Bengal Tiger

Description: The tiger is the largest of the big cats reaching 4 metres in length and weighing in at around 300 kilograms. Tigers have unmistakable black striped pattern over orange fur with lighter under parts with each pattern being unique. Generally they are solitary except during mating season and when the female has cubs with her. They hunt alone taking medium to larger prey species depending on distribution. They are one of the few cats that are very comfortable in water often swimming or lounging in the shallows to cool off.

Distribution: Spread across the Asian continent tigers can be found in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia (Sumatra), Russia, Tibet, Malaysia and North Korea . Habitat ranges from humid jungles of Sumatra to the foothills of the Himalayas.


Level of protection: Endangered to critically endangered with 4000 – 6000 animals left in the wild with 3 subspecies already extinct. (Balinese, Javan, Caspian tiger).

Best time to visit: November to June before the monsoons when many of the national parks close.

Safaris available: India national parks. Why not link a safari to see the tigers of India and snow leopards of the Himalayas?