Company. People. Experience .
The Outback
Founded in 2016 by the Ross family, The Outback Experience has grown into one of India’s leading wildlife photography tour companies, renowned for its expertly crafted photography expeditions, award-winning instruction, immersive kids’ and family nature camps, and unforgettable wildlife experiences.
Experiences that go beyond travel
Whether you’re an experienced photographer chasing a once-in-a-lifetime image, a family looking to reconnect with nature, or a young explorer discovering the wild for the very first time, every experience we create is designed to inspire, educate and leave you with memories that last a lifetime.
Led by internationally award-winning wildlife photographer Phillip Ross, our tours, workshops and camps combine world-class photographic guidance with ethical wildlife experiences, ensuring guests return home with not only incredible photographs, but a deeper appreciation for the natural world.
The Outback Experience is also home to our charming countryside homestay on the edge of the Bannerghatta National Park, just outside Bangalore. Set amidst our private farms, it offers a peaceful escape into nature, exceptional birdwatching and bird photography, delicious home-cooked meals, warm hospitality and a chance to slow down and experience the outdoors at its finest.
At The Outback Experience, we’re passionate about creating experiences that go beyond travel. From award-winning wildlife photography tours across India and the world to nature camps that have inspired thousands of children and families, every journey is thoughtfully designed with one goal in mind, to help you experience the wild like never before.
The awards behind the instruction
- Highly Commended, DJMPC Wildlife Photography Awards2024 and 2025
- Gold & bronze medal, FIAP Photography World Cup2014
- Special mention, Sanctuary Asia wildlife photography awards2013
- Finalist, BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year2012 - 2026
- Wildlife Conservation Award, Karnataka Forest Department, for his report on saving the Bannerghatta National Park2009
- Canon EOS Maestro and Brand Influencer with CanonSince 2021
Meet ‘The Outback’ family - A team that works together to make your dreams come true.
Phillip Ross
Director, Photography Mentor and Co-founder
“Learning photography should be easy and tremendous fun.”
Phillip Ross is a wildlife photographer, naturalist, and storyteller whose work is shaped by a lifelong connection with India’s wild places. His fascination with nature began during childhood visits to his family farm on the outskirts of Bengaluru, before growing through journeys to the national parks and tiger reserves of southern India. In 2006, he picked up his first camera to document these experiences, beginning a photographic journey that continues to take him to some of the most remarkable wild landscapes in India and beyond.
His images celebrate the diversity, drama, and quiet beauty of the natural world, while encouraging a deeper appreciation for conservation. His work has been recognised with numerous honours, including Highly Commended at the DJMPC Wildlife Photography Awards in 2024 and 2025, gold and bronze medals at the FIAP Photography World Cup in 2014, and a Special Mention at the Sanctuary Asia Wildlife Photography Awards in 2013. He has also been a finalist in the BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition and received the Karnataka Forest Department’s Wildlife Conservation Award in 2009 for his report on protecting Bannerghatta National Park.
Phillip has been a Canon EOS Maestro and Canon Brand Influencer since 2021. As an avid angler and naturalist, he brings the same curiosity and enthusiasm to the field that he shares with guests, inspiring adults and children alike through immersive encounters with wildlife and the stories behind every photograph.
Samantha Ross
Program Director (Kids, Teens & Families), Marketing Head and Co-founder
“The best adventures begin with thoughtful planning, genuine passion, and a sense of wonder.”
Samantha’s love for wildlife began in the tree-lined neighbourhood of old Whitefield, Bangalore, where she spent her childhood exploring the outdoors and learning about the birds, insects, reptiles, and animals that shared her world. Countless nature walks with her father sparked a lifelong passion for wildlife, conservation, and the natural world.
Since 2011, Samantha has been an integral part of The Outback Experience, helping design and deliver wildlife expeditions, photography camps, educational workshops, and family adventures. As Program Director and Marketing Head, she oversees marketing, participant engagement, camp coordination, and logistics, ensuring every experience runs smoothly from start to finish.
A wildlife photographer and a new mother, Samantha is especially passionate about helping children connect with nature through hands-on experiences that inspire curiosity, creativity, and confidence.
Known affectionately as the team’s “Dog Whisperer,” she has a natural affinity with animals and rarely meets a dog that doesn’t instantly become her friend.
When she’s not planning adventures, you’ll often find her on stage. An accomplished vocalist, Samantha performs regularly at concerts and events.. so if you meet her on a trip, feel free to ask for a song! (You just need to hope she agrees to do so :P)
Darryl Ross
Managing Director and Co-founder
“Every one should have the opportunity to experience a little bit of heaven.”
Having grown up in the city of Bangalore but afforded the fantastic opportunity to visit the wild side of nature at his father’s farm in Bannerghatta every weekend, Darryl’s love for nature and wildlife was firmly embedded in his very being.
His father’s farm was unfortunately sold in 1976 and ever since, it was Darryl’s dream to buy his own farm. Fortunately, after many, many years of hard work, his dream came true and in 1996, he purchased a parcel of land on the fringes of the very forests he had grown up to love.
The farm was initially a getaway for family and friends, but Darryl wanted to share this enriching experience with everyone. The Outback was opened to the public in 2014 with the aim to spread the message of the importance of nature and wildlife and the urgency of conservation to city dwellers so that future generations could also have their share of this ‘little piece of heaven’.
Caroline Ross
Director, Executive Head Chef and Co-founder
“What is life without good food?”
Co-Founder of the Outback, Caroline’s love for nature, wildlife and cooking is well known among her family and friends. This self-taught food maven, well known in her circles for her brilliant continental and Indian cooking, is the executive head chef at The Outback.
Caroline grew up in a family that loved to cook, and boy were they good at it! She learnt her families secret Anglo-Indian recipes and adds to them her special ingredients of love and hard work. She is sure to put a smile on your face, even in your grumpiest mood, once you savour her mouth-watering creations.
As a mother of three, she is also great with kids and with her infectious smile and warm approach, the children who visit us absolutely love her company.
What our guests say about the family
“Right from the time we reached the place, we were made comfortable by the Ross family. Its a serene place close to nature as should be.”
“Phillip and his Mum are amazing host, such hospitality one must try. Both Phillip and aunty took time to help us settle in, they were amazing with the kids, so patient to answer and explain all their questions.”
“Thank you Darryl, Caroline, Paul and Phillip for making this trip an unforgettable one. Visit them to believe what I say. From scares to jokes, from amazing food to beautiful views.... We will definitely visit again.”