Find answers to all your questions about booking wildlife safari holidays, best travel seasons, personalized itineraries, and responsible eco-tourism practices with Footloose Journeys.
Planning a wildlife safari in India?
Footloose Journeys specializes in responsible and immersive jungle experiences across India’s top national parks & wildlife landscapes. Whether you’re curious about the best time to visit, which jungle to choose, or what to pack for safaris, our FAQ section has you covered. Get expert insights on tracking big cats, birdwatching, sustainable travel, and creating customized itineraries tailored to your interests. Explore our frequently asked questions below to make your journey into the wild seamless and unforgettable!
About Footloose Journeys
Footloose Journeys is an eco-tourism company specializing in responsible wildlife holidays across India. We offer immersive jungle experiences focused on big cat tracking, ecosystem education, birdwatching, and interactions with local communities.
We focus on sustainable and educational wildlife tourism without losing the excitement of big cat tracking and animal encounters. Our wildlife holidays emphasize on deep naturalist-led insights, conservation, and local community involvement, making your experience meaningful and responsible.
There are regular group departures as well as personalized itineraries at Kanha National Park, Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, Pench National Park, Panna National Park, Bandhavgarh National Park, Satpura National Park, Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary, Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary, Umred-Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary, Dudhwa National Park, and Pilibhit Tiger Reserve.
Travellers can also get their personalized itineraries made for Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand, Kaziranga National Park in Assam, Sundarbans National Park in West Bengal, and also Kabini & Bandipur in Karnataka.
Apart from these safari destinations, we also operate in specialized wildlife travel such as the Snow Leopard Expedition in Spiti Valley, Himalayan Brown Bear Expedition in Ladakh, and Hoolock Gibbon watching trips in Assam.
We also plan and execute birdwatching trips at Little Rann of Kutch in Gujarat, Latpanchar in West Bengal, Thattekkad in Kerala, Pangot-Sattal in Uttarakhand, and many north-eastern Indian states such as Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Meghalaya.
About costs & booking with us
You can get in touch with us over email (explore@footloosejourneys.in) or over WhatsApp (+91-9765898733 / +91 9730290491) to understand about availability on group departures as well as to personalize a wildlife safari holiday according to your requirements.
Our packages typically include surface transfers, accommodation in super deluxe resorts, meals, forest entry permits, and vehicles for safaris with our selected local trackers. However, specific inclusions may vary according to destination. Check the details before booking.
In addition to surface transfers, accommodation, and meals – which are common costs for all type of travel, wildlife safari holidays include one additional major cost which is cost of the safaris / wildlife watching. Forest Departments of respective states charge an entry fee to enter the jungles. In addition to these, cost of vehicles for safaris, and local trackers are incurred separately.
Totally! Having safari drivers and guides from our selected team of local teams ensure your every safari is memorable. Be it tracking big cats, or watching birds, or understanding jungle as a whole, wildlife exploration is the whole purpose of your visit. So it is always worth it to do it with the best people and in the best possible way.
The most important thing to book in a wildlife holiday are the entry permits to the jungles. Only a limited number of people / vehicles are allowed to enter Indian national parks and tiger reserves each day. These entry permits are to be booked through government portals which are open to all and generally open 120 days in advance. For many popular national parks like Tadoba, Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Panna, Satpura, Pench etc. the entry permits sell out VERY quickly. Especially when planning for peak dates like Diwali holidays, Christmas and new year holidays, republic day long weekend, Holi long weekend, and Good Friday long weekend, it is advised to plan a minimum of 4.5 months in advance.
Yes! If you’re unable to plan your wildlife safari in advance, Footloose Journeys can assist with last-minute bookings based on permit availability. While early planning is ideal for securing the best safari zones, we understand that spontaneous trips happen. Our team will do their best to arrange a seamless wildlife experience, recommending parks with better last-minute availability and helping you make the most of your journey. We will also handle the last-minute logistics so you can focus on enjoying the adventure. Contact us today to explore your options!
We accept online payments via bank transfer, UPI, and other digital payment options. Both domestic as well as international travellers can also make payments through debit and credit cards which attracts an additional portal charge of 3.54%.
We accept online payments via bank transfer, UPI, and other digital payment options. Both domestic as well as international travellers can also make payments through debit and credit cards which attracts an additional portal charge of 3.54%.
Standard Cancellation Policy is as under –
50% Advance Tour Fees – Non refundable.
If cancelled more than 30 days before departure – 40% of total tour fees will be retained by organisers.
If cancelled within 15 to 30 days before departure – 65% of total tour fees will be retained by organisers.
If cancelled within 7 to 14 days before departure – 80% of total tour fees will be retained by organisers.
If cancelled less than 7 days before departure – 90% of total tour fees will be retained by organisers.
Please refer to our terms & conditions page for more details.
About personalized itineraries
Absolutely! We design tailor-made itineraries for families, couples, groups, international travellers, and photographers. These wildlife tours are designed after carefully considering your preferences and time availability.
A private wildlife tour offers an exclusive and personalized experience, allowing you to explore the jungle with a dedicated naturalist and a private safari vehicle. A private tour ensures ample wildlife viewing chances, opportunity to observe wildlife at your own pace, and a choice of destinations based on your interests - whether it is tracking big cats, observing rhinos and elephants, or birdwatching. You can also pick luxury accommodations to enhance your experience on a private wildlife tour. On a private tour, you get a more immersive connection with nature without distractions. If you’re looking for a premium safari experience in India’s top national parks, a private wildlife experience is the best choice.
Yes. Our photography tours focus on exploring premier wildlife destinations with bookings in prime zones, with best naturalists and local trackers to help you capture stunning images.
Yes, customized private wildlife tours are generally costlier than standard group tours. This is because they offer bespoke personalized experiences tailored to your interests. The enhanced comfort, privacy, and immersive jungle experience make it a worthwhile investment for serious wildlife enthusiasts.
About Indian wildlife landscape
India has a diverse natural habitat offering various geographical landscapes and climatic conditions. Following is a list of species and best places that offer the best chance to observe them –
- Tigers can be best observed in Kanha National Park, Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, Pench National Park, Panna National Park, Bandhavgarh National Park, Satpura National Park, Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary, Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary, Umred-Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary, Dudhwa National Park, and Pilibhit Tiger Reserve
- Jawai Hills in Rajasthan, and Jhalana Sanctuary in Rajasthan are two places known for good sightings of Indian leopards.
- Snow leopards can be observed in Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh.
- Drass in Ladakh offers good chances to observe Himalayan Brown Bears.
- Kaziranga National Park, Manas National Park, and Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam are good places to observe Rhinos.
- Elephants are best seen in Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand, Kaziranga and Manas National Parks in Assam, and also in forests of Kabini and Bandipur in Karnataka.
Little Rann of Kutch in Gujarat, Latpanchar in West Bengal, Thattekkad in Kerala, Pangot-Sattal in Uttarakhand, and many north-eastern Indian states such as Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Meghalaya offer fantastic destinations for birdwatching.
Winter (October to February) - Best for birdwatching and comfortable safaris in tiger reserves.
Summer (March to June) - Best for spotting tigers and other predators near waterholes.
Monsoon (July to September) - Limited access; some reserves remain closed.
About general tips on wildlife travel
We have a dedicated blog on what to pack for a wildlife safari in India which you can check here. However, here’s a very abridged list -
- Neutral-colored clothing (avoid bright colors)
- Hat / cap, scarves, and sunglasses
- Odourless sunscreen
- Binoculars and camera
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Adequate winter wear for safaris in winter season
Yes. All safaris are conducted in registered vehicles with experienced guides following strict safety protocols. However, specific medical clearances are necessary for expeditions in higher altitude areas of Himalayas.
Yes. We offer family-friendly safari experiences that engage children with fun learning activities about wildlife.
Please check our detailed blog for understanding dos and don'ts for a wildlife tour.
- Stay inside the safari vehicle at all times.
- Maintain silence and avoid sudden movements.
- Do not litter or feed animals.
- Follow the naturalist’s instructions for ethical wildlife encounters.