Kanha or Bandhavgarh? Two Ways to Photograph India’s Tigers

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA, Photographers planning an India tiger safari often face a practical choice: spend more time in one reserve, or combine different parks and photographic environments within the same journey.

Jennifer Hadley Photography’s current Tiger Trails programme illustrates both approaches. One April 2027 departure combines Kanha and Bandhavgarh National Parks, while a second, shorter departure concentrates entirely on Bandhavgarh.

The distinction is about more than itinerary length. Kanha combines sal and bamboo forests with open meadows and lakes, while Bandhavgarh brings forest, rocky hills, grasslands and waterholes. For wildlife photographers, those landscapes create different backgrounds, light conditions and ways of photographing animals within their environment.

The longer Tiger Trails departure runs from 1–12 April 2027 and travels through both Kanha and Bandhavgarh. The second departure runs from 14–21 April 2027 and focuses on Bandhavgarh, providing an alternative for travellers with less time in India.

Both journeys are personally hosted and mentored by award-winning professional wildlife photographer Jennifer Hadley. Experienced local naturalists provide wildlife and park knowledge, while Hadley works directly with photographers on camera settings, composition, changing light, animal behaviour and the photographic decisions required as sightings develop.
Vehicle occupancy is another deliberate part of the format. Tiger Trails limits each safari jeep to only two photographers, giving both more space for long lenses and camera equipment, clearer shooting positions and greater freedom to respond when wildlife moves.

Both departures also include morning and afternoon safari drives and one special full-day safari. The full-day permit allows earlier entry, later exit and continuous time inside the park, creating more time to watch and wait, work through changing light and potentially encounter more wildlife.

Bengal tigers are the principal photographic focus, but the wider wildlife experience can include leopards, sloth bears, wild dogs, Indian gaur, spotted deer, elephants and varied birdlife, depending on the park and natural wildlife movement. As with any wild tiger safari, sightings cannot be guaranteed.

The journeys are open to photographers at different experience levels as well as wildlife enthusiasts and non-photographer companions. Photography guidance continues away from the safari vehicle through image review and editing support at the accommodations.

The 12-day Kanha and Bandhavgarh departure is currently priced from USD $8,800, while the eight-day Bandhavgarh-focused departure is priced from USD $5,800. Both require a USD $1,500 deposit. Current inclusions cover accommodation, meals, internal flights within India, the first-night Delhi hotel, airport pickup, relevant private ground transfers, drinks and photography guidance. International flights and laundry are excluded.

For tourism professionals and travellers comparing specialist India wildlife experiences, the two formats highlight an important difference in how photographic safaris can be designed. A single-park journey offers greater concentration in one environment, while combining reserves creates more variety in landscapes and photographic conditions.

Enquiries can be directed to info@jenniferhadleyphotography.com.