Tigers & Sloth Bears Photo Tour
Eye to eye with tigers
- Best location to see and photograph tigers
- Chance to see sloth bears, leopards, and a wide array of bird species
- Premium guide to guest ratio with just 2 guests per jeep
- 9 days / 8 nights, with 7 days of photography
Time stands still as you watch in awe. The tiger’s fur is a vivid tapestry of colors, every stripe and pattern a masterpiece of evolution. Its muscles ripple beneath its fur as it prowls silently through its domain, every movement a testament to its predatory prowess. The sheer majesty of this apex predator is both humbling and exhilarating.
During this 9 day adventure, we’ll enter the world of wild tigers, led by top-notch guides who ensure incredible sightings and photo opportunities. These experts are not only skilled in tracking tigers but also passionate conservation advocates. We’ll rise early to explore their habitats, capturing intimate moments, learning about their vital role in ecosystems, and gaining insights into conservation efforts. This journey will leave you with extraordinary memories, captivating photos, and a renewed commitment to tiger conservation.
Tour Highlights: Incredible tiger photography with the chance for sloth bears
2024 Dates:
* May 10-18 (space available)
Tour Leader: Zac Mills
Price: $4,995 USD
Price includes: All meals, accommodation, fees, and guiding from New Delhi
Accommodation: Single
Starting Location: New Delhi, India
Fitness Level: Easy
PHOTO GALLERY
PANTHERA TIGRIS
Seeing a tiger in the wild is like witnessing a page from a storybook come to life. It’s a moment when time stands still, and the heart races with a mix of exhilaration and reverence as the jungle’s vibrant tapestry unfolds before your eyes. In this sacred encounter, one becomes part of the untamed world, forever humbled by the tiger’s magnificent presence.
In Ranthambhore, the majestic tiger reigns supreme, its regal presence unfurling amidst a backdrop of dense forests, rugged terrain, and serene lakes. What makes this place extraordinary is the remarkable opportunity it provides to encounter these magnificent creatures in their natural domain. Here, the jungle reverberates with their roars, and the shadows of tigers streak through the foliage. As you venture deeper into this timeless wilderness, you become part of a living narrative—a story that intertwines the awe-inspiring beauty of nature with the echoes of ancient civilizations, epitomizing the essence of Ranthambhore’s enduring allure.
TRIP DETAILS
Our typical day starts shortly after sunrise. After a quick coffee and breakfast, we head out in our open roof jeep to search for tigers, sloth bears, and other wildlife during our morning safari. Tiger photography is tough because tigers can be tricky to find. That’s why we rely upon our expert guides, our friends, who know tiger behavior like few others. Over the next 3.5 hours, we will drive through Ranthambhore and rely upon the experience of our guides to get us in the best possible position to take amazing photos.
After our morning session, we will return to the lodge for lunch and to relax. Later in the afternoon, we will head back out on the jeep for our afternoon safari, where the golden light of the setting sun often paints the jungle in a magical glow. Once our safari is finished, we will return to the lodge for a sumptuous dinner and a well-deserved overnight rest, ready to embark on another thrilling day of wildlife photography in the heart of Ranthambhore.
CHANCE FOR SLOTH BEARS
With their shaggy coats and iconic white chest markings, sloth bears are truly exceptional creatures, celebrated for their distinctive appearance, unique feeding habits, and cultural significance. What sets them apart is their atypical diet—primarily termites and ants—which they extract with remarkable precision using their specialized adaptations. Their elusive and nocturnal nature adds an air of mystery, making encounters with them in the wild particularly special.
While Ranthambhore is renowned for its tiger population, it is a diverse ecosystem that supports a variety of wildlife, including sloth bears. Did you know that a mama sloth bear will carry her cubs on her back for their first nine months? Or that they have developed a defensive instinct to protect themselves from tigers, and it’s not uncommon to see tigers giving sloth bears ample due to their assertive nature? There are several exciting instances of such encounters available online. For instance, you can find two widely shared videos from Ranthambore National where a sloth bear successfully chases away two tigers.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Telephoto? Supertelephoto? Wide-angle? We are going to help prepare you to take the best possible photos. Before the tour, we will have one-on-one sessions to get know you, your shooting style, discuss topics of interest (such as field techniques, composition, post-processing), and provide guidance to help you grow as a photographer and storyteller.
During the tour, we will talk about the key elements of composition, spacing and separation, and have optional image review sessions at night. After the tour, there will be follow up one-on-one sessions to help you choose and edit your favorite images from the tour.
Our policy is simple: ask us anything at anytime about gear, technique, strategy, composition, post-processing and beyond. We are here to help you!
MEET YOUR GUIDE
Zac Mills
As a wildlife photographer, traveler, and former World Bank economist, Zac brings a different perspective to wildlife conservation. He founded the Wildlife Collective to help others become better wildlife photographers and to use their voice for conservation. With leadership roles in several conservation organizations, Zac knows first hand that working together with like-minded individuals can make a difference. A certified guide and bear lover, Zac hopes to entertain you with stories from the wild and to inspire you to take action.
ITINERARY
The tour departs from New Delhi, India. Please plan to arrive in Delhi by May 10th at the latest.
Delhi
May 10
Arrive in New Delhi, India
Our photo tour starts in New Delhi, the capital of India, where you will be picked up at the airport and transferred to a boutique hotel to spend the night.
May 11
Transfer to Ranthambhore
After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to Sawai Madhopur, the gateway to Ranthambhore National Park, where we will spend the night.
May 12-17
Ranthambhore
For each of the next 6 days, we start the day with an early breakfast and then embark our morning tiger safari. Afterwards, we will return to the lodge for lunch and a short rest before we head back out for out afternoon tiger safari. We will then return to the lodge for dinner and a good night’s rest. Each safari lasts approximately 3 to 3.5 hours.
May 18
Transfer to Delhi
On our last day, we will have our final morning safari. Afterwards, we will return to the lodge for lunch and then collect our belongings for our return journey to Delhi, where we will say good-bye.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How many tigers will I see?
Tigers are among the most elusive of the big cats. We hope to see at least one every day and the tour dates are set at the best possible time to maximize sightings.
What other wildlife will I see?
We have a great chance to see sloth bears, leopards, sambar deer, kingfishers, and a variety of other wildife.
How do I get to New Delhi?
Most international airlines fly to New Delhi. If you need any help making your travel arragenments, please let us know.
What focal range do you recommend?
Generally a longer focal range is better for tigers since our jeep must stay on the designated roads within the park. However, some of our favorite photos were taken at 200mm or less. Therefore, it is best to have a variety of focal length options at your disposal.
Will there be cell service or WiFi at the lodge?
Absolutely. We will lose this connectivity however once we enter into the park.
More Questions?
Send us an email and we’ll be happy to arrange a time to chat through everything with you and answer any questions you may have.
WHAT’s INCLUDED?
• All guiding and park fees
• Photography instruction
• Accommodation / Meals
• Transfer to Ranthambhore
WHAT’s NOT INCLUDED?
• Flights to New Delhi
• India tourist visa
JOIN US FOR A TRIP OF A LIFETIME!
Why Our Photo Tours Are Different
Experience
The essence of life lies in its experiences, and it is our unwavering mission to gift you the very best of them. We strive to craft our tours with care and authenticity, making each adventure a vibrant chapter in the story of your life.
Conservation
All of our tours have a conservation focus. We will learn about the challenges facing our primary subject and ongoing conservation work. Plus, every tour makes a donation to a conservation partner.
Locations
We take you to the world’s most amazing wilderness destinations, carefully selected for their unparalleled beauty and chosen based on our commitment to providing guests with the very best wildlife experiences.
Photography Focus
We welcome all levels of photography and provide optional photography sessions before, during, and after the tour. With our hands on learning, you are going to leave our tour as a better photographer. Ask us anything at anytime!
Small Groups
We believe that small groups give the best wildlife expereinces. We do not exceed 6 clients per guide, and in most tours, the ratio will be even smaller. This ensures that you get the personalized attention that you deserve.
Best Guides
We work with the world’s best wildlife guides, who also happen to be our good friends. They are experienced, keep us safe, and put us in the best possible position to have the best wildlife experience.