Trip Report: Tiger Safari: India - March 2025

The horns were honking and cars sped by like a bunch of snakes weaving through the gaps in traffic. We were on our way to the airport.  Upon arrival, we scanned our boarding passes and pushed our way through security to make it to our flight out of New Delhi, India. After landing in Jabalpur, we had a four-hour shuttle to our destination through rural India. There was a drastic difference in lifestyle between the folks who lived in the city versus those in small towns. For travelers who have never visited the country, this may be a bit of a culture shock. Markets lined the streets as both people and cows walked along the road. Escaping the urban lifestyle, agriculture became the way of life for those living in remote areas. A few hours later and we finally made it to our lodge at Treehouse Hideaway where we began our photographic journey to capture the stunning bengal tiger.

‘Tiger Safari: India’ is a Backcountry Journeys photography workshop that had two departures held between March 12 to April 6, 2025. Those ten-day expeditions took place in two national parks, Bandhavgarh and Kanha National Parks. Both of which were heavily forested with patches of grasslands scattered throughout the hilly landscape. Even though tigers were the prime target of this wildlife photography expedition, both parks presented an abundance of wildlife providing ample opportunities to perfect your shooting skills.

Our safari took place during the dry season with temperatures reaching above ninety degrees Fahrenheit by midafternoon. Even though it was hot, dry, and dusty, the forests were lush, and the mornings were cool. Each day began with an early morning departure after getting energized with a mug of coffee. A blanket over our legs and layers stacked on our bodies helped keep us warm during the chilly mornings. Our rain jackets served as a wind breaker as we drove around, searching for the big cat. As the sun rose higher and higher, our jackets returned to our bags and sunglasses shielding our eyes from the dust and sun. Because of all the dust kicked up by the vehicles, it was necessary to periodically check those lenses to prevent any dust spots from appearing in your images.

During the expedition, there were seven guests and one Backcountry Journeys Guide. The eight of us were split up into four vehicles, with two local guides per vehicle. This helped provide plenty of room for everyone to spread out. During the excursion, breakfast was held within the parks, while lunch and dinner were organized back at the lodge. During our full day safaris, we would have a picnic lunch just outside the park after the animal activity had slowed down.

For most of the workshops, our days would consist of two safaris, one in the morning starting at 5:30 AM, and one in the evening. Our daily safaris were usually completed by 7:30 PM, just after sunset. In which case, we would have dinner then slip into our beds ready to repeat our schedule the next day. There was one day in each park where we spent an entire day scouting for tigers. The mornings and evenings were the best time to find the big cats. During the afternoon, we spent a lot of time waiting around watering holes to see if a cat would appear. One of the best parts of an all-day safari was the ability to have access to multiple zones within the park. During the shorter safaris, we were required to remain within our assigned zone. This helped the park evenly distribute all of the safari vehicles to minimize conflict and traffic jams.

This was a wonderful year to see tigers. In Bandhavgarh, we spotted at least one tiger per safari. Kanha, on the other hand, was a bit more low key. However, between the two parks, we saw a total of fifteen bengal tigers. That’s more than one tiger a day! It was a rewarding and successful adventure with plenty of opportunities to photograph the powerful feline.

In the parks, a tiger safari can be a bit chaotic. Once a tiger had been reported, several vehicles raced to the scene to find the best angle to view the animal. Between the two parks, Bandhavgarh definitely felt more fast-paced. We were constantly racing from one scene to the next photographing tigers. Nearly every time we entered the park, only moments passed before we received a notification of a sighting. Meanwhile, in Kanha, it felt more relaxed and peaceful. There weren’t as many tiger sightings, but we still saw other animals such as sloth bears, leopards, and many other species that weren’t seen in Bandhavgarh. After spending a few days chasing tigers around the park, it was great to have the opportunity to observe and photograph other species in the area.

Seeing a tiger in the wild is a rewarding experience. It gives you a clear visual on how big and powerful they truly are, especially when they walk alongside the vehicles or down the bumpy, dirt roads, which happened a few times. During an evening in Bandhavgarh National Park, we were gifted with a sighting of a large male cooling off in a pond. After a while, the cat walked along the bank then followed the road until sundown. We followed the feline as he marked his territory and wandered through the trees. He was a beauty! Eventually, it got dark and the cat vanished into the forest.

Backcountry Journeys Tiger Safari tour is a highly recommended experience. Both national parks are beautiful and mystical places that provide homes for a variety of species. It’s a wildlife photographer’s dream. Aside from the great photography opportunities, the lodges were also amazing with wonderful accommodations and generous staff ready to assist you in any way possible. Not to mention the food was very delicious and plentiful. So if you’re in the process of planning your next photography expedition, then look no further. Dive in and explore the jungles of India.

Learn more about our 'Tiger Safari: India' trip!