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Natural Wonders Photography
Tylwyth Teg
Llanigon
Hay on Wye
Hereford
HR3 5QA
United Kingdom
Natural Wonders Photography
Tylwyth Teg
Llanigon
Hay on Wye
Hereford
HR3 5QA
United Kingdom
We have secured the services of one of the best guides in India and spend the duration of the tour in Ranthambhore National Park, Rajasthans premier park. It is the former reserve of the Maharajah of Jaipur and is renowned for its tigers and stunning scenery. There will be plenty of opportunities to see tigers in addition to many other mammals including Leopard, Samba deer, Spotted deer, Crocodiles, Antelope, Monitor Lizards and Langur Monkeys. The birdlife is also abundant including Vulture, White Faced Scops Owls, Spotted owlets, Eurasian Owl, Brown Fishing Owl, Eagles, Buzzard, Indian Rollers and Kingfishers.
The tour is led by Janette Hill and Ashlesh Sharma our specialist guide. Ashlesh has many years experience and knows Ranthambhore National Park inside out. We have 2 safaris each day at the beginning and end of each day to maximise sightings and the best lighting conditions. We use jeeps, not canters, and bean bags can be supplied (if requested) for our personal use. During each day you will have time to rest and chill out by the poolside or explore the local village and surrounds. You can also take to the streets of Ranthambhore to photograph people and other street scenes. An additional option is to walk up to the top of the Fort in the middle of the park. This can be arranged for any day of your tour when we are there. Spa treatments can also be arranged if requested.
Ranthambhore is one of Indias most spectacular and best known tiger reserves. Do not miss out on this once in a lifetime chance to be up close and personal with one of the most spectacular big cats on the planet, the Bengal Tiger. Seeing one of these cats in the wild is pure magic!
At Ranthambhore we spend each morning and evening on game drives searching for the Bengal Tiger. Ashlesh, our guide, is one of the best guides in India. Our trips are renowned for top quality tiger sightings. Whilst we cannot guarantee tiger sightings with every safari, we provide the opportunity to maximise sightings with our guides local knowledge and excellent tracking skills. In 2016, for our 2 tours, we had over 30 sightings with 22 safaris, seeing 13 different tigers. We had another good year in 2017 with sightings of leopards, sloth bears and many tiger sightings, some lasting for 2-3 hours and the joy of several cubs of different ages from 4 months to 8 months old. There are occasions where you see the same tiger more than once but each sighting is very different with the behaviours and also the environment changing from zone to zone. There are generations of tigers to be seen including cubs! In 2018 and 2019 the sightings were as good with young cubs, sub adults and large males. Visits were cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid but we keep in touch with our friends in India and each of the Zones in the Park have tigers and cubs to be found! We decided to have no tours in 2022 but am happy to be starting up again for 2023. Sightings on the three 2023 tours were also good with record numbers of leopard and sloth bear sightings. On all three tours tigers were seen and photographed. Some of the latest images are shown in the customer images section so are able to see what can be achieved on these tours.
Almost all meals are provided throughout as are all transfers to and from Delhi and around the Park. You may also wish to walk up to the top of the Fort in Ranthambhore National Park. Wednesdays are a good day to do this as it is particularly busy with locals walking to the Fort to pray as it is Ganesha day, a religious occasion very important to them.
There is an abundance of wildlife in the National Park including leopard, golden jackals, indian fox and sloth bears. There are samba deer and spotted deer in abundance. You may also see antelope along with the large variety of birdlife in the park. Scops owls, brown fishing owls and spotted owlets are often seen nesting. Peacocks are everywhere and amongst the lakes are waterfowl ranging from egrets, painted storks, cormorants, Indian darters and herons. Birds of Prey such as honey buzzard, black winged kite, vulture and eagles are also seen. Smaller birds include bee eaters, magpie robins, jungle babblers, parakeets and rufus tree pies. The roller is also a magnificent bird to see.
There will be plenty of time available each day for you to relax between game drives. There is a swimming pool available and free wifi in the hotel for your use. Janette will also be available to answer questions at all times.
Please note: Sometimes the itinerary may change but this will not interfere with game viewing and photography opportunities!
Will I get Delhi Belly?
Not if you are careful! It is sensible to avoid salads and tap water. Provided you stick to bottled water you should be fine. The food at the hotel is freshly prepared and cooked well. Nevertheless it is advisable to take imodium in case you are sensitive to the food which may be spicy for some.
How long is the transfer?
The transfer is about the same timescale whichever way we do it. The options are train and car, plane and car or just car. The railway station is some distance from Delhi Airport and the train journey itself is about 6 hours long. You would then have a long drive after that also. Simlarly if you fly from Dehli to Agra or Jaipur there still follows a long drive. It is for this reason that we transfer directly from Dehli to Ranthambhore by vehicle which is air conditioned and with bottled water supplied. It is comfortable and less stressful than changing planes and catching trains! The total journey time from Dehli is about 6-7 hours with pit stops on the way for comfort breaks.
How many game drives are there?
11 in total (morning and evening game drives) in the park in order that we maximise the time to see tigers in the wild.
What will I see?
Hopefully the Bengal Tiger but there is an abundance of wildlife in the National Park including leopard, indian fox, jackals and sloth bears. There are samba deer and spotted deer in abundance. You may also see antelope along with the large variety of birdlife in the park. Scops owls and spotted owls are often seen nesting. Brown fishing owls are also in the park. Peacocks are everywhere and amongst the lakes are waterfowl ranging from egrets, painted storks, Indian darters and herons. Birds of Prey such as honey buzzard, black winged kite, vulture and eagles are also seen. Smaller birds include bee eaters, magpie robins, parakeets and tree pies. The roller is also a magnificent bird to see.
What is the accommodation like?
Clean and comfortable with hot water for showers and tea and coffee making facilities in each room. There is also a swimming pool and free wifi. Food is fresh and well cooked. Rooms are air conditioned. We stay at the Ranthambhore Regency Hotel, a luxury resort. The staff are friendly and courteous and do everything they can to make your stay a welcome one.
Do I need to tip?
It is customery in India to tip your driver and guide. As a rough guide it is about US$10 for the driver of your jeep for each game drive per person, US$20 for your naturalist guide for each game drive per person, US$40 per person for the transfer from the airport to Dehli and return to the airport at the end of the trip. You should budget an extra US$ 400 for tips each.
Do I need waterproofs?
In general, no. However because of climate changes around the world there is always a possibility that rain may fall and so packing a lightweight poncho or jacket may be useful.
What camera equipment will I need?
Any camera will be fine from a compact with digital zoom to a full frame DSLR with lenses. Most images will be taken with the range 200-400mm. If you have a 70-200mm lens I would recommend taking this also. It is not always about zooming in tight to a subject, it is good to show the environment also. There are lovely landscapes in Ranthambhore so you may consider taking a wide angle lens but bear in mind that you will not be allowed to leave the jeep for safety reasons so using a tripod will be extremely difficult. Tripods are not recommended. If you have a 400mm prime lens you will use this along with your 70-200mm in the main. There are occasions where a longer lens is useful so if you want to take a bigger lens please do so. Converters may also be an option. There is enough room in the jeep for equipment should you want to take it. Please also ensure that you have a covering for your camera as it can get very dusty on occasions.
What do you do during the day?
We are up very early for the morning game drives and out again later in the day for the evening game drives. The days are free for you to do anything you want to.
The hotel is located in Ranthambhore and so there are plenty of opportunities to walk around and do some street photography. You may also go on a camel cart ride and visit a local village, or you could just chill out by the pool at the hotel, it is entirely up to you. It can get quite hot at this time of year so you might want to just spend time in your air-conditioned room!
How long is the flight?
About 9 hours. The flights are direct from Heathrow to Dehli (or a different airport in the UK if this is easier for you). The ideal time to arrive at Dehli is at about 10am in the morning. The flight is usually an overnight flight from the UK.
How much do the flights cost?
This depends on the time of booking and on the airline that you choose for your travel. The price varies from about £650.00 return to about £900.00 return. Generally the earlier you book the cheaper the flight. It is best to shop around for the best flight deals. Since the pandemic flight costs seem to be increasing rapidly sadly.
Are you able to help with booking the flights?
We are always happy to advise on the best flights to book.
Are there towels provided at the hotel?
Yes
What currency do I need?
The main currency is Indian Rupees but US$ are also accepted everywhere in Ranthambhore. For your lunch on the transfer days it is best to have Indian Rupees. You are not able to obtain rupees before you travel but you can buy some at Delhi Airport. As a guide you do not really need more than about £30 – £40 worth of Indian Rupees.
How much money will I need?
There is not a lot to spend your money on in Ranthambhore! After the last game drive on each tour we visit a local shop where you can buy scarfs, T Shirts, fabrics, rugs and paintings etc… They will accept US$ for payment. It very much depends on what it is you want to buy to determine how much money to take with you. Drinks in the hotel are not included so you will need to pay for these at the end of your trip. Credit Cards are accepted also.
Will I need a tripod?
It is best not to bring one. It is more likely to get in the way than assist you. There is also limited space in the jeep for 3 legs to be placed securely. When a tiger is spotted you will need to be able to hand hold your camera which at times can be supported by a bean bag which is the preferred option if the situation suits.
Would a monopod be useful?
Yes and no. If we are stationary than a monopod will help with stability especially if your camera and lens is heavy. Remember that it may also impede your usage of your camera also as you are in a jeep. You can always bring it along and see as it can be stored under the seats if not used.
What is the weather like?
Temperatures can vary from being quite chilly first thing in the morning to extremely hot in the afternoons. You will need a fleece for the morning drives on some days. A hat and suncream is advisable. The tracks in the park can also be very dusty and so a protective cover for your camera is advised also.
How do I keep cool?
It can also of course get very hot at times. It will be important for you to keep drinking water. A cool box is provided and cold water will always be available. It is sometimes helpful to soak and old towel or scarf in water and place it in the fridge so that you have an ice cold scarf or towel to place around your neck, just an idea but it does work!
Below is a collection of photos our customers have captured whilst on this photography experience
Click a thumbnail to view larger
I have just returned from an absolutely fantastic trip to Ranthambhore with Janette. The organisation was faultless from the moment I booked. The transfer from Delhi airport to the accommodation was long but extremely comfortable and we were well looked after. The accommodation was perfect; clean, comfortable and with friendly, helpful staff – nothing was too much trouble. The food was excellent and plentiful with great service and always with a smile. The pool was ideal for relaxation between game drives.
The game drives were phenomenal. Ash and Sajid, our guide and driver, were just amazing. Their knowledge of the area and their tracking skills have to be seen to be believed. We had many tiger encounters as well as encounters with many other species such as leopard, sloth bear, langur monkeys, soft shell turtle (what a strange creature that is), many bird species and probably one of my favourite encounters, fruit bats (that's a story for another day). Of course, photography was our main reason for being on this trip and Ash and Sajid made sure that we got good light and positioning for our photography but were always respectful and primarily concerned with the well being of the animals.
Janette is an excellent tour guide and travelling companion. She worked hard to ensure that the trip was just perfect in every way and was always available for advice and guidance. She is helpful, knowledgeable and definitely great fun to be with. I can wholeheartedly recommend travelling with Natural Wonders, either with friends or as a solo traveller. You will be very well looked after. I can't wait to travel with Janette again soon.
We went to Ranthambhore with Janette and the trip exceeded all expectations. From the beginning Janette and her team made every effort to ensure we had the best experience possible. The transfers to and from Ranthambhore were smooth and comfortable and the hotel was excellent – homely and friendly. As for the game drives, just 10 minutes into our first drive we had our first encounter with a tiger. Ranthambhore is a spectacular national park and we were pleasantly surprised by its wide variety of habitats and landscapes. As well as tigers we saw leopards, sloth bear, honey badgers, golden jackal, mongoose and a huge variety of birdlife including golden oriel, all 4 of the resident owl species and even a bathing buzzard. On the bucket list was a sighting of a tiger against one of Ranthambhore's famous ruins and a tiger in water. Both ticked!
In summary, a wonderful experience and one which we are looking forward to repeating.
This was my first overseas photographic trip and what a way to begin. I saw and photographed a wide diversity of fauna and was treated to many tiger sightings, but also leopard and sloth bear.
There are not enough superlatives to describe our guide Ashlesh and driver Sajid, without whom there would not have been so many successes.
The Hotel was a welcome place to return to each day, nothing was an inconvenience and the staff catered to all your needs. The pool was ideal to cool off in and WiFi kept you in touch with home.
And lastly there is Janette, with her great knowledge and experience she answered my many questions and ensured it was a trip of a lifetime. We laughed until we cried! A fantastic trip beyond my expectations. Thank you.
Another great trip with Janette! It is five years since our last visit to Ranthambhore National Park and although the first couple of days were fairly quiet we were soon treated to some fabulous wildlIfe experiences. We saw tigers on every day of the trip but the highlight was watching Riddhi emerging from the forest and then stalking and subsequently killing a wild boar. Not much fun for the boar but it provided us with some excellent photographic opportunities.
We were thrilled to see Noori as an adult tiger. She is the daughter of the the famous tigress Noor and we had seen her previously as a cub on our last trip in 2018. We also saw Shakti in 2018 as one of tigress Krishna’s three cubs. This year we saw Shakti’s cub, a real beauty. Understanding and researching the tiger dynasties is thrilling and fascinating.
When not photographing tigers we also saw lots of other wildlife including leopards, sloth bears, crocodiles, spotted deer, samba deer, antelopes, langur monkeys, a rat snake, a monitor lizard, turtles, honey buzzards, golden orioles, shrikes and lots more.
Our guide Ashlesh and driver Sajid were fantastic. Very knowledgable and great wildlife spotters. They were skilful in putting the Gypsy Jeep in the right position for us to capture the iconic head on shots of tigers emerging from the forest. We were also driven to some stunning viewpoints in the park for landscape shots.
When we were not out on safari, we were able to relax in the Ranthambhore Regency hotel. The room was excellent. Throughout our stay the food was superb, a tasty mixture of Indian and Western dishes. As usual the staff were very friendly, attentive and helpful.
Our thanks to Janette for organising another super tiger tour. The planning and attention to detail was exceptional. All in all an unforgettable experience.
Lin and Peter
I first got in touch with Janette about this trip about 18 months before we left and she was nothing but helpful despite my never ending list of questions! When the day finally came that we arrived in Delhi we were met by Jakir who expertly drove us through the mad Delhi traffic and safely down to Ranthambore to our hotel.
The Ranthambore Regency is a beautiful hotel and screams tiger! Gorgeous pictures on the wall to gaze at and get you excited for what’s to come! The food in the hotel was spectacular! I asked if I could move in…if only! Now the safaris…. incredible! I loved every single second and the wildlife was far more diverse than I naively thought! Ash was lovely and his knowledge of the reserve is unrivalled. Truly the best guide you could ask for.
We saw our first wild Tiger, Arrowhead, on the first day in the afternoon. I can’t explain the feeling when I first lay eyes on her. Such beauty! And to top it off we also saw her young cubs! Over the course of the week we saw lots of other incredible wildlife including owls, leopards, lizards, fruit bats, bee-eaters as well as so much more! I ended up buying a photographic field guide to help me identify what I’d seen when I got home as there was so much! Janette is truly lovely and a joy to spend time with. Her trip is a must and I would whole heartedly recommend it to anybody that wants to experience India’s wildlife and see it’s beautiful Tigers.
The morning jeep rides particularly are exhilarating as you thrash in search of the wildlife through early mists . Of course Tigers are the main focus but the park is full of wildlife – birds and animals, insects and plants of all manner to interest the keen photographer .
Janette’s style is friendly and easygoing and the small groups mean plenty of time for all to get the images they seek with advice and instruction always on hand. I returned with some of the best images I’ve ever taken and it was a great and enjoyable experience – one which I wouldn’t hesitate to repeat and recommend
Her efficient preparations ensured a marvellous introduction to the people and accommodations of India.and allowed us to experience this kaleidoscope. The tiger trip was the icing on the cake. Her selection of guide/naturalist and his driver led to amazing wildlife encounters. Not only tigers but birds and many other animals that inhabit the magical forest of Ranthambore. Her trip is perfectly organised and will inevitably lead to many marvellous moments and interaction with the wildlife .
Booking a full day safari was something she offered and arranged. To spend a day in the park which allowed us to sit with tigers for extended periods and follow them with no other vehicles around was truly special. The hotel is excellent offering both Indian and Western food and a kettle in your room is extremely useful .
I have travelled with many professional photographers and can say that Janette , unlike others, is very approachable and will encourage you and educate you at your own pace and requirements. Equally, if you are an experienced photographer she will allow you to pursue your own creativity offering hints and tips as appropriate based on her many years of experience of visiting and leading tiger trips.
A superb trip. Highly recommended.
I’ve had so many friends go it alone there, ending up on large cumbersome trucks with multiple other folks, and seeing very little, so figured the only way to do it properly and see tigers and be able to photograph them successfully etc was to go with an expert. This all turned out to be true, and the trip exceeded all expectations. Janette has sourced the best guide and driver team in the park, who laughed at me saying at the start that I’d be happy seeing one tiger – they delivered 20 sightings, of 12 different tigers. Amazing!! Still can’t believe my photographs, even as a rank amateur, completely without eye wateringly expensive lenses.
The whole trip was just terrific – the accommodation at the Ranthambhore Regency Hotel perfect – a lovely spot with incredibly kind and accommodating staff who couldn’t do enough for us, Janette totally organised and ever helpful and flexible with all our needs, and having done these trips for so many years now, knowing all the ropes (including all the tigers + their cubs !) which is exactly what you need. I can’t recommend this trip enough – if you really want to fully enjoy the whole tiger experience, you are in the right place ! Many many thanks to Janette, the wonderful Ash and Sajjid. Truly a trip of a lifetime.
Ash our guide and Sajid our driver were simply the best and managed to get us a number of fantastic Tiger encounters . We saw a wide variety of Tiger behaviour , including a Tigress devouring her Prey , a mother with her three cubs bathing in the water and a huge male wallowing in a waterhole to cool down. I had set my heart on seeing a Sloth Bear and the team certainly delivered as after hard search they found me a mother with her two cubs which for me was one of the highlights of the trip. In addition to the large mammals there is a cornucopia of wildlife in the park: Golden Jackals, Wild Boar, Parakeets, various Owls , Palm Squirrel and Langur Monkey , all in incredibly beautiful settings. We paid extra for a half day permit in the park which if one can stand the heat I would recommend as one can go anywhere in the park and as there are so few of these permits issued one gets very private encounters with the Tigers.
You do not have to be an experienced photographer to enjoy this trip. I am a beginner but with Janette’s advice on settings and endless patience and kindness in helping me with the camera’s mysterious workings I achieved some great photos. I would return in a heartbeat and will definitely be going on another adventure with Janette as this was such a wonderful experience.
Other Safari experiences have taught me that where wild and elusive animals are concerned there can be no guarantees but Janette’s web-site held out hope that we wouldn’t be disappointed. Ultimately, however, the trip far exceeded my expectations in terms of both the number and the quality of the animal sightings.
Staying at the Ranthambore Regency Hotel you will discover that there are other companies who offer a very similar holiday i.e. early morning and afternoon drives in a small open-topped jeep from a comfortable but not luxurious base. What sets Janette’s trip apart is that she has secured the services of an outstanding guide, Ashlesh, and an equally accomplished driver, Sajid. Time after time we found ourselves hurtling along rough tracks to reach a tiger sighting before any other vehicle. Occasionally arriving after the rush, mysteriously they always seemed to have the authority to push through the crush to get the best viewing point possible. Local knowledge like this is priceless: on one occasion we left a crush of vehicles jostling for position on a narrow track, trying to catch sight of a female tiger and her three cubs walking through woodlands. We drove to the top of a cliff nearby where 15 minutes’ later we were the only ones able to have the perfect view from overhead.
This is a holiday mainly devoted to tiger-viewing but anyone with wider interests is not forgotten. Other large mammals had been very scarce in recent weeks but we had a good sighting of a leopard on our first drive and then, towards the end of the week, an extended sighting of a female sloth bear and cubs followed the next day by one of a lone male. Throughout the week, whenever there was a quiet moment Ash pointed out indigenous birds and I recorded 67 new to me. For the record, we saw 16 different tigers on 22 separate occasions, including all bar two of our 11 drives, with 10 alone on one half day drive. A week full of amazing and unique experiences: we will never forget it.
To say I had been looking forward very much to this trip would be an understatement. I had never seen a wild tiger and I knew I was going to get emotional at my first sighting. We were to have so many safaris I thought we must be in with a chance and Janette reassured us that we WOULD see tigers. I never imagined I would see 20 different tigers over the course of the trip. Wow wow wow…… True to form I was emotional on seeing my first tiger in the wild- up close and personal. A day I would never ever forget. Thank you to Janette, our experienced guide Ash, and skilled driver Sajid.
Everyday was different in its own way and I came away with thousands of images and so many happy memories of the trip. It is most definitely something I shall be repeating. Thank you again Janette for your organisation, photo tips and guidance. Finally, I felt it was a great privilege to be able to be in the place where the tigers make their home.
Our guide, Ash, was very good but I was mostly impressed my our driver Sajid – I’m sure he must have been a rally driver in a previous life! Staying at the Ranthambhore Regency was a bonus – food was plentiful and very good, rooms were spacious and air conditioned and it has a pool – ideal for cooling down. All in all, I came home with some wonderful images of some beautiful tigers. Many thanks Janette!
Again a superbly organized trip, this year as it was just Janette and myself we were a bit more selective on the tigers and cubs we were trying to photograph and again with the skills of Ash our park guide we managed to find the tigers we were looking for. Ranthambhore National park really does seem to offer the best place possible for tiger sightings.
From start to finish I can high recommend Janette’s Company Natural Wonders Photography, with first class company, accommodation, advice, knowledge, which were all superb, all aspects of my trip were very well planned with no issues, food and all travel very well sorted and catered for without any problems.
Janette’s guide for my trip was superb, with great knowledge and experience which helped make my trip such a great success, so anyone that wants to see the magnificent Bengal Tiger truly in the wild should look no further, with a small party which gives you hands on, plenty of jeep space and more importantly intimate trip togetherness which I thought was just wonderful, which a small trip party offers. So as said – Bengal Tigers in the wild, this trip is a must, thoroughly recommend without any hesitations.
The sight of seeing your first wild tiger walking up the road 30ft in front of you is one that will stay with me for a long time. Everything about the trip, transport, hotels, flights, game drives etc etc all organised and run perfectly and of course not forgetting the company of my fellow photographer’s
Our ranger on the game drives was very knowledgeable about the park & the wildlife & on every drive we saw something different – monitor lizard raiding a stone curlews nest, a croc walking up the road & of course tigers. The accommodation was comfortable & relaxing with very good food & service. A trip that I would highly recommend!
Meticulously organised. Well done and thank you.
The organisation was fantastic, everything fell into place perfectly. I would highly recommend travelling with Janette, especially if you are travelling alone.
A most wonderful experience so well organised by Janette who also arranged for 8 tiger sightings! Probably my best holiday even though I have been to Africa and other places.
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