India

Ranthambore National Park is the centrepiece of most itineraries. Tigers are the main draw and are often seen resting on the walls of the 10th-century fort, walking dry riverbeds, or cooling off at the lakes during the hotter months. The park also supports a healthy leopard population, sloth bears, and excellent birdlife, especially in winter when migratory species arrive. The experience is very different from African game viewing — more intimate, more focused on a single iconic species, and set against a backdrop of history and culture that no other tiger destination can match. Ideal for serious wildlife photographers, couples, honeymooners, and travellers looking for a culturally rich big-cat experience.