Leopards, Leopards, Leopards...

This exclusive 10-day Leopard Photography Workshop is designed for serious photographers with a passion for big cats. If you're committed to long hours in the field, ready to embrace rugged conditions for the chance to capture the elusive beauty of leopards, this workshop is for you.

Workshop Overview:

Unlike typical safari tours, we’re not here to fill the days with unnecessary stops. Every moment is dedicated to photographing leopards and immersing ourselves in the wild environment.

Each day, we’ll embark on two thrilling safari sessions: one early morning, beginning 1 hour before sunrise, and another in the late afternoon, starting 3 hours before sunset. Each safari lasts 3-4 hours, meaning you'll have 6-8 hours each day dedicated to searching for and photographing leopards—ensuring you have ample time to capture their elusive beauty in the wild.

• Day 1: Travel to India • Day 2: Transfer to the farm stay, our base for the workshop • Days 3-9: Full days dedicated to safaris: - Morning Session: 1 hour before sunrise for 3-4 hours of leopard tracking and photography - Afternoon Session: 3 hours before sunset, ensuring we capture the golden light during prime leopard activity •Day 10: Transfer back to Udaipur airport for your international flight home

My Approach:

The terrain is challenging, the vehicles are off-road, and the focus is entirely on maximizing your time to get the best shots. Comfortable accommodations and delicious homemade meals will be provided, but this workshop is not for those seeking an easy, 5 star luxury experience. If you're ready for the adventure that comes with wildlife photography, you'll be rewarded with a truly authentic and immersive experience.

Why This Workshop is Unique:

Small Group, Big Impact: With a maximum of just 5 participants and a minimum of 2, this workshop ensures personalized attention, giving you more time to learn, explore, and capture the perfect shot.
More Space, Better Shots: You’ll have one seat per row in the safari vehicle, providing plenty of space for your gear and greater comfort during long days in the field. More space means more freedom to move and shoot without constraints.
Exclusive Access to Expert Spotters: Our experienced local spotters will guide us to prime leopard sightings, maximizing your chances of capturing these elusive big cats. While we can’t guarantee the best positioning due to the presence of other safari vehicles, our spotters will ensure we’re in the best possible location for quality shots.
Personalized Fit: Before booking, we’ll make sure this workshop is the right fit for you. Through a short application form and a one-on-one Zoom call, we’ll discuss your photography goals, workshop expectations, and answer any questions you may have. This ensures the framework of the workshop aligns perfectly with your vision.

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Details / Requirements

Accommodation & Food

Comfortable and Authentic Stay

During the Leopard Photography Workshop, we’ll be staying at a Farm Stay that offers comfortable, no-frills accommodation. It’s not a luxury retreat, but a 3-star level stay that ensures a cozy, practical environment for photographers who appreciate simplicity and comfort after long days in the field.

Your Comfortable Accommodation Includes:

Spacious Rooms featuring a King-Size Bed for a restful night’s sleep.
Private Bathroom with a hot shower (in the room) for your convenience.
Air Conditioning and Heating, ensuring a comfortable environment regardless of the weather.
Homemade Indian Cuisine: Enjoy authentic Indian meals prepared from fresh ingredients grown in the farm's own garden.
- After the morning safari, you'll enjoy brunch around 11 AM (no breakfast before the morning session).
- Hearty dinners after the afternoon/evening session, and snacks & cookies during safaris to keep you fueled throughout the day.
- Tea, coffee, and water are available throughout the day to keep you refreshed.

This is a practical, comfortable space to unwind and recharge after the adventure-filled days on safari. The focus is on authenticity and comfort, designed for photographers who value practical, quality accommodations without expecting a 5 star luxury experience.

Fitness Level

For Photographers Ready for an Adventure

This workshop is not for those seeking maximum comfort in a luxury setting. The conditions can be rough, and a high level of fitness is required to ensure you get the most out of the experience.

Why Fitness Matters:

Off-Road Terrain: The safari vehicles will navigate challenging, bumpy off-road terrain. Long hours in the car (6-8 hours each day) require stamina, as we’re constantly on the move, navigating rugged paths.
Active Engagement: While most photography will happen from the vehicles, you’ll need to be mentally and physically prepared to handle your gear, stay aware of your surroundings, and adjust your position when necessary.

This workshop is designed for photographers who are used to rougher conditions and are willing to endure the occasional discomfort to pursue their passion. It’s for those who are fully committed to the process of capturing stunning wildlife images, and who understand the trade-off between comfort and the reward of an authentic, immersive experience in the wild.

What´s included & What´s not

What’s Included:

7-Day Safari Experience (without travel time): This includes all local transportation, guiding, accommodation, and meals.
Meals: You’ll enjoy a brunch after the morning safari (around 11 AM), hearty dinners after the afternoon session, and snacks & cookies during the safari drives. Tea, coffee, and water are provided throughout the day.
7 Morning Safaris and 7 Afternoon Safaris to give you ample opportunities to photograph leopards and other wildlife.

What’s Not Included:

International and domestic flights to and from Udaipur.
Soft drinks or alcoholic beverages during the workshop.
Tips for the guide/driver and staff: USD 100 in total, which includes USD 70 for the guide/driver and USD 30 for other staff. While tipping is not mandatory, it is a common practice and appreciated by all involved.
Travel insurance, Visa costs for India, and any personal expenses.

Group-size / Safari Cars

Maximum Comfort, Maximum Opportunity

This workshop is designed to maximize your photographic potential with small group sizes and exclusive safari cars. The personalized attention you’ll receive means more chances to capture stunning shots of leopards in their natural habitat.

Group Size: We keep the group small to ensure that only up to 5 photographers participate, allowing for a more exclusive, focused experience.

Safari Cars: To give each participant the space they need, we’ll have two safari cars, each with only 2 photographers per vehicle. This allows for a comfortable, spacious setting where you can move freely, adjust your gear, and capture the perfect shot without feeling cramped. Here’s how it works:

2 Photographers per car: Each photographer gets their own full row in the car, giving you maximum space to comfortably set up your gear and capture those once-in-a-lifetime moments.
3rd Seat Option: If you're comfortable with a bit less space, you can opt for the third seat next to the driver/guide, which is offered at a reduced price due to the more limited gear space.

Choosing the third seat comes with a trade-off in space, but it allows you to participate in this exclusive experience at a lower cost. The first 2 seats offer the most room for your camera equipment and personal comfort, so we recommend them for those who want the maximum flexibility during the workshop.

What to pack / Other Wildlife

Essential Gear for a Comfortable and Productive Safari

While I’ll provide all the guidance you need during the workshop, there are a few key items you’ll want to bring to ensure you’re ready for long, rugged days of photographing leopards in the wild.

Warm Clothing: Even though the days can get quite warm or hot, early mornings can be cold, especially since we leave around one hour before sunrise in open safari vehicles. Make sure to pack layers that you can add or remove as needed.

Telephoto Lenses (200mm to 800mm): I recommend bringing a lens in the 200-800mm range.

Camera Bodies: Bring at least two camera bodies if possible.

Dust Protection: We’ll be driving in dry, dusty conditions, which can be tough on gear. I’ll send you more detailed recommendations on how to protect your equipment from the elements before the workshop.

I’ll follow up with more detailed recommendations closer to the workshop date, so you’re fully prepared for the adventure ahead.

Will We See Other Wildlife?

While the primary focus is on photographing leopards, you’ll also have the chance to photograph a variety of other fascinating animals, such as birds, mongoose, jackals, crocodiles, and possibly even a sloth bear. These encounters will complement your experience, but leopards will always be the main focus of our safaris.

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Sign up with your Email and I will inform you before dates and pricing will be published ... I am working on keeping the cost as low as possible without compromising the quality of the accommodation and for sure not the time we will spend on trying to get the best pictures possible.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Do I need a visa to enter India?

Yes, you will need a visa to enter India. You can easily apply for an eVisa online in advance through the official website: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html. Be sure to apply well ahead of time to avoid any last-minute issues.

2. What is the immigration and luggage process like at the airport?

Upon arrival at the international airport in India, you’ll need to collect your luggage after immigration and then re-check it for your domestic flight to Udaipur. Please plan your flight connections accordingly, with a minimum layover of 2.5 hours to ensure you have enough time for this process.

3. How long will the drive from Udaipur to the final destination take?

The drive from Udaipur to our farm stay will take approximately 2.5 to 3 hours. This is a scenic drive, so enjoy the journey!

4. Will we definitely see leopards to photograph?

While wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed, the chances of seeing leopards during the safari are very high. For example, on the last 35 safaris, I personally observed over 30 individual leopards. We’ll be in prime leopard habitats, increasing your chances of capturing these majestic creatures.

5. How close will we get to the leopards?

In our past safaris, we’ve had some amazing close encounters. We’ve had sightings where a female leopard with cubs was only about 15 meters away, while other times the distance has been around 100+ meters. Keep in mind that we’ll aim to get as close as possible without disturbing the animals, allowing for incredible photo opportunities.

6. What is the weather like during the workshop?

The weather can vary, but you can expect warm to hot temperatures during the day. However, early mornings and late afternoons can get quite cool, especially as we leave around 1 hour before sunrise. Be prepared with layered clothing that you can add or remove as the day progresses. I will provide more specific weather updates closer to the workshop date, so stay tuned.

7. Will I need special vaccinations before traveling to India?

It’s recommended to check with your doctor or a travel clinic about the vaccinations you may need before traveling to India.

8. What should I pack for the workshop?

You’ll need to pack a few essentials for both comfort and safety during the safari:

Warm clothing for early mornings.

Telephoto lenses (200mm–800mm) and 2 camera bodies.

Dust protection for your gear due to the dry conditions.

Comfortable shoes for walking, as there may be some occasional movement in the field. For more details, refer to the What to Pack section.

Sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun and from the dust

9. Is the safari experience physically demanding?

While most of the photography is done from the safari vehicles, the off-road terrain and long hours in the vehicle require a good level of fitness. You’ll need to be comfortable with the rough conditions and manage your gear during the safari. For a more detailed explanation, see the Fitness Level section.

10. What cultural considerations should I be aware of?

India is rich in culture and traditions, so it’s important to show respect for local customs. It’s better to ask permission before photographing people. We’ll take the time to discuss any cultural aspects that are important during the workshop, ensuring a respectful and enjoyable experience.

11. What is the tipping culture like?

Tipping is not mandatory but is widely appreciated in India. The usual tipping amount is around USD 100 for the entire workshop, distributed among the guide, driver, and staff. This can be paid at the end of the workshop. For more details, check the What’s Included & What’s Not section.

12. Can I contact you if I have more questions before booking?

Yes! I offer a Zoom call to answer your questions and ensure the workshop is a perfect fit for you. Additionally, you’ll find an application form to help me get to know you better and confirm that the workshop meets your expectations. For more details, see the Application & Booking section.