MAX
Group Size
MIN
Group Size
Days Away From Home
4
6
10
Why Travel With Us To
Bandhavgarh, India?
Typical Operator | FOW's "Tigers Of Bandhavgarh" |
3-5 days typical | 6 full days in Bandhavgarh |
6-8 safari sessions typical | 9 dedicated safari sessions |
8-12 guests common | Maximum 6 guests |
4-6 per vehicle typical | Maximum 2 guests per jeep |
Variable or general guides | Dedicated professional tour leader |
Year-round availability | November (optimal conditions) |
Key Differentiators
The combination of extended duration, intimate group size, professional photography leadership, and strategic timing delivers exceptional value for photographers seeking authentic Bengal tiger encounters and comprehensive wildlife documentation. You receive more field time, better positioning, expert guidance, and a complete cultural experience in one thoughtfully designed package.
Basic Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive in Delhi
Day 2 - Travel Day to Bandhavgarh
Day 3 - Morning and afternoon safari
Day 4 - Morning and afternoon safari
Day 5 - Morning safari and "free" afternoon
Day 6 - Morning and afternoon safari
Day 7 - Morning and afternoon safari
Day 8 - Travel Day to Delhi
Day 9 - Departure
Want a more detailed itinerary?
What's Included
2 nights hotel in Delhi (arrival and departure)
6 nights at Natural Heritage Resort, Bandhavgarh
Well-appointed air-conditioned rooms/cottages on double occupancy basis
Single room supplement available (please inquire)
Daily breakfast throughout the tour
All meals during Bandhavgarh stay (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Delhi accommodation includes breakfast only
9 jeep safari drives in Bandhavgarh
Maximum 2-3 photographers per safari vehicle
All park entrance fees, jeep charges, and permit fees
Forest guide fees included
Professional FOW photographic tour leader throughout (alternating between vehicles during safaris)
Full-time Indian tour guide/naturalist for entire trip
Airport meet and greet assistance on arrival/departure
2 internal flights (Delhi-Jabalpur round trip) in Economy Class
Air-conditioned SUV for all ground transfers included in the tour program
Comfortable transportation throughout
What's Not Included
International flights to/from Delhi
Gratuities for drivers, forest guides, and hotel staff
Camera fees (currently no charge at the parks)
Passport and visa fees (guidance provided for visa process)
Optional activities beyond scheduled program
Airline baggage fees
Personal travel insurance (strongly recommended)
Personal property/camera insurance (strongly recommended)
Personal expenses (laundry, beverages, telephone, etc.)
What We Recommend
One or two camera bodies (there may be a small additional charge for second camera at Bandhavgarh)
Telephoto lens (200-500mm range) plus teleconverter
Wide-angle lens (24mm or wider) for landscapes (optional)
Mid-range zoom lens (24-105mm is ideal)
Memory cards with adequate capacity
Extra camera batteries and charging equipment
Camera rain cover
Monopod for stability during safari (optional but helpful)
Neck gaiter or bandana (essential - significant dust on safari)
Dust protection for camera equipment
Rucksack to protect equipment during safari
Comfortable walking boots for any walks
Weatherproof clothing
Binoculars for wildlife viewing
Sun protection (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses)
Important Information
Walking Requirements
Limited walking is required during this vehicle-based tour. Brief stops occur at designated areas with basic facilities. Reasonable fitness and comfortable footwear are sufficient.
Weather Conditions
November offers pleasant temperatures in Bandhavgarh with comfortable daytime conditions. Mornings and evenings can be cooler. The dry season provides excellent visibility and wildlife activity.
Food Considerations
All meals are provided. Please advise of any dietary requirements, allergies, or preferences well in advance to ensure appropriate arrangements. Bottled water is provided on safari. Indian cuisine is featured with attention to traveler sensitivities.
Photography Experience Level
All photography skill levels are accommodated. Your tour leader provides support appropriate to your experience level throughout the journey.
Insurance Requirements
All participants are required to have both travel and equipment insurance for the duration of the tour. This ensures protection for yourself and your gear, giving peace of mind while in the field. Insurance is the sole responsibility of each participant and must be arranged prior to departure, as Focused On Wildlife does not provide coverage.
Focused On Wildlife, however, is fully covered under the UK Package Travel Regulations against financial failure, giving participants reassurance that all bookings are financially protected.
Your Bandhavgarh Experience
A Photographer's Journey Through India's Premier Tiger Reserve
This photography tour takes you deep into Bandhavgarh National Park, recognized for its remarkable Bengal tiger population and extraordinary wildlife photography opportunities. Rather than simply hoping for chance encounters, this journey is structured around maximising your photographic success in one of India's most celebrated reserves.
Throughout the tour, you'll develop:
Effective techniques for working with challenging jungle lighting and high-contrast conditions
Skills in capturing tiger behavior and natural interactions rather than static portraits
Compositional approaches that communicate the power of India's wilderness
The ability to anticipate animal movement and secure optimal shooting positions
Strategies for managing camera equipment in dusty, hot safari conditions
Professional photographic guidance is provided throughout to support your creative decisions, technical settings, and understanding of wildlife behavior.
Immersion in a World-Class Tiger Sanctuary
Bandhavgarh National Park in Madhya Pradesh stands among India's most distinguished wildlife reserves. The park's exceptional tiger concentration creates outstanding photographic possibilities rarely found elsewhere.
What distinguishes this tour:
Six full days at Bandhavgarh - extended field time compared to many standard tours
Nine dedicated safari drives spanning multiple days for comprehensive coverage
Maximum 2 photographers per safari vehicle - ensuring unobstructed views and personal space for telephoto work
Pre-arranged zone access - strategic allocation to areas with active tiger territories
Experienced naturalist guides who understand photographer requirements and animal behaviour
Modified safari vehicles providing optimal positioning for wildlife photography
The combination of high tiger density and extended field duration creates exceptional opportunities for documenting varied behaviors and individual animals in their natural habitat.
Beyond Tigers
While Bengal tigers remain the primary focus, Bandhavgarh delivers remarkable biodiversity:
Mammals: Leopards (frequently present but secretive), sloth bears, Indian gaur (wild bison), sambar deer, spotted deer (chital), barking deer, wild boar, Indian fox, golden jackals, grey langurs, rhesus macaques
Birds: Over 250 species including Indian paradise flycatcher, Malabar pied hornbill, crested serpent eagle, changeable hawk-eagle, white-eyed buzzard, and wild Indian peafowl displaying in natural habitat
Landscapes: The historic 2,000-year-old Bandhavgarh Fort overlooking dramatic cliffs, sal forest vistas, grassland clearings, and rocky formations offering compositional variety
Cultural elements: Rural village scenes, ancient cave carvings, traditional Indian life
Pace and Photography Focus
The schedule is arranged around optimal wildlife activity periods with morning and afternoon safari sessions. November timing provides pleasant temperatures and excellent visibility, positioning you during comfortable conditions while maintaining strong tiger activity patterns.
Throughout the tour, discussions naturally address technical approaches for wildlife photography, tiger territorial behaviour, and the conservation achievements that have restored Bandhavgarh's tiger population.
The tour provides photography-focused learning:
Pre-safari briefings: Daily zone selection based on recent sighting reports and weather conditions
Field guidance: Real-time support with composition, behavior interpretation, and technical challenges
Evening discussions: Opportunities to review images and discuss photographic approaches
Professional instruction: Continuous photography guidance from your tour leader
This structure helps you develop skills that enhance your wildlife photography beyond this specific tour.
Ideal Participant Profile
This experience suits photographers who:
Seek authentic Bengal tiger encounters at a world-class reserve
Value extended field time (6 full days) for thorough documentation
Appreciate professional photography guidance alongside shooting opportunities
Prefer maximum 2 photographers per vehicle over crowded safari arrangements
Welcome the cultural experience of traveling in India
Can manage warm November temperatures comfortably
Desire a structured itinerary that balances wildlife photography with cultural immersion
All skill levels are welcomed. Beginners receive foundational guidance on wildlife photography techniques and equipment management, while experienced photographers are challenged with sophisticated behavioural interpretation and creative approaches.
What You'll Return With
By tour's end, you'll have:
Comprehensive tiger portfolio: Multiple individual tigers across different ages, territorial behaviours, family groups (if present), and environmental portraits in varied lighting conditions
Enhanced technical abilities: Wildlife photography techniques, challenging light management, equipment handling in dusty conditions, and action photography skills
Behavioural understanding: Tiger territorial patterns, communication behaviours, and interaction with prey species
Diverse wildlife collection: Leopards, sloth bears, Indian gaur, various deer species, wild birds, and jungle landscapes
Cultural experiences: The historic Bandhavgarh Fort, rural Indian village life, and insights into traditional customs
Professional guidance benefits: Improved photography skills through continuous instruction and feedback
Unforgettable memories: Close tiger encounters from open vehicles and the remarkable experience of India's premier wildlife reserve
The combination creates a complete photographic story of Bengal tiger conservation success in one of India's most important protected areas.
Enter Bandhavgarh’s ancient forests, where wild Bengal tigers roam freely. With patience and time, you’ll witness and photograph powerful, intimate moments as tigers move, rest and rule their world, within a safari that blends raw wilderness with genuine comfort. Designed for photographers who value time, behaviour and atmosphere beyond sight.