The Southern Arc
A verdant passage through South India’s forests, waterways and highlands, where exceptional richness is revealed one ecosystem at a time.
Safari Crafters archive
Water, woodland and southern highlands.
Deep forests.Open horizons.
Kabini’s backwaters lead into Bandipur’s forests, then towards the Anamalais and Eravikulam. Discover South India through its changing habitats.
11 days, customisable
Private · CustomisableApril–May for the full route, subject to park access. February–March travel requires an alternative to Eravikulam during its calving closure.
- 01BengaluruDay 1
- 02KabiniDays 2–4
- 03BandipurDays 5–7
- 04Coimbatore & AnamalaisDays 8–9
- 05EravikulamDays 10–11
The journey unfolds
A new landscape.
Another perspective.
Bengaluru
Day 1Bengaluru
Arrive in Bengaluru, the starting point of this Journey. Settle into your hotel before an introductory briefing with your naturalist, covering the landscapes ahead, wildlife behaviour, photography discussion and the logistics of the expedition.
Kabini
Days 2–4Kabini
Travel by private road to Kabini, where tranquil backwaters, riverine forests and open grasslands create one of South India’s most rewarding wildlife landscapes. The region is renowned for its elephant gatherings, alongside opportunities to encounter tigers, leopards and wild dogs. Alternate between boat and jeep safaris, experiencing the wilderness from contrasting perspectives and gaining a deeper understanding of how wildlife lives in this water-rich habitat. Evenings are for quiet and leisure, and conversations with your naturalist on animal behaviour, tracking and the ecology of Kabini.
Bandipur
Days 5–7Bandipur
Continue to Bandipur National Park, an important part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, where dry deciduous forests, rolling hills and seasonal streams create a rich mosaic of habitats. Tigers, leopards, elephants and gaur inhabit these forests, alongside an impressive diversity of birdlife. Early morning safaris make the most of the gentle light and cooler hours, while afternoon drives offer the possibility of predators becoming active as the day begins to soften. Throughout, your naturalist brings context to tracks, calls and behaviour, transforming each safari into a more informed and rewarding experience.
Coimbatore & Anamalais
Days 8–9Coimbatore & Anamalais
Travel onwards to Anamalai, a dramatic world of deep valleys, forested slopes and great endemism. Explore its evergreen forests in search of the elusive lion-tailed macaque, while discovering a remarkable diversity of reptiles, amphibians and birds found nowhere else. Here, altitude, rainfall and terrain combine to create one of the Western Ghats’ most distinctive ecosystems, offering a fascinating counterpoint to the forests encountered earlier in the journey.
Eravikulam
Days 10–11Eravikulam
The final chapter takes you into the highlands of Eravikulam National Park, where expansive grasslands meet mist-covered mountains and ancient shola forests. Explore designated trails in search of the endemic Nilgiri tahr, with sweeping views extending across the surrounding peaks and tea estates. Montane birds, rare amphibians and specialised high-altitude flora add further depth to this remarkable biodiversity hotspot. Depart from Kochi with a Journey that has made you traverse the forests, waterways and mountain landscapes of South India, witnessing a memorable variety. Eravikulam normally closes during February and March for the Nilgiri tahr calving season. A visit is subject to the announced opening dates; travel during closure requires an agreed alternative, not a promised park visit.
The details, considered
Room to explore.
A plan for everything else.
Starting From $2900 per person
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.
About this journey
This journey enters a verdant realm of extraordinary richness, where South India’s forests and highland ecosystems form one of the subcontinent’s most important wildlife corridors. Within this globally recognised biodiversity hotspot, the landscapes chosen for this Journey change seamlessly between mist-covered hills, sprawling meadows, emerald forests and rivers winding through ancient woodland, creating a setting as remarkable as the wildlife it sustains.
The journey follows a graceful natural arc from the tranquil waters of Kapila, the river, anglicised as Kabini, to the storied forests of Bandipur, where some of India’s most compelling wildlife encounters can happen: tigers roam these forests, leopards appear along the woodland edge or equally famously – on trees, and large herds of elephants share the habitat with wild dogs and sloth bears.
Few places offer such an extraordinary concentration of wildlife, paired with the intimacy, beauty and sense of place that make these corners of southern India so distinctive.
Highlights
- Explore Kabini, Bandipur, the Anamalais and Eravikulam over an 11-day route.
- Combine vehicle-based safaris with opportunities to observe Western Ghats wildlife and mountain habitats.
- Eravikulam access is seasonal; February–March departures require an agreed alternative during the calving closure.
Who it suits
Private travellers, families and small groups seeking a wildlife-led route shaped around their interests, pace and comfort.
Inclusions & additional costs
Included
- All accommodations and meals as per the itinerary
- Safari and wildlife activities listed above
- Comfortable road transfers
- English speaking guides for all sightseeing and entry tickets
Additional costs
- International flights
- Domestic flights, unless expressly included in the confirmed proposal
- Indian visa
- Excess baggage on domestic flights
- Tips, gratuities
- Laundry
- Alcohol, soft drinks
- Any extra nights before or after the trip or during the trip
- 5% GST on the total cost of the tour
- Anything else not mentioned under inclusions
Travel & suitability
Travel style
Private, bespoke group size
Physical demands
Gentle to moderate
Pace & access
Unhurried, with the final rhythm shaped around field conditions and guest comfort.
Private transfers and air routing are planned around the final itinerary, with appropriate buffers for terrain, permits and seasonal conditions.
Share your arrival airport, travel dates and any mobility requirements so we can plan the connections around you.
Accommodation
Handpicked wilderness lodges and characterful stays selected for privacy, access, naturalist quality, good food and restorative time between field sessions. Named stays and room categories are confirmed with your proposal.
Customising your journey
This is a private journey blueprint. Dates, pacing, accommodation and field priorities are refined around you before confirmation.
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 is something akin to a blueprint. Dates, pacing, lodge character, transfers and field priorities are refined around you and your preferences before confirmation.
Can the journey be shortened?
Yes. The full route is designed as an immersive experience, but individual sections can be adapted depending on your priorities.
Can we add India’s cultural landmarks?
Absolutely! Any city/town in and around the regions/states part of this itinerary can be incorporated before, after or between the wildlife chapters.
Are the wildlife sightings guaranteed?
No. And we would never suggest otherwise. Wildlife is wild. Our job is to put you in the right landscape, at the right time, with the right people – and give the experience enough time to happen to you.
Is this suitable for families?
Yes. Because the journey is private, its pace can be adapted to different ages, interests and energy levels.
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 ↗