Wildlife Photography Tour - Bandhavgarh

Bandhavgarh National Park is spread over the Vindhya hills in Madhya Pradesh. The national park consists of a core area of 105 sq km and a buffer area of approximately 400 sq km. The topography of the whole area varies between steep ridges, undulating forest and open meadows. Bandhavgarh National Park is known for the Royal Bengal Tigers. The density of the tiger population at Bandhavgarh is the highest known in India as well as in the world. It is also believed that all the white tigers across the globe trace their roots to Bandhavgarh.

Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve is of vital importance considering its Flora and Fauna diversity. The Tiger Reserve is Known for the healty population of tigers and variety of herbivores. This area is unique from the point of biodiversity, as it comprises hills,valley, rivers, marshes and meadows to give rise to diverse vegetation. Apart from tiger, as many as 34 species of Mammals have been listed and nearly 260 species of birds and 70 species of butterfly. The Major Mammals of Bandhavgarh is Tiger, Leopard, Wild dog, Wild cat, Hyena, Wolf, Chital, Sambar, Black Buck, Rojda etc are easily seen there.

History:

Bandhavgarh Tiger reserve located in the eastern Satpura hill range of Umaria and katni districts. Mythologically the name “ Bandhavgarh” means (Bandhav = Brother and garh = Fort) and was acquire the name Bandhavgarh with the name of the fort. This fort was built and given to brother Lakshman by Lord Rama, to keep a watch on lanka and hence it acquired the Reference to this is also found in the Narad Panch Ratna and Shiva Sanhita Puran. 

Highlights:

Professional local guided tour

4 x Safari on Private Jeep

On field learning from the experts

Image editing session

Review of captured images and group discussion

Travel Plan: Any Location – Bandhavgarh – Any Location

*All level Photographers are invited from any location in India.

Schedule duration: 3 Days and 2 Nights

Stay at resort:

This stay would be twin sharing basis in Lemon Tree Wildlife Resort Bandhavgarh or similar hotel near to Safari park.

Extra INR 4000 for stay in single room.

Package Cost: Rs.24000/- per person

Standard Ticket: Rs.12000/- per person

*PACKAGE COST IS DIFFERENT FOR FOREIGN NATIONALS. CONTACT FOR MORE DETAILS.

REGISTRATION OPEN UNTIL 5TH NOVEMBER 2023!!!

Note: We will setup WhatsApp group 1 week before event date for group communication during tour.

Advanced Booking:

You can register paying 50% amount now (not refundable), balance to be paid 1 month before the workshop start date. You can pay GPay or Direct bank transfer. https://www.sumitphotoworld.com/payment

Package Cost includes:

4 Safaris in the park in private safari jeep and local guide (max 4 photographers in a 6 pax jeep)

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, tea/coffee, snacks in morning and evening

Accommodation for 02 nights at the best resort

All necessary park entry permits

Hands-on assignment and mentoring fees

Participation Certificate

Profile Photo Shoot session with 5 looks

All taxes and including service charges

Standard Ticket Cost includes:

4 Safaris in the park in private safari jeep and local guide (max 4 photographers in a 6 pax jeep)

All necessary park entry permits

Hands-on assignment and mentoring fees

Participation Certificate

Profile Photo Shoot session with 5 looks

All taxes and including service charges

Package Cost does not include:

Travel from any location to Bandhavgarh

Travel from Bandhavgarh to any location

Any extra meal/food charges during tour

Personal expenses of any kind

Medical expenses – if incurred during the excursion

Any other charges not mentioned in “Cost Includes” list

Early Booking Offer: First 3 registrations will get 1 month free subscription for Stellar Photo Recovery Software – Premium (https://www.stellarinfo.co.in/software/photo-recovery.php)

How To Reach:

FLIGHT: Fly from Delhi, Agra or Varanasi to Khajuraho and drive (7-8 hours) to Tala park entrance at Bandhavgarh. Nearest airport from the park is Khajuraho.

TRAIN: Nearest railway station is Umaria after Katani railway station, from there it is about 40 minutes drive to Nature Heritage. Alternatively, take the overnight train from Delhi to Umaria and drive (30 minutes) to the park. Only jeeps are available for transfers. Khajuraho / Bandhavgarh distance is 250 Kms, (8 hrs drive).

ROADWAYS: Traveling to Bandhavgarh by road is convenient as the destination is accessible from the nearby cities and towns like Umaria, Jabalpur, Katni and Khajuraho. From any of these destinations, tourists can avail a cab service to reach Bandhavgarh National Park via SH 11, 22, and NH 43.

After reaching Bandhavgarh coordinate with the team for pickup.

Itinerary:

DAY 1

Reach Bandhavgarh in the morning. You will be transferred to the hotel. After breakfast join the team for a briefing on Bandhavgarh, its ecosystem and biodiversity. This will be followed by introduction to gears and camera settings. Enjoy the lunch and join for the evening safari. In the evening participate in the informal interaction and we will complete review with discussion on your pictures that you made during the safari, followed by dinner.

DAY 2

Get up early to join the morning safari. We will come back to the hotel for breakfast. Take some rest and spend couple of hours for learning image editing workflow for wildlife photography. After lunch we will go for the afternoon safari. In the evening I will do second assessment of your pictures that you made during the safari followed by dinner. 

DAY 3

We will go for morning safari on final day. Back to hotel for breakfast. Take some rest. Freshen-up quickly at hotel. We will conclude the tour and leave to our destination with amazing memorable moments.

Things to carry:

Telephoto lenses – preferably above 300mm

Carry fully charged batteries for your camera.

Carry battery charger. Carry extra pack of camera batteries.

Carry backup memory cards / HDD storage drives, Laptop.

Carry a bean bag to stabilize your gears while shooting from safari vehicle.

Carry a big towel / cloth to protect your gear from dust.

Carry a big cloth / bandanna / scarf to protect you from the dust.

Carry good sun glasses to protect your eyes from heat.

Sun screens (above SPF 30) are very important.

It is advisable to carry basic first aid along with you.

Please carry Odomos to keep you protected from mosquito bites.

Carry a pair of good binoculars (optional).

Learnings from this tour:

On field learning from the experts is the best methods of improving your skillsets. I will hand hold you at every possible step for a better understanding of perspectives, camera controls and how to make use of the best opportunities to get best possible images. 

The training will focus on the following:

How to approach Wildlife in the field

Working with different modes of shooting (Av/A, Tv/S, M and P)

Exposure control in difficult light conditions

Metering techniques (matrix/evaluative, Spot, partial, center weighted)

Mastering auto-focus, focusing points, locking AF and focus tracking for moving subjects

How to get sharp images of moving subjects

Framing and composition in the field

Ethics in Wildlife Photography

Please keep in mind that sighting of a Tiger or a good photography opportunity to capture it in an ideal frame is a matter of luck. Though the possibility of sighting is high but it can never be guaranteed in the wildlife.

CANCELLATION/REFUND POLICY:

All cancellations before 30 days of the event date - 100% refund

All cancellations between 20 - 30 days of the event date - 50% refund

All cancellations within 20 days of the event date - No refund possible

Organized by: SPW Expedition

Mentor: Sumit Dhuper (Professional Photographer)

Website: https://www.sumitphotoworld.com

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