Wildlife Photography Tour India

Itinerary – India Wildlife Photography Tour “India’s Big Five”

Join us on an unforgettable photography journey through India’s most iconic wildlife regions. This carefully planned itinerary takes us from the forests of central India to the great floodplains of Assam, with opportunities to photograph Bengal tigers, Indian one-horned rhinoceroses, Asian elephants, wild water buffalo, swamp deer and a remarkable diversity of birdlife.

The itinerary below provides a general overview of our journey. Once in India, we keep the schedule flexible so that we can adapt to local conditions, flight schedules and wildlife activity.

Day 1: Arrival in Delhi

Assuming we are all on the same overnight flight, we will meet shortly after midnight at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. Our local guide, Rakesh Sharma, will meet us there and transfer us to a comfortable hotel close to the airport, giving us a chance to rest after the journey.

Day 2: Delhi – Rest and Time to Settle In

Today is deliberately kept relaxed to help you recover from the overnight flight and adjust to the time difference. After lunch, there may be the option of a short excursion to see a little of Delhi, such as India Gate, and there will also be the opportunity to withdraw Indian rupees if needed. We return to the hotel for dinner and a good night’s sleep before the safari journey begins.

Day 3: Kanha National Park – First Safari in Tiger Country

This morning we take an early domestic flight to Jabalpur, followed by a drive of around three hours to Kanha National Park. After checking in at our lodge and having lunch, we head out on our first game drive in one of India’s most scenic tiger reserves (Assuming we encounter no flight delays). Kanha’s mix of forest and open meadow is ideal for wildlife photography, and from the outset we may encounter species such as Bengal tiger, swamp deer, gaur and dhole (wild dogs).

Day 4: Kanha National Park – Tigers, Swamp Deer and Birdlife

Our first full day in Kanha is spent on morning and afternoon game drives in open-top jeeps. The park is famed not only for its Bengal tigers, but also for its beautiful landscapes, rich birdlife and the rare barasingha, or swamp deer, which has become one of Kanha’s great conservation success stories.

Day 5: Kanha National Park – Leopards, Wild Dogs and Sloth Bears

We continue exploring different safari zones in Kanha, giving ourselves the best possible chance of varied sightings and photographic opportunities. Alongside tigers, this is a good place to watch for leopard, dhole, sloth bear, wild boar and several deer species, all set against wonderfully atmospheric forest backdrops.

Day 6: Kanha National Park – Final Safaris and Last Chances for Tiger

Our final full day in Kanha gives us more time to enjoy both an early morning and afternoon safari. Whether we spend time photographing tiger tracks in the dust, deer in the misty grasslands or the impressive bulk of gaur in the forest, this is another rewarding day in one of India’s most photogenic reserves.

Day 7: Bandhavgarh National Park – Transfer and Afternoon Game Drive

After breakfast, we leave Kanha and travel north to Bandhavgarh National Park, a journey of around four to five hours. Bandhavgarh is known for its dramatic scenery and one of the highest densities of Bengal tigers in India. After checking into our lodge, we head out for an afternoon safari, with chances of seeing tiger, leopard, sambar deer and perhaps even sloth bear.

Day 8: Bandhavgarh National Park – High Tiger Density Country

Today we enjoy morning and afternoon game drives in Bandhavgarh’s striking landscape of rocky hills, forest and open valleys. This is one of the best places in India to search for Bengal tiger, but there is also excellent supporting wildlife including leopard, gaur, chital and a good range of birds, from raptors to owls.

Day 9: Bandhavgarh National Park – Tigers, Leopards and Forest Wildlife

Our second full day in Bandhavgarh gives us more time to work the area thoroughly and respond to recent sightings. The park’s rich mix of habitats makes it ideal for dramatic wildlife photography, and we will again be looking for tiger, leopard, sloth bear and the many deer and bird species that make this reserve so rewarding.

Day 10: Return to Delhi

After breakfast, we leave Bandhavgarh and drive to Jabalpur Airport for our flight back to Delhi. On arrival in the capital, we transfer to our hotel for the night. This is a useful pause in the journey, giving everyone a chance to rest, recharge batteries and prepare for the next leg of the trip in Assam.

Day 11: Kaziranga National Park – Fly to Assam and Enter Rhino Country

After breakfast we fly to Guwahati, then continue by road to Kaziranga National Park, a drive of around four to five hours. The scenery changes dramatically here: instead of central India’s forests, we enter a landscape of floodplains, wetlands and tall elephant grass. After arriving at our lodge, we settle in for the next stage of the tour in one of India’s richest wildlife areas, home to Indian one-horned rhinoceros, Asian elephant and wild water buffalo.

Day 12: Kaziranga National Park – Rhinos and Elephants

Today we begin exploring Kaziranga by jeep, with morning and afternoon game drives in one of the park’s sectors. Kaziranga is world-famous for its population of Indian one-horned rhinoceros, and there is every chance of close views of rhino, elephant, swamp deer and wild water buffalo in the open grasslands.

Day 13: Kaziranga National Park – Buffalo, Deer and Wetland Birds

Another full day on safari allows us to explore more of Kaziranga’s superb mosaic of grassland and wetland habitats. As well as its celebrated large mammals, the park is also outstanding for birdlife, so we may photograph storks, hornbills, eagles and a wide variety of wetland species alongside the bigger animals.

Day 14: Kaziranga National Park – India’s Big Five Landscape

With two more game drives today, we continue making the most of Kaziranga’s extraordinary wildlife density. This is one of the few places in India where rhino, elephant, wild water buffalo and swamp deer can all be seen in the same broad landscape, while tiger is also present, though harder to spot in the tall grass.

Day 15: Kaziranga National Park – Rhino, Elephant and Bird Photography

Today brings another full day in the field, giving us more opportunities to work on different photographic subjects and conditions. Some may focus on the larger mammals, while others may enjoy Kaziranga’s prolific birdlife and the changing light across the wetlands and riverine grasslands.

Day 16: Kaziranga National Park – Final Full Day and Last Chances for Big Game

Our final full day in Kaziranga is a chance to savour this remarkable park and look for any species we may still be hoping to photograph. Rhino, elephant, buffalo, swamp deer and a host of birds remain likely targets, with the added excitement that tiger and smooth-coated otter are also possibilities.

Day 17: Departure Day

All good things must come to an end, and this trip is no exception. After breakfast, we will drive back to Guwahati. Here, we will board our flight to Delhi at 16:55, arriving around 19:40. After checking into our hotel, we’ll have a chance to shower and enjoy our evening meal. Later in the evening, we will be taken to Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi for our flight back to the UK.

Cost of India Wildlife Photography Tour

This 17-day India wildlife photography tour is priced from £5,295 per person, based on shared accommodation. The tour includes guided safaris in three of India’s top national parks: Kanha, Bandhavgarh, and Kaziranga, offering exceptional opportunities for tiger and rhino photography.
Single Room Supplement: £615 per person

Room Options (Accommodation in India)

1 Person in a Shared 2-Person Room:
You will share a twin room with another traveller of the same gender, with separate beds. If no suitable roommate is available, the single room supplement will apply.
2 People in a 2-Person Room (Couples or Friends):
Ideal for couples or friends joining this India safari. You can request either a double bed or twin beds during booking.
1 Person in a Single Room:
A private room throughout the India photography tour, subject to availability and the single supplement. In some cases, sole occupancy of a twin room may also incur the supplement.

What’s Included in the India Safari Tour

• Accommodation throughout the 18-day India wildlife photography tour (shared twin basis)
• All meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• All internal transport in India, including transfers, domestic flights, and train journeys
• All national park entrance fees and safari permits
• Daily game drives in Kanha, Bandhavgarh, and Kaziranga National Parks
• Guidance from professional wildlife photographer Benjamin Smail
• Expert local tiger tracking guide Rakesh and his team
• Experienced local naturalist safari guides in each national park
• Regular wildlife photography reviews and feedback sessions
• Pre-trip briefing and group meeting before departure

What’s Not Included

• International flights to India (typically £500–£900 depending on booking time and departure airport)
• Alcoholic and soft drinks
• Personal expenses and souvenirs
• India visa fees
• Travel and cancellation insurance
• Tips for guides and drivers (approximately £110–£150 per person)
• Single room supplement (£615 if applicable)

Practical Information for Your Photography Trip to India

Participants Meeting

Before departure, we organise a participants meeting so you can meet your fellow travellers, go through the itinerary, and ask any questions about the India photography tour.

Accommodation

We stay in a mix of comfortable to high-quality lodges and hotels throughout India. All rooms include a private bathroom and air conditioning. Accommodation is based on shared twin rooms with separate beds, with single rooms available for an additional supplement.

Trip Intensity

This India wildlife photography tour is not physically demanding, but early mornings, warm temperatures, and uneven roads can make it feel more active. A reasonable level of fitness is recommended, as some safaris and short walks may involve carrying camera equipment.

Travel Arrangements

International flights from the UK to India are not included in the trip price. Once the tour is confirmed, we will provide flight guidance and can assist with booking if required.

We typically depart the UK on 26 January, arriving in Delhi on 27 January. The return flight is scheduled for 11 February after dinner, arriving back in the UK on 12 February.

Local Transportation

All transport within India is provided, including a private minibus with driver and several domestic flights between regions.

Required Equipment

For this wildlife photography tour in India, we recommend bringing:

• Two camera bodies
• Telephoto lenses (minimum 400mm recommended for birds)
• 200–600mm lenses for safari photography
• Monopod or handheld support (bean bag recommended for jeep safaris)
• Sufficient memory cards and spare batteries

Tripods are generally not practical in safari jeeps due to limited space and fixed metal bars, so bean bags are strongly recommended.

Climate and Clothing

In January, India offers pleasant but varied conditions, with cool mornings around 10–15°C and warmer daytime temperatures. Layered clothing is essential.

We recommend warm layers for early safaris, a lightweight jacket, hat or cap, and breathable clothing for daytime use. Sturdy walking shoes are ideal for short walks, while lighter footwear is suitable for lodges. A rain jacket and mosquito repellent are also advisable.

Vaccinations

Please consult your GP or a travel health clinic for the most up-to-date vaccination advice for travel to India. Anti-malaria precautions are recommended for certain regions.

Passport and Visa

A valid passport is required for travel to India and must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your return date. A visa is also required and can usually be obtained online via the official Indian e-visa system or through your nearest embassy.

Safety

India is generally safe for travellers, and locals are typically welcoming and helpful. During safaris and walks, it is important to follow guide instructions and avoid walking into tall grass or dense vegetation.

Wildlife Photography Highlights

India is one of the world’s top wildlife photography destinations, offering exceptional opportunities to photograph tigers, rhinos, elephants, and a wide range of bird species.

Key bird species include:

• Indian roller
• Sea eagles (including multiple species in Kaziranga)
• Herons, storks, and kingfishers
• Owl species and raptors
• 300–500 bird species depending on region

Key mammal species include:

• Bengal tiger
• Leopard
• Asian elephant
• Indian rhinoceros
• Wild water buffalo
• Sloth bear
• Dhole (wild dog)
• Various deer species (sambar, chital, barasingha)
• Ganges river dolphin
• Smooth-coated otter
• Primates including langurs and macaques

We look forward to welcoming you on this India wildlife photography adventure, where world-class safari experiences and unforgettable wildlife encounters await.