Before You Go
Choose the Right Reserve for Your Goals
Not all reserves are equal. Bandhavgarh and Kanha give the best tiger sighting odds. Satpura is unique for walking safaris. Pench is excellent for budget travellers and families.
Tell us your priorities — we'll match you with the right reserve.
Book Permits Early
Tiger reserve permits are issued by the forest department and are limited per zone per session. For peak season (October–March) at popular zones like Tala (Bandhavgarh), book 60–90 days in advance.
We handle all permit bookings for you through official channels.
What to Wear
Do wear:
- Muted, earthy colours — khaki, olive, tan, brown
- Full-sleeved shirts (mosquito protection)
- Comfortable trousers or cargo pants
- Closed-toe shoes or boots
Avoid:
- Bright colours (red, yellow, white) — they disturb animals
- Perfumes and strong fragrances
- Noisy materials that rustle
What to Pack
| Essential | Why |
|---|---|
| Binoculars | Jungle is dense — spot movement early |
| Camera with zoom lens | 200mm minimum, 400mm ideal |
| Sunscreen & hat | Open jeep in summer |
| Water bottle | Long sessions in the heat |
| Insect repellent | Especially for evening safaris |
| Snack (dry) | 4–6 hour sessions |
Behaviour in the Jungle
These aren't just suggestions — they're conditions for your permit:
- Stay in the vehicle at all times (except designated spots)
- No loud talking or noise — the jungle rewards the quiet
- Switch phones to silent (vibrate is fine)
- No plastic bags or wrappers inside the forest
- Follow your naturalist's instructions — they read the forest, you don't
- No flash photography — it disturbs nocturnal animals
How to Spot a Tiger Before Others
The most experienced safari guests know this: watch the prey, not the forest.
Tigers hunt deer. Watch herds of spotted deer and sambar. If they suddenly stop grazing and look in one direction — that's where the tiger is.
Other signals:
- Alarm calls of deer, langurs, and peacocks
- Drongo birds following a predator (they exploit the disturbed insects)
- Pugmarks (paw prints) on the dirt track
- Drag marks across the path — a kill is nearby
Jeep vs Canter — Which Should You Book?
| Jeep (6 seats) | Canter (16–20 seats) | |
|---|---|---|
| Flexibility | High — your naturalist drives where wildlife is | Fixed routes |
| Sighting odds | Higher | Moderate |
| Cost | Higher | Lower |
| Crowd | Private | Group |
| Recommendation | Always prefer jeep if budget allows |
Managing Expectations
Wildlife is wild. Even in Bandhavgarh — India's best reserve — you may not see a tiger on every safari.
What always happens: you'll see golden light breaking through the sal forest. You'll hear a peacock call. You'll watch a herd of 200 spotted deer run at dusk. That, too, is the jungle. And it's extraordinary.
Tiger sighting chances per safari at top zones:
- Tala (Bandhavgarh): 60–70%
- Kanha zone: 40–55%
- Zone 3 (Ranthambore): 50–60%
Questions? We're Here.
The Forest Stay team answers safari questions daily. WhatsApp us — we'll give you honest, experience-based advice without trying to upsell you.