Safari Crafters – Southern Splendour

Southern Splendour

This sojourn leads into a verdant world of exceptional richness, where South India’s forests and highland ecosystems form one of the subcontinent’s most vital wildlife corridors. A globally recognised biodiversity hotspot, the landscape unfolds in layers of rolling cloud, blue-tinged hills, emerald meadows, and rivers that murmur as they thread through ancient forests.

The journey traces a graceful natural arc, from the tranquil backwaters of Kabini to the storied tiger country of Bandipur, where the rare privilege exists to encounter tigers, leopards, herds of elephants, wild dogs, and sloth bears within a single landscape. Few places in India offer such a remarkable concentration of wildlife in such compelling settings.

The route then ascends into the montane realms of the Anamalais and Eravikulam. Each region reveals its own distinct signatures, elephant herds gathering along forested waterways, wild dogs coursing through dry forests, the elusive lion-tailed macaque inhabiting deep valleys, and Nilgiri tahr poised on wind-swept cliffs. With varied habitats, expert naturalists, and seamless logistics, the itinerary distils the ecological depth and layered biodiversity that define South India’s wilderness.

Highlights

This immersive journey explores two of South India’s premier wildlife regions, where a combination of boat and land safaris reveals large congregations of elephants and offers excellent opportunities to observe tigers, leopards, and the endangered wild dog. Travelling through the biodiverse Western Ghats, you may encounter rare primates, reptiles, and amphibians, along with iconic species such as the lion-tailed macaque and the Nilgiri tahr, and a remarkable range of endemic wildlife found nowhere else on Earth. With forests accessible year-round and expert naturalists guiding each exploration, this all-inclusive itinerary delivers uninterrupted and deeply enriching wildlife experiences.

Itinerary at a Glance

Day 1: Bangalore
Days 2–4: Kabini
Days 5–7: Bandipur
Days 8–9: Coimbatore & Anamalais
Days 10–11: Eravikulam and departure

Customize This Journey. Request More Information

Detailed itinerary

Arrive in Bangalore, where your journey begins. Settle in before your naturalist briefing covering habitats, wildlife expectations, and travel logistics.

Drive to Kabini, a lush landscape shaped by backwaters, riverine forests, and open fields. This region is renowned for its large Elephant congregations and excellent opportunities to observe Leopards, Tigers, and Wild Dogs. Alternate between boat and jeep safaris for varied photographic angles and a deeper understanding of animal movement around water systems. Evenings at camp offer guided discussions on behavior, tracking, and Kabini’s ecological significance.

Continue into Bandipur National Park, a key component of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Bandipur’s dry deciduous forests, rolling hills, and scenic streams support Tigers, Leopards, Elephants, Gaur, and abundant birdlife. Early morning safaris provide the best light for photography, while afternoon drives reveal predators on the move. Your naturalist helps interpret signs and patterns, creating rewarding, informed wildlife encounters.

Head toward the Anamalais, known for deep valleys, forested slopes, and rich endemism. Track the elusive Lion-tailed Macaque while exploring evergreen forests alive with reptiles, amphibians, and birds found nowhere else. The region’s unique ecology reveals how altitude and terrain shape species diversity across the Western Ghats.

Travel to Eravikulam National Park, home to high-altitude grasslands and the endemic Nilgiri Tahr. Hike along designated trails offering sweeping views of mist-covered mountains, shola forests, and tea estates. Sightings of montane birds, rare frogs, and specialized flora highlight this biodiversity hotspot. Depart from Kochi after a vivid journey spanning South India’s most iconic wilderness landscapes.

More Information

The route through Kabini, Bandipur, and the Western Ghats unfolds South India’s wilderness as a seamless ecological progression. Kabini sets the tone with its river-driven habitats, where seasonal waters draw large elephant congregations and predators quietly patrol the forested edges. Bandipur alters the cadence to drier deciduous forests and open grasslands, creating expansive sightlines and vivid predator–prey interactions.

As the journey enters the Ghats, the landscape rises and deepens, steep valleys and ancient rainforests sheltering isolated evolutionary lineages of primates, amphibians, and birds found nowhere else. The experience culminates in Eravikulam, where high-altitude grasslands and rugged escarpments form the stronghold of the Nilgiri tahr, poised against cliffs beneath drifting cloud. Together, these landscapes reveal a region defined by layered diversity, ecological continuity, and quietly extraordinary wildlife encounters.

Gallery

Craft Your Safari

At Safari Crafters, we are children of nature first. Years spent immersed in forests and wild habitats across the world have shaped our understanding of landscapes, seasons, and the subtle rhythms that govern life in the wild. Awed continually by nature’s grandeur, we bring together this depth of experience to create one of the most versatile and thoughtfully led safari companies from the Indian subcontinent.

Our tour leaders, naturalists, and guides are among the finest allies one can have on a journey into the wild. We work in close partnership with the most trusted and respected names in the industry, ensuring every experience is guided with integrity, expertise, and care.