Kabini Weekend Boot Camp
Nagarahole National Park Nagarahole National Park Nagarahole National Park Nagarahole National Park Nagarahole National Park Nagarahole National Park

Nagarahole National Park
2 - 4 Mar 2012

SSpotted, skilled and secretive, the Leopard is the Houdini of the natural world. But at most times, it is also merely an invisible ghost in the bush. With the beauty of a mermaid and the magnetic power of a quagmire, it weaves an inescapable web of allure, but with utmost commitment to reclusion, also escapes the prying eye. Unerringly, its grace, agility and strength capture the imagination like no other cat.

But if the Leopard has remained only in your imagination and your record of sighting one is spotlessly blank, it's time to stop dreaming and allow us to help you earn your spots.

The Flavour of Kabini:

The Leopard's most visible lair revolves around a river that has made itself synonymous with the fabled forest of Nagarahole. Snaking its way pristinely through the Nilgiri Biosphere, the Kabini forms a spectacular backdrop to the abundant wildlife of the region. Composed of mixed deciduous forest, its green environs are well-endowed with mystery, beauty and mesmeric charm, which seep into your veins thick and fast. In its hallowed folds it harbours such riches that in summer, its receding width draws hundreds of elephants to its banks, and in winter, it attracts a spectacular variety of avian life to throng its misty surface and green shores, so anytime you go in Toehold's company, you win.

What you will see and photograph:

Kabini is a land plenty but not predictable, with the exciting undercurrent of the unknown and imponderable woven innately into its enigmatic fabric.

But in recent times, it has become the destination for those seeking the smallest of India's big cats, because here, the ghost of the canopy sheds its customary diffidence to emerge from the shadows.

When seen hanging off a tree as does an enticing fruit, the Kabini Leopard adds a dash of orange panache to a dominance of green environs. There is consensus that spots seldom come in a more desirable form than on an indolent Leopard in its high-rise quarters regarding the affairs below with contempt.

And on occasion, when in a more down-to-earth mood, a sight of it sitting by the track or crossing your path like a poem on legs can stick to your memory cells inseparably.

Rubbing shoulders with Nagarahole's most famous penthouse-tenant is a multitude of wildlife, including a thriving population of the endangered Asiatic Wild Dog or Dhole, whose team effort at nailing even the largest of prey is a study in planning and coordinated execution. The Kabini area is also a part of the largest refuge of the threatened Asiatic Elephant and is still home to magnificent tuskers that fill your frame with little effort.

Highlights of avian life include the Great Black Woodpecker, the Osprey and the Greater Spotted Eagle; winter migrants, of which the Peregrine Falcon is perhaps the most notable; and four Western Ghats endemic species including the Nilgiri Wood Pigeon. A morning boat ride is highly likely to yield images of the commoner species of Kabini throbbing with mood and atmosphere as an upwardly mobile sun coaxes the mist to lift skywards.

What you will take back:

Virtually every occasion on which Toehold has guided photography enthusiasts at Kabini has been marked with excellent Leopard luck. Although sightings cannot be guaranteed owing to the nature of wildlife dynamics, the chances of a gratifying Leopard encounter are higher than in any other Indian park. Besides, you will take back -

  • An authentic wildlife experience in a southern Indian forest
  • Possibly excellent images of Leopards
  • Pictures of other mammal and avian attractions of Nagarahole
  • Beautiful landscape photographs of the Kabini and its fascinating environs
  • Extensive photography and post-processing guidance
  • Plenty of natural history learning with Toehold's renowned Skippers





PHOTOGRAPHY SKIPPER

Giri Cavale
'Born in Bangalore but reborn again in the wild', captures the essence of Giri's obsessive passion for nature and its pictorial documenting. His camera and his artistic eye are always on the look out for a momentous picture and, of course, the perfect shot. He has explored some of India's most enthralling ecosystems across various seasons with the simple objective of seeing and photographing nature up close in its pristine purity. He readily admits that two precious 'colleagues' - luck and patience - have always accompanied him on his expeditions into the wild, yielding some very fine photographic moments and equally wonderful memories.

People believe where there is Giri, there is a cat in the wild. Many of our clients are specific about being guided by Giri in the wild which they believe is a toehold for their wild hunt. Giri Cavale is a nature devotee whose guiding philosophy is 'too much is never enough'.


Phillip Ross
Phillip is without a doubt the 'little master' of wildlife photography. Barely out of college with a commerce degree, Phillip already has a very impressive portfolio under his belt. He has traveled through wilderness areas across India, volunteered as a naturalist and has been doing a bird survey in Bannerghatta National Park for the last three years. His conservation inputs toward saving this National Park earned him a Wildlife Conservation Award in May '09. When out in the wild, luck always seems to favor Phillip, so he always has captivating stories of rare wildlife sightings to bring home. Phillip is an avid angler, and spends season after season down by the river.

Phillip possesses the uncanny ability to turn nature into art through his photographs, which have been published in various magazines, newspapers, journals and calendars. With his incredible skill with the camera combined with his extensive knowledge of wildlife, he is truly a force to be reckoned with!


WHY GO ON A TOEHOLD PHOTO TOUR?

At Toehold, we are passionate about photography just as you are, which lets us understand your travails and needs perfectly. And we use this insight to specially design our Photography Tours so they give you a toehold to excel at the art and set you up for success.

The Toehold team at your disposal will keep you tuned and geared, so you come in empty-handed but go out with bagful of images and tales of an experience that is better lived than heard. Specifically, you will get -

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WHAT PEOPLE SAID ON OUR PREVIOUS PHOTO TOUR?

Photography enthusiasts who were a part of a similar tour previously said:

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Please note: The Tour commences and ends at Kabini (Karapura). Travel from or via Bangalore and back will be by car pooling in participants' private cars or shared cabs at extra actual cost. Assistance in the way of coordination and arrangements will be provided but please talk to us for additional help or special needs.

  • Day 1, March 2: Check-in and First Safari

    After a 4.5-hour-drive from Bangalore, participants reach Kabini by noon. After a leisurely lunch and a round of introduction to understand one another better, we mull on what's in store for the next two days and embark on our first safari by 4 p.m.

    Kabini can be explored by multiple modes. While the vehicle safari offers high chances of producing a Leopard sighting, the boat safari provides tremendous opportunity to make images of birds, including raptors, in a breathtaking setting in dramatic lighting and atmospheric conditions.

    Participants wishing to opt for a boat safari can do so with prior notice when we check-in. Others will venture into the jungle by 4WD vehicles open on both sides and hence ideal for photography.

    Navigating through the excellent network of roads in the Nagarahole jungle, we enjoy an inaugural taste of the wild, keeping our eyes peeled for action on the ground, the air and the canopy.

    After hopefully an eventful ride, we return to camp at 6:30 and relax over tea, following which a ChaayaaChitra
    ChaayaaChitra: Photography Techniques, Tips, Tricks
     session will ensue. Later, we enjoy a scrumptious supper and retire for the night.
  • Day 2, March 3: Morning and Afternoon Safaris in Nagarahole

    An early morning wake-up call and tea will set the tone for the morning safari at 6:30. Cutting through the curtain of mist that gives the forest a surreal feel, we pursue materialization of wildlife and very possibly try some of the tips and techniques discussed in the ChaayaChitra session the previous night.

    Upon our return from the excursion at 9:00a.m, a hot breakfast will await us, and after satiating our hunger we retreat to our rooms to refresh and rest awhile, meeting again at noon for ChitraTantra
    ChitraTantra: Photo Principles, Reviews, Critique
    , another informative session full of interaction and fun.

    After lunch, perhaps a brief nap and tea, we reenter the forest with more hope for cat luck, let our hair down and make a lot of images of the sights we encounter.

    Having spent a cumulative five hours in the wild for the day, we walk into camp a happy bunch and relate our tales over tea, following which a session of Charchaaloka
    Charchaaloka: Presentations, Lectures, Discussions
     will unfold.

    We tuck in for the night after enjoying an appetizing dinner.
  • Day 3, March 4: Final Heave, Check-out and Dispersal

    Hoping for a fitting climax to a great Tour, we embark on the last safari at the usual hour in the morning. And since cat activity is at its peak during the early hours of the day, there is every possibility of the Tour ending on a high note.

    After the safari and breakfast we gather for a final rendezvous before checking out at 11:00a.m and setting off for our respective abodes where our families wait to hear our tales.

Indian Nationals: INR 14,500/- per person
Canon Edge Members (Indian Nationals): INR 14,000/-13,050/- per persont
Foreign Nationals: INR 20,500/- per person

Couple Discount: Indian couples are entitled to a discount of INR 1000/- per couple on the entire Tour.

Inclusions:

  • Twin-sharing accommodation in comfortable rooms
  • All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and hot beverages (coffee and tea)
  • All applicable taxes
  • All safaris and entry fees

Exclusions:

  • All Airfare and transfer expenses
  • Any kind of personal expenses or optional tours, extra meals and beverages ordered
  • Insurance, laundry and phone calls
  • Bottled water and soft drinks
  • Alcoholic drinks
  • Camera fees if any (participants will be advised of the estimated fees in advance)
  • Anything that is not included in the Inclusions list (see above)

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How different are your Photo Tours from ordinary tours?

    Unlike travel agents who plan your holiday from a remote destination to places they sometimes haven't experienced themselves, Photo Tours offer a comprehensive toehold to experience a place through the guidance of an accomplished professional photographer. The common ingredients in all our Photo Tours are fun and a lot of learning and knowledge sharing. Besides, most or all of our Tour participants are photography enthusiasts, which keeps the group in harmony and helps make your experience focussed.
  • How sure are you about photographing wildlife on this Tour?

    Considering the meticulous attention to timing we pay while scheduling Tours, the local expertise we leverage and experience of our Skippers, we believe that it would be extremely unfortunate if our sightings and photography were unsatisfactory. Of all the Indian jungles, the Kabini part of Nagarahole offers the best opportunity to photograph a Leopard. However, since we will be in an uncontrolled environment, we do not claim that sightings – especially of big cats – are guaranteed.
  • What equipment do you suggest on this Tour?

    Nagarahole offers equal opportunity for bird and mammal photography. Although it is often said about bird photography that the ideal focal length is 100mm more than the one you brought, a lens with a focal length of around 400mm is essential. For mammals a telephoto zoom lens in the range of 70 to 300mm or 100 to 400mm works very well. A wide-angle or normal zoom to capture landscapes or creative perspectives of wildlife is recommended. And since the light conditions in Southern Indian jungles can often be challenging, an image-stabilized lens and a camera body that performs well at high sensitivities are boons. However, if you do not have appropriate equipment, there is no need to fret. Toehold offers an exhaustive array of cameras and lenses for hire, so you can always hire what you need. Click here to see what we offer on rent.
  • I am a newbie in nature photography. Am I eligible?

    Absolutely! This tour is meant for fledgling as well as experienced photographers. Beginners get all the advantages of learning on and off the field from Toehold's eminent Skippers. In fact if you are a newbie, you should jump on this terrific learning opportunity and sign up right away!
  • Cancellation Fees:

    1. 15% : Between 30 and 45 days from date of departure
    2. 50% : Between 7 and 30 days from date of departure
    3. 90% : Between 2 and 7 days from the date of departure
    4. 100% : NO Refund within 48 hours from date of departure

  • Terms and Conditions:

    • 1. Participants who have a medical history of blood pressure, heart-related problems or asthma are advised to seek medical advice before enrolling for this Tour.
    • 2. Fitness to complete the Tour is the only criterion for participation.
    • 3. Toehold Travel & Photography Pvt Ltd. shall not be responsible for injuries, damages, or losses caused to any traveller in connection with terrorist activities, social or labour unrest, mechanical or construction failures or difficulties, diseases, local laws, climatic conditions, abnormal conditions or developments, or any other actions, omissions, or conditions outside the travel partner's control.
    • 4. All clients travelling with Toehold Travel & Photography Pvt Ltd. must complete and sign a reservation form and the "Release of Liability, Assumption of Risk & Arbitration Agreement" form.

We have 4 seats left!

LOCALE

Nagarahole National Park

QUICK INFO

  • Date : Mar 2-4 2012
  • Tour Cost:

    Indian Nationals:
    INR 14,500/- Per Person

    Canon Edge Members:
    INR 13,050/- Per Person

    Foreign Nationals:
    INR 20,500/- Per Person

    Indian Couples:
    INR 28,000/- Per Couple

    All fares excluding flights

  • Skipper: Giri Cavale
  • Skipper: Phillip Ross