India: Tigers, Leopards & Wild Dogs
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India: Tigers, Leopards & Wild Dogs

Lodge-Based Photo Safari
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India: Tigers, Leopards & Wild Dogs

Lodge-Based Photo Safari
Upcoming Departures
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Trip Leader(s)
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Starting From [Block//Current Price]

Single Supplement: +$1,495.00
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   Deposit: $4,000.00
Start/End

Nagpur, India / Nagpur, India

Length

10 Days/9 Nights

Fitness Level

Level 1 - What's This?

Group Size

Up To 7 Guests

Highlights
  • Exclusive Satpura access: Fewer vehicles and quieter habitats allow for intimate encounters with sloth bears, giant squirrels, and crocodiles.

  • Unique boat entry experience: Scenic cruise through Tawa backwaters offers birdlife, reflections, and a rare photographic approach into the wilderness.

  • Diverse wildlife portfolio: From arboreal mammals and reptiles in Satpura to tigers, leopards, and wild dogs in Pench, we’ll capture a wide range of subjects and behaviors.

  • Extended time in the field: Multiple full-day safaris maximize shooting opportunities, letting us stay with wildlife and work scenes in the best light.

If you have any questions about a trip, itinerary, or gear, our Photo Experience Team is available for a personalized one-on-one consultation to provide all the details you need.
Trip Description:

This journey into central India offers a rare combination of exclusivity, diversity, and photographic opportunity that’s increasingly difficult to find. By pairing the quiet, under-visited wilderness of Satpura with the predator-rich forests of Pench, we’re able to experience two completely different ecosystems—each with its own rhythm, character, and visual storytelling potential. The result is a trip that feels both immersive and varied, giving photographers a deeper, more nuanced portfolio than a single-park safari ever could.

Satpura, in particular, is one of India’s best-kept secrets for wildlife photography. Unlike the more crowded reserves, vehicle density here is low, which allows for longer, more intimate encounters and the freedom to work a scene without pressure. The mix of habitats—from river systems to dense forest—creates a dynamic backdrop for photography, and the wildlife reflects that diversity. Sloth bears, giant squirrels, and crocodiles all offer unique subjects, from ground-level behavioral moments to vibrant, arboreal compositions high in the canopy.

One of the most distinctive elements of this experience is how we access the landscape itself. Entering Satpura via a private boat through the backwaters sets a completely different tone—quiet, atmospheric, and rich with photographic potential before we even reach the lodge. These transitions between land and water, forest and shoreline, open up creative opportunities that go far beyond standard jeep safaris. It’s an environment that rewards patience, observation, and a willingness to look beyond the obvious.

As we transition to Pench, the focus shifts toward classic big cat and predator photography. The more open जंगल terrain provides cleaner sightlines and a different style of shooting, ideal for capturing dynamic wildlife behavior. Tigers, leopards, and wild dogs all thrive here, offering the chance to photograph some of India’s most iconic species in compelling, story-driven ways. The contrast between Satpura’s subtle, exploratory pace and Pench’s more action-oriented encounters creates a well-rounded and exciting photographic progression.

Throughout the trip, the structure is designed with photographers in mind. Multiple full-day safaris maximize time in the field, allowing us to stay with promising sightings and adapt to changing light. With fewer logistical interruptions and more flexibility, we can focus on what matters most—anticipating behavior, refining compositions, and creating images that go beyond simple documentation. This is a thoughtfully crafted photographic experience built around access, variety, and the pursuit of truly memorable moments.

What's Included
  • All listed meals and non-alcoholic beverages during the workshop

  • All transportation during the workshop

  • All lodging during the workshop

  • All local and special permits and park fees

  • Local wildlife guides

  • Professional photography guiding and instruction

  • Gratuity for service staff

What's Not Included
  • Flights to and from Nagpur, India (NAG)

  • Meals not listed as included on the itinerary

  • Lodging outside workshop dates

  • Alcoholic beverages

  • Souvenirs and personal items

  • Gratuity for photography guide(s). Please refer to our FAQ section for more details about gratuities

  • Trip Insurance & Medical Evacuation Insurance - see plans here.

Details
  • Final Balance Due 180 days prior to Trip Start​​​​​​​ 
  • Trip Insurance Required​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ 

 Trip Itinerary 

Most meals included – (B,L,D) denotes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 1 – Arrival in Nagpur (D)
We’ll arrive in Nagpur and transfer to a comfortable hotel near the airport, giving us a chance to rest before meeting for dinner and orientation. This is a light day designed to ease into the trip and recover from travel. Overnight in Nagpur.

Day 2 – Into the Satpura Wilderness (B,L,D)
We’ll depart Nagpur this morning and drive approximately five hours toward the Tawa Dam region, the gateway to Satpura’s quieter wilderness. From there, we’ll board a private boat and cruise through the serene backwaters for about 1.5 hours, watching for crocodiles along the shoreline and a variety of birdlife. This unique approach into the lodge sets the tone for a more intimate and less crowded safari experience. We’ll settle into our lodge surrounded by nature.

Day 3 – First Safaris in Satpura (B,L,D)
We’ll begin our first full day of wildlife photography with a morning jeep safari, heading into the forest in search of species like sloth bears, elusive leopards, and the colorful Indian giant squirrel. After a midday break back at the lodge, we’ll head out again for an afternoon safari in the buffer zone, which often offers excellent photographic opportunities with fewer vehicles. These early outings will help us get comfortable with the rhythm of shooting in this environment. Overnight at the lodge.

Day 4 – Exploring Satpura National Park (B,L,D)
We’ll continue our exploration with both morning and afternoon jeep safaris, diving deeper into Satpura’s diverse habitats. This is prime territory for sloth bears, and we’ll also keep an eye on the canopy for giant squirrels moving through the trees. With fewer crowds than many other parks, Satpura offers a more exclusive and patient photography experience. Overnight at the lodge.

Day 5 – Full-Day Safari Adventure (B,L,D)
Today we’ll embark on a full-day safari, venturing into the Churna zone, one of the most remote and wildlife-rich areas of the park. Spending the entire day in the field maximizes our chances of meaningful encounters, whether it’s a sloth bear foraging, a crocodile basking near water, or unexpected activity along the forest tracks. We’ll carry packed meals so we can stay immersed from morning through evening. This is often a highlight for serious wildlife photographers.

Day 6 – Journey to Pench National Park (B,L,D)
We’ll enjoy one final morning game drive in Satpura before beginning our overland journey to Pench National Park, a drive of about six hours. As the landscape gradually shifts, we’ll transition into a region famously associated with The Jungle Book. Upon arrival, we’ll check into our lodge, where we’ll settle into unique treehouse-style accommodations. The change in habitat brings exciting new wildlife opportunities ahead.

Day 7 – Safaris in Pench (B,L,D)
We’ll head out early for our first jeep safari in Pench, a park known for its strong populations of tigers, leopards, and wild dogs. After a midday break, we’ll return to the field for an afternoon safari when the light softens and wildlife activity increases. The open forests here often allow for cleaner sightings and more dynamic compositions. Overnight at the lodge.

Day 8 – Tracking Wildlife in Pench (B,L,D)
We’ll continue with morning and afternoon safaris, building on what we’ve learned about animal movement and behavior in the area. With some luck and persistence, we may encounter tigers on the move, leopards in the trees, or wild dogs working together as a pack. Each drive offers new opportunities to refine positioning and storytelling through our images. Overnight at the lodge.

Day 9 – Full-Day Safari in Pench (B,L,D)
Today we’ll dedicate the entire day to being out in the park, maximizing our time during peak wildlife hours. This extended access increases our chances of meaningful encounters with Pench’s top predators, including tigers, leopards, and the highly active wild dogs. With packed meals in hand, we’ll stay out from morning through late afternoon, allowing us to fully commit to any promising sightings. It’s another big highlight of the trip.

Day 10 – Departure via Nagpur (B)
We’ll head out for one final morning game drive, soaking in our last moments in the Indian wilderness. Afterward, we’ll drive back to Nagpur (approximately 3 hours) in time to connect with our international flights.







Please note that the exact sequence of the itineraries on all photography trips will be based on weather and lighting conditions. The goal on these trips is to make sure we are at the right place at the right time for the perfect light on our subjects. Also, itineraries can change for a variety of other circumstances including floods, forest fires, national park closures, road closures, and more. Due to the nature of wildlife and landscape photography, we do not guarantee any specific sightings or specific compositions.
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