The India Safari invites you into some of the most breathtaking and biodiverse regions on Earth, from the lush rainforests and misty hills of one of the most biodiverse biomes on earth, the Western Ghats.
Now in its third year, this journey offers a rare chance to capture wildlife found nowhere else, from elephants and an extraordinary diversity of birds, butterflies and frogs, spectacular macro photography opportunities to iconic central Indian species including tigers and other forest wildlife.
Each day brings immersive opportunities to photograph nature at its most spectacular, while also exploring the cultural heart of southern India. Guided by passionate professional photographers, you’ll refine your skills, deepen your connection with the natural world, and experience unforgettable moments in the field.
This safari is more than a photography trip, it is an expedition into the soul of India’s wild places, and an opportunity to return with images and stories that stay with you forever.
The main tour is already an extraordinary wildlife experience, showcasing India’s incredible biodiversity. But, for those who want to extend the adventure, we’ve now added an optional dedicated birding experience at the start of the main tour.
21st Sept to 3rd Oct (13 Days, 12 Nights)
19th Sept to 21st Sept (3 Days, 2 Nights)
10 Days, 9 Nights
(Singapore 3 nights, Sumatra 6 nights)
Maximum 6 Participants
MAIN TOUR
Twin Share / Double Per Person $5275
Single Per Person $7000
THATTEKAD BIRDING ADD-ON (Pre Main Tour)
Twin Share / Double Per Person $1100
Single Per Person $1250
Booking Fees apply depending on your payment method
All Prices in Australian Dollars, inclusive of GST
Register Interest below for future safaris
Part 1 Welcome, fellow adventurers, to the enchanting realm of the Cairns Botanic Gardens and the Wet Tropics of Queensland, Australia. Here, amidst the lush greenery and breathtaking biodiversity, you’ll find some of nature’s most charismatic acrobats, the Jumping Spiders! These pint-sized daredevils, with their kaleidoscope of colours and quirky
Part 1 Welcome to the Cairns Botanic Gardens, where the plants are gorgeous, the air is tropical, and the caterpillars… well, they’re munching through it all like it’s an all-you-can-eat buffet. These little green eating machines are the unsung VIPs of the garden, quietly stuffing their faces, preparing for their
Premium Night Walk Breeding Rhinoceros Beetles Hi, my name is Arthur and I live in Cairns, Queensland, Australia. I love studying insects and have successfully bred a few different species of beetles and other insects. I became interested in bugs when I was 3 years old. When I was
Hadlee Renjith is a naturalist, wildlife photographer and wildlife photography guide based in Munnar, Kerala, with over 16 years of experience working closely with the landscapes and wildlife of the Western Ghats and beyond.
Although Hadlee has a particular passion for macro photography, especially amphibians and reptiles, his wider expertise extends to mammals, birds and larger wildlife. His extensive field experience allows him to guide photographers through diverse habitats and situations, from tracking mammals and observing bird behaviour to exploring the hidden world of amphibians and reptiles during the monsoon.
For photographers joining longer wildlife expeditions, Hadlee brings a combination of local knowledge, fieldcraft and photography experience. He understands that a successful photography tour is about much more than simply finding a species it is about understanding the location, reading animal behaviour, choosing the right approach, managing field conditions and creating the best possible opportunities while maintaining respect for wildlife.
His work and photographs have been featured by National Geographic, BBC Earth, Condé Nast and other publications and platforms. He has also achieved recognition in international wildlife photography competitions, including having four images selected among the final 100 images from nearly 60,000 entries at the Natural History Museum Photography Awards.
For Hadlee, guiding is about creating a deeper connection between photographers and the natural world. His goal is to share the knowledge he has gained through years in the field, help photographers experience wildlife beyond the viewfinder, and turn time spent in nature into meaningful stories and lasting images.
Hadlee brings a warm, caring and generous nature to our tours, along with a wonderfully friendly and outgoing personality. His genuine passion for wildlife and conservation, combined with his knowledge and experience in the field, makes him the perfect local guide to lead us on this exciting Indian Safari!
Bridgette first travelled to Sumatra in 2019 with her yoga school, returning again in 2022 as their official photographer. Inspired by the incredible abundance of wildlife right on the doorstep of the accommodation—and within easy walking distance of the national park—she went on to create her own nature photography tour.
After running eight successful sessions over three years, Bridgette has carefully refined the experience into a well-paced itinerary that balances structure with flexibility, allowing for weather changes and unexpected wildlife opportunities. Her strong, long-standing relationships with local staff and management ensure every tour runs smoothly and seamlessly.
While Bridgette’s true passion lies in macro photography, she’s just as likely to be found venturing deep into the rainforest in search of more elusive subjects, from gibbons to the spectacular Great Argus Pheasant.
‘An epic adventure for nature lovers’
This is the opportunity of a lifetime to see incredible wild animals living free in the myriad of habitats in the Western Ghats. We will cover 2000 kilometres across various ecosystems and see a wide variety of mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, insects, spiders, gastropods, fungi and myriapods.
The Western Ghats region is a biodiversity hotspot. It contains a large number of different species of flora and fauna, most of which are endemic to this region. At least 325 globally threatened species occur in the Western Ghats. The region was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012. Also called the Sahyadri, this ancient mountain range is the eighth most bio-diverse region on earth.
Now in its third year, the NEW and improved Itinerary now includes an Optional dedicated Birding Add-on to Thattekad, India’s Birding Hotspot!
This itinerary has been adapted over the years from experience and is carefully planned to give you the best opportunity to see abundant wildlife, but also allows flexibility to be spontaneous within the schedule. There could be a number of opportunities to seek out Elephant herds, Samba Deer, Serpent Eagles (to name a few) as we travel on our journey.
Our local guide Hadlee is an experienced naturalist with a wealth of local knowledge and spotting skills. He has extensive field experience and well connected with “people in the know”. This increases our chances to see the most elusive wildlife.
Whist there are excellent chances to see wildlife, sightings cannot be guaranteed.
Who is this Tour For?
Nature lovers, adventure travel seekers, fit and able bodied, photographers and photography enthusiasts, lovers of curry, twitchers, tree huggers, herpers and bugs nerds!
This Tour is NOT For?
If you want guaranteed sightings, go to a zoo, but if you crave real encounters in their native habitat and you get that fuzzy buzzy feeling. This is the tour for you! If you have physical issues that cause discomfort travelling in FWDs/Jeeps/Minibus on some challenging roads, this tour is probably not for you. If you struggle with spicy food, fair warning, sometimes there are no options.
All Transfers from Kochin to Munnar, Valparai, Bandipur and back to Kochin. All breakfasts and meals listed in the itinerary. Comfortable accommodations in beautiful surroundings, National Park Fees, Permits, Tolls, Parking Fees, Local Guides, Safaris and State crossing fees.
Entry Visas, Flight costs to and from Kochin, India. First night accommodation in Kochin. Breakfast on first morning in Kochin. Lunch on Day 7 and 12. Spontaneous Jeep excursions to seek out wildlife (case by case basis), Camera Fees in various locations, Gratuities/Tips for Local Guide & Driver, Alcohol.
Munnar’s shola forests, interspersed with tea, cardamom, and coffee plantations, host several critically endangered frog species. However, habitat-disturbing practices and pesticide use, fuelled by local myths, have led to a decline in many of the species’ populations.
To address this, Hadlee and his team at Resplendent Experiences focused on conserving these frogs at Windermere Cardamom Plantation. They constructed water habitats (WHs) tailored for frog breeding, using native plants like wild turmeric and ferns to recreate suitable nesting environments. Their efforts proved successful, with frogs adapting to the habitats.
The team has demonstrated that even small initiatives can have a substantial impact on conservation efforts. The project has heightened awareness about the presence of various endemic frog species in Munnar. By raising awareness and educating the public about the importance of these often-overlooked species, the team has fostered a sense of responsibility and care for the natural world among the local community and beyond. Their dedication to the cause has inspired others to join the movement, further strengthening the efforts to protect and conserve the unique biodiversity of Munnar.
A percentage of profits from each Safari is donated to Resplendent Experiences to produce some more of these Frog Ponds in some suitable areas to assist with the conservation of the many vulnerable frogs.
Read more about the Frog Conservation Project here: The Hindu
