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Natural Wonders Photography
Tylwyth Teg
Llanigon
Hay on Wye
Hereford
HR3 5QA
United Kingdom

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    Photography Workshops & Tours. Overseas & UK

    Bengal Tiger Tour

    In Ranthambhore, India with Janette Hill
    • £4,100 /person
    • Deposit
      £500
    • Location
      Ranthambhore, India
    • Dates
      April 8th, 2025 - April 16th, 2025
      April 15th, 2025 - April 23rd, 2025
      April 22nd, 2025 - April 30th, 2025
      April 29th, 2025 - May 7th, 2025
    • Duration
      9 days
    • Leader
      Janette Hill
    • Group Size
      Maximum of 4, including Janette
    Book Now

    Photography Experience Overview

    This is a specially planned tour for those of you who just want to spend as much time as possible on tiger safaris. It is open to photographers of all abilities.

    We have secured the services of one of the best guides in India and spend the duration of the tour in Ranthambhore National Park, Rajasthans premier park. It is the former reserve of the Maharajah of Jaipur and is renowned for its tigers and stunning scenery. There will be plenty of opportunities to see tigers in addition to many other mammals including Leopard, Samba deer, Spotted deer, Crocodiles, Antelope, Monitor Lizards and Langur Monkeys. The birdlife is also abundant including Vulture, White Faced Scops Owls, Spotted owlets, Eurasian Owl, Brown Fishing Owl, Eagles, Buzzard, Indian Rollers and Kingfishers.

    The tour is led by Janette Hill and Ashlesh Sharma our specialist guide. Ashlesh has many years experience and knows Ranthambhore National Park inside out. We have 2 safaris each day at the beginning and end of each day to maximise sightings and the best lighting conditions. We use jeeps, not canters, and bean bags can be supplied (if requested) for our personal use. During each day you will have time to rest and chill out by the poolside or explore the local village and surrounds. You can also take to the streets of Ranthambhore to photograph people and other street scenes. An additional option is to walk up to the top of the Fort in the middle of the park. This can be arranged for any day of your tour when we are there. Spa treatments can also be arranged if requested.

    Ranthambhore is one of Indias most spectacular and best known tiger reserves. Do not miss out on this once in a lifetime chance to be up close and personal with one of the most spectacular big cats on the planet, the Bengal Tiger. Seeing one of these cats in the wild is pure magic!

    What You'll Learn

    • About Ranthambhore and its family of Bengal Tigers
    • Photography hints and tips
    • About Indian Culture
    • About the mammals and birds of Ranthambhore

    Photography Experience In Detail

    We arrive at Delhi after an overnight flight and transfer directly to Ranthambhore where we check into our hotel for the duration of our stay. The transfer is in an air conditioned vehicle and clean bottled water is supplied. There are pit stops on the way in carefully selected locations for comfort breaks when required. We also generally stop for lunch for a while.

    At Ranthambhore we spend each morning and evening on game drives searching for the Bengal Tiger. Ashlesh, our guide, is one of the best guides in India. Our trips are renowned for top quality tiger sightings. Whilst we cannot guarantee tiger sightings with every safari, we provide the opportunity to maximise sightings with our guides local knowledge and excellent tracking skills. In 2016, for our 2 tours, we had over 30 sightings with 22 safaris, seeing 13 different tigers. We had another good year in 2017 with sightings of leopards, sloth bears and many tiger sightings, some lasting for 2-3 hours and the joy of several cubs of different ages from 4 months to 8 months old. There are occasions where you see the same tiger more than once but each sighting is very different with the behaviours and also the environment changing from zone to zone. There are generations of tigers to be seen including cubs! In 2018 and 2019 the sightings were as good with young cubs, sub adults and large males. Visits were cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid but we keep in touch with our friends in India and each of the Zones in the Park have tigers and cubs to be found! We decided to have no tours in 2022 but am happy to be starting up again for 2023. Sightings on the three 2023 tours were also good with record numbers of leopard and sloth bear sightings. On all three tours tigers were seen and photographed. Some of the latest images are shown in the customer images section so are able to see what can be achieved on these tours. Having just returned from India in 2024 Janette is able to confirm that everyone saw and photographed tigers, including cubs.

    Almost all meals are provided throughout as are all transfers to and from Delhi and around the Park. You may also wish to walk up to the top of the Fort in Ranthambhore National Park. Wednesdays are a good day to do this as it is particularly busy with locals walking to the Fort to pray as it is Ganesha day, a religious occasion very important to them.

    You will also have the opportunity to photograph other wildlife including the abundant bird life and the expressive Langur monkeys.

    There is an abundance of wildlife in the National Park including leopard, golden jackals, indian fox and sloth bears. There are samba deer and spotted deer in abundance. You may also see antelope along with the large variety of birdlife in the park. Scops owls, brown fishing owls and spotted owlets are often seen nesting. Peacocks are everywhere and amongst the lakes are waterfowl ranging from egrets, painted storks, cormorants, Indian darters and herons. Birds of Prey such as honey buzzard, black winged kite, vulture and eagles are also seen. Smaller birds include bee eaters, magpie robins, jungle babblers, parakeets and rufus tree pies. The roller is also a magnificent bird to see.

    There will be plenty of time available each day for you to relax between game drives. There is a swimming pool available and free wifi in the hotel for your use. Janette will also be available to answer questions at all times.

    Included

    • All transfers in air conditioned vehicles
    • 11 Game Drives
    • Accommodation
    • All meals in main hotel
    • Guide Fees
    • Tuition
    • Park Fees
    • Taxes
    • Supply of bean bags (but generally not required)
    • Supply of clean bottled water
    • Jeep Fees
    • Supply of Cool Box

    Excluded

    • Flights
    • Visas
    • Travel Insurance
    • Items of a personal nature
    • Lunch on first day in India (Delhi to Ranthambhore transfer)
    • Lunch on last day in India (Ranthambhore to Delhi transfer). Please note packed lunch is provided but most clients prefer to pay for lunch en route!
    • Dinner in airport hotel on last night
    • Tipping - expected in India for all drivers, guides, hotel etc

    Photography Experience Itinerary

    Please note: Sometimes the itinerary may change but this will not interfere with game viewing and photography opportunities!

    Day 1

    • Fly to Dehli from London (overnight flight)

    Day 2

    • Transfer to Ranthambhore direct from Dehli Airport
    • Lunch in a local restaurant carefully chosen (at own expense)
    • Settle in to Hotel
    • Meet up before dinner to chat about the week ahead

    Day 3

    • Morning: Game Drive
    • Evening: Game Drive
    • In between Game Drives full use of Hotel facilities

    Day 4

    • Morning: Game Drive
    • Evening: Game Drive
    • In between Game Drives full use of Hotel facilities

    Day 5

    • Morning: Game Drive
    • Evening: Game Drive
    • In between Game Drives full use of Hotel facilities

    Day 6

    • Morning: Game Drive
    • Evening: Game Drive
    • In between Game Drives full use of Hotel facilities

    Day 7

    • Morning: Game Drive
    • Evening: Game Drive
    • In between Game Drives full use of Hotel facilities

    Day 8

    • Morning: Game Drive
    • Transfer to Dehli and stay overnight in airport hotel ready for your flight to Heathrow (or other airport).
    • Lunch in the hotel restaurant (at own expense)

    Day 9

    • Fly home Dehli to London (or other destination)

    Photography Experience FAQs

    Will I get Delhi Belly?

    Not if you are careful! It is sensible to avoid salads and tap water. Provided you stick to bottled water you should be fine. The food at the hotel is freshly prepared and cooked well. Nevertheless it is advisable to take imodium in case you are sensitive to the food which may be spicy for some.

    How long is the transfer?

    The transfer is about the same timescale whichever way we do it. The options are train and car, plane and car or just car. The railway station is some distance from Delhi Airport and the train journey itself is about 6 hours long. You would then have a long drive after that also. Simlarly if you fly from Dehli to Agra or Jaipur there still follows a long drive. It is for this reason that we transfer directly from Dehli to Ranthambhore by vehicle which is air conditioned and with bottled water supplied. It is comfortable and less stressful than changing planes and catching trains! The total journey time from Dehli is about 4 hours with pit stops on the way for comfort breaks.

    How many game drives are there?

    11 in total (morning and evening game drives) in the park in order that we maximise the time to see tigers in the wild.

    What will I see?

    Hopefully the Bengal Tiger but there is an abundance of wildlife in the National Park including leopard, indian fox, jackals and sloth bears. There are samba deer and spotted deer in abundance. You may also see antelope along with the large variety of birdlife in the park. Scops owls and spotted owls are often seen nesting. Brown fishing owls are also in the park. Peacocks are everywhere and amongst the lakes are waterfowl ranging from egrets, painted storks, Indian darters and herons. Birds of Prey such as honey buzzard, black winged kite, vulture and eagles are also seen. Smaller birds include bee eaters, magpie robins, parakeets and rufus tree pies. The roller is also a magnificent bird to see.

    What is the accommodation like?

    Clean and comfortable with hot water for showers and tea and coffee making facilities in each room. There is also a swimming pool and free wifi. Food is fresh and well cooked. Rooms are air conditioned. We stay at the Ranthambhore Regency Hotel, a luxury resort. The staff are friendly and courteous and do everything they can to make your stay a welcome one.

    Do I need to tip?

    It is customery in India to tip your driver and guide. As a rough guide it is about US$10/20 for the driver of your jeep for each game drive per person, US$20/30 for your naturalist guide for each game drive per person, US$40 per person for the transfer from the airport to Dehli and return to the airport at the end of the trip. You should budget an extra US$ 400 for tips each.

    Do I need waterproofs?

    In general, no. However because of climate changes around the world there is always a possibility that rain may fall and so packing a lightweight poncho or jacket may be useful.

    What camera equipment will I need?

    Any camera will be fine from a compact with digital zoom to a full frame DSLR with lenses. Most images will be taken with the range 200-400mm. If you have a 70-200mm lens I would recommend taking this also. It is not always about zooming in tight to a subject, it is good to show the environment also. There are lovely landscapes in Ranthambhore so you may consider taking a wide angle lens but bear in mind that you will not be allowed to leave the jeep for safety reasons so using a tripod will be extremely difficult. Tripods are not recommended. If you have a 400mm prime lens you will use this along with your 70-200mm in the main. There are occasions where a longer lens is useful so if you want to take a bigger lens please do so. Converters may also be an option. There is enough room in the jeep for equipment should you want to take it. Please also ensure that you have a covering for your camera as it can get very dusty on occasions.

    What do you do during the day?

    We are up very early for the morning game drives and out again later in the day for the evening game drives. The days are free for you to do anything you want to.

    The hotel is located in Ranthambhore and so there are plenty of opportunities to walk around and do some street photography. You may also go on a camel cart ride and visit a local village, or you could just chill out by the pool at the hotel, it is entirely up to you. It can get quite hot at this time of year so you might want to just spend time in your air-conditioned room!

    How long is the flight?

    About 9 hours. The flights are direct from Heathrow to Dehli (or a different airport in the UK if this is easier for you). The ideal time to arrive at Dehli is at about 10am in the morning. The flight is usually an overnight flight from the UK.

    How much do the flights cost?

    This depends on the time of booking and on the airline that you choose for your travel. The price varies from about £650.00 return to about £900.00 return. Generally the earlier you book the cheaper the flight. It is best to shop around for the best flight deals. Since the pandemic flight costs seem to be increasing rapidly sadly.

    Are you able to help with booking the flights?

    We are always happy to advise on the best flights to book.

    Are there towels provided at the hotel?

    Yes

    What currency do I need?

    The main currency is Indian Rupees but US$ are also accepted everywhere in Ranthambhore. For your lunch on the transfer days it is best to have Indian Rupees. You are not able to obtain rupees before you travel but you can buy some at Delhi Airport. As a guide you do not really need more than about £30 – £40 worth of Indian Rupees.

    How much money will I need?

    There is not a lot to spend your money on in Ranthambhore! After the last game drive on each tour we visit a local shop where you can buy scarfs, T Shirts, fabrics, rugs and paintings etc… They will accept US$ for payment. It very much depends on what it is you want to buy to determine how much money to take with you. Drinks in the hotel are not included so you will need to pay for these at the end of your trip. Credit Cards are accepted also.

    Will I need a tripod?

    It is best not to bring one. It is more likely to get in the way than assist you. There is also limited space in the jeep for 3 legs to be placed securely. When a tiger is spotted you will need to be able to hand hold your camera which at times can be supported by a bean bag which is the preferred option if the situation suits.

    Would a monopod be useful?

    Yes and no. If we are stationary than a monopod will help with stability especially if your camera and lens is heavy. Remember that it may also impede your usage of your camera also as you are in a jeep. You can always bring it along and see as it can be stored under the seats if not used.

    What is the weather like?

    Temperatures can vary from being quite chilly first thing in the morning to extremely hot in the afternoons. You will need a fleece for the morning drives on some days. A hat and suncream is advisable. The tracks in the park can also be very dusty and so a protective cover for your camera is advised also.

    How do I keep cool?

    It can also of course get very hot at times. It will be important for you to keep drinking water. A cool box is provided and cold water will always be available. It is sometimes helpful to soak and old towel or scarf in water and place it in the fridge so that you have an ice cold scarf or towel to place around your neck, just an idea but it does work!

    Customer Testimonials

    Testimonials from customers who have completed the 'Bengal Tiger Tour' photography experience

    Book your place on the Bengal Tiger Tour Photography Experience

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    +44 (0)7913-415-701

    We're here to help and are happy to answer any questions you may have, any time!

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