Wildlife and Bird Photography Tours
Follow the Wild. Listen to the Forest. Capture the Moment.
Discover the natural world through observation, photography and patience.
Wildlife Is About More Than Tigers
Wildlife watching is about more than spotting an animal. It means being patient, listening to the forest before sunrise, following tracks and waiting quietly beside a watering hole.
Our wildlife holidays and photography tours in India, Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka are for anyone who wants to discover the natural world.
Whether you love mammals, birds, reptiles or plants, or you’re a keen birdwatcher travelling with your own species list and camera ready, we shape the trip around your interests.
Wild animals don’t follow a timetable, so we don’t expect them to.
India, Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka are home to extraordinary wildlife, landscapes and ecosystems. Depending on your destination and the season, our wildlife photography tours can take you to national parks, reserves, wetlands, forests, grasslands, mountains and remote wilderness areas.
You may hope to see:
Bengal tigers Leopards, black panthers — melanistic leopards — and cheetahs Snow leopards, Himalayan bears and red pandas Asian elephants Greater one-horned rhinoceroses Sloth bears Hyenas, jackals, wolves, foxes and dholes — the Asiatic wild dogs Gaurs and wild buffaloes Antelopes and deer, including chital and muntjac Crocodiles and gharials Monkeys and langurs Other Himalayan wildlife Whales and dolphins Countless species of birds, reptiles, amphibians and insects
But wildlife is about more than animals. It depends on the forests, rivers, wetlands, mountains, grasslands and remarkable variety of plant life that make these ecosystems thrive.
From the Himalayas to Tropical Forests
In India, follow the Bengal tiger’s trail, look for leopards in Rajasthan, venture into the Himalayas in search of the snow leopard or explore Kaziranga for the greater one-horned rhinoceros. India’s forests and wetlands are also home to exceptional birdlife.
In Nepal, explore the Terai’s jungles and grasslands, home to tigers, greater one-horned rhinoceroses, elephants, leopards, sloth bears, deer and crocodiles. Higher in the Himalayas, look for the snow leopard, the red panda and other high-altitude wildlife.
In Bhutan, discover rich forests and mountain ecosystems where wildlife and birds thrive in remarkable natural surroundings.
In Sri Lanka, travel from national parks and wetlands to the ocean, combining land-based wildlife watching with opportunities to see whales and dolphins.
The landscapes change | The call of the wild remains
For Everyone Who Loves Nature
You don’t need to be a professional photographer or experienced naturalist to enjoy a wildlife trip. Perhaps you dream of seeing your first tiger, taking your children on their first safari or simply leaving the city behind to listen to the sounds of the forest.
We plan a wildlife journey around you, your interests, travel style and expectations.
If wildlife photography is central to your trip, we can build in the extra time and flexibility needed to capture a memorable image.
Wildlife Photography Takes Patience
Wildlife photography is about more than entering a national park and pressing the shutter. Sometimes you wait, return to the same place or spend hours watching a landscape where nothing seems to move.
Then nature may offer a moment no itinerary could have predicted: a tiger steps out of the forest, a leopard appears near a watering hole, a snow leopard crosses a distant Himalayan slope, an owl emerges from the darkness or a rare bird settles on a branch for a few seconds.
That’s the moment photographers travel for. We can plan a trip focused on wildlife photography, allowing more time in suitable habitats and working with guides who understand that a remarkable photograph can take patience.
Wild Animals Can’t Be Summoned — That’s the Magic
We’re honest with our travellers: wild animals are unpredictable and don’t follow an itinerary. A tiger may appear where you hoped to see one, or disappear into the forest five minutes before you arrive. A rare bird may sing nearby and never show itself.
We never promise sightings that nature cannot guarantee. Instead, we improve your chances through local knowledge, experienced guides, careful planning, suitable habitats and favourable seasons.
The excitement isn’t only in seeing an animal. It begins the moment you set out to look for it.
Watch Wildlife Responsibly
Our wildlife trips support responsible, respectful wildlife watching. Animals should be observed without unnecessary disturbance, and no photograph is worth compromising their wellbeing.
We encourage travellers to follow the guidance of naturalists, forest guides and park authorities, and to respect the environment and local regulations.
Observe | Understand | Photograph when conditions allow | Leave only your footprints
Birdwatching Opens Up a Different World
A birdwatching trip is very different from a wildlife safari focused on mammals.
For a keen birder, an entire trip can be planned around one species, a personal life list, a rare bird to identify or a photograph of a bird you’ve been seeking for years.
This is where our specialist birding knowledge matters. Many birdwatchers travel with their own species list and use tools such as Merlin Bird ID to identify and record sightings.
Your goal may not be, “Let’s go and see a few birds.” It may be, “I still have 47 species to find.” That changes the way we plan your trip.
Sometimes, One Bird Makes the Whole Trip
Seeing a tiger can be an extraordinary experience. For a devoted birder, finally spotting an owl, nightjar, hornbill, pheasant or migratory bird after hours of searching can be just as thrilling.
Some birds are masters of camouflage. A nightjar can be almost impossible to see unless you know exactly where and when to look. An owl may sit quietly in a tree while people pass underneath without noticing. A tiny bird may sing from dense foliage and never appear in view.
That’s where an experienced birding guide can make all the difference. Our specialist guides know how to listen for calls and songs, read a habitat, spot movement, understand behaviour and patiently search for birds an untrained eye might miss.
You may know which birds you’re looking for | Our guides know where to look
Birdwatching with People Who Understand Birders
We know that birders can be particular about how their trip is planned — and rightly so. Species matter. Timing matters. Habitat matters. The guide matters. The location matters. Sometimes, a few extra hours in the right place make the difference between seeing a species and missing it.
That’s why we can create specialist birding tours and bird photography trips shaped around your interests and target species.
Endemic and migratory birds, raptors, owls, nightjars, waterbirds, forest species or Himalayan birds: we work with experienced local birding guides who know the terrain and the behaviour of the species you hope to find.
For Birders and Bird Lovers
Whether you’re an ornithologist, experienced birder, wildlife photographer or simply passionate about birds, tell us what you hope to see before you arrive. Bring your list, share your target species, tell us what you’ve already spotted and what you’re still hoping to find.
We can then plan your itinerary around your goals, choosing the destinations, habitats, guides and time needed at each stop. From the mountains and forests of India and Nepal to the varied ecosystems of Bhutan and Sri Lanka, we create specialist birdwatching trips for travellers seeking more than a standard sightseeing tour.
Bring Your Binoculars — or Let Us Help You Find Them
If wildlife and birdwatching are an important part of your trip, we strongly recommend bringing a good pair of binoculars or a camera with a telephoto lens.
Animals and birds are often seen from a distance. The right equipment can make all the difference between knowing an animal is somewhere ahead and being able to see it clearly.
For photographers, a powerful zoom or telephoto lens is especially useful for photographing wildlife from a suitable distance, without unnecessarily disturbing the animals.
But not everyone wants to carry several camera bodies, heavy lenses and specialist equipment throughout a holiday. Depending on the destination and availability, we can help arrange binocular hire or loan, cameras or long-lens photography equipment suited to your wildlife or birdwatching trip.
Travel lighter | Enjoy the safari | Return with photographs and memories of your wildlife encounters
More Than a Safari
A wildlife trip with Guide Explorateur can go far beyond a traditional jeep safari. Depending on the destination, season and local regulations, your trip might include:
Jeep safaris and wildlife drives Guided forest walks Birdwatching excursions Specialist bird photography Wildlife photography Wetland exploration and waterbird watching Expeditions focused on Himalayan wildlife Whale and dolphin watching Nature walks and hikes Night-time wildlife watching where permitted Discovering different habitats and ecosystems Multi-day wildlife trips Camping and stays close to nature
Every trip is planned around the species you hope to see, the season, your interests and the time you have available.
Your List | Our Local Knowledge
Whether you dream of seeing your first tiger, photographing a snow leopard, finding a perfectly camouflaged owl, adding to your bird list or simply spending a few days surrounded by nature, we know a wildlife trip needs more than a standard itinerary.
Our local knowledge and our network of naturalists, forest guides and experienced birding guides help us create trips that go much further.
You may arrive with your camera, binoculars or species list. We’ll bring our knowledge of the field.
Set out in search of the wild | Come home with unforgettable photographs and stories
Tell us what you hope to see, photograph or discover, and we’ll plan a trip around your passion for wildlife.