HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PHOTO TOUR

INDIA – LAND OF TIGERS, TEMPLES, AND INCREDIBLE WILDLIFE
India’s nature may not be as widely celebrated as Africa’s, but it offers an equally fascinating wildlife experience. Here, in the world’s largest democracy, you have the chance to encounter wild Asian elephants, several species of deer and antelope, countless fantastic birds, and the world’s largest cat – the tiger.

India is an absolute must for nature enthusiasts, and for the nature photographer it offers outstanding opportunities to capture images of animals and birds. During this journey, we will visit some of the finest national parks in northern India. Each destination has been carefully chosen to give us the chance to experience both diverse environments and a great variety of species.

Our journey takes us to one of India’s best birding areas, Keoladeo Ghana, then on to the Chambal River, where we will encounter the critically endangered gharial (a crocodile species), and finally to Bandhavgarh National Park, with a focus on the majestic tiger.

KEOLADEO GHANA NATIONAL PARK
The park is located in the state of Rajasthan, about five hours by car from Delhi. Keoladeo Ghana is a wetland area that was established in the 18th century as a hunting reserve for Maharaja Suraj Mal, and the maharajas’ hunting rights remained in place until 1972. In March 1976, the area became a bird sanctuary and was designated a national park in 1982. It is also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Around 150 bird species breed in the park, but more than 370 species have been recorded there. The best time to visit is January–February, when all wintering birds are present.

Some of the birds we can expect to see and photograph in the park include various species of storks and herons, darters, ibises, jacanas, kingfishers, eagles, owls, nightjars, parakeets, and many small passerines. The park is also home to some large mammals, most notably spotted deer (chital) and nilgai antelope. Pythons are also found in the park, and we will make an effort to photograph them.

Keoladeo also offers a varied landscape of wetlands, small lakes, scrub, and grasslands, making it a perfect habitat for both birds and other wildlife. The park’s well-maintained paths and canals make it easy for visitors to walk or cycle right into the heart of this rich ecosystem.

THE CHAMBAL RIVER
The Chambal River is one of the last unspoiled rivers in India and offers a unique opportunity to experience nature in its purest form. Originating in Madhya Pradesh, the river winds its way for 960 kilometers through magnificent landscapes across Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh before joining the mighty Yamuna River, which in turn flows into the sacred Ganges.

Two sections of the Chambal are protected as the Chambal River National Sanctuary, created primarily to preserve the critically endangered gharial – a unique, fish-eating crocodile that once came close to extinction. In 2006, there were estimated to be only about 200 adult gharials left in the wild. Alongside the gharial, the impressive mugger crocodile (or marsh crocodile) also inhabits these waters, and these two species will naturally be highlights of our photo excursions.

The Chambal River is also a paradise for bird lovers. Here we can hope to capture the rare Indian Skimmer in flight as it elegantly slices through the water’s surface with its distinctive lower mandible to catch fish. Other exciting bird species to photograph include pratincoles and terns. The river is also home to several species of turtles and otters, and with a good dose of luck, we might even catch a glimpse of the elusive Ganges river dolphin surfacing briefly from the depths.

BANDHAVGARH NATIONAL PARK
Located in Madhya Pradesh, India, Bandhavgarh National Park was established in 1968 and is one of the most famous parks in the country – not least because several documentaries and television productions have been filmed here. The park is especially renowned for its large and stable tiger population, making it one of the best places in India to see and photograph these magnificent predators in their natural habitat.

According to the most recent tiger census (2022), Bandhavgarh is estimated to have around 135 tigers, making it one of the most tiger-dense parks in India. With an area of approximately 1,530 km² and a population of 135 individuals, this equals about 8.8 tigers per 100 km² – among the highest densities in the world.

One of Bandhavgarh’s advantages is its relatively compact size, which increases the chances of spotting tigers during game drives. In addition to tigers, the park is home to several species of deer, such as chital (spotted deer), sambar deer, and nilgai, often seen grazing in open clearings, perfect subjects for nature photographers. With a bit of luck, we may also encounter the sloth bear, an exciting and photogenic bonus.

For those who wish to combine wildlife with cultural history, there is also an ancient temple within the park, offering a fascinating contrast between the wildness of nature and India’s historical heritage. With the right timing and patience, every safari here can become an unforgettable experience – a chance to witness and capture tigers in their natural home.

PHOTOGRAPHIC LEARNING
Throughout the photo tour, our photographic leader will continuously provide personal guidance and photographic training based on your individual experience and skill level. Field instruction is entirely adapted to your needs. In addition to this, we will have theoretical sessions where we discuss various photographic techniques that we’ll apply during the journey.

The training will be adapted to both the group and individual participants, while also taking into account the photographic opportunities that may arise along the way.

During our days in India, we will photograph everything from landscapes to birds and large mammals. Of course, the tiger will be a major focus during parts of the photo tour, but even in the tiger reserves we will not pass up opportunities to photograph “ordinary” species when good situations arise.

In both Keoladeo and along the Chambal River, we will work intensively on creating exciting bird photographs — portraits, action shots, and birds in their natural environment.

Throughout the journey, we will focus on the image itself, striving to create as broad a photographic portfolio as possible from the places we visit. We will also explore various creative techniques, such as using panning to convey motion in your images.