S E E U S O N T H E W E B AT wildlifeworldwide.com Bharatpur (Keoladeo Ghana National Park) Bharatpur consists of an area of 29 square kilometres of shallow wetland, which was once the private hunting reserve of the Maharajas of Bharatpur. Declared a National Park in the 1980’s, it is now one of the finest water-bird sanctuaries in the world with over 400 species of bird. Guided morning and afternoon excursions are by boat (subject to water levels) rickshaw and on foot. Mammal species here include Sambar, Chital (Spotted Deer), Nilgai, Fishing Cat, and Asiatic Jackal. A few highly endangered Siberian Cranes travel 5000 kilometres to winter in this area. Other notable species include Pallas’s Sea Eagle, Black-Necked Stork, Comb Duck and the elusive Spotted Creeper. Bharatpur is easily reached by daily express trains from Delhi or Ranthambhore, and is a couple of hours drive west of Agra on the road to Jaipur. The park is open throughout the year but the best time to visit is November to February when water levels are high and migratory birds are also in residence. Laxmi Vilas Palace was built in 1887 for the younger brother of the then ruler of Bharatpur. The palace has been operational as a hotel since 1994. The property is well kept and the service personalized, although the amenities here are a little basic. National Chambal Sanctuary This beautiful sanctuary is a 400 kilometre stretch of the River Chambal in northern India. The Chambal ravines on both sides of the river are the product of centuries of soil erosion by flood and rain waters, and they form an incredible maze of intertwining mud cliffs, with tropical dry scrub forest. The cliffs and vegetation provide shelter for numerous birds, mammals and reptiles, in particular Gharial Crocodiles. The river itself is one of India’s most pristine and as a result it is one of the last surviving habitats of the Gangetic River Dolphin. The sanctuary also provides protection for Marsh Crocodiles, eight species of Turtles and Smooth-Coated Otters. For keen birders it has an impressive bird list and is one of the most reliable places to see Indian Skimmer. Chambal Safari Lodge is spread across an 18 hectare plantation of large shady trees. There are eight aircooled independent cottages and two air-conditioned rooms with attached bathrooms and verandahs. The lodge is largely built using local materials local craftsmen. The plantation is surrounded by fields of organically grown produce, which supply the lodges kitchen. 93 Asia / India Gaur Black-necked Stork Itinerary suggestions Regal India Day 1. Depart London for Delhi Day 2. Delhi [B] Day 3. Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve, 4-nights [B, L, D] Day 7. Jaipur, 2-nights [B] Day 9. Agra, 2-nights [B] Day 11. Return to the UK via Delhi [B] Day 12. Arrive home Tigers of Panna & Bandhavgarh Day 1. Depart London for Delhi [B] Day 2. Delhi [B] Day 3. Khajuraho [B] Day 4. Panna Tiger Reserve, 2-nights [B, L, D] Day 6. Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, 4-nights [B, L, D] Day 10. En-route to Agra Day 11. Visit Agra, then head to Delhi to fly home Day 12. Arrive home Cost per person: From £3,995 Single supplement: Available on request What is included: Flights, meals as indicated, transfers & guided activities Accommodation: Hotels & lodges Departure dates: Daily, except Wednesdays & Fridays, November to April Cost per person: From £2,295 Single supplement: Available on request What is included: Flights, meals as indicated, transfers & guided activities Accommodation: Hotels & lodges Departure dates: Daily, November to May At Wildlife Worldwide we specialise in tailor-making our holidays. It is what we started doing in 1992, it has been our philosophy right from the start. A tailor-made journey gives you the freedom and flexibility to travel how, when and where you want to. And of course, you are unconstrained by the wishes of a group. Throughout the brochure we show a series of itineraries to whet your appetite. These are all suggestions and ideas, none are cast in stone. We can change the properties, extend or shorten your trip, combine destinations and countries, fly you in Business Class, organise car rental and of course offer advice and suggestions from a wealth of experience that we have gained over many years. Call us on 0845 130 6982 and we will be happy to discuss the options with you! Tailor-made holidays – a unique journey designed just for you!

94 F O R R E S E R V A T I O N S C A L L U S O N 0845 130 6982 Eravikulam National Park Eravikulam in the southern state of Kerala is located in the higher altitudes of the western Ghats near to the scenic hill station of Munnar. The park was established to protect the Nilgiri Tahr, an endangered wild goat - the only one to be found south of the Himalayas. The Windermere Hotel is a cosy guest house on the Windermere Cardamom and Tea Estate near Munnar. Accommodation is in 15 rooms spread throughout the main farmhouse and nearby cottages. Some rooms have private balconies and the valley view rooms offer spectacular views across the Chithirapuram Valley below. The farmhouse dining room offers tasty cuisine with a large balcony offering fabulous mountain views. Kerala Backwaters Kerala’s Backwaters are a vast network of lakes, canals, estuaries and deltas of 44 rivers that drain into the Arabian Sea. The backwaters are a self-supporting ecosystem teeming with aquatic life, and the canals are still the main highways for the villages in the area with over 900 kilometres navigable. One of the highlights of a trip to southern India is a trip aboard a private houseboat (built in a traditional style) for one or two nights. A typical cruise will pass through Keralan villages, surrounded by lush bright green paddy fields and soaring coconut trees. One of its charms is the possibility of observing rural life and customs without feeling intrusive. The birdlife is amazing with a huge variety of species including kingfishers, cormorants, woodpeckers, ducks, bee-eaters and raptors. Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary Periyar, which is located around five hours drive from Cochin is set high in the Cardamom Hills area of the Western Ghats in southern India. It is one of the most beautiful wildlife sanctuaries in the world. The park has a diverse range of flora and fauna with 1800 flowering plants, 44 species of reptiles, 112 species of butterfly and a wide range of mammals, including a large number of Elephants, Gaur, Wild Boar, four species of primate (Bonnet Macaque, the endemic Lion-Tailed Macaque, Nilgiri Langur and Slender Loris), Sloth Bear, Leopard, Dhole, Common and Clawless Otter and even Tiger. The reserve has a rich and varied birdlife with nearly 300 species recorded. Malabar Trogon, Malabar Grey Hornbill, Loten's Sunbird and occasionally Ceylon Frogmouth may be seen here. One of the most popular activities here is to take a boat ride on Lake Periyar to view herds of wild Elephants frolicking in the water. Spice Village is designed as a native tribal village inspired by the tribesmen of Periyar. The rooms are spacious and furnished with simple terracotta tiled floors, wooden beds and chairs, and whitewashed walls. At the centre of the village is a swimming pool, surrounded by tropical trees and lawns. Spice Village has an exclusive and well-equipped Ayurvedic clinic. The highlight, though, is the garden itself, bursting with a rich array of spice trees. Each plant is carefully marked, and there is a resident botanist. Nagarhole National Park Nagarhole lies 94 kilometres from the city of Mysore in southern India. It is a mixture of rich green tropical and deciduous forests with rolling hills criss-crossed by streams, swamps, rivers and waterfalls. Nagarhole, a former Maharajas hunting area, is dedicated to saving the wildlife and is considered one of the best places in India to observe Elephants in the wild. About a thousand Elephants are thought to populate the park, and in the hot summer months they congregate in large herds along the banks of the River Kabini. Other animals include Four-Horned Antelope, Spotted Deer, Mouse Deer, Gaur, Indian Wild Dog, Sloth Bear, and the elusive Leopard and Tiger. Over 200 species of birds have been recorded here, and as well as large numbers of game and water birds the park is noted for its Ospreys. Due to the large number of Elephants in the park, gameviewing and birdwatching are by jeep or early morning coracle rides. Kabini River Lodge is a typical Indian safari lodge. The lodge was formerly the hunting lodge of the Maharaja of Mysore, and this is reflected in the colonial style architecture which offers 16 rooms spread throughout beautiful grounds which run alongside the Kabini River. Indira Gandhi National Park Indira Gandhi National Park is situated in the Annamalai Hills of the Western Ghats, and is considered to be one of the most beautiful nature preserves in Tamil Nadu. The park rises steeply through deciduous jungle and bamboo thickets and sightings of Gaur, Elephant and Leopard are not uncommon during the early or late hours of the day. Within the park is a hamlet known as Top Slip, named for the teak logs which were ‘slipped’ to the plains below down a narrow canal. The park is home to Elephant, Gaur, Water Buffalo, Sloth Bear, Tiger, Civets and an array of colourful birds. Banyan Tree Resort is a family run farm offering friendly, comfortable home-stay accommodation on a 2500 hectare property adjacent to the Indira Gandhi National Park. There are three comfortable rooms for guests in the well appointed plantation bungalow, and a large verandah gives views across the plantations of coconuts, ground nuts, sugar cane, fruit trees, cocoa, coffee and vanilla. Kettuvallam, Backwaters Itinerary suggestions Mysore & Nagarhole Day 1. Depart UK for Bangalore Day 2. Mysore, 2-nights [B] Day 4. Nagarhole, 4-nights [B, L, D] Day 8. Return to the UK [B] Day 9. Arrive home Highlights of Southern India Day 1. Depart UK for Bangalore via Dubai Day 2. Mysore [B] Day 3. Nagarhole, 4-nights [B, L, D] Day 7. Ooty, 2-nights [B, D] Day 9. Indira Ghandi National Park, 3-nights [B, L, D] Day 12. Eravikulam National Park, 2-nights [B, L, D] Day 14. Backwaters of Kerala [B, L, D] Day 15. Cochin Day 16. Depart for home arriving same day Cost per person: From £1,695 Single supplement: Available on request What is included: Flights, meals as indicated, transfers & guided activities Accommodation: Hotels & lodges Departure dates: Daily, November to May Cost per person: From £1,795 Single supplement: Available on request What is included: Flights, meals as indicated, transfers & guided activities Accommodation: Hotels & lodges Departure dates: Daily, November to May