Bera Leopard Safari
Bera in central Rajhasthan is famous for the Indian Leopards that live on the sandstone formations that surround the town. These beautiful leopards come out of their caves in the late afternoon, or return to their caves in the mornings, giving very, very different leopard pictures that I think are awesome.
This tour is short notice because it is deliberately targeted at one leopard family, a very reliable and easily seen female that currently has three, 3 month old cubs. I have worked with her on two previous trips, she has never disappointed us and we are well used to finding and working with her. So this is a very unique opportunity to see and photograph her and her cubs in stunning surroundings that will take your breath away. It’s a fun tour too, we will scramble up rock faces in our 4x4 and work with freedom that is sadly vanishing from so much of the world. I also have a totally superb guide who gets what I want, is a wonderful human, and loves this female leopard like a daughter.
She is not the only leopard around either, there are many in the area that I have photographed and my guide is the most connected driver there so we will make the best plans at the time.
This brochure is a concise one! It’s a very short sharp trip, so not taking up much time. The dates will be early September 2025, we will do 11-12 leopard safaris in total and work during the week when there are far less tourists around. The price will include everything Delhi to Delhi, we will book your hotels and domestic flights.
The leopards are not right next to you like in Africa, you will need a 600 mm reach or more to get pictures of them, but as you will see here and on the slideshow below, the environmental pictures are great. Safaris are in an open Gypsy 4x4, I will be in the front and you will be in the back. Most of your images will be looking up so you will need a monopod with you to make it easier.
In summary this is a very short notice trip to take advantage of the fact that she has cubs, with me as your exclusive guide, at a nice time of the year with a fantastic guide staying in colonial style traditional accommodation.
So take a look at the slideshow following, all were shot at 600 mm range, it shows you the variety. These are various leopards but we hope to spend at least 50% of our time with our friendly female…..
Accommodation
We will be staying where I have twice before as our guide is also the manager! It’s right in the centre of Bera town so has some local life! Rooms are big and basic, old school colonial, do not expect swish and modern as they are not! Each room is large, because it’s cool that way; there are no air conditioners, just ceiling fans. Every room has an ensuite shower and toilet. Food is simple Rajhasthani fare, good, wholesome and simple with mainly vegetarian dishes. All clients have loved the simplicity of the rooms, the friendliness of the staff and just the peace of being there.
Essential Information
This is going to be a fantastic trip and I am so excited to as everytime I have been there I have come back with some cool pictures. Of course you have to be honest about expectations and I have been here, do not expect to see leopards next to the vehicle like on our African safaris. They will be in the habitat so it’s a very relaxing trip and suited to anyone who is a non photographer too!
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Day 1 - Arrive Delhi
Day 2 - Internal flight to Jodhpur and 3 hour car transfer, Leopard SafariDays 3 to 7 - Leopard Safaris
Day 8 - Early transfer to Jodhpur for flight to Delhi, day room in hotel, dinner, transfer to airport for flight home
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We are using an airline called IndiGo for our flight, which is India’s equivalent of Easyjet. You get 7KG cabin baggage (plus a laptop bag) and 15kg hold baggage which is completely sufficient. You can pay excess for hold baggage at check in but you should not need anything!
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Always a 600mm range and usually a converter is recommended too. Some cropping might be needed sometimes. We may get close enough for half frame shots sometimes but that is not guaranteed. But they will look gorgeous in the rocks and habitat
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The leopards are the main show in town. Second to that are the stunning landscapes that will take your breath away. We may have time to shoot some of the local tribesmen too, it just depends how we do!
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We are out well before dawn, stopping for chai on the way, working until it becomes too hot (usually 9am ish).
We then return for breakfast and spend the day chilling, sleeping and processing. Lunch is optional.
Our afternoon drive begins around 3pm, ending after sunset. We then return for dinner and a welcome G&T!
There is a lot of time for chilling and relaxing on this tour, something which everyone loved!
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All over the world the weather is tough to predict! Our trip is timed to be just after the monsoon, so the air will be clear and free of dust and everything will be green. The landscapes will be stunning as will be the light. Daytime temperatures can be a pleasant 21C or they can reach 30C, but of course we will be sleeping in the heat of the day so expect nice and pleasant temperatures. It will not be humid. You will need a fleece for the exhilarating jeep drives!
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No sorry it is purely local Rajhasthani food and it’s awesome. Rice, veggie dishes, curries and breads for dinner, eggs and toast for breakfast. Nothing is too spicy so don’t worry, we can cater for vegetarian and vegan diets.
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The price is £4995 per person
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The price includes all accommodation from arrival in Delhi to departure, all meals (except arrival and departure days), internal domestic flights, transfers and all guiding services.
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The price excludes your international flights to Delhi, alcoholic drinks, excess baggage charges for the internal flight, insurance, tips and items of a personal nature.
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The payment will be 50% now and 50% 1 month before travel.
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Our cancellation policies are strict and come from experience. We operate a non refundable policy to protect the other clients on the tour. This applies to both deposit and balance. Therefore it is a requirement of booking that you take out comprehensive travel insurance to cover all eventualities. By booking this safari you agree to these conditions and no discussion will be entered into. If we postpone then your payment will be held over for a replacement safari at a later date or you will of course be entitled to a full refund. If you have to cancel then we will provide you will all the necessary documents for an insurance claim. In some instances it may be possible to fill your place at short notice, at which point you will receive a partial refund of monies paid, but this very much depends on the time of the cancellation and not guarantees can be made.