Current as of: March 14, 2025 - 06:01
India Photography Safari with Paul Goldstein - Reverse Itinerary Trip Notes
- Ways to Travel: Guided Group
- Destination: India
- Programmes: Wildlife
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Activity Level:
2 out of 7 - Easy & Moderate
- 12 Days: Land Only
- Ages: 16+
- Trip Code: WIP2
- Carbon Footprint: 75kg CO2e
Trip Overview
Be prepared for an intense and comprehensive photographic safari with tiger expert and conservationist Paul Goldstein
Join this extended tiger safari in India with renowned wildlife photographer Paul Goldstein and his esteemed colleague, naturalist Himanshu Bagde. This newly extended journey now includes four days in Tadoba National Park, plus six in Bandhavgarh National Park. Critically there are four full day safaris included across both parks. Both are among the best places in India to see Bengal tigers, but there’s also plenty of other wildlife to spot: leopards, jungle cats and sloth bears and many species of antelope plus many bird species. With Paul’s expertise behind the lens and tiger pedigree and Himanshu’s infectious enthusiasm and deep connections to the region, you have the perfect blend of guidance and local insight to capture precious images.
Please click here for the reverse itinerary
At a Glance
- Accommodation: 11 Superior nights (cottages)
- Travel by air-conditioned bus, 4×4 vehicles and internal flights
- Three full-day and 13 half-day safaris
- Trip supports the TOFTigers campaign to protect biodiversity and restore habitats
Highlights
- Explore two of the great tiger reserves in India with camera at the ready
- Soak up the expert advice of award-winning photographer Paul Goldstein
- Learn all about the incredible animals you see from naturalist Himanshu Bagde
- Scour the popular Tadoba National Park for tigers and more
- Spend six days in Bandhavgarh National Park searching and photographing striped predators
- Stay in two excellent resorts that are ideally located close to the national parks
Is This Trip for You?
This trip is rated Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate) with a Wildlife Rating of Five. Visit our Activity Level Guidelines page for more on our trip grading or our Wildlife Holidays page for more on our Wildlife Ratings. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us.
This is not a physically demanding adventure; however, there are very early morning starts (4.30am/5.30am, for example) on consecutive days, as this is the best time to spot tigers. You will, however, have a minimum of three to four hours between morning and afternoon safaris to relax at the resort (except for the full-day safaris).
Animal sightings: To get really competent images of tigers requires time and time in the best areas. India has many rules and regulations that can make game drives at times frustrating, however, to see one of these striped cats through precision optics is a reward and thrill that far outweighs any red tape. This safari not only has brilliant drivers and forest rangers, many who have worked with Paul for over 20 years but also with the full day permits, offering an earlier start and later finish as well as access to all routes, the chances of quality sightings are dramatically increased.
Drives: The 4x4s used in the national park are simple and often require you to step up into them and step down from them. On the game drives, we navigate bumpy tracks for most of the day and this can be arduous for some after a long day in the vehicle.
Game drive regulations: The following guidelines and conditions apply to all bookings:
1) We cannot guarantee the operation of any departure until we have the necessary game drives secured. Our aim is to secure game drives from a variety of gates/zones as per the itinerary, but this is subject to availability. The date at which we book the game drives will vary depending on when the booking system allows us to do so for your departure. If we are unable to secure the game drives and have to cancel the trip, you will receive a full refund.
2) It is sometimes possible to book onto the trip after the game drives have been secured; however, large supplements (additional costs) are likely to be incurred. If we have made initial game drive bookings for a departure, we may need to wait until we have further people ready to book before we can secure an additional jeep.
3) We must provide a list of names and passport details at the time of booking each game drive. Once game drives are booked, name changes are not permitted. This means you cannot change or swap jeeps during the trip.
4) It is vital we have your correct passport details at the time of booking. If you end up travelling on a different passport, it is imperative you carry your old passport, or a photocopy of it, with you. If this isn’t possible, you need a letter from the passport agency regarding the change of passport, specifying the details of the old passport and the details of the new passport issued.
Photography permit requirements: The four full-day game drives include photography permits. As part of the permit agreement, we must submit a few good-quality sample photographs in high resolution to the national park from each jeep on the permits. These photographs should be with the date and times confirmed as having been taken during the photography safaris in the park. Therefore, everyone travelling on this trip must be willing to submit sample photographs to the tour leaders before leaving Bandhavgarh and Tadoba. The leaders will assist in collecting photographs.
Group
Paul Goldstein and our local wildlife expert leader Himanshu accompany the group throughout. Both have infectious enthusiasm and reverence for the wildlife of India and particularly the beautiful Bengal tiger.
Paul has run these tiger safaris for photographers and wildlife enthusiasts for more than 25 years. These photographic adventures have been remarkably successful. Many have done repeat safaris to India with him and this is sure to be popular.
During the game drives, each vehicle is accompanied by a Forest Guard (mandatory by the local authorities). These are part of an initiative by the national park authorities to generate employment for the local villages. The Forest Guards have excellent awareness of the wildlife and are skilled in tracking; however, many have very limited English so will often communicate through hand signals rather than conversation. Himanshu and Paul rotate around the safari jeeps to ensure you all have an opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the wildlife through their experience.
Adult min age: 16
Min group size: 6
Max group size: 10
Itinerary
Land Only
- Start City: Delhi
- End City: Delhi
Land Only Itinerary
Depart UK
If you are travelling on the group flights, you will depart London today for your overnight flight to Delhi.
Arrival in Delhi; fly to Nagpur; transfer to Tadoba
The adventure begins in Delhi, you will meet your local Exodus representative at Delhi International Airport, terminal 3 – see the Joining Instructions for more details.
We transfer to the domestic terminal at Delhi International to catch the 1hr 40min flight to Nagpur in the state of Maharashtra. On arrival, we will meet Paul and Himanshu at the Arrivals Hall and drive (approximately three to four hours) to Tadoba National Park. You have time to relax at the resort before dinner, perhaps with a refreshing post-flight dip in the pool.
Accommodation: Tadoba Jungle Camp
Four half-day and two full-day game drives in Tadoba National Park
Spend four full days exploring the wildlife-rich Tadoba National Park, where deep valleys, riverbeds and small grassy meadows are home not only to tigers but also leopards, sloth bears, honey badgers, bison, wolves, hyenas, jackals, wild dogs and foxes. The habitat also suits both forest and wetland birds, making it a popular destination for birders and photographers.
The reserve is 667sqmi (1,728sqkm) with a 241sqmi (625sqkm) Core Zone, which is further divided into the North Forest and South Forest. The North Forest is the original Tadoba National Park, declared a Tiger Sanctuary in 1935 and a National Park in 1955, with an area of 45sqmi (116sqkm); the South Forest is the Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary with an area of 197sqmi (509sqkm).
We have two days with morning and afternoon game drives (first in the Buffer Zone, and the second in the Core Zone), and two full-day game drives, both in the buffer zones.
Game drives start each day at 6am and 3pm; the morning drive finishes at 10am and the evening drive finishes when it gets dark. The days in Tadoba are very special and should give some wonderful sightings.
Accommodation: Tadoba Jungle Camp
Drive from Tadoba to Bandhavgarh National Park
Bid Tadoba farewell and travel to Bandhavgarh National Park, an 11 to 12-hour journey of 375mi (600km). We have an early morning wakeup call, leaving Tadoba Jungle Camp by 7am.
Our long journey is mostly on the plains, through the rural part of central India; in between, we cross the Pench-Kanha Corridor, which helps the wildlife of central India cross national parks without any trouble.
Along the way, we take comfort stops as well as a lunch to break up the journey and stretch our legs. Our aim is to reach our hotel in Bandhavgarh for check-in by 7pm.
Accommodation: Nature Heritage Resort
Eight half-day safaris in core zones and one full-day safari
We spend five full days in the national park; eight half-day (morning and evening) game drives in the core zone, and one full-day game drive.
Bandhavgarh is one of the smaller national parks and enjoys an impressive setting with a cliff-top fort overlooking grasslands, birch forests and bamboo. It is home to a wide variety of game, including leopards, sloth bears, jungle cats, wild pigs and, of course, tigers. The healthy tiger population of approximately 60-70 means this park has the highest tiger density of any reserve in India. It also hosts up to 150 bird species including many on the migratory trail, such as the steppe eagle.
Look forward to an early starts! Gates open at 5.30am and your tour leader will advise on wake-up times and breakfast arrangements for each day, which will either be a packed breakfast to take into the park or on return from the safari. Tea, coffee and biscuits are provided before we drive to the park.
Accommodation: Nature Heritage Resort
Morning game drive; transfer to Jabalpur Airport; end Delhi
Rise early for our last safari in Bandhavgarh National Park before breakfast. On return, it’s time to pack up and check out. We can enjoy an early lunch together before a transfer to Jabalpur Airport, where we catch our return flight to Delhi, where the trip ends on arrival at Delhi Domestic Terminal.
Depending on your flight time, you are welcome to join a transfer to the Ashok Country Resort airport hotel to freshen up and have dinner before a return transfer to Delhi International Terminal later this evening. Please speak to your sales representative to confirm times and your place on these transfers.
Alternatively, if you would like to extend your stay in Delhi, we have a selection of options for airport or city hotels. Please speak with your sales representative for more information.
Morning game drive; transfer to Jabalpur airport for your domestic flight. International flight home.
We are up early for our last safari in Bandhavgarh National Park before breakfast. On return, it’s time to pack up and check out. We can enjoy an early lunch together before a transfer to Jabalpur airport, where we catch our return flight to Delhi.
On arrival to Delhi domestic terminal, you will be met by our local representative in the arrival hall. To avoid arriving to the international terminal too early to check-in for your overnight flight, you will be transferred to the Ashok Country Resort airport hotel, where you can freshen up and have dinner before a return transfer to Delhi international terminal later this evening. Day rooms can be arranged at the hotel for your comfort, please speak to your sales representative about adding this option.
Accommodation
Tadoba Jungle Camp and Nature Heritage Resort
We split this photography safari in India across two resorts, both very close to the national parks we visit.
Tadoba: Tadoba Jungle Camp (nights 1-5)
Near Tadoba National Park, this retreat is ideal for our tiger-watching adventures. We stay in cottages with private decks that offer views over the landscape around the park. The property, which has a modern African design, also has a cafe-style bar, plus a pool area and firepit, plus views over a busy waterhole.
Bandhavgarh: Nature Heritage Resort (nights 6-11)
Immerse yourself in the wilds of India at Nature Heritage Resort, which is just moments from Bandhavgarh National Park. We stay in air-conditioned cottages with views from the balcony over the Vindhyachal hills. The Indian cuisine is excellent and bountiful with a long established chef, plus a swimming pool with loungers. At night, guests gather around the campfire with Paul and Himanshu.
Single supplement from £ 590
Food & Drink
11 breakfasts, 11 lunches, and 11 dinners included
Breakfasts at the parks are taken after the morning safaris and afternoon tea is provided on some days. There is a restaurant at the hotels serving a variety of options. There are usually some non-spicy curries, but these are in limited supply. If you are a vegetarian, India is probably one of the best destinations to travel to with a wide range of dishes on offer.
Tea and soft drinks are very cheap. A (large) bottle of beer is approximately 410 rupees (US$5). Mineral water is widely available.
Transport
We use a combination of internal flights, private minibus, SUVs and 4x4s. All vehicles except the 4x4s are air-conditioned.
Game drives: We use 4x4s in Bandhavgarh and Tadoba. These are exclusive to us with only three group members allocated to each in Bandhavgarh and Tadoba with exception of the full day drives in Tadoba where four group members are allocated per 4×4. Please note, seatbelts are not always available. During the game drives, each vehicle is accompanied by a local Forest Guard; they are not guides and their English and wildlife knowledge may not reach the same level as Paul and Himanshu but many have worked there for 20 years or more. The Exodus leader will rotate between vehicles throughout the trip.
Domestic flights: The domestic flights have the following baggage allowance (this may be lower than your international flight allowance).
- Hand baggage: One bag up to 15lb (7kg)
- Check-in baggage: 33lb (15kg) allowance per person (one piece only)
- Please note, electronic devices, powerpacks and batteries should be packed in hand luggage as these are not permitted in your hold/main luggage.
- Excess baggage charge: Approximately 500-1,000 rupees (US$6-US$12) for every kilogram over 15kg
Weather & Seasonality
May is the ideal time to visit for tiger sightings, but days are normally hot (sometimes very hot) and nights mild with little or no rain. Evenings can sometimes be surprisingly cool, so bring something warm as well as a sun hat, sunscreen and sunglasses.
Joining Instructions
Key information
Start Hotel: Tadoba Jungle Camp, Moharli Gate, Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, Bhamdeli, Maharashtra 442404
Phone: +91 99990 81177
Recommended arrival time: No later than 12.30pm at Indira Gandhi International Airport, terminal 3. We then transfer to the domestic terminal for the onward flight to Nagpur.
Airport: Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL)
Getting to the hotel
The hotel is reached by a domestic flight included in your package. Your options for this journey are:
Meet at the airport
Your easiest option is to join the group at Indira Gandhi International Airport. You will not be allowed inside the Arrivals Hall without a ticket, therefore, you should wait outside Gate no.6 at Indira Gandhi International Airport Terminal 3, close to the exit where the leader will collect you once passengers from the group flight have arrived. The meet time will be set to coincide with a group scheduled on a flight from London, UK. Please refer to the final joining instructions for the most accurate information on timings.
Catching your return flight
You will be transferred from your hotel to Jabalpur Airport for the domestic flight to Delhi to coincide with the group international return flight. If you have plans to stay in Delhi or elsewhere at the end of your itinerary, please speak with your sales representative to discuss additional services we can assist with.
Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.
Location start: Delhi
Location end: Delhi
What To Take
Essential Equipment
It doesn’t matter what type of bag or case you use on this trip. You should also bring a small backpack for your valuable items including camera equipment.
- Sunhat
- Sunscreen and lip salve with sun protection
- Sunglasses
- Light casual clothing (avoid bright colours on the game drives)
- Warm sweater/fleece
- Cotton scarf or bandana
- Trainers (sneakers)/walking shoes
- Sandals/flip-flops
- Anti-bacterial hand gel
- Small personal first-aid kit
Additionally, out of respect to tradition, we recommend you pack clothes that cover the shoulders and go on or below the knee.
Please note, electronic devices, powerpacks and batteries should be packed in hand luggage as these are not permitted in your hold/main luggage.
Optional Equipment
- Light waterproof
- Earplugs
- Money belt
- Travel pillow
If you wish to provide donations for a school in Tala supported by Exodus, these would be warmly received but do consider your luggage allowance when packing. Some suggestions of appropriate items are as follows:
- Pens and pencils
- Notebooks
- Storybooks
- Educational books
Please try to provide environmentally friendly products where possible (ie reduce plastic waste, recycled notebooks etc).
Prohibited items to travel with in India
- The Indian government has banned e-cigarettes and related products. You can’t buy e-cigarettes in India or bring them into the country. Please ensure you do not pack these in your luggage.
- Satellite communications devices, for example (but not exclusively) Garmin inReach or any other brand GPS tracking device, are illegal in India without a license. Please do not bring them with you.
Practical Information
Visa
India
To avoid possible problems at immigration, make sure your passport is valid for a minimum of 180 days at the time of entry into India.
Travellers from the UK, US, CA and EU normally need a visa to enter India. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.
Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.
• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/india
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/india
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/india/entry-requirements
• USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/India.html
Travellers eligible for an e-visa, which includes those from the UK, US, CA and EU, can apply at www.indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html.
For more information on applying for your Indian visa, please click on this link: Indian Visa Information
Vaccinations and Health
India
You require a yellow fever vaccination certificate if arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. Proof of a polio vaccination may also be required by some visitors. Please confirm all requirements and recommendations with your doctor or travel clinic.
You may also want to consider vaccinations for tetanus, hepatitis A, typhoid, cholera, hepatitis B, Japanese encephalitis, rabies and tuberculosis. The risk of malaria is slight, but you may wish to consult your doctor or travel clinic for further advice.
Additionally, dengue fever and chikungunya are known risks in India. Both are tropical viral diseases spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available for either, and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. We recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.
Some of our India trips spend time at altitude. In regions over approximately 6,560ft (2,000m), there is little risk of mosquito-borne diseases. For trips above 9,840ft (3,000m), there is a risk of being affected by acute mountain sickness. Our itineraries are designed to enable everyone to acclimatise to these altitudes, but you should be aware that it is still possible for you to be affected. Please see the Trip Notes for further information.
The risk of malaria on this trip is slight, but you may wish to consult your GP or travel health clinic for further advice.
Local Time
India's time zone: Asia/Kolkata (UTC +05:30)
Electricity
India's electricity: Plug types C (two round pins), D (three round pins) and M (three round pins) – 230V, 50Hz
Money
India's currency: Indian rupee (INR). Please note, it is illegal to import or export rupees. Do not accept torn or very dirty Indian banknotes from banks or in change as they will almost certainly not be accepted as legal tender in India. You can normally change money back from rupees into US dollars or British pounds at the departure airport, but you must produce an exchange receipt showing that you changed money in India.
ATM Availability
There are no ATMs or money exchange facilities at the resorts, so it is important to withdraw or change money in Delhi before catching the onward domestic flight.
Please note, some of our groups have reported that ATMS don’t always accept their cards in Delhi even though they had advised their bank of their travels. Taking cash to exchange is a good idea. Your tour leader will assist you with exchanging money while you are in Delhi.
Money exchange facilities are available at Delhi International Airport and we recommend you change most of your money here as there will be few opportunities to do so as we travel.
You can change money back from rupees into British pounds or US dollars at Delhi Airport; this must be done before you go through security. You must produce an exchange receipt showing you changed money in India.
Extra Expenses & Spending Money
We recommend you allow at least 1,200 rupees (US$14) per day for minor purchases, such as soft drinks and small souvenirs.
Tipping
Tipping is customary in India and usually expected. To make things easy, your tour leader will offer to arrange and look after a group tipping kitty, which is used to tip hotel staff, drivers and any other support staff used throughout your trip, including national park drivers and guides, and some small snacks and tea breaks.
Your leader will suggest how much to contribute, depending on group size, but it is usually around 14,000 rupees (US$168) per person based on the maximum group size of 10 passengers to cover the entire trip duration.
At any time during the trip, your leader will happily show you an account of how the kitty is being distributed.
A tip for the leader is not included in the kitty and is at your own discretion. If you wish to show your appreciation, Paul will be happy to suggest an appropriate amount but approximately 420-520 rupees (US$6-US$6) per person per day would be appreciated.
Sustainability and Impact
As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.
We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.
This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony though practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.
Non-refundable items in the event of customer cancellation
If you choose to cancel your trip, the standard cancellation fees are shown in our Booking Conditions. However, there are additional fees for extra non-refundable items for this trip, and these are detailed below. For more information, see Section 4 of the Exodus Booking Conditions. If you are booking your flight through us, your sales representative may also confirm separate cancellation terms related to your international flights at the time of booking.
Within 120 days prior to departure:
- Game Drive Permits: From £918 to £1,900* per person
*Game drive cancellation costs are estimated and subject to vary depending on time of cancellation prior to travel and based on national park regulations and terms. Accurate cancellation fees will be provided prior to cancellations being actioned.
Costs are accurate at time of writing in February 2024.
Important Information
Your safe participation
When booking this trip, you should be confident in your ability to participate in all activities described in these Trip Notes. If you have any doubt about your suitability, please call us and ask to speak to one of the experts on this itinerary.
Although our leaders are well trained to deal with different capabilities, if they have any concerns about someone’s ability to safely take part in an activity, or their impact on other people’s enjoyment, we authorise them to take necessary action which, in some circumstances, may involve asking someone to miss that activity.
By booking this trip you agree to our Booking Conditions which clearly state that our leaders have the authority to do this. In these rare instances we will ensure anyone sitting out is safely provided for and offered alternative options where possible. Refunds will not be provided for activities missed and customers may be liable for additional costs incurred.
Seatbelts
All vehicles used by us should be equipped with working seatbelts, except where approved by us based on the vehicle type or journey. Wherever seatbelts are available, we require our customers to use them for their own safety, even where it may not be a legal requirement.
How to Book
- Check availability: Go online to check availability, or contact us by phone or email.
- Secure your place: You can provisionally hold a place on this trip, usually for between three and seven days.
- Complete your booking and payment
When you’re ready to book, go to our website for online bookings, book over the phone or you can complete a booking form (available online or on request by calling us). We accept all major credit and debit cards, or you can pay be cheque.
After booking
You will receive your booking confirmation letter and invoice, which includes extra information and guidance about your travel arrangements.
Full joining instructions, including local emergency numbers and details of how to reach the start point, will be sent to you approximately two to three weeks prior to departure. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier, please contact our office or your travel agent.
Trip Note validity
These Trip Notes are valid from the “Current as” date on page one. They will occasionally be updated after booking and before departure; if there are any updates that significantly impact the inclusions or itinerary, customers will be written to separately. They will also receive a link to the most up-to-date Trip Notes with their Final Joining Instructions before travelling.
The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. Where differences exist between the Trip Notes and our current brochure or website, the Trip Notes supersede the brochure and website. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes; to enjoy them you should be prepared to be flexible where necessary. Occasionally, it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. This may be for a variety of reasons – climatic, political, physical or other. In these circumstances we will make the best-possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary.
Licensing
Exodus is fully licensed and bonded as a tour operator. We hold Air Traffic Organisers Licence (ATOL) number 2582, issued and bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). We are also bonded to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and we are members of the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) and ABTA – The Travel Association. This means you can book your Exodus holiday with confidence, as all money paid to us for your trip is fully protected.