Wildlife and Birdwatching Photography Tour

Wildlife and birdwatching photo tours are an excellent way for photographers of all skill levels to enjoy nature and improve their photography skills. These tours take you to diverse natural environments where you can spot and photograph various animals and birds in their natural habitats. You’ll also have the chance to learn from expert guides and get tips to sharpen your skills.

Several Moments for Wildlife Photography

Wildlife and birdwatching photography tours are a perfect way to capture stunning images of animals in their natural habitats. Whether it’s the majestic flight of a bird or the intimate moments of wildlife, you’ll have unparalleled access to subjects in their undisturbed settings. Further, the expert guides know the best times and places for photography, helping you catch those once-in-a-lifetime shots.

Expert Guidance and Insight

Most wildlife and birdwatching tours come with knowledgeable guides who are experienced in both the species you’re photographing and the landscape around you. They’ll help you understand animal behavior, habitats, and migration patterns. The knowledge these people hold can also be beneficial during an uncertain animal encounter.

Opportunity to Learn New Photography Techniques

Whether you’re a seasoned photographer or a beginner, these tours provide an excellent opportunity to improve your skills. Guides often offer tips on capturing wildlife in motion, perfecting composition, and using natural light to your advantage, all while you practice in real-world settings.

Comfortable Travel with Private Vehicles

These tours are a hassle-free experience. Meaning that throughout the trip, you will travel comfortably via private vehicles both in remote landscapes and wildlife-rich areas. There is no need to worry about crowded buses or navigating challenging terrains. Everything is arranged to ensure your comfort and allow you to focus on the photography.

Presence of Quality Accommodations

The tours offer quality accommodations to suit every budget range. You can choose between a lodge, a hotel, or a homestay. These accommodations provide the necessary facilities to ensure a restful stay after a long day of exploring and shooting. Thus, you’ll be able to unwind in a comfortable setting, often with scenic views. You can also connect with fellow photographers over dinner in the communal dining hall.

Lumbini WetLands

Lumbini Wetlands are an ideal spot for birdwatching. The spiritual city has more than 20 wetlands spread across Kapilvastu and Rupandehi districts, which are home to over 200 species of birds. These wetlands are considered important habitats for many wildlife species. Visiting such wetlands would allow you to see majestic birds, such as the Sarus Crane, Cormorants, Kingfishers, and many more.

Jagdishpur Tal

Among all the wetlands in Lumbini, Jagdishpur Tal is one of the largest and most significant water reservoirs. About 45 species of birds call this place home. Every winter, Jagadishpur Lake becomes a haven for migratory birds from distant countries, including Siberia, China, Mongolia, Turkmenistan, and Kyrgyzstan. According to conservationists, a variety of bird species like common coot, gadwall, lesser whistling duck, tufted duck, ferruginous duck, northern pintail, northern shoveler, Eurasian wigeon, common pochard, and cotton pygmy-goose flock to the lake every winter. At Jagdishpur Tal, you will have the opportunity to show your macro photography skills.

Vulture Restaurant

Jatayau Vulture Restaurant, also known as Vulture Restaurant, is a community-owned establishment located in Pithauli, Nawalparasi District. It is a perfect place to watch and feed various species of vultures. As a feeding place for vultures, visiting this place will give you enough opportunity to capture these birds in the best possible way. Moreover, the restaurant also offers homestay facilities for people willing to spend time in nature.

Chitwan National Park

As one of the largest wildlife conservation areas in Nepal, Chitwan National Park is the major attraction of our entire wildlife photography trips. The park is home to over 50 species of mammals, 525 species of birds, and 55 types of amphibians and reptiles. Some of the endangered animals you can find here include the one-horned rhinoceros, the Royal Bengal tiger, the wild elephant, the gaur (Indian bison), the four-horned antelope, the pangolin, the golden monitor lizard, and the python. Among the rare birds are the Bengal florican, lesser florican, giant hornbill, black stork, and white stork.

With an ever-changing landscape and a country rich in natural beauty, Nepal has long been a haven for birds of various species. A perfect climate, dense forests, and diverse habitats attract tropical birds and animals from all around the globe to Nepal. Here, you will find endangered birds that inhabit grasslands, wetlands, and forests. You can expect to see the Bengal Florican, Great Hornbill, Large Warbler, and Deep-blue Kingfisher, among others. These birds have been a major part of the region’s fauna for a long time.

Meanwhile, touring the Chitwan National Park will offer a glimpse of birds like the Red-vented bulbul, lesser adjutant, black drongo, and many others. However, over time, it has become increasingly difficult to spot these birds due to their declining numbers. Climate change and habitat loss, resulting from human decisions, are the primary factors affecting them. Therefore, it is essential to follow responsible tourism practices and observe these birds from a safe distance, without harming them or their habitat.

At Himalayan360, the cost of the wildlife bird watching and photography trip is USD 1,388 per person, given a group size of 2 people. However, the price decreases with the increase in the number of people in the group. Check out the table below for detailed pricing:

Capture Action and Emotion

Wildlife photos are often more pleasing when captured in action. Photos captured while the animals are in motion enhance the overall quality of the photo. Needless to say, you will have several photo opportunities. You can look for birds flying, predators hunting, or animals interacting with one another. However, for a perfect shot, you might want to consider taking burst or continuous shots.

Stay Patient

While capturing wildlife through a lens, staying patient is a crucial skill to master. Animals in dense forests often try to remain undisturbed and rarely move around, making them difficult to spot. And even if you spot one, waiting for a perfect shot will further test your patience. You might have to spend hours in the same spot trying to capture the perfect shot.

Shoot in the Right Light

Lighting plays a crucial role in enhancing the quality of the pictures. Wildlife photos often look great during the early morning or the evening. With sunlight creating a golden hue, taking a perfect shot gets easier at this time of the day. Similarly, golden hours are also an ideal time for animals to roam around. This makes it far easier for you to spot rare and endangered species.

Respect Wildlife and their Habitat

Wildlife in the forest generally prefers an undisturbed environment. Although they are not capable of conveying messages to human, we must always respect their space. While taking their pictures, it is important not to interfere with them and to observe them from a distance. Moreover, we must always follow the key principle of leaving no trace behind to keep their habitat safe for their survival.

Unpredictable Weather

With varying landscapes, the weather in Nepal keeps changing quite frequently. Unpredictable rain and swift winds are quite common in forest areas, where most wild animals are found. These uncertain weather changes can disturb wildlife and the lens while taking pictures. Additionally, due to rain, the paths leading to the animal habitats may also become slippery, making it even more challenging for photographers.

Safety Concerns

Roaming in the wild forest without proper guidance is quite risky. One may encounter animals like tigers, rhinoceroses, and venomous snakes in the deep forest. And without adequate knowledge of these animals, you will find it hard to face them or know what to do. Similarly, the sloppy trails make the photo safari even more dangerous. There is always a risk of falling off a cliff and getting severely injured.

Managing Low Light

Another challenge is managing low light. Large trees and bushes covered the forest area, so there is always low light and shadow in the area. Due to this, capturing a desired image becomes impossible for photographers.

Dense Vegetation

As mentioned earlier, the most photogenic wild animals are found in deep forests. The dense vegetation covering the landscape creates a perfect yet challenging environment for photography. Navigating through this area while also looking for animal movements gets quite difficult. You must always stay aware of your surroundings and pay attention to the sounds for a perfect shot.

Adjusting to Dynamic Wildlife Movements

Wildlife movements are hard to predict. Most animals exhibit fluctuating behavior in response to their surroundings. It is hard for any photographer to adapt to the changing behavior and movement. You will need to reflect quickly, make keen observations, and develop sharp skills. Doing this is challenging for a beginner or an intermediate photographer, which can ruin the entire experience.

A wildlife and birdwatching tour focuses on photographing in Nepal is a great experience. But the real challenge is getting perfect shots on the lenses. So, prepare thoroughly beforehand. The first thing you will need to do is prepare a list of animals you wish to see and select the locations accordingly. After you have your list, try and understand the behavior of these animals through proper research.

Similarly, familiarize yourself with their habitat, response to human interaction, and, most importantly, their activity pattern. Now, you can start packing all the necessary gear, including your camera, lenses, tripod, proper clothing, sturdy footwear, and so on. Additionally, pack some extra batteries for your camera and a first aid kit for emergencies. A 14 days wildlife and birdwatching photography tour may also suit you if you are looking for a little longer tour experience.

A jeep safari inside Chitwan National Park is a truly unforgettable experience. As you travel through the park’s dense forest and grasslands, various animals and birds make an appearance. You might see a famous one-horned rhinoceros, colorful kingfishers, and soaring eagles. You may also encounter deer, wild boars, and even the Bengal tiger if you are lucky enough.

Watching these animals up close is a truly adventurous and exciting experience. In addition to large animals, Chitwan National Park is also home to a variety of smaller wildlife. Monkeys are quite common, while crocodiles may appear to be lounging by the riverbanks. As a home of several creatures, the park is full of surprises. All in all, the park is a heaven for animal lovers, offering a chance to witness a wide range of wildlife.

Cameras and Lenses

• DSLR or Mirrorless Camera with fast autofocus and high burst rate (e.g.,
• Canon R5, Sony A1, Nikon Z9)
• Telephoto Lens (300mm, 400mm, or 600mm focal length)
• Wide-angle Lens
• Macro Lens

Tripods and Supports

• Sturdy tripod with a gimbal head for stability and smooth tracking
• Monopod for mobility in rugged terrains
• A bean bag for stabilization when shooting from vehicles

Accessories

• Spare batteries and memory cards (high capacity and fast speed)
• External flash with a diffuser for low-light conditions
• Camera rain cover for protection against weather elements
• Polarizing filter to reduce glare and enhance colors

Clothing and Gear for Comfort

• Camouflage clothing or neutral colors
• Weatherproof jacket and pants
• Lightweight hiking boots
• Hat and sunglasses for sun protection

Carrying and Storage

• Padded camera backpack for easy transport and organization
• Dry bags for additional waterproofing
• Lens cleaning kit to keep gear dust-free

Tech and Navigation

• A GPS device or a smartphone with mapping apps for navigation
• Field guide apps for identifying species

Optional Equipment

• Remote shutter release for minimizing camera shake
• Teleconverters for extending the lens focal length
• Binoculars for scouting subjects before photographing
• Portable power bank for charging devices on the go