Amazing South India Wildlife Tour – Safaris, Forests & Backwaters

Discover South India’s Wild Heart, Scenic Landscapes & Tranquil Backwaters

Embark on a 16-day, 15-night South India Wildlife Tour across the region’s most stunning national parks—Nagarhole, Bandipur, Eravikulam, and Periyar. Enjoy expert-led jeep and elephant safaris, spotting majestic elephants, elusive tigers, leopards, and vibrant birdlife. Complement your wildlife adventure with serene Kerala backwaters, misty hill stations of Munnar & Ooty, and immersive cultural experiences—offering a truly unforgettable journey into South India’s rich natural and cultural heritage.

South India Wildlife & Nature Tour

• Day 1: Arrival in Bangalore – Gateway to South India Wildlife Tour – Arrive in Bangalore and enjoy a private transfer to your hotel. The city, known as the “Garden City of India,” offers a refreshing introduction to South India’s greenery. The day is reserved for rest and relaxation as you prepare for your journey through national parks, hill stations, and backwaters.
• Day 2: Bangalore Sightseeing – Gardens, Heritage & Urban Ecology – Explore the city’s green landscapes starting with Lalbagh Botanical Gardens, home to rare plant species and centuries-old trees. Continue to Cubbon Park, a sprawling urban forest supporting birdlife and biodiversity, and visit the elegant Bangalore Palace, reflecting royal heritage amid modern city life.
• Day 3: Bangalore to Mysore – Cultural Landscape of Karnataka – Drive to Mysore through rural Karnataka, witnessing changing landscapes from urban greenery to agricultural plains. Visit the majestic Mysore Palace, a symbol of royal heritage, followed by panoramic views from Chamundi Hill. End the day at the illuminated Brindavan Gardens, set along the Krishnarajasagara Dam.
• Day 4: Mysore to Nagarhole National Park – Enter Tiger & Elephant Territory – Arrive at Nagarhole National Park, part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and one of India’s richest forest ecosystems. This dense deciduous forest is home to Bengal tigers, Asiatic elephants, leopards, gaurs, and over 250 bird species. Enjoy your first evening safari through teak forests and riverine habitats.
• Day 5: Nagarhole Safaris & BR Hills Transition Zone – Experience morning and evening safaris in Nagarhole, where wildlife thrives along the Kabini River ecosystem. Later, travel to BR Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, a unique ecological corridor connecting the Eastern and Western Ghats, known for elephants, gaurs, and rich tribal forest landscapes.
• Day 6: BR Hills – Forest Trekking & Tribal Ecosystem – Explore the biodiverse forests of BR Hills through guided nature walks and trekking trails. This protected region is known for its elephant population, medicinal plants, and indigenous Soliga tribal culture that lives in harmony with nature.
• Day 7: BR Hills to Bandipur National Park – Core Tiger Landscape – Travel to Bandipur National Park, a critical tiger reserve within the Nilgiri Biosphere. The park’s dry deciduous forests and open grasslands make it ideal for spotting elephants, tigers, leopards, and wild dogs. Evening safari introduces you to this dynamic ecosystem.
• Day 8: Bandipur Safaris & Drive to Ooty – Nilgiri Biosphere Transition – Enjoy morning safari in Bandipur before ascending into the Nilgiri Hills. The drive to Ooty passes through forest corridors, elephant crossings, and tea plantations, marking a transition from tropical forests to cool mountain ecosystems.
• Day 9: Ooty – Highland Nature & Botanical Diversity – Explore the serene hill station of Ooty, beginning with the Botanical Gardens, home to exotic plant species. Enjoy a peaceful boat ride on Ooty Lake and take in panoramic views from Doddabetta Peak, the highest point in the Nilgiris.
• Day 10: Ooty to Munnar – Western Ghats Tea Landscape – Travel into Kerala’s Western Ghats and arrive in Munnar Sightseeing Tour. The landscape transforms into endless tea plantations, mist-covered hills, and biodiverse shola forests that support unique endemic wildlife species.
• Day 11: Eravikulam National Park – Nilgiri Tahr Habitat – Visit Eravikulam National Park, home to the endangered Nilgiri Tahr. Trek through rolling grasslands and high-altitude shola forests near Anamudi Peak, the highest in South India, offering stunning biodiversity and panoramic views.
• Day 12: Munnar to Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary – Spice Forest Ecosystem – Travel to Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, one of India’s most famous elephant reserves. The region is known for its spice plantations, evergreen forests, and lake-based wildlife habitat centered around Periyar Lake.
• Day 13: Periyar Safari Experience – Elephant & Bird Paradise – Enjoy a boat cruise on Periyar Lake, one of the best ways to observe wild elephants, gaur, deer, and a wide variety of birds along the forested shoreline. The sanctuary is part of the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot.
• Day 14: Periyar to Kumarakom – Kerala Backwater Ecosystem – Arrive in Kumarakom Sightseeing, located on the Vembanad Lake wetlands. This region is a major migratory bird habitat and offers a peaceful introduction to Kerala’s iconic backwater ecosystem.
• Day 15: Kumarakom to Kochi – Coastal Heritage & Wetlands – Travel to Kochi Sightseeing Tour. Explore Fort Kochi, Chinese Fishing Nets, and Mattancherry Palace, where colonial history meets coastal ecology and maritime trade heritage.
• Day 16: Departure from Kochi – End of South India Wildlife Journey – Transfer to the airport for your onward journey, concluding an immersive expedition through South India’s national parks, biosphere reserves, hill ecosystems, and backwater landscapes.

Inclusions – South India Wildlife Tour

• Accommodation on twin-sharing basis in comfortable hotels and jungle lodges
• Daily breakfast & selected meals at wildlife resorts
• Domestic transfers, sightseeing & guided tours via AC vehicle
• Morning & evening jeep, elephant, and coracle safaris with expert naturalists
• Entry fees to national parks and wildlife sanctuaries
• Professional English-speaking guides for all wildlife and cultural excursions

Tour Customization – South India Wildlife Safari

• Adjust safari intensity with additional morning or evening drives
• Add cultural highlights such as temple visits, village tours, and local markets
• Upgrade to premium eco-lodges or heritage resorts within the parks
• Extend the itinerary into Kerala backwaters, tea plantations, or Tamil Nadu Temples & beaches

Best Time to Visit – South India Wildlife Tour

• December to March: Pleasant weather and excellent wildlife sightings
• October–November / April–June: Optimal balance of weather and wildlife activity
• Note: Monsoon months (July–September) offer lush landscapes but limited safari access

FAQs – South India Wildlife Tour

• Q: Which national parks are included?
  A: The tour covers Nagarhole, Bandipur, Eravikulam, and Periyar Wildlife Sanctuaries for tiger, elephant, and bird sightings.
• Q: How many safari drives are included?
  A: Multiple morning and evening safaris are included in each park, tailored to maximize wildlife encounters.
• Q: Will I see tigers on this tour?
  A: Tigers inhabit Nagarhole and Bandipur; sightings depend on wildlife movement and expert tracking during safaris.
• Q: Can the tour be extended?
  A: Yes — you can add extra safaris, cultural excursions, or Kerala backwater stays as desired.

Why Choose Premium India Tours?

• Expertly curated South India wildlife itineraries with well-timed safari drives
• Knowledgeable naturalists guiding all activities, ensuring enriching wildlife experiences
• Seamless logistics, comfortable accommodations, and domestic transfers
• Immersive combination of wildlife, nature, and cultural experiences throughout the tour
• Tailor-made journeys for wildlife enthusiasts, photographers, and families