Rainforest Exploration and Macro Photography Camp – Honey Valley, Coorg

CAMP OVERVIEW

Nestled in the heart of what is often called the ‘Scotland of India’, Coorg or Kodagu (which means ‘dense forest on steep hills’) our Rainforest Exploration Wildlife Camp, hosts a wide array of exciting and adventurous activities for avid young naturalists and wildlife enthusiasts.

Situated at an altitude of 4000 feet ASL and in an area which receives a high amount of rainfall, the environment around boasts a wide variety of life, especially with regards to numerous species of amphibians & reptiles, some being endemic to the area and found nowhere else on Earth. The area is also amazingly rich in bird life, that boasts over 300 species including the beautiful Malabar trogon, orange minivet, hill myna, Asian fairy bluebird and various species of woodpeckers, flycatchers and raptors. Mammals found in the area include, leopards, barking deer and wild boar and an amazing array of nocturnal life such as mouse deer, various species of lesser cats, flying squirrel and porcupines.

We will be staying at the absolutely beautiful ‘Honey Valley Estate and Homestay’, situated on top of a hill and surrounded by verdant aromatic coffee estates, and the musical babbling of sparkling brooks and streams that flow through this amazing property.

What’s better, The Outback Experience team members Phillip Ross and Samantha Ross, will guide your child into the forests, take them through the fundamentals of wildlife  and macro photography and equip them with a basic understanding of animal behaviour that will help them take stunning photographs.

Come and see Coorg like never before and enrol your child for this one-of-a-kind Rainforest Exploration Wildlife Camp with The Outback Experience!

CAMP ITINERARY

Dates: 10th to 12th August, 2023

DAY 1:

At the crack of dawn, we depart from the city of Bangalore and proceed to the much-awaited campsite in Coorg.  After check-in and a scrumptious lunch, camp leaders Phillip Ross and Samantha Ross will introduce the participants to the Brahmagiri’s with a brief on the wildlife found in the area, the afternoon’s plan and also a presentation on the ideal settings for their cameras.

Participants will then be guided on a birding trail and will spend the entire evening documenting the amazing bird life on the property. We return to the property for some refreshing beverages and snacks before Phillip introduces the wonderful world of macro photography to the participants.

We then prepare to set out for the much awaited late evening walk where Phillip will lead all participants to a brook and begin exploring for various macro subjects. We have a great chance to come across various bush frogs such as Raorchestes luteolus, R. glandulosus, R. akroparallagi and the tiny R. tuberohumerus, besides the amazing gliding frogs, Rhacophorus malabaricus and Rhacophorus lateralis. The wrinkled frog, Nyctibatrachus sp., which is endemic to the Western Ghats. Our most prized catch would have to be the extremely rare torrent toad, Ghatophryne ornata all of which are endemic to the Western Ghats. We will also come across various lizards, spiders, caecilians, beetles, centipedes and an array of insect life.

On the way back to the campsite, we will also learn how to set up and deploy a camera trap in order for us to capture some of the Coorg’s nocturnal wonders.

Later that evening, we’ll gather around a campfire (weather permitting) for a presentation on composition and we end the night with a session of entertainment followed by a delicious dinner.

DAY 2:

We awake to the sweet calls of the birds found within the campsite and after a hot cup of coffee or tea, prepare to depart for the morning birding walk. We’ll keep our eyes peeled and hope to sight some of the amazing birds that this part of Coorg has to offer.

We return to the campsite for breakfast and now proceed to the gorgeous waterfall within the estate, falling from a good height. Each participant will learn to make slow-shutter speed waterfall and landscape images, and also learn how to use various filters in order to create the ‘milky effect’ that everyone craves.

We return to the campsite for a delicious lunch followed by some well earned rest.

After a refreshing cup of tea or coffee, we leave on a stream walk, and spend the entire evening photographing various subjects including insects, wild flowers, many species of mushroom and fungi, snails, crabs apart from doing some great birding too.

It is likely to be dark by the time we return, which is a great time for frog encounters and hope to come across some more cool endemic species.

We end the night with some games and a celebratory dinner.

DAY 3:

On the final morning, we return on another birding and nature walk and also, return to the camera trap location to retrieve the camera and check what all cool stuff we managed to capture over the two days.

We return for breakfast and gather for a final rendezvous before checking out at 11:00 a.m. and driving back to Bangalore, where we are sure your child won’t be able to wait to tell you some fascinating tales.

Outbacker: Participated in at least three previous The Outback Experience camps or workshops

Inclusions

• Shared accommodation in comfortable rooms
• Road transfers from Bangalore, to and from the destination
• All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and hot beverages (coffee and tea)
• All entrance fee’s

Exclusions

• 5% GST
• Any extra meals and beverages ordered
• Airfare, if applicable
• Anything that is not expressly mentioned in the inclusions list

Payment Terms

100% payment in advance for confirmation of booking.

Payment can be made via bank transfer to our account. Please inform us of the reference number once the payment is made.

Cancellation Fees

• 10% outside 30 days before the camp
• 25% between 29 and 22 days before the camp
• 50% between 21 and 15 days before the camp
• 75% between 14 and 8 days before the camp
• 100% within 7 days before the camp