CCA's new website for their safari lodges in India is now up:

http://www.tajsafaris.com/

James

We're thinking of adding several "safari" days to our India trip in February. Any suggestions?

Thank you for that info! I never would have thought of India for a safari type trip. Now I have somewhere new to travel too!!

This makes me salivate!!

I want to go back to India so bad

I was thinking of going to Panna at some point with friends. Access to Panna from Nagpur (nearest airport) seems logistically easiest.

Funny ..... they were quoting in USD not so long ago (last time i checked the same website) now, they seem to have changed to rupees due to the collapsing dollar!!!

I went to bandavargh and had amazing tiger sitings. We stayed at the jungle lodge which was great - personally like cc india is tremendously over rated and too pricey for what it is.

Thanks for the update. I want to stay where the best wildlife is. Luxury and fancy rooms and meals are not important to me. That's true in India, as well as other places.

Shothyme, Did you do a report on your trip on the Asia board?

Lynn,

These are all national parks. Regardless, of where you stay ....... the rides cover more or less identical routes and areas. And parks have strict opening and closing times each day ......

Hari

I didn't post a trip report, but have made a lot of comments. The jungle lodge was definitely perfect - while not "luxury," the staff was outstanding and the meals were delicious. I think what makes one drive better than the next is having a skilled wildlife person with you and the ones from the jungle lodge were absolutely phenomenal. I wasn't excited when I got there( bc it wasn't luxury) and couldn't believe our travel agent, but I cried when I left and it was truly the most amazing place. I loved that he didn't send us to the taj just because it was nice 9he said overpriced as well), but instead to this lodge. Here's a link to our pictures. I don't know how to just get you to the tiger ones, but here's a link to half our pics. Bandavargh starts at 143 and will include some lodge shots...tiger pics start at 191 and get better as you keep going. It was amazing.

Ooops = here's the link (http://picasaweb.google.com/gregpare...ey=OOmno4d1vwc)

shothyme77: those pictures were wonderful - thanks for sharing! How did you happen to choose India?

Funny you should ask. I really wanted to go to Africa, but couldn't get miles tickets. I was leaving a job and miles were going to expire and to make a long story short, it was pretty much India or no where. I knew I would go to India one day, but it definitely wasn't first on my list. I can't explain how far beyond my expectations India was. The people were incredible, the sites were amazing, and the whole experience is likely my best thus far. I have no regrets about my 3 weeks in India and cannot wait to go back again and experience other parts of the beautiful country. It was truly unbelievable.

ok, now you <b>really</b> have to do a trip report!

Showthyme:

Did Southern India make up any part of your 3 week trip? Definitely a must do for a next time!!!

Glad you enjoyed your trip and India visit is more about the culture than the game viewing ......

Cheers,
Hari

Shothyme77,

If you don't want to do a whole report, stick a few comments and sightings on this thread.

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=35084246

Thanks. India is definitely not just about game viewing - it made up 3 days of a 20 day trip to northern india. Yet still a highlight! I will check out that thread and see about making some comments!

I did a tiger safari last January in India at the Oberoi Vanyavilas in Rathambore. We loved it!!! Of course, we also traveled to other parts of Northern India when we were there. I posted a trip report.

I highly recommend visiting India. However, Indian safaris are VERY different than African safaris.

Shothyme, I finally got to check out the photos. You have a great variety. The tigers are wonderful. They seemed to really pose for you. Thanks for the link.

Most likely going to Pench National Park soon. Tentatively, November 9th for 3 nights over the Diwali holidays.

Will report back on return and hopefully some good pictures.

Rgds,
Hari