

Best time to visit is late November. You may even hear breeding tigers roaring.

https://www.corbettnationalpar...ights-4days-tour.htm

A brief search tells me that Dikala is open again. Not sure if you can stay there or just the safari hub is based there.

Just remember that the key access is from Ramnagar town. Kalagarh would be a good option - longer travel but more remote wilderness.

I have no idea what "very best" means!

I usually look for the most wild option with best chance of seeing game. I also look for basic clean accommodation.

Dikala is probably the best for the wilderness experience and safaris.

All the other resort operators have quotas with the safari operations which are run by the government wildlife department.

You will pay a huge premium for the same trip if you went with a luxury lodge. 5 times mark up is not rare for Americans.

If there is no budget constraint, you are best to just book a top end tour from Delhi. They will handle everything including local travel. The top hotels in Delhi will do this for you or put you in touch with the best tour guides. Always advisable to do some careful research.

Another option is to arranging a two-part trip. Book high end lodge first and also do 2 or 3 days at Dikala or any other jungle lodge for the wilderness experience.

https://www.tajhotels.com/en-i...BA&utm_term=HLTPGHCO

This looks like a luxury resort run by the Taj Group. Please check as i do not have first hand experience. They are a huge international group - https://www.tajhotels.com/en-in/taj-hotels/

Taj group are owned by the Tata family / group and have A+ reputation. They should be able to give you all the options and arrangements. I would specifically ask about true wilderness experience. 95% tourists do not care for wilderness experience.

You also get some Mahseer fishing in remote river camps.