Safari & Beach: Tigers & the Maldives

This itinerary works perfectly both for a honeymoon, or if you want a really relaxing combination of wildlife and some of the beach beaches in the world to end. It goes without saying, the big draw of Indian wildlife is obviously spotting tiger in the wild, but India has so much more to its wildlife. You’ll stay for four nights in Pench National Park, famous for the location of the BBCs ‘Spy in the Jungle’ series where it followed a mother and tiger cubs. The park is just a two-hour drive from Nagpur, which has international flights with Qatar Airways so you can fly in directly and go straight to the wildlife without the need for a night or two beforehand in Delhi or Mumbai.

Opt for either the salubrious Bagh Van Lodge, comparable with the luxury lodges of Africa, and you can even sleep out under the stars above your room, surrounded by mosquito net. The other option is Fame of the Forest, located to the north of the park, and offering a superb rural experience.

The park is beautiful, and has such an eclectic mix of wildlife. You can also see leopard, dhol (Indian Wild Dog), wolf, jackal, hyena and the jungle cat. The prey comprise of chital deer, sambar deer, gaur, muntjac, boar, langur and rhesus macaques. There is a rich birdlife with over 300 recorded bird species. Needless to say, sit back and let the wildlife experience unfold.

Drive back to Nagpur, and fly to Bangalore for the night where you can catch a little of civilisation before you head to your island in the Maldives. There are some superb restaurants and bars in the city, and will give you a little glimpse into Indian city life. Fly to the Maldives and then just kick-back for seven or more nights on the beach. All in all, it is a great combination that gives you a wonderfully diverse experience.