Tiger watching travel guide
Tigers are famously elusive, increasingly rare and can be difficult to spot; here’s our guide to watching them in the wild
There can be few experiences that delight nature-lovers more than spotting some stripes stalking through the undergrowth. But seeing a tiger in the wild requires patience – and a bit of luck. And while there are no guarantees of spotting one on safari, you’re bound to see plenty of other wildlife that means you won’t go home disappointed.
Everyone knows tigers are in trouble; accurate estimates are difficult to come by, but there are thought to be as few as 3,200 remaining in the wild. The solitary predator has no natural enemies, but poaching continues to be a major problem, while rapid development is also pushing the tiger out of its natural habitat.
India is by far the best place to view tigers, although they are also found in other Asian countries such as Bangladesh, China, Sumatra in Indonesia and Nepal, as well as Siberia in Russia.
India’s 25 reserves are home to around 40% of the world’s tiger population, so it’s no wonder they feature heavily in our list of top tiger watching locations.
But it’s not just a question of numbers when it comes to catching a glimpse of a big cat in the wild; habitat, influenced by the time of year, and behaviour are both important factors.
Tigers are naturally nocturnal, but some have adapted to being the star attraction and are quite happy to pad about during the day in some parks.
Allow at least three days in a park to increase your chances of a sighting and check out our travel tips section for advice on when to go.
Viewing in most reserves is by small jeep, usually called a ‘gypsy’ in India. In one of the country’s most popular reserves, Ranthambhore National Park, canters are more common – large open-topped trucks for up to 20 people – although it does have some jeeps.
A more leisurely option in some reserves is exploring on elephant-back. The big plus is that you get off the main jeep tracks and, as you’re higher, you can see a lot more. But your four-legged friend’s gentle gait can make taking photos a little tricky.
Tiger-tracking on foot is a thrilling new twist on the standard safari experience, and you can do this in Satpura National Park in India and Chitwan National Park in Nepal.
Whichever option you go for, choose a travel company that is committed to responsible tourism and has the interests of the tigers at heart, such as members of Travel Operators for Tigers (TOFT).