Rajaji Wildlife Photography Tour – April 2026

TOUR OVERVIEW

Scheduled Tour Dates:

April 14th to 17th, 2026

The Rajaji Tiger Reserve is one of North India’s most atmospheric and biodiverse wildlife landscapes. Spread across the foothills of the Shivalik range and the upper Gangetic plains, it is a mosaic of ancient sal forests, rocky hillsides, riverine corridors and sweeping valleys carved by the Ganga and its tributaries. Established in 1983, the reserve brings together three former sanctuaries such as Rajaji, Motichur and Chilla, uniting a region long celebrated for its wilderness, mythology and ecological richness.

While Rajaji is home to tigers, elephants and a thriving abundance of ungulates and birds, the park is especially renowned for its leopards. These elusive, shadow-like cats dominate the rugged Shivalik terrain and nowhere else in North India does the leopard feel as quintessentially at home. The reserve’s dramatic hillsides, boulder-strewn nullahs, dense sal patches and quiet forest edges create the perfect habitat, offering exceptional opportunities to track, observe and photograph these magnificent cats.

What distinguishes Rajaji from other parks is its raw, understated wilderness steep ridges, sunlit riverbeds, thick forests and the distant Himalayan foothills rising behind them. From the call of the peafowl echoing through the valleys to the rustle of elephants moving along the rivercourses, the atmosphere here is both serene and electric, making it a dream landscape for wildlife photography.

On this tour, we focus on Rajaji’s most productive leopard habitats with an itinerary crafted for five immersive safaris. You will be staying at a beautiful homestay on single occupancy, offering comfort, privacy and warm local hospitality. Situated close to the entry gates, it allows quick access to the forest and a peaceful retreat after each safari.

Across five safaris, we explore the most promising zones for leopards, where sightings have steadily grown over the years. These include the rocky outcrops and dense forests where leopards are regularly seen crossing tracks, basking on sunlit boulders or silently emerging from the undergrowth. Along the way, we may also encounter elephants, deer, sloth bears, a rich variety of raptors and some of the finest birdlife of the Himalayan foothills, adding diversity to every photographic opportunity.

Throughout your journey, Phillip Ross will guide you through Rajaji’s wilderness, sharing essential techniques for tracking leopards, understanding their behaviour and anticipating movement within their natural terrain. Whether it’s interpreting alarm calls, reading fresh pugmarks or recognising preferred vantage points, Phillip will help you get closer to creating powerful, intimate images.

Join us for an unforgettable wildlife photography experience in one of North India’s most captivating and underrated reserves, where leopards rule the landscape, and every safari holds the promise of rare and magical encounters.

TOUR ITINERARY

Scheduled Tour Dates:

April 14th to 17th, 2026

DAY 1 — Arrival at Our Homestay Near Rajaji

Upon arrival at our beautiful and comfortable homestay near Rajaji Tiger Reserve (we can assist with arranging your travel from Delhi or Dehradun at actual additional cost), your tour instructor, Phillip Ross, will greet you and welcome you to the start of our leopard-focused Rajaji adventure. After a brief introduction and time to settle into your single-occupancy room, we’ll gather for our first photography session to prepare for the exciting days ahead inside the reserve.

Phillip will walk you through essential camera settings, leopard-tracking strategies specific to Rajaji’s rocky Shivalik terrain, and what to expect during our safaris. We end the evening with a delicious homestay dinner before retiring for the night, filled with anticipation for entering one of North India’s most atmospheric big-cat landscapes the following morning.

DAYS 2 & 3 — Core Leopard Habitat & 4 Safaris

Day 2 begins with our first morning safari inside Rajaji Tiger Reserve, exploring one of the park’s most productive leopard habitats. These zones featuring rocky slopes, dry riverbeds, dense sal forests and boulder-strewn nullahs offer some of the best chances to track and photograph leopards as they move between vantage points or cross forest paths at dawn.

After returning for breakfast and some downtime, we head back into the park for our second safari in the afternoon, covering a different sector to maximise leopard-tracking opportunities.

On Day 3 we continue with two additional safaris. Mornings are particularly rewarding, with leopards often active along ridgelines or seen resting on elevated rocks warmed by early sunlight. Afternoons allow us to focus on riverbeds, forest edges and prey-rich areas where leopards frequently emerge before dusk.

Rajaji’s rich biodiversity ensures that every safari remains exciting. Elephants moving through riverine corridors, barking deer and sambar offering crucial clues through alarm calls, and a vibrant collection of birdlife including raptors, hornbills and Himalayan foothill species adding depth to our photographic experience.

Throughout the tour, Phillip works closely with our local guides and drivers to read pugmarks, interpret alarm calls and anticipate leopard movement, helping you position yourself for the most compelling images. Each evening, we return to the homestay for a relaxed photography review session, where Phillip offers tips, feedback and new techniques for the next day.

DAY 5 — Final Morning Safari + Departure

On our final morning together, we enjoy one last safari inside Rajaji, giving us a final opportunity to track leopards at sunrise and revisit areas that showed fresh movement over the previous days. This additional safari often produces rewarding encounters, as early mornings are among the most active periods for predators in Rajaji’s Shivalik landscape.

After the safari, we return to the homestay for a hearty brunch before checking out and beginning our journey back toward Delhi or Dehradun. With memory cards full of unique leopard images and hearts fuller from the experiences in these rugged, beautiful forests, we’re certain you’ll leave Rajaji with unforgettable stories, improved photography skills, and a deep appreciation for one of North India’s most underrated wildlife reserves.

Inclusions

• Single occupancy accommodation in comfortable rooms
• All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and hot beverages (coffee and tea)
• Seven safaris in two zones – Jhirna & Dhikala
• All guide fee’s and park entrance fee’s
• Guaranteed photography learning and a whole lotta fun!

Exclusions

• 5% GST
• Road transfers between Delhi Airport and Corbett
• All airfare and travel expenses between your home and Delhi
• Any extra meals and beverages ordered
• Tips and gratuities
• 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 76 days before the tour
• 25% between 75 and 61 days before the tour
• 50% between 60 and 46 days before the tour
• 75% between 45 and 31 days before the tour
• 100% within 30 days before the tour