Searching for Tigers in India – Reflections from a Finnature Scouting Trip
We are always exploring new destinations for Finnature’s future wildlife photography tours. One country that has long intrigued us is India. This autumn, an excellent opportunity finally arose: we were invited to speak at the Global Wildlife Fair in Delhi. The event brought together ecotourism experts, wildlife photographers, and conservation organisations from around the world – a perfect reason to combine the fair with a scouting trip to potential photography locations.
And what a journey it was! India proved to be a fascinating, colourful, and diverse country – rich in wildlife, full of flavours, and warm in hospitality.
Exploring Bharatpur and Keoladeo National Park
After the fair, we did a short field trip to explore possible photo sites. Our first stop was Bharatpur, about four hours from Delhi, famous for the Keoladeo National Park. Though our visit came before the peak bird season, we were still greeted by plenty of nice photography subjects: herons, storks, and many other wetland birds. In fact, this time of year may even be better for photographers, offering close encounters with breeding birds, fewer tourists, and a calmer atmosphere. Especially the breeding Painted Storks provided plenty of great photography opportunities during the autumn season.
The park itself was peaceful at this time of year – a welcome surprise. Electric rickshaws and walking paths made exploring pleasant, and the quiet surroundings allowed us to focus on bird photography without the usual tourist crowds.
However, some sites outside the park were a different story. Standing beside a narrow, busy road while trucks and motorbikes raced by in both directions was stressful and certainly not suitable for photography groups. I would not want to bring a group to some of these spots – the constant traffic and noise would make it impossible to enjoy photography or nature. The contrast between serene wetlands and chaotic roads could not have been greater.
Overall, there was plenty to photograph, although from a photographer’s perspective the park perhaps lacks that one true “super highlight” species. Still, the diversity of birds and the peaceful setting made it a rewarding experience. Especially during the main bird season, Keoladeo National Park and Bharatpur area must be a real paradise for bird enthusiasts, offering endless opportunities to observe and capture a wide variety of species.
Ranthambore National Park – In Search of the Bengal Tiger
From Bharatpur, we continued our journey to Ranthambore National Park, one of India’s best-known wildlife reserves and home to the magnificent Bengal Tiger — one of the Tiger subspecies still surviving today. Sadly, humans have already driven three Tiger subspecies to extinction. Spotting one of these powerful cats in the wild was, of course, our dream – and for any wildlife photographer, it is a thrilling highlight.
Ranthambore is divided into ten zones, with a limited number of safari vehicles (about 140 per session). This system is excellent, helping to reduce the chaos that often follows a sighting in some other national parks. The most popular and oldest areas are zones 1–5, which have traditionally offered the highest number of Tiger sightings – and also the most visitors. It’s therefore worth paying attention to which zones your safaris will take place in. We joined safaris in zones 2, 3, and 4 – with mixed success.
On our first day, we narrowly missed a Tiger both morning and afternoon – but that is the reality of nature and wildlife photography: patience and luck go hand in hand. That’s why it’s always worth booking several safaris to increase your chances of seeing this magnificent species.
There are two types of vehicles in use: six-seater safari jeeps and larger twenty-seater canters. If you are travelling for photography, it’s worth paying extra for the smaller jeep. In the bigger vehicles, photography opportunities are always more limited. These small details also often explain the price differences between dedicated photography tours and general sightseeing safaris.
The park roads are bumpy and dusty, so holding on to your camera – and your sense of humour – is essential. Even when the Tiger stays hidden, there is still plenty to photograph: Spotted Deer, Peacocks, and an impressive variety of birds fill the forest. However, how well you can photograph them often depends on your guide and driver – their experience and attitude make a big difference. And in truth, a safari can be entirely successful even without a Tiger sighting – the atmosphere, sounds, and anticipation alone make it a memorable experience for any nature lover.
At first, we only caught a glimpse of a Tiger hidden deep in the bushes – just a flick of a tail and a pair of striped hind legs disappearing into the undergrowth. Once the Tiger was found, the atmosphere changed completely – and suddenly the peaceful forest turned into a racecourse. Vehicles rushed from every direction, each driver eager to secure the best possible view for their own clients. The dust rose, engines roared, and the calm of the moment vanished in seconds. It was an impressive yet slightly overwhelming experience, reminding us how intense and competitive Tiger photography can be in India.
Later, however, we were luckier. The Tiger reappeared in a more open area, and this time our view was clear – mostly because our driver rather boldly drove ahead of a couple of other safari vehicles. I must admit, I felt slightly embarrassed by this move, yet at the same time it offered us excellent photographic opportunities from our car. So can I complain?
Jaipur and a Lucky Leopard
Reflections – What Kind of Wildlife Tours Do We Want to Offer?
The trip was rewarding and educational. India’s wildlife is extraordinary, and its people are kind and welcoming. Yet, as wildlife photographers, tour leaders and company owners, we also had to ask ourselves: is this the kind of experience we want to offer to our clients?
Tiger photography, while thrilling, can also be highly competitive. Each zone allows only about 15 jeeps/session, and when a Tiger is sighted, all of them rush for position at once. The stress, dust, and noise can quickly take away from the peaceful connection to nature that we value so deeply. Add to that the frustration of visitors when their vehicle doesn’t have the best view, and it becomes a combination that hardly feels like a holiday anymore. Although tourism has played an important role in saving the Bengal Tiger, the atmosphere around some sightings felt too hectic for our preferred way of experiencing wildlife.
We believe in responsible wildlife photography – experiences where animals are neither chased nor disturbed, and where patience, calm, and respect come first. Even if it means long waits in the hides, that quiet time is part of the reward. This is why we choose destinations that offer peaceful encounters and space around the animals – a chance to experience nature in a truly authentic way, even if it means fewer dramatic “highlight” species
India also has a few less glamorous sides that are not often mentioned in travel stories but are important to keep in mind when choosing destinations. Air quality can be very poor in many areas. I am not asthmatic, only sensitive to strong smells, yet both my lungs and eyes reacted in Delhi as well as in Bharatpur and Ranthambore. At times, it felt like gasping for air, as if there wasn’t enough oxygen to breathe. So, if you have any respiratory issues, it’s worth considering this carefully before travelling.
Similarly, if you have a sensitive stomach, be cautious – even with great care, stomach upsets are very common, and a proper food-related illness can catch you by surprise. It’s not much fun when a big part of your holiday ends up being spent close to a bathroom!
After the trip, we had a short discussion with Jari, and we both felt the same way – we would not want to lead Tiger photography tours ourselves, for several reasons. The decision was clear for both of us. However, we completely understand why others run Tiger safaris, and why many photographers dream of seeing these magnificent cats. Tigers are incredibly powerful animals, and the excitement of searching for one is undeniable.
As for us, this journey strengthened our belief in offering tours that prioritise peace, ethics, and the joy of waiting – because that’s where, for us, true wildlife photography magic happens.
Author: Kaisa Peltomäki
Managing Director at Finnature | Professional Wildlife Photographer | OM SYSTEM Ambassador
Kaisa has guided wildlife photographers both in Finland and around the world, sharing her expertise and passion for nature. As a professional photographer, her goal is to bring nature closer to people through powerful images – and to inspire everyone to feel the need to protect our precious wilderness.
Kirjoittaja kaisa