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 1980s, it is now one of the fi nest water-bird sanctuaries in the world with over 400 recorded species. A few highly endangered Siberian cranes travel 5,000 kilometres to winter in this area. Other notable species include Pallas's sea eagle, black-necked stork and the elusive spotted creeper. Laxmi Vilas Palace MIDThis property was built in 1887 for the younger brother of the then ruler of Bharatpur. It has been operational as a hotel since 1994. It offers personal service, and although the amenities here are a little basic, for the avid birdwatcher visiting Bharatpur more than makes up for it.National Chambal SanctuaryThis 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 fl ood and rain waters. 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. Chambal Safari Lodge MIDThere are eight air-cooled independent cottages and two air-conditioned rooms with attached bathrooms and verandahs. The lodge is largely built using local materials and local craftsmen. Set in a plantation it is surrounded by fi elds of organically grown produce, which supply the lodge's kitchen.Sundarbans National Park The Sundarbans covers some 10,000 square kilometres of land and water (more than half of it in India, the rest in Bangladesh) in the Ganges Delta - it is the world's largest area of mangrove forest. The region is intersected by a complex network of tidal waterways and mudfl ats, home to numerous bird species, as well as crocodiles, turtles, snakes and deer. Its most famous resident however is the tiger, although they're harder to spot due to the nature of the terrain. The Sundarbans is a unique Indian wildlife-viewing experience as it's done by boat and there are some excellent hides that can be made use of too.Sunderbans Jungle Lodge MIDThis is an eco-friendly lodge which sits between the river and local paddy fi elds, offering six basic but comfortable huts. The camp is run by local villagers who offer friendly village-style hospitality and wonderful home-cooked Bengali cuisine. The camp is the livelihood for many local people, directly or indirectly, and its aim is to develop tourism that helps the community.91SUGGESTED ITINERARYDay 1 Depart UK for Mumbai Day 2 Sasangir National Park, 3-nights, Lion Safari Camp. Six game drives to see Asiatic lion (BLD) Day 5 Mumbai, 1-night, Vits Hotel (B) Day 6 Kanha National Park, 3-nights, Tuli Tiger Resort. Safaris to spot tiger (BLD) Day 9 Nagpur, 1-night, Tuli Imperial Hotel (B) Day 10 Kaziranga, 3-nights, Wild Grass Resort. View Indian greater one-horned rhinoceros (BLD) Day 13 Return to Delhi (B) Day 14 Delhi sightseeing (B) Day 15 Depart India for the UK (B) Day 16 Arrive HomeDeparture dates Daily, November to MayCost per person From £4350 (Jan - Mar), £4375 (Apr - May, Nov-Dec), £4640 (Christmas) What's included Flights, transfers, meals as indicated, ten nights hotel accommodation and three nights tented camp, guided activitiesINDIA'S BIG FIVESee lion, leopard, tiger, elephant and rhino at three of India's beautiful national parks. TAILOR-MADEFact!In India, we've chosen some of our accommodation particularly because it benefi ts the local community. By staying in these places, you'll also get a fantastic opportunity to experience something that other travellers don't. Or visit us on the web www.wildlifeworldwide.comASIA | INDIA

Kaziranga National Park Kaziranga, in north-east India in Assam, is set on the banks of the mighty Brahamaputra River and is the fi nest place to view Indian greater one-horned rhinoceros in the whole of the subcontinent. With nearly 80% of the world's population resident, the park has been recognised as a World Heritage Site. In addition to wonderful rhino-viewing, the park is also home to large herds of elephant (sometimes up to 200) and wild buffalo. It may also be possible to arrange a visit to the nearby Panabari Forest Reserve to look for the elusive hoolock gibbon, India's only ape. The open country makes wildlife viewing at Kaziranga fairly easy with most major species seen during a day or two's safari. Wild Grass Resort MIDWild Grass Resort is situated by a stream in the paddy fi elds and forest just outside the national park. The lodge provides 18 double rooms in two jungle lodges, each with en-suite facilities. Activities on offer here include jeep safaris and elephant rides into the park, offering you the best chance to view rhinos up close.Diphlu River Lodge HIGHDiphlu River Lodge has tastefully decorated bamboo and thatch cottages, high up on stilts on the banks of the river Diphlu. All cottages are air-conditioned and have outside space; perfect for watching the world go by.Velavadar National ParkVelavadar is a peaceful sanctuary comprised of 35 square kilometres of savannah in Gujarat. Set between two rivers and only a few miles from the Gulf of Cambay this park is home to thousands of India's endemic blackbuck. In the days of the Maharajas of Bhavnagar these handsome antelope were protected for the occasional royal hunting trips. Other animals of note include the endangered India wolf, red fox, jackal, jungle cat and wild pig. The birdlife here is also extensive with endangered birds such as houbara bustard, lesser fl orican, common crane, sarus crane, white stork and white pelican all present. Nilambagh Palace HIGHNilambagh Palace is a simple hotel located at Bhavnagar. It is a most attractive building which was originally built in 1859 as the residence of the crown prince. It has beautiful lawns, a pillared portico with high arches and is surrounded by forest.Sasangir National ParkSansangir (widely known simply as Gir) is a large park in the Gujarat Peninsula of north-west India. The park's main aim is to preserve the last healthy population of the critically endangered Asiatic lion. The area is characterised by an arid rugged terrain with low hills and mixed vegetation, with beautiful stands of teak, acacia and dhak trees interspersed with grassy plains. As well as approximately 300 lions, other smaller members of the cat family are well represented, namely the jungle cat, desert cat and the rusty spotted cat, and there is also a healthy population of leopard. Lion Safari Camp HIGHLion Safari Camp consists of 20 luxury en-suite, air-conditioned safari tents in a beautiful setting in a private mango orchard overlooking the Hiran River. Each has a balcony on which to relax and enjoy the views. Little Rann of KutchThe Little Rann of Kutch Wildlife Sanctuary is one of India's largest at a staggering 4,950 square kilometres. This is the last remaining home of the Asiatic wild ass. It is a conservation success story with the asses having recovered from a population of only 800 in the 1960s to currently more than 2,000. This is not the only mammal of interest here however as the sanctuary is also home to chinkara, blackbuck, nilgai, wild boar, jackal and jungle cat. There are so many birds here that the area has been named an offi cial Ramsar Convention of Wetlands site.Rann Riders Camp HIGHRann Riders is a cottage camp at Dasada near the Little Rann of Kutch wildlife sanctuary. The camp has 13 self-contained twin air-conditioned cottages each resembling traditional village huts.92Talk to an expert 0845 130 6982