Planning your First Tiger Safari Tour India

Embarking on a tiger safari in India is a thrilling adventure that offers a unique glimpse into the country’s rich wildlife. To make your trip as enjoyable and successful as possible, consider the following detailed tips and tricks:

Overview

The Tiger Safari workshop begins with your pickup from Indira Gandhi International Airport (airport code: DEL) in New Delhi and concludes at the same airport. Our tour will cover the most renowned tiger reserves with some of the highest tiger densities in India (and even the world). This will optimize your ones chances to capture stunning images of tigers and other Indian wildlife. We’ll embark on early morning and late afternoon game drives in open-air 4-wheel-drive vehicles, driven by professional drivers and accompanied by a naturalist/guide in each vehicle.

Balance of Fees

The final balance of your workshop fees is due 120 days before the trip. The exact amount depends on the options you’ve selected (such as single lodging, extra hotel nights, or the optional Taj Mahal extension). You will receive an invoice by email approximately 30 days prior. Payments can be made online by credit card. Please contact us if you wish to use another form of payment. Timely payment is necessary to ensure our lodgings are secure.

Health/Medical

Immunizations: While no specific immunizations are required to enter India, consult with your doctor or travel clinic about any recommended vaccinations. Malaria prophylaxis may be advised. The U.S. CDC website provides general health information that may be useful.

Prescription Medications: Pack an adequate supply of any prescription medications and supplements you take, as they may not be available in India. Consider requesting a prescription for traveller’s diarrhea from your health provider or travel clinic. Be sure not to pack your medications in your checked baggage in case there is any delay caused by your airline. 

Allergies: Please inform us of any allergies you have and the severity of your reactions. Carry appropriate medications as needed.

COVID-specific requirements: Neither India nor the US currently requires COVID vaccination or testing for entry.

Travel Documents and Insurance

Passport: Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your intended departure date from India.

Visas: A tourist visa is required for American citizens to enter India. The easiest way to obtain a visa is to apply online. For other nationalities, check here to determine if a visa is required. This is a good resource for helping you to apply for an India visa. 

Travel Insurance: Mandatory for workshop participants. Policies should cover medical evacuation, trip cancellation, travel delays, lost luggage, theft/loss, etc. Such policies are widely available and reasonably priced.

Financial and Communication Preparations

Notify Banks & Credit Cards: Inform your financial institutions about your travel plans to prevent issues with using credit cards or ATMs while traveling.

Phone Carrier: Check your phone carrier’s international roaming policies and rates before leaving home to avoid high bills. Consider pre-purchasing a data plan from your carrier. Alternatively, if you have an unlocked phone, it is easy to purchase an India SIM card. There is an Airtel counter immediately after exiting baggage claim at DEL airport. India has some of the least expensive data packages in the world. 

WhatsApp: We will use WhatsApp for group communications. Please download and install WhatsApp and create an account before arriving in India. It is also advisable for your loved ones at home to install this app.

Packing ideas

  • Thin, cool, and quick-drying clothing: Long sleeves and pants for sun and insect protection.
  • Brimmed hat, sunglasses, spare eyeglasses/reading glasses or contacts.
  • Bandana, buff, or face mask for dust protection.
  • Sports bra (recommended by past female participants due to bumpy roads).
  • Swimsuit, sunscreen, bug spray, and lip balm.
  • Sneakers and flip flops/sandals: Comfortable shoes with good traction for around the lodge. No hiking is required. During the Safaris often you will stand on the seats so barefoot, sneakers or flipflop will be more comfortable.
  • Laundry services are available at all lodges for a reasonable fee.
  • An extra piece of cloth to cover your camera gears. Safaris are dusty

Photography Gear

Camera Body: Bring 1 or 2 camera bodies. Mirrorless cameras with animal eye tracking are highly recommended.
Lenses: A telephoto lens reaching up to 600 mm or 400 mm is strongly recommended. For crop sensor cameras, a minimum of 300 mm is advised. A medium telephoto lens like 70-200 mm is useful for closer encounters with tigers or leopards.
Extra Batteries and Memory Cards: Bring plenty of memory cards and batteries. Do not erase/overwrite memory cards until you return home, even if images are downloaded to a laptop or hard drive.

Battery Charger: Essential. Consider a USB-powered camera battery charger as a backup.

Monopod (optional): Useful for extra stability and low-angle shots with a remote release.

Wide-angle lens: Optional for environmental shots––though your phone might suffice for this purpose. 

Laptop or tablet: Highly recommended for daily image review, selections, and ratings.

Portable hard drive: Ideal for image storage/backup. A solid-state (SSD) type with a minimum of 1TB capacity, 2TB preferred.

Power adapters: India uses 230-volt electricity. A universal adapter and a travel-rated power strip are useful. Chargers for phones, tablets, laptops, and camera batteries typically have built-in voltage transformers.

Power bank: Handy for charging devices, including camera batteries with a USB charger.

Phone leash: To prevent dropping your phone into potentially dangerous situations.

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