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Trip Overview
Duration
11 Days | 10 Nights
Guides
James Hendry
Date
1 - 11 May 2026
Location
India | Pench National Park | Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve
This journey winds through the pristine wilderness of Pench National Park in Madhya Pradesh and Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra – two of India’s most biodiverse landscapes. Led by renowned wildlife expert and storyteller James Hendry, you’ll discover these ancient forests – sculpted by monsoon rains and golden sunlight – where Bengal tigers prowl, sloth bears forage, leopards stalk, wild dogs hunt, and over 200 bird species fill the air with colour and song. Between safaris, enjoy warm hospitality at Pench Tree Lodge and Waghoba Eco Lodge designed to echo their natural surroundings, while evenings offer private verandas for listening to the forest’s nocturnal symphony.
The experience culminates at dawn before the Taj Mahal’s glowing marble.
Designed for thoughtful travellers, this journey balances thrilling wildlife encounters with quiet moments, revealing India’s wilderness at its own pace.
Your Private Guide
James Hendry
Private Safari Guide
With over two decades of guiding experience and academic credentials in both Wildlife Science and Human Development, James offers a distinctive blend of insight, humour and depth. He holds a BSc in Wildlife Science, an MPhil in Human Development, and the highest FGASA guiding qualifications, grounding his safaris in both expertise and understanding.
Since joining WildEarth in 2015, James has become a familiar presence to thousands of nature lovers across the globe. He thrives on sparking curiosity and joy, bringing Africa’s landscapes and wildlife to life through sharp storytelling, thoughtful commentary and the occasional well-timed laugh.
Guests often remember James for his wit, warmth and engaging explanations of evolutionary biology. They also tend to mention that he’s a little shorter in person than expected. His favourite animals are leopards and wild dogs, both of which have given him some of his most meaningful experiences on foot.
A fun fact? He once was a porridge salesman.
The Lodges
Pench Tree Lodge
Pench Tree Lodge is the refuge of the au courant, adventurous, and eco-sensitive ‘Mowgli’. Nestled in a large estate of 40 acres, in the Karmajhiri area of Pench National Park, it’s the first resort in Pench to be set up in this underdeveloped zone which supports our
conservation policy of spreading the benefits of tourism far & beyond. The objective is not to overcrowd areas & make them unsustainable. Pench Tree Lodge has passionately worked towards rewilding the 40 acres of its land are with local flora which today is home to several birds and animals. With only 6 tree houses & 10 cottages it has kept a minimum footprint and conservation remains a top priority and is the most unique wildlife resort in Pench.
Pench Tree Lodge at a Glance
- 40 acres of prime rewilded Central India jungle
- Set in a stunning Central Indian landscape dotted with quaint tribal villages
- Mushroom Hut, Organic herb & vegetable garden
- Luxury bunker eye level photography hide
- An outdoor swimming pool
- Team of experienced in-house naturalists
- Healthy, farm-to-table and regional focused cuisine
Waghoba Eco Lodge, Tadoba
Waghoba Eco Lodge is set beautifully in a 12-acre land of an untraversed area in the buffer zone of Tadoba National Park. Waghoba Eco Lodge has set new standards of eco-friendliness and conscious luxury. The cottages at Waghoba Eco Lodge have been
crafted by drawing inspiration from the very best of eco-construction, from all across the globe.
- 4 individual cottages with private sit-out, double vanities, and large luggage area.
- Writing table with chair in the room and loungers in the balcony.
- Multi-cuisine dining hall.
- Presentation room with daily interactions with naturalists.
- Library and lounge.
- Hide for bird photography.
- In-house organic farm
- A swimming pool that is 80% covered so that guests can swim comfortably in the harsh heat and also have the luxury to sunbathe in the mild winters.
Daily Itinerary
Day 1: Friday, 1 May 2026
India
You will arrive at Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL), New Delhi, where a WildEarth representative will meet you and transfer you to Roseate House, New Delhi. You will have time to rest and recover after your international flight.
Overnight: Roseate House, New Delhi or similar
Day 2: Saturday, 2 May 2026
Pench National Park, India
This morning, you will take a domestic flight from Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi to Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport, Nagpur. Upon arrival, you will drive approximately three hours through the countryside of Madhya Pradesh to reach Pench Tree Lodge, located near Pench National Park. The afternoon is at leisure.
Overnight: Pench Tree Lodge
Day 3 – 4: Sunday, 3 May 2026 – Monday, 4 May 2026
Pench National Park, India
You will go on two game drives in Pench National Park, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. The park is known for its population of Bengal tigers, leopards, wild dogs, and an abundance of bird species including Indian rollers and hornbills.
Overnight: Pench Tree Lodge
Day 5: Tuesday, 5 May 2026
Waghoba Eco Lodge, India
After a final early morning safari in Pench National Park, you will check out of the lodge and drive approximately five hours to Waghoba Eco Lodge, located near the Kolara Gate of Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve in Chandrapur District, Maharashtra. You will arrive in the late afternoon and settle in.
Overnight: Waghoba Eco Lodge
Day 6-8: Wednesday, 6 May 2026 – Friday, 8 May 2026
Waghoba Eco Lodge, India
Today, you will take part in both morning and afternoon safaris in Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve. The park is one of India’s most reliable destinations for tiger sightings and also supports populations of sloth bear, leopard, and gaur.
Overnight: Waghoba Eco Lodge
Day 9: Saturday, 9 May 2026
ITC Mughal, India
You will depart early from Waghoba Eco Lodge and drive to Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport, Nagpur. You will take a domestic flight to Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi. Upon arrival, you will travel overland to Agra, for approximately four hours. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure.
Day 10: Sunday, 10 May 2026
India
This morning, you will visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise, followed by a guided tour of Agra Fort. In the afternoon, you will return to New Delhi by road.
Day 11: Monday, 11 May 2026
New Dehli, India
You will transfer to Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi for your international departure.
Inclusions, Exclusions & Pricing
Included
- 10 nights in accommodations with en-suite facilities.
- Bed & breakfast at The Roseate House (Delhi) and ITC Mughal (Agra).
- Full board (all meals, plus tea/coffee) at Pench Tree Lodge and Waghoba Eco Lodge.
- Domestic return flights: Delhi (DEL)–Nagpur (NAG)–Delhi (DEL).
- Exclusive-use jeeps for all safaris (2 vehicles per outing).
- Privately guided by James Hendry (WildEarth) and a local guides on every drive.
- Private transfers in air-conditioned vehicles
- Monument entry fees and English-speaking guide for the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort.
- Entry and camera fees (one camera per guest) at Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve.
- All applicable government taxes.
Excluded
- All International Flights
- Tips and gratuities
- Items of a personal nature
- Travel Insurance
Pricing
Sharing
Per person sharing
Single
Per person for single occupancy
