Bombay Natural History Society
NATIONAL CAMPS
2017
January Golden Triangle - Ranthambore, Keoladeo,Chambal
Great Rann of Kutch
February Sunderbans
Marine Camp at Lakshadweep Batch I
March Marine Camp at Lakshadweep Batch II
Wild Assam - Gibbon Sanctuary, Kaziranga, Nameri National Park
April Great Himalayan National Park
May Agumbe Reserve Forest
Corbett National Park and Nainital (Sattal & Pangot)
Tadoba National Park
June Bandhavgarh National Park
INTERNATIONAL CAMPS
2017
March African Safari - Tanzania
NATIONAL CAMPS
JANUARY, 2017
GOLDEN TRIANGLE - Ranthambore, Keoladeo and Chambal
Ranthambore National Park: Ranthambore National Park is one of the largest national parks in northern India. Ranthambore Wildlife Sanctuary is known for its tigers and is one of the best places in India to see these animals in their natural jungle habitat. Tigers can be easily spotted even in the daytime. Other major wild animals include Leopard, Nilgai, Wild Boar, Sambar, Hyena, Sloth Bear and Chital. The sanctuary is home to a wide variety of trees, plants, birds and reptiles, as well as one of the largest Banyan trees in India.
Keoladeo National Park: Formerly known as Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, Keoladeo is a paradise for birds and birdwatchers alike. It is listed as an IBA (Important Bird Area) and is a World Heritage Site. Although small (29 sq. km), it is home to almost 400 species of birds, out of which more than 132 breed inside the National Park. Birding here is a rewarding experience, with sightings like Siberian Rubythroat, Bluethroat, Greater White-fronted Goose, Comb Duck, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Spotted Crake, Water Rail, Painted Snipe, Oriental Darter, Lesser Adjutant, Sarus Crane and Common Crane, Greater Spotted Eagle, Pallid Harrier, Red-headed Falcon, and Brown Fish-owl.
Chambal river, a tributary of the Yamuna river, flows northwards through Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. Chambal is one of the best places to see threatened wildlife; such as the critically endangered Gavial or Gharial, vulnerable Indian Skimmer, endangered Black-bellied Tern and Gangetic Dolphin, near-threatened Laggar Falcon and vulnerable Pallas’s Fish-eagle and Smooth-coated Otter.
Grade: Easy (Walking trail in Keoladeo)
Dates: 8th - 13th January, 2017
Charges: Rs. 31,500/- members and Rs. 32,700 others. (Ex Delhi)
Reporting: Pick up from New Delhi Railway Station at 6:00 a.m. and drop to New Delhi Railway Station at 7:30 p.m. on the last day. You are advised to book your tickets to arrive in New Delhi one day prior. How to Reach: New Delhi is well connected by air and rail.
Participants can also fly to Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi which is situated about 20 km from the meeting point (New Delhi Railway Station).
Registration*: Call at Hornbill House 22871202/22821811, Mon–Fri 09:30 a.m. to 05:30 p.m. or e-mail at[email protected].
For more details visit www.bnhs.org
GREAT RANN OF KUTCH
Explore the areas bordering the Great Rann of Kutch and other interesting places like Banni grassland, and Chhari-Dhand for birdwatching and observing fossils. Winter is the perfect time to watch a variety of migratory birds that come to these places in thousands. It is also a good time to see Short-eared Owl, Greater Spotted Eagle, Tawny Eagle and Steppe Eagle, Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse and Painted Sandgrouse, Grey Francolin and Black Francolin, Cream-coloured Courser and Indian Courser, Sykes’s Lark, Great Indian Bustard, Crab Plover, Greater Flamingo and Lesser Flamingo, Common Crane, Oystercatcher, Great Thick-knee, White-naped Tit, White-bellied Minivet, Rufous-fronted Prinia, buntings, Grey Hypocolius, Indian Nightjar, Savanna Nightjar, Sykes’s Nightjar, Graceful Prinia, Red-tailed Wheatear, and many more.
Grade: Easy (Short walks for bird watching)
Dates: 4th–8th January, 2017
Charges: Rs. 20,900/- for members, and Rs. 22,100/- for others (ex Bhuj)
Charges Include: Transport from Bhuj railway station, local travel, entry fee, simple vegetarian meals and basic accommodation on twin-sharing basis).
Reporting: Bhuj Station at 7:30 a.m. on Day One, drop at Bhuj Station at 01:30 p.m. on the last day. How to Reach: BDTS Bhuj Exp (19115) which leaves Bandra daily at 02:50 p.m. and reaches Bhuj at 07:25 a.m. next morning.
Return: BDTS AC S F Exp (22904) which leaves Bhuj on Monday at 03:05 p.m. and reaches Bandra Terminus at 04:55 a.m. next morning or Bhuj BDTS Exp (19116) leaves Bhuj at 10:15 p.m. and reaches Bandra next day at 01:55 p.m.
Registration*: Call at Hornbill House 22871202/22821811, Mon–Fri 09:30 a.m. to 05:30 p.m. or e-mail at[email protected].
For more details visit www.bnhs.org
FEBRUARY, 2017
SUNDARBANS - Land of the Royal Bengal Tiger
The Sundarbans are located in the delta of the Brahmaputra and Ganga rivers in the Bay of Bengal. One hundred and two islands are situated in this world’s largest river delta. Approximately 40 per cent of the Sundarbans is in the state of West Bengal, the rest in Bangladesh.
The Sundarbans are the largest mangrove forest in the world, covering 60 per cent of India’s total mangrove area. Almost 90 per cent of all Indian mangrove species are found here. The Royal Bengal Tiger is the flagship species of Sundarbans, where it roams in the marshy areas. If you are lucky, you can see it swimming across a channel. Sundarbans are also the best place to see the Saltwater Crocodile and Water Monitor Lizard. With more than 250 bird species found here in winter, this is the perfect time to see migratory birds. One could spot seven species of Kingfishers, including the threatened Brown-winged Kingfisher.
Grade: Easy
Dates:
Batch I: 8th Feb - 11th Feb, 2017 (ex Howrah)
Batch II: On demand
Charges: Rs. 18,600/- for members, and Rs. 20,100/- for others (ex Howrah)
Cost Includes: Accommodation (3/4 sharing), all meals, pick up and drop at Howrah railway station.
Group Leader: Mr. Isaac Kehimkar
Reporting: Pick-up near Howrah railway station (Kolkata) in front of Yatri Niwas at 08:00 a.m. Drop at Howrah railway station at 07:00 p.m. Participants are advised to reach Howrah one day prior to the first day of camp, and also book the return accordingly to avoid last minute rush.
Registration*: Call at Hornbill House 22871202/22821811, Mon–Fri 09:30 a.m. to 05:30 p.m. or e-mail at[email protected].
For more details visit www.bnhs.org
MARINE CAMP AT LAKSHADWEEP
Date:
Batch I: 22nd - 27th February, 2017 (FULL)
Batch II: 16th - 22nd March, 2017 (last one seat)
Lakshadweep is a group of islands, 200–440 km off the southwest coast of India. These islands form the smallest union territory of the country. The Lakshadweep region has about 600 species of fish, 78 species of coral and over 100 species of other marine invertebrates. This is the perfect opportunity to explore the fascinating marine life underwater.
This year BNHS will be visiting the Minicoy Island; Minicoy is Southernmost Island in the Lakshadweep archipelago situated closer to the Maldive island of Uleguma than to Kavrati, this island is famous for having marine life similar to that of Maldives. Participants will get training in snorkeling as part of the camp activity. You need not worry if you do not know swimming; you can still enjoy the deep blue sea and move among the amazing corals, fishes, shells, shrimps and crabs. Most of the snorkeling will be in waist-deep coral lagoons.
Batch Size: 11 participants only
Accommodation: Twin sharing Standard AC rooms on the Minicoy Island.
Camp fees: Rs. 47,500/- for members and Rs. 49,000/- for others (ex Kochi).
Cost Includes: Travel by ship from Kochi to Minicoy and back (overnight journey, twin/four sharing AC cabin 4 sharing on ship), stay and food. Glass bottom boat ride, and snorkeling session as per the itinerary.
Cost excludes: Flight/rail tickets, all expenses of personal nature like laundry, tips beverages, camera fees, extra water activities, SCUBA, any cost not specified above.
Reporting: Participants to meet on Day One morning at Lakshadweep Wharf, Passenger Terminal, Near FCI Depot, Willingdon Island, Kochi, group will return on last day around noon. Due to uncertainty of ship schedule, you are advised to book your ticket to arrive one day prior and leave one day later from Kochi.
Registration: Call at Hornbill House 22871202/22821811, Mon–Fri 09:30 a.m. to 05:30 p.m. or e-mail at: [email protected].
For more details visit www.bnhs.org
March 2017
WILD ASSAM - Gibbon Sanctuary, Kaziranga & Nameri National Park
Kaziranga National Park - a World Heritage Site and home of 65% of the world population of the One-horned Rhinoceros. Herds of Barasingha, Hog Deer and Wild Buffalo are seen in the marshes. Rhinos browse unconcernedly as visitors pass by and occasionally a herd of elephants or wild boar is also sighted. One of the best places in India to see Pied Harrier and other raptors like Crested Serpent-eagle, Pallas’s Fish-eagle, and Grey-headed Fish-eagle which can be seen circling overhead.
Gibbon Sanctuary - Now known as the Hoolongapar Gibbon Sanctuary is one of the best places to see India’s only primate the Endangered Western Hoolock Gibbon, the sanctuary is also a good places to see other threatened primates like, Near Threatened Assamese Macaque, Vulnerable Capped Langur, Stump-tailed Macaque and Northern Pig-tailed Macaque. The sanctuary is also good for birds with over 200 species recorded from the sanctuary, birds like Purple Woodpigeon, Rufous-bellied Niltava, Red-headed Trogon, and Long-tailed Sibia can be seen here.
Nameri National Park is a birder’s paradise and more than 300 species of birds have been identified here - four species of Hornbills like Great, Wreathed, Oriental Pied, and Rufous-necked Hornbill. Other birds like Pale-chinned and Little Pied Flycatcher, Green-billed Malkoha, Great Thick-knee, Blue-throated, Lineated and Blue-eared Barbet, Red-breasted Parakeet, Orange-bellied and Gold-fronted Leafbird, Ibisbill, Long-tailed and Silver-breasted Broadbill, Small Niltava, Black Baza and the elusive White-winged Duck are also seen.
Grade: Easy (Short walks for bird watching)
Date:
Batch I: 19th–24th March, 2017 (ex Guwahati).
Batch II: 25th–30th March, 2017 (On demand)
Camp fees: Rs. 30,700/- for members and Rs. 32,200/- for others (ex Guwahati).
Accommodation: Twin sharing basis.
Reporting: Members to meet on day one at Guwahati at 6.00 a.m. at Hotel Mayur in the lobby (Tel: 0361-2734855 to 61), Paltan Bazar, opposite Guwahati railway station. Return on last day after breakfast to reach Guwahati at lunch time. You are advised to arrive at Guwahati one day prior to the first day of the camp and leave Guwahati one day later.
Cost includes: All accommodation, meals, transfers from and to Guwahati, permits, and entry to park.
Cost excludes: Flight/rail tickets, all expenses of personal nature like laundry, tips beverages, camera fees, stay in Guwahati, any cost not specified above.
Registration*: Call at Hornbill House 22871202/22821811, Mon–Fri 09:30 a.m. to 05:30 p.m. or e-mail at[email protected].
For more details visit www.bnhs.org
April 2017
GREAT HIMALAYAN NATIONAL PARK
The Great Himalayan National Park is carved out of the splendid mountain terrain of Kullu district, and is the largest protected area in Himachal Pradesh. The secluded Tirthan valley harbours a variety of wildlife common to this area - wild mountain goats like the Bharal, Goral, and Serow, the Himalayan Brown Bear and predators like the Leopard and the very rare Snow Leopard. Birds like Himalayan Pied Kingfisher, Brown Dipper, Bearded Vulture, and Himalayan Parakeet can be seen during the trek.
Grade: Moderate, three day hike from Ecozone into Park, daily 8-10 km gradual gradient walk among the hill forests taking about 5 -7 hrs.
Date: 22nd–28th April, 2017
Camp Charges: Rs.25,000/- members and Rs. 26,500/- non-members
Accommodation: Homestays and twin sharing tents during the treks. Sleeping bag and mat will be provided.
Reporting: Majnu-ka-Tila (Petrol Pump), at 5.00 p.m. on Day One. Drop on last day at 08:00 a.m.; Kindly book your train/flights after 1:00 p.m. on the last day.
How to reach: Majnu-ka-Tila is about 5 km from Delhi ISBT opposite the Tibetan Village on the main MG Marg. There is a petrol pump on the main road, most private buses operate from there. The best way is to come via the Airport Metro till New Delhi Metro Station and ask for a cab or an auto-rickshaw to drive you to Majnu-ka-Tila.
Cost includes: Delhi-Kullu-Delhi transport by Volvo, local transport in Kullu, food (except during the Volvo journey), accommodation in homestays and tents, permits to the GHNP, and BNHS expertise.
Cost Excludes: Any personal expenses, porterage (porters can be made available at extra cost on prior notice).
Note: Home stays, & Tented accommodation during trek, with basic facility and trench toilets, participants will have to rough it out. Registration*: Call at Hornbill House 22871202/22821811, Mon–Fri 09:30 a.m. to 05:30 p.m. or e-mail at [email protected].
For more details visit www.bnhs.org
May, 2017
Agumbe Reserve Forest
Agumbe is aptly called the Cherrapunjee of south India, as it receives an average rainfall of 7000 - 8000 mm annually. Situated amidst the rainforest of the Western Ghats it is a Biodiversity Hotspot, which is home to a plethora of endemics. Agumbe is also famed for the elusive King Cobra. The renowned herpetologist Romulus Whitaker called Agumbe the capital of the King Cobra. Besides reptiles and the Endangered Lion-tailed Macaque, Agumbe harbours a host of endemic bird species like Malabar Pied Hornbill, Malabar Trogon, Grey-headed Bulbul, Flame-throated Bulbul, White-bellied Blue Flycatcher, Malabar Woodshrike and Malabar Whistling Thrush.
Date: 6th–9th May 2017
Accommodation: Twin sharing basis, in basic tents.
Reporting: Pick up at Mangalore Central railway station at 7:40 a.m. on day one. Drop at Mangalore railway station at 1:30 p.m. on the last day.
How to get there: Train - Matsyaganda exp (12619) Arrives in Mangalore at 7:30 a.m. and leaves from Mangalore at 2:30 p.m. Flight - One can also choose to fly to Mangalore, however, you need to arrive a day prior if you wish to fly. Buses - Several Buses also ply between Mumbai and Mangalore. Cost includes: Accommodation, food, transfers to/from Mangalore, all park entry/permits and trail/outing costs, as per itinerary.
Registration*: Kindly contact us at 022-22821811/22871202 or e-mail us at [email protected].
For more details visit www.bnhs.org
CORBETT NATIONAL PARK & NAINITAL (SATTAL & PANGOT)
Corbett National Park was created in 1936, the first wildlife park of India. Besides Tiger and Asian Elephant, the area is known for a large number of sub-Himalayan species and in the summer an equally large number of breeding migrants that come from north Indian plains and peninsular India. We can see Great Hornbill, Himalayan Pied Kingfisher, Tawny Fish Owl, Collared Falconet, both Pallas’s and Lesser Fish-eagles, Hooded Pitta, Grey Treepie, White-crested Laughingthrush, Dollarbird, and Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler.
Pangot, Sattal, and Bhimtal area is known as a bird watcher’s paradise, and the “Nainital Hills” live up to their name with more than 200 species seen here. Sattal is also a photographer’s paradise. One can see three types of pheasants namely Cheer, Koklas and Kalij Pheasant, as well as Scaly-bellied Woodpecker, Long-billed Ground-thrush, Red-headed Laughingthrush, Spotted Laughingthrush, Great Barbet, Chestnut-bellied Rock-thrush, Lammergeier, Red-billed Blue Magpie, Spot-winged Tit, Black-lored Tit, Striated Prinia, Red-billed Leiothrix, Blue-winged Minla, Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler, Lesser Yellownape, Spotted Forktail, Rufous Sibia, and Yellow-breasted Greenfinch.
Grade: Easy (Short walks for bird watching)
Batch Limit: 16
Dates:
Batch I: 17th–21st May 2017
Batch II: 24th–30th May 2017 (On demand)
Charges: Rs. 29,900/- for members, and Rs.31,400/- for others (ex-New Delhi)
Accommodation: Triple/Dormitory Sharing (as per availability) basis in Dhikala in Corbett and Twin sharing in hotel in Pangot.
Cost includes: All accommodation, meals (B/L/D) from first day lunch to last day breakfast, transfers to and from New Delhi, permits, and entry to Park.
Cost excludes: Flight/rail ticket to New Delhi, all expenses of personal nature like laundry, beverages and food not mentioned in the itinerary, camera fees, any extra cost not specified in “Cost includes”.
Reporting: Pick up from New Delhi Railway Station at 6:00 a.m. and drop to New Delhi Railway Station at 7:30 p.m. on the last day. You are advised to book your tickets to arrive in New Delhi one day prior. There are several options to stay in Pahar Ganj near the New Delhi Railway Station. How to get there: New Delhi is well connected by air and train.
Registration*: Call at Hornbill House 22871202/22821811, Mon-Fri 09:30 a.m. to 05:30 p.m. or e-mail at [email protected].
For more details visit www.bnhs.org
TADOBA NATIONAL PARK
Created in 1955, Tadoba National Park is Maharashtra's oldest National Park. It is one of India's 28 Project Tiger reserves. Situated in Chandrapur district, the National Park covers 623 sq. km of two forested areas, the Tadoba and Andhari range. Along with tigers, Tadoba is home to the Leopard, Sloth Bear, Gaur, Wild Dog, Hyena, Sambar, Spotted Deer, Blue Bull, Four-horned Antelope, and Barking Deer. Tadoba Lake is home to Marsh Crocodile. It is also a birdwatchers’ paradise with a good variety of birds like Indian Pitta, White-eyed Buzzard, Pied Cuckoo, Stork-billed Kingfisher, Painted Sandgrouse, and many more.
Dates:
Batch I: 20th–23rd May 2017
Batch II: 25th–28th May 2017 (on demand)
Cost and further details shall be declared shortly.
For more details visit www.bnhs.org
JUNE, 2017
BANDHAVGARH NATIONAL PARK
Once the abode of maharajas, Bandhavgarh is royalty at its best. One of the best national parks in the country to see a tiger, very few have returned disappointed from this place without a sighting. Join BNHS as we take you to witness the real rulers of the jungle, the Tiger. Besides Tiger, the Park is also home to other mammals like Four-horned Antelope (Chousingha), Sambar, Barking Deer, Leopard, Gaur, Indian Wild Dog (Dhole). A variety of birds like Black-naped Monarch, Asian Paradise Flycatcher, Crested Hawk-eagle, Red-headed Vulture, Mottled Wood-owl and Painted Sandgrouse can be seen here.
Date:
Batch I: 3rd–6th June 2017
Batch II: 8th–11th June 2017 (On demand)
Camp Charges: Rs. 26,500/- members and Rs. 28,000/- non-members
Accommodation: Twin sharing basis, at Bagh Tola Jungle Lodges.
Reporting: Pick up at Katni railway station at 10:40 a.m. on day one. Drop off at Katni railway station at 1:00 p.m. on the last day.
How to get there: Train - Mumbai-Katni: Kamayani exp (11071) arrives in Katni at 10:00 a.m. Katni-Mumbai: Many trains are available, HWH Mumbai Mail (12321) arrives in Katni at 04:20 p.m. Flight - Closest airport to Katni is Jabalpur about 64 km away. Cost includes: Accommodation, food, transfers to/from Katni, Safari charges and entry to the Park.
Registration*: Kindly contact us at 022-22821811/22871202 or e-mail us at [email protected].
For more details visit www.bnhs.org
INTERNATIONAL CAMPS
March 2017
African Safari - Tanzania
Come and explore the wildlife of Northern Tanzania, also known as the “prime game viewing country”. Witness the spectacle of African wildlife in Tanzania. Watch the dust rise and feel your heart pound as herds of over a million Wildebeest and Zebra thunder across your path on the great migration. Masai Giraffe, Thomson's Gazelle, Cheetah, Striped and Spotted Hyena, and many more wild animals roam the savannah. Tanzania provides the best opportunity to see distinctive African animals like African Lion, Cheetah, Eland, and Kudu, and birds such as Secretary Bird, African Fish-eagle, Lilac-breasted Roller, Superb Starling, Vulturine and Crested Guineafowl, Southern Ground Hornbill, Kori Bustard, and Red-billed Hornbill. Other attractions are Nile Crocodile and the largest land animal, the African Elephant.
Serengeti, Tanzania’s largest and most famous national park, the Mecca of wildlife lovers, is truly a wildlife paradise. Experience the thrill of exploring the endless plains of Serengeti and witness extensive herds of Wildebeest and Zebra. The largest bird in the world, Common Ostrich, can also be seen here.
Ngorongoro Crater is one of the best places to see the Critically Endangered Black Rhinoceros, Serval, Wildebeest, African Elephant, Cape Buffalo, and African Lion at close range.
Tarangire National Park is the sixth largest park in Tanzania and is famous for the large number of elephants that can be seen here. It is also a good place to spot the uncommon Yellow-collared Lovebird. Tarangire is famous for its population of tree climbing lions.
Grade: Easy
Dates: 4th - 12th March 2017 (Ex-Mumbai)
Grade: Easy
Camp Fee: Rs 2,55,000/- for members and Rs. 2,56,500/- for others
(Cost calculated as per 1 USD= 67 INR)
Payment schedule:
1st Installment (non-refundable) Immediate Rs. 50,000/-
2nd Installment Rs. 50,000/-
3rd Installment Rs. 50,000/-
4th Installment Rs. 50,000/-
Final Installment Rs. 55,000/- (Rs. 56,500/- for non members)
Reporting: Participants to meet at 11.30 p.m. on 4th March, 2017 at Mumbai International Airport, group will return to Mumbai on 12th March, 2017 early morning.
Camp fee includes:
Economy Class Air tickets
Visa and processing charges
Full board accommodation as per itinerary
One litre Bottled water per day
All park entrance fees
Travel insurance for participants aged upto 70 years
Safari /trails as per itinerary
BNHS expertise
Camp fee excludes:
Food and drinks not on the group menu
Any sightseeing not mentioned in the itinerary
Expenses of a personal nature, laundry, telephone calls
Camera charges if applicable
Tips and gratuities
Services other than those specified in “Camp fee includes”
Note: The cost has been calculated @ 1 USD = 67 INR, with minimum 16 participants travelling together. Your passport should be valid for 6 months from the last day of the camp.
Registration*:
Call at Hornbill House 22871202/22821811, Mon–Fri 09:30 a.m. to 05:30 p.m. or e-mail at[email protected].
For more details visit www.bnhs.org
* Note: -
● If you are registering for any of the programmes, it is assumed that you have read and agreed to all the Rules and Guidelines.
● Rules and Guidelines for BNHS programmes are available on our website: For more details visit www.bnhs.org.
● If you are booking a flight for any camp, it is highly recommended to book refundable tickets.
● All the surplus generated through the activities of the programme department are utilized for conservation of wildlife.
● It is also recommended to take travel insurance when traveling for any camp.
With best regards,
Ms. Bilwada Kale
Public Relations Officer, BNHS
022-22821811