home about us late availability family holidays adventure holidays responsible tourism community destination guides contact us

Tiger photography tour

country:India
location:Madhya Pradesh, Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve 
departures:2008: 5 Nov
price:From £1995 (12 days) inc flights from the UK, from £1495 excluding flights
vouchers:Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday

introduction to Tiger photography tour

Bandhavgarh National Park,  situated amid the airy Vindhya hills of Madhya Pradesh, has established a reputation as one of the best places in India to observe Tigers.

Although a relatively small reserve when first established in 1968, it was enlarged twenty years later to include adjacent tracts of Sal forest and this extension has proved very beneficial for the Tiger population.

The 105 square kilometres of park area, open for tourists is estimated to have a population of 22 tigers, a density of one tiger for every 4.77 square kilometres.

Like many Tiger reserves in India, the area was formerly the hunting reserve of a Maharaja and contains much evidence of its royal associations, most spectacular being the ruins of a huge hilltop fort which dominates the centre of the reserve. Bandhavgarh is somewhat isolated in the rural heart of India but the long overnight train journey from Delhi is well worth the effort and visitors are richly rewarded by a fine selection of wildlife and the real chance of never to be forgotten encounters with the greatest of the big cats.
day-by-day itinerary
Day 1:Depart London.
Day 2:Delhi; overnight train to Umaria.
Day 3-9:Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve.
Day 10:Final day in Bandhavgarh; overnight train to Agra.
Day 11:Full day's sightseeing in Agra; evening train to Delhi.
Day 12:Fly London.
this holiday is operated by a wildlife specialist
Typically trips are expertly guided by a leading specialist with a good knowledge of the area to be visited. Inevitably, birds, plants and mammals are the main focus of attention however, the aim will be to incorporate all other aspects of the natural world in an attempt to be as broad-minded as possible. A local guide may often accompany trips.
how this holiday makes a difference
Unlike most other wildlife or Tiger tours in India, this holiday’s sole focus is on one reserve, thereby both minimising your travelling (and associated environmental damage) and travel-stress, whilst maximising your chances of encountering Tigers and other wildlife. Indeed, with the exception of our game drives and railway transfers, our travels within India consist of just two train journeys. The comfortable lodge that we use throughout our stay in Bandhavgarh, constructed with both local labour and materials, is privately owned and staffed by local villagers; its meals are based on fresh locally purchased produce.

Our small groups (of between 6 and 16), escorted throughout by an expert British wildlife photographer, are assisted by both local guides and drivers, many of whom have received training, encouragement and equipment from us (notably guidebooks and binoculars). Inevitably, your visit to an Indian wildlife reserve brings valued income and employment to impoverished rural communities, and encourages both local people and their governments to value and protect one of the world’s richest wildlife heritages. Should you wish, we will be pleased to facilitate a visit to the local senior school at Tala and, if you would like to assist the school in any way, you may do this through the London-based charity, Friends of Conservation, who are co-ordinating funds for the renovation and improvement of the school buildings, as well as for the supply of books and other teaching equipment.

As a company we have achieved AITO’s top level, 3-star Responsible Tourism accreditation and we have always tried to operate our holidays in an environmentally responsible manner, striving to contribute to wildlife conservation and habitat preservation at all times.

Our policy includes:
  • To focus, particularly, on visiting areas which do not benefit from the rewards of mass market tourism.
  • To minimise environmental damage by exploring in small groups and, as much as possible, on foot.
  • To use, wherever possible, local guides. 
  • To involve local communities and to ensure that they receive a fair share of  the benefits of wildlife tourism.
  • To use, wherever possible, small, locally owned accommodations & specialist local agents/ground operators. 
  • To purchase, where possible, local produce.
  • To develop and commit to long-term plans to visit rural areas and support the local communities.
  • To contribute financially to projects local to the areas that we visit (ie. schools, hospitals, etc.)
  • To educate the local people on the importance and long-term benefits of wildlife tourism.
  • To keep our clients well-informed on aspects of wildlife management and conservation.
  • To work with British and overseas conservation organisations to develop new wildlife tourism destinations.
  • To run our UK office in as energy-efficient a manner as possible.

    We also encourage our clients to offset their carbon dioxide emissions.
  • Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people.

    We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel.

    'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left).

    We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays.

    We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism.

    This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards.

    check out similar holiday ideas...
    Convert currencies