Small Cats of India
Follow the trails of India’s elusive small cats – across wetlands, open grasslands, granite hills and desert wilderness.
Safari Crafters archive
Four habitats. A quieter search.
Small cats.Hidden worlds.
Look closer in Kolkata’s wetlands, Velavadar’s grasslands, Jawai’s hills and the Thar. This journey follows the quieter lives of India’s elusive small cats.
21 days, customisable
Private · CustomisableNovember–February is a suggested planning window; specialist tracking dates and local access must be confirmed.
- 01KolkataDay 1
- 02Kolkata wetlandsDays 2–3
- 03VelavadarDays 4–8
- 04JawaiDays 9–14
- 05Desert National ParkDays 15–20
- Departure from JaisalmerDay 21
The journey unfolds
A new landscape.
Another perspective.
Kolkata
Day 1Kolkata
Arrive in Kolkata, eastern India’s cultural capital, and settle into your hotel. The day is reserved for arrival, orientation and preparation for the nocturnal field excursions ahead. Your naturalist or expedition team will outline the coming days, including the habitats to be explored and the practicalities of observing wildlife after dark.
Kolkata wetlands
Days 2–3Kolkata wetlands
Explore the wetlands, fishponds and marshy edges around Kolkata in search of the elusive fishing cat. Specialist trackers lead nocturnal excursions, focusing on the habitats and field signs associated with this wetland-adapted feline. The experience requires patience and careful observation, with time in the field shaped by local conditions and wildlife activity. During the day, there is time to discover Kolkata’s markets, colonial heritage and distinctive culinary landscape, offering a cultural counterpoint to the nocturnal wildlife experience. These first days introduce the Journey’s central theme: finding wild cats in landscapes that are often overlooked or misunderstood.
Velavadar
Days 4–8Velavadar
Travel west to Gujarat and continue towards Velavadar. Settle into your accommodation near the grasslands and prepare for a change of habitat.
Explore the daily plan
Day 4 · Travel to Velavadar
The wetlands of Kolkata give way to open country, where the light, vegetation and movement of grazing animals shape the experience of looking for jungle cats.
Days 5–8 · Velavadar Grasslands · Jungle Cat
Spend four days exploring Velavadar’s expansive grasslands in search of jungle cats. Early mornings and late afternoons provide opportunities to observe the landscape in softer light, when wildlife activity and changing conditions can reward patient fieldwork. The grasslands also support blackbuck, Indian wolves, Jackals and a variety of birds, adding ecological depth to the search. With extended time in the reserve, the focus can remain on tracking, behaviour and photography rather than rushing between sightings. Observe how jungle cats use the open habitat, scan the grassland edges and consider the relationship between predators, prey and vegetation. Each excursion offers a different view of this distinctive ecosystem.
Jawai
Days 9–14Jawai
Continue to Jawai, where open grassland gives way to a landscape of granite boulders, rocky outcrops and scrub forest. After arriving at your lodge, settle in and prepare to explore a region known for its distinctive terrain and leopard population.
Explore the daily plan
Day 9 · Transfer to Jawai
The coming days turn attention to the rusty-spotted cat and the smaller details of this rocky wilderness.
Days 10–14 · Jawai Hills · Rusty-spotted Cat
Spend five days exploring Jawai’s boulder-strewn landscape in search of the rusty-spotted cat. Granite formations, caves and patches of scrub create a complex habitat in which patient observation and specialist tracking are central to the experience. The species’ small size and elusive habits make encounters difficult to predict, giving extended time in the field particular value. Jawai’s wider wildlife adds another dimension to the stay. The region’s leopards and the relationship between local communities and wildlife offer opportunities to understand a landscape shaped by both natural processes and human presence. Allow time to photograph the terrain itself, follow field signs and observe the subtler rhythms of the hills, without making any single sighting the measure of the experience.
Desert National Park
Days 15–20Desert National Park
Travel onward to the Thar Desert and the stark landscapes of Desert National Park. Settle into your accommodation and prepare for the final wildlife chapter.
Explore the daily plan
Day 15 · Transfer to Desert National Park
Here, sparse vegetation, sand and open desert country call for a different approach to observation, with careful scanning and attention to the terrain becoming essential parts of the search.
Days 16–20 · Desert National Park · Desert Cat
Spend five days exploring the arid habitats of Desert National Park in search of the desert cat. Its camouflage and elusive behaviour make patient observation especially important. Excursions focus on exploring suitable habitat, reading the landscape and looking for signs of wildlife activity around areas where prey may be present. The wider desert ecosystem offers much to observe and photograph. Desert foxes, eagles, vultures and other arid-zone specialists bring movement and variety to the landscape. The long views, sparse vegetation and changing desert light create a distinct photographic environment, while evenings offer time to experience the vastness of the desert sky. These final days bring this Journey’s four habitats into perspective. From wetland margins and grasslands to rocky hills and desert scrub, each ecosystem presents its own challenges and rewards for those seeking small cats in the wild.
Day 21Departure from Jaisalmer
Conclude the Journey with a transfer to Jaisalmer Airport for your onward travel. For those wishing to continue exploring India’s wild cats, extensions can be discussed, including Ranthambhore for tigers, Gir for Asiatic lions or Ladakh for snow leopards. These additions can be tailored to your interests and available time.
The details, considered
Room to explore.
A plan for everything else.
Price on request, based on travel dates, lodge selection, group size and final routing
Guide price only. Your written quotation confirms the currency, room occupancy, travel dates, taxes, park fees and all included services.Plan this journey ↗This is a private journey framework. Your proposal confirms nightly stays, transfers, safari permits, park opening days and any changes needed for your travel dates. Book flights only after the connections have been confirmed. Small-cat outings use sites agreed with the local field team. Nocturnal observation is included only where access and local permissions allow; protected-area night drives are not assumed.
About this journey
India’s wild cats are not confined to its celebrated tiger forests. Some inhabit wetlands at the edges of bustling cities; others move through open grasslands, rocky hills or the spare landscapes of the Thar Desert. This Journey follows four such habitats, each offering a different perspective on the lives of the country’s more elusive small felines.
Kolkata introduces the fishing cat, a specialist of wetlands and waterlogged landscapes that survives remarkably close to human settlement. At Velavadar, the open grasslands of Gujarat provide the setting for the jungle cat, with blackbuck, Indian wolves and other grassland wildlife adding to the experience.
The terrain changes again at Jawai, where granite boulders, caves and scrubland form the backdrop to the search for the diminutive rusty-spotted cat. The final chapter leads into Desert National Park, where the desert cat belongs to an arid world of sparse vegetation, shifting sands and remarkable adaptations.
Highlights
- Search for fishing cats around Kolkata, jungle cats in Velavadar, rusty-spotted cats around Jawai and desert cats near Desert National Park.
- Spend 21 days exploring four habitats with specialist local field teams.
- Nocturnal outings depend on permissions and local access; sightings are never guaranteed.
Who it suits
Dedicated naturalists, wildlife photographers and private travellers interested in India’s lesser-known felines, their habitats and the fieldcraft required to observe them.
Inclusions & additional costs
Included
- To be finalised against the confirmed itinerary. The proposed arrangements may include:
- Accommodation and meals as specified in the final itinerary
- Safari and wildlife activities listed in the confirmed programme
- Planned road transfers between destinations
- Naturalist guidance during scheduled wildlife activities
Additional costs
- To be confirmed with the final quotation. Items not expressly included may comprise:
- International flights
- Indian visa and related charges
- Additional nights or activities outside the confirmed itinerary
- Tips and gratuities
- Laundry and personal expenses
- Alcoholic and other beverages not included by the lodges
- Applicable taxes and charges not specified under inclusions
Travel & suitability
Travel style
Private, bespoke group size
Physical demands
Gentle to moderate, with nocturnal field excursions
Pace & access
Unhurried, with the final rhythm shaped around field conditions and guest comfort.
Private transfers and travel arrangements are planned around Kolkata, Velavadar, Jawai and Desert National Park, concluding in Jaisalmer. Optional travel aboard privately chartered aircraft, subject to availability can be explored to make the route more seamless, subject to operational feasibility.
Small cats are elusive, and sightings cannot be guaranteed. This Journey is designed to allow extended time in relevant habitats, supported by specialist trackers and naturalists who can help interpret animal signs, behaviour and local ecology.
Photography
A specialist expedition built around patient field observation, nocturnal exploration and the distinctive light and terrain of each habitat. Photography priorities, equipment needs and the pace of excursions can be considered during planning.
Share your arrival airport, travel dates and any mobility requirements so we can plan the connections around you.
Accommodation
Accommodation is selected for access to the habitats, comfort between field excursions and the opportunity to spend meaningful time in each destination. The rhythm balances early starts and nocturnal activity with rest and recovery. Named stays and room categories are confirmed with your proposal.
Customising your journey
We can tailor the route, duration and pace around your interests.
Booking & payment
Your proposal is subject to accommodation availability, permits and travel schedules. Confirm the deposit, balance due date, cancellation conditions and any non-refundable costs before payment.
Journey questions
Is this a fixed itinerary?
No. This Journey is a blueprint. Dates, accommodation, transfers, field priorities and the pace of the experience can be refined around your interests and preferences before confirmation.
Why spend several days in each destination?
Small cats are often elusive, and finding them requires time, patience and an understanding of their habitats. Extended stays allow for repeated field excursions, closer attention to behaviour and a more considered photographic approach.
Is this journey suitable for wildlife photographers?
Yes. The Journey is designed with naturalists and photographers in mind, with varied habitats, nocturnal field excursions and extended time in each destination. Photographic opportunities depend on conditions and the natural movements of wildlife.
Are small-cat sightings guaranteed?
No. These species are elusive, and sightings cannot be promised. The aim is to spend meaningful time in relevant habitats with specialist trackers and naturalists, allowing the best possible opportunity to observe wildlife without compromising its natural behaviour.
Can the journey be extended to include other wild cats?
Yes. Extensions to destinations such as Ranthambhore for Tigers, Gir for Asiatic Lions and Ladakh for Snow Leopards can be considered, subject to timing, availability and the overall route.
Can private aviation be included?
The option of travel aboard privately chartered aircraft, subject to availability can be discussed during planning. Routing and operational feasibility will determine which legs can be covered.
Moments along the way
Look a little closer.
The next chapter is yours
Where does your
curiosity lead?
Tell us which places call to you, when you would like to travel and who is coming along.
Plan this journey ↗