7 Reasons India Belongs on Your Safari Portfolio – with Anecdotes DMC
Think Safari, think India - 7 reasons to look East from Anecdotes Luxury DMC
With rare species, spellbinding landscapes and some of the most immersive wildlife experiences on earth, India is quietly emerging as one of the world’s most compelling safari destinations – especially in the expert hands of Anecdotes DMC…
What’s in this article:
7 reasons why India is fast becoming one of the world’s most exciting safari destinations - and why it’s the best place to go for wildlife lovers.
Meet India’s own Big Five - and learn where to find them, and how Anecdotes take your clients there in their inimitable, immersive style.
Explore eco-luxe safari lodges that range from Rajasthan to Assam.
Discover how to blend wildlife with culture, history and beach escapes.
Learn how Anecdotes' DMC create unforgettable experiential journeys that are both conservation-led and community-rooted.
Don’t have time to read the whole article? Get in touch for a direct introduction and one-to-one with Anecdotes DMC.
Combining Wild with Wonder…
Africa may be the safari world’s headline act, but those in the know are looking east to India, where an extraordinary safari circuit quietly unfolds across tiger forests, salt plains, mangrove swamps and high-altitude desert.
This is a land of tigers, leopards and lions; of elephants, rhinos and river crocodiles; of buffalo, soaring hornbills and rare creatures found nowhere else on Earth.
And beyond the wildlife? Every encounter is layered with story, spirit and cultural meaning.
When your clients explore with our peerless India specialists, Anecdotes DMC, these spellbinding spaces open up in unforgettable ways - through immersive experiences rooted in luxury, conservation and meaningful local connection.
These experiences are wild escape combined with eye-opening wonder - think tiger tracks in morning dust, leopards by ancient temples and lions in teak forests. Elephants where the rivers flood, deer pausing in golden shafts of light and morning tea in the mist.
An Indian safari is unlike anywhere else — a heady blend of heritage and wilderness, healing and spectacle, with wildlife always at its heart.
Anecdotes’ 7 top reasons why your clients’ next safari should be to India.
1. India has its own Big Five - and then some
Africa’s Big Five are well known, but India has its own star cast - the Bengal tiger, Asiatic lion, Indian leopard, one-horned rhinoceros and wild elephant - plus an astonishing range of habitats to seek them in.
Here, the tiger is the undisputed icon. India is home to over 75% of the world’s wild tiger population, and sightings range from the bamboo groves of Central India to the dry hills of Ranthambore and the riverine sal forests of Corbett.
But it doesn’t stop there, because India is also the only place on Earth where you can still see the Asiatic lion in the wild - a powerful, stockier cousin of the African lion, now surviving solely in Gujarat’s Gir National Park.
For those drawn to great grey giants, there are vast herds of Asian elephants in the forests of Karnataka, Kerala and Assam, often spotted bathing in rivers or ambling through jungle clearings, while the magnificent one-horned rhinoceros, once almost extinct, now thrives in the floodplains of Assam’s Kaziranga National Park thanks to some of the world’s most successful conservation efforts.
Then there’s the Indian leopard - adaptable, elusive and surprisingly widespread, ranging from the Aravalli hills of Rajasthan to the cliffs and forests of the Western Ghats.
And this is just a glimpse of what India has to offer because here, a wildlife journey that could head from the central tiger zones to the tea estates of the east, and from the deserts of the west to the Himalayan north, has the potential to reveal a whole continent’s worth of safari wonder.
From the historic landscapes of Ranthanmore to the floodplains of Kaziranga and the rocky terrain of Jawai, every place offers a new species and a new story - and with Anecdotes’ expert guides, these encounters come to life in context, connecting your guests not just to the wildlife, but to the land, legends and life that surrounds them.
2. A Cast of Characters found nowhere else - India's Rare Endemic Species
Beyond the headline species, India is also home to a staggering array of rare, endemic and endangered creatures that can’t be found anywhere else.
There’s the snow leopard, that elusive ghost of the high Himalayas, whose winter tracking in Ladakh rank among the most ethereal and sought-after experiences in the world.
Anecdotes’ specially curated Trans-Himalayan tour is an exceptional way to search for this beautiful, secretive creature in its natural habitat, with the added bonus potential of spotting the rare Himalayan Ibex - and with plenty of luxe lodges thrown in for the ultimate in comfort along the way!
Then there’s the lion-tailed macaque, found only in the rainforests of the Western Ghats, and the black panther - a melanistic leopard that’s rarely seen, but increasingly photographed in Karnataka’s Kabini region.
Assam’s Kaziranga is also home to the endangered wild water buffalo, while Chambal’s rivers are the last stronghold of the elegant, long-snouted gharial crocodile.
India also shelters more than 85% of the world’s population of gaur (Indian bison) and nearly 90% of all sloth bears, particularly in the central parks like Satpura and Bandhavgarh.
And for birdwatchers? India is sheer paradise.
With over 1,300 bird species across its wetlands, forests, plains and peaks, every game drive is a chance to spot hornbills, eagles, flamingos, parakeets, cranes and countless others.
3. Safari Stays that make the Trip
India’s safari camps and lodges aren’t just basecamps, they’re destinations in their own right.
Designed with cultural soul, rooted in the deep quiet of nature and elevated with exceptional service, these lodges are exquisitely crafted places where sustainability meets sophistication, with every detail thoughtfully considered and stays tailored with care to each guest’s needs.
What might guests expect?
Imagine waking to nothing but birdsong before a gentle knock brings a fresh chai tea. Lazy afternoons spent in private plunge pools overlooking the forest.
Libraries in the trees, stone-and-thatch retreats designed in collaboration with conservationists and storytellers and firelight dining under the stars, with menus that draw on local harvests and traditional recipes.
Sound good? We know. Some of Anecdotes’ favourites include:
Aman-i-Khás, Ranthambore - opulent, Mughal-style pavilions with spa treatments, candlelit dinners and the kind of world-class service (including a butler) you’d expect from Aman, just minutes from the tiger reserve.
Sujan Jawai – Luxurious wilderness camp in a spectacular setting at Jawai Bandh (Rajasthan), where leopards roam the ancient Aravalli hills and local Rabari culture runs deep.
Sujan Sher Bagh, Ranthambore - Classic Relais & Chateaux tented luxury with vintage charm that “captures the spirit of a 1920s safari” - complete with simply exceptional hospitality.
Oberoi Vanyavilas, Bandhavgarh - A new pinnacle of safari luxury from the Oberoi group in Madhya Pradesh, combining wildlife immersion with spa indulgence.
Bagh Villas, Kanha - Luxe living, wellness and wild adventure combine at this eco-friendly retreat with organic gardens, yoga decks and boutique tents.
Evolve Back, Kabini - Inspired in design by the local Hadis (tribal villages) of the Kadu Kuruba tribe, this stunning riverside haven delivers high comfort and wellness combined.
Diphlu River Lodge, Kaziranga – Rustic-luxury on stilts, loved by royals and A-listers alike, with prime wildlife access uniquely right on the edge of the park, Diphlu River Lodge offers a “never-before intimacy with the natural world”.
Postcard Hotel, Gir - With 15 rooms set amidst 16 acres of mango orchard, the Postcard Hotel is boutique, beautifully appointed and perfectly positioned for lion safaris.
Aramness Gir - Traditional design meets polished luxury in this spectacular forest retreat inspired by Gujarati village life.
Get in touch for more information, a direct introduction and one-to-one with Anecdotes DMC.
4. India’s Wildlife Itineraries Go Further & Deeper : More Than Just a Safari they are Cultural Journeys.
Only in India could you track leopards through the forests at dawn and sleep like a Maharajah in a 300-year-old palace by night, or watch elephants bathe in the morning, and sip cocktails overlooking the Taj Mahal by sunset.
This is a country where a safari isn’t a standalone experience - where your clients don’t veer off the cultural map, they deepen their route across it, tracking wildlife as part of a seamlessly woven journey of architecture, cuisine, history and healing.
From the lush jungles of the Sundarbans, your guests could trace timeless history trails through Calcutta.
From the heart of Madhya Pradesh’s tiger reserves, they might detour through UNESCO-listed temples, or follow a textile trail through weaving villages and craft clusters in Central India - specialist Anecdotes experiences that pair tiger tracking with stories of dye, stitch and loom.
Or they could venture further still; maybe from the forests and colonial tea trails of Assam to the spice estates and wellness retreats of Kerala, or from a rhino safari in Kaziranga to the beachside bliss (and incredible marine life) of Goa - all in a single itinerary.
And with Anecdotes, these won’t be jarring jumps, but carefully choreographed contrasts - the kind where every stop makes the next one more vivid, where luxury and learning coexist and where India’s many worlds unfold in perfect harmony.
5. A Photographer’s Dream, a Storyteller’s Stage - Anecdotes' Curated Photographic Journeys
India isn’t just thrilling for what you can see - but for how it all feels when you frame it through a lens.
Here, early light filters through banyan trees like theatre curtains and tigers emerge from dappled shadows with hushed precision. Hornbills wing across monsoon skies, and tribal herders in bright turbans walk their buffalo across golden fields.
Everywhere you turn there’s colour, texture, contrast - a true visual feast and narrative in the making that’s a dream for photographers and storytellers alike.
This is why Anecdotes DMC has created a range of curated photographic journeys, meticulously crafted to suit professionals and amateurs alike, each of which pairs India’s most dynamic wildlife backdrops with meaningful cultural access and expert guides.
Some of our favourite routes include:
Ladakh Photography Tours - perfect for all skill levels, these tours of digital storytelling, which in the past have been led by one of India’s top photographers Aditya Arya, offer an immersive approach to capturing a unique Himalayan landscape of towering peaks and rare and reclusive wildlife.
Golden Triangle with Wildlife, where sessions with ex-wardens, renowned conservationists and NGO leaders provide insider access few others can offer — whether tiger spotting in Ranthambore or interacting with local communities in Jaipur and Agra.
Wildlife Trails in Central India, with excursions led by naturalists who’ve spent decades walking these lands and boutique lodges run by families who know every call of the forest.
Whether they’re travelling with camera in hand or simply with open eyes, India is sure to reshape the way your guests frame the world - bestowing them not just with sightings, but with stories worth sharing.
6. Conservation, Community, Connection
You can’t separate India’s wildlife from its people, these landscapes are home also to herders, farmers, trackers and guardians - and Anecdotes, thanks to their promotion of responsible and sustainable tourism always, ensure that their voices are woven into your guests’ journeys too.
From tribal art workshops and community-led walks to NGO partnerships and conservation-led briefings, travellers with Anecdotes experience not just the forests, but the efforts being made to preserve them.
They might witness the sensitisation efforts at Dera Amer near Jaipur, where guests engage with conservation-led animal experiences.
Or visit Dhonk, the NGO in Ranthambore that trains the tigers’ neighbours in traditional crafts to help create sustainable livelihoods that foster peaceful coexistence.
In Assam, they could meet local communities actively involved in anti-poaching efforts and habitat preservation - and across their travels, they can stay at boutique sustainable camps which, often owner managed and run, are another fantastic way of supporting local means.
And none of this is about ticking boxes - it’s about showing how Indians are ensuring that wildlife here is more than iconic; it’s part of a living, breathing ecosystem of people and place.
7. A Natural Retreat, a Deeper Reset -The Perfect Wellness Destination
Few places strip away the noise and centre the soul quite like India - the birthplace of yoga, and a land where nature and spirituality have long been intertwined.
Whether in the jungles or bamboo groves, on the salt flats, riverbanks or at the base of the Himalayas, the wilderness here doesn’t just feel ancient, it feels sacred.
And more than silence, it offers space - space for stillness, for perspective and for reconnecting with something deeper.
Anecdotes works closely with wellness practitioners, experts and naturalists to build immersive nature retreats - going far beyond "yoga by the pool", they’re perfect for anyone looking to relax or recalibrate, as well as being ideal for creatives, or for hosting leadership workshops.
With these experiences, a day might begin with sun salutations in the shade of Ranthambore’s historic forts, as the misty sunrise casts dappled patterns on the forest floor.
Moving into a restful morning safari, early afternoon might bring writing sessions, community interactions, nature walks or an exploration further afield, perhaps to one of Assam’s stunning tea estates.
And evenings can be spent by the campfire, chatting with experts and naturalists and enjoying delicious local and/or Ayurvedic meals cooked with as much story as spice.
Favourite wellness-safari hybrids include Sujan Sher Bagh (Ranthambore), Postcard Hotel or Diphlu River Lodge (Kaziranga), Evolve Back (Kabini) and Oberoi (Bandhavgarh) - see above - as well as:
Oberoi Ranthambore - Refined jungle retreat minutes from the park gates, offering tented luxury at its most polished - think freestanding clawfoot baths, private garden decks and impeccable service — in lush, landscaped grounds as secluded as they are serene.
The Postcard Tezpur (Kaziranga) - A quiet, elegant retreat just beyond Kaziranga, where colonial style meets Assamese calm. Ideal for slowing down between safaris, expect thoughtful hospitality, farm-to-table dining and a true sense of place.
Wild Mahseer (Kaziranga) - A heritage stay on a working tea estate in the Eastern Himalayas, with lovingly restored British-era bungalows, lush gardens and immersive access to Assam’s slower rhythms.
The Final Word: Why should your clients Safari in India?
Why choose an Indian safari over any other?
Because they are an experience like no other - one that combines India’s own Big Five (and countless other rare and remarkable species) with a rich, multi-layered journey shaped by ancient culture and soul-stirring landscapes.
Here, sightings unfold in forests that feel sacred, along rivers steeped in myth and meaning. Wildlife isn’t just observed, it’s part of a deeper narrative.
And with Anecdotes DMC, each journey can be tailored to include the wild as one part of a holistic exploration - with possibilities that stretch from jungle to mountain, coast to city.
This isn’t just about seeing India’s natural beauty. It’s about connecting to it; thoughtfully, personally and with lasting impact.
To learn more or start planning your clients’ unforgettable journey with Anecdotes DMC, get in touch today
