Overview
Wilderness in detail.
Satpura—the landscape where the myth was born. Sal trees, sandstone canyons, the Denwa River at dawn. The highland jungles of Central India are considered the forests that inspired Kipling's Jungle Book. Those who come here today are not photographing a movie set—but the landscape from which Mowgli, Baloo, and Bagheera emerged.
From February 21 to March 2, 2027, we travel with our local partner Gaia Tales to the Satpura Tiger Reserve. Unlike in the better-known tiger parks, we are allowed to leave the jeep here. On foot through the buffer zone. By boat across the reservoir. At night with a tripod under the starry sky. Four safari formats—four visual languages.
The goal is not the one tiger shot. The goal is a portfolio: the animal, the landscape, the track in the sand, the light through the canopy, the kingfisher through the telephoto lens, the starry sky over the Sal forest. Atmosphere instead of a trophy.
This trip is curated for a small group around Ingo Zahlheimer and guests. Forsyth Lodge is our base—built from local materials, without unnecessary luxury, with the forest as the centerpiece.
What makes this trip special
A portfolio, not a single shot.
Satpura is one of the few protected areas in India where you are actually allowed to leave the jeep. This is exactly what makes the visual language here different—less vehicle, more forest. Four safari formats, four perspectives, a cohesive photo book at the end.
Four formats for maximum photographic diversity
Klassische Jeep-Safaris, morgens und nachmittags. Ohne das Gedränge an Sichtungen, wie es in Bandhavgarh oder Ranthambore üblich ist. Pro Jeep zwei bis drei Gäste — jeder hat Platz am Sucher.
Zwei Bootsfahrten auf dem Denwa-Stausee. Sumpfkrokodile aus tiefer Augenhöhe, Eisvogel und Schreiseeadler in der Goldenen Stunde, spiegelnde Landschaften.
Zwei Walking-Safaris — in Indien selten. Spuren, Bodenperspektiven, Makro, das Detail im Laub. Bilder, die aus dem Jeep heraus nicht entstehen.
Nacht-Walk in der Pufferzone: Eulen, nachtaktive Säuger, der Sternenhimmel. Stativ, Stirnlampe mit Rotlicht, Geduld — die Bildebene, die das Dschungelbuch erst vollständig macht.
Maximal acht Gäste, jeder am Sucher.
Kleine Gruppe um Ingo Zahlheimer. Pro Jeep zwei bis drei Gäste plus Fahrer und Forstguide. Jeder bekommt seine Linie, jeder seinen Winkel.
Vier Bildsprachen, ein Portfolio.
Tele für das Tier. Weitwinkel für die Landschaft. Makro für die Spur. Lange Belichtung für die Nacht. Wir arbeiten bewusst mit Techniken, die zusammen einen Bildband ergeben — nicht einen einzelnen Schuss.
Die Forsyth Lodge als Basis im Wald.
Aus lokalen Materialien gebaute Cottages, ökologisch sensibel, kein unnötiger Luxus. Offene Innenhöfe, gemeinsame Abende, der Wald direkt vor der Tür.
Bildbesprechungen jeden Abend.
Wir setzen uns mit den Aufnahmen des Tages zusammen — Bildauswahl, Komposition, Bearbeitung. Das Portfolio wächst sichtbar mit.
Alles durchdacht, du fotografierst.
Inlandsflüge, Bodentransfers, Lodgeaufenthalt, Eintrittsgebühren, Naturalist-Begleitung. Wir kümmern uns um den Rest.
We don't come for the one tiger. We come for the forest in which it lives—and for every image in between.
Itinerary
Day by day: From Delhi into the silence of the Sal forest.
We deliberately stay in one place for a long time. Satpura rewards this. Those who stay for two days see the park overview; those who stay for a week begin to read the forest.
- Day 1 21. Februar 2027
Arrival in Delhi, briefing in the evening.
- Arrival at Indira Gandhi International Airport, private transfer to the hotel.
- Overnight stay at Lemon Tree Aerocity, breakfast included.
- Joint briefing in the evening: itinerary, equipment, visual language.
- Day 2 22. Februar 2027
Travel to Satpura, first orientation.
- Early morning domestic flight Delhi → Bhopal.
- Private ground transfer Bhopal → Satpura, approximately four hours.
- Arrival at Forsyth Lodge, check-in to cottages, lunch.
- First orientation on the lodge grounds, joint dinner.
- Day 3 23. Februar 2027
First immersion in the forest.
- Morning: first jeep safari in the core zone area.
- Lunch break at the lodge, review of first shots.
- Afternoon: second jeep safari, focus on the warm late light.
- Evening image review—we define the portfolio axes.
Highlights: Tiger · Leopard · Sloth Bear · Gaur
- Day 4 24. Februar 2027
In the park and on the water.
- Morning jeep safari, longer routes into the interior of the reserve.
- Midday image review and editing session at the lodge.
- Afternoon boat safari on the Denwa reservoir: crocodiles, water birds, reflections.
- Dinner by the fire in the courtyard.
Highlights: Tiger · Leopard · Sloth Bear · Gaur
- Day 5 25. Februar 2027
Day and night in the Sal forest.
- Morning jeep safari.
- Afternoon: quieter block, time for image processing.
- After nightfall, a night walk in the buffer zone—owls, nocturnal mammals, starry sky over the Sal forest.
- Long exposures, tripod, headlamp with red light.
Highlights: Owls · Nocturnal animals · Starry sky
- Day 6 26. Februar 2027
Buffer zone on foot, the detail in the foliage.
- Early morning walking safari, led by a forest guide.
- Tracking, ground perspectives, macro in the foliage.
- Midday at the lodge, image review and theory block on macro and telephoto.
- Afternoon jeep safari, focus on landscape in the late light.
Highlights: Tracks · Ground perspectives · Macro
- Day 7 27. Februar 2027
People, landscape, and golden hour.
- Morning boat safari on the Denwa, focus on golden hour.
- Afternoon excursion to a nearby village, meeting the local population.
- Portrait work, street photography, cultural impressions.
- Evening joint editing—we work on portfolio sequencing.
Highlights: Portrait · Street · Landscape · Village life
- Day 8 28. Februar 2027
Final game drive, the selection is made.
- Morning: second walking safari in the buffer zone.
- Midday: jeep safari in familiar territories.
- Afternoon: final jeep safari in the warm late light.
- Evening: final editing, joint selection of portfolio images.
Highlights: Tiger · Leopard · Sloth Bear
- Day 9 1. März 2027
Return to Delhi.
- Early breakfast and farewell to Forsyth Lodge.
- Ground transfer Satpura → Bhopal, domestic flight Bhopal → Delhi.
- Transfer to Lemon Tree Aerocity.
- Joint farewell dinner.
- Day 10 2. März 2027
Departure for Germany.
- Private transfer to Indira Gandhi International Airport.
- Flight home to Germany.
Services
What is included—and what is not.
Im Reisepreis enthalten
Arrival and Departure · Transport
- Private arrival and departure transfer in Delhi
- Domestic flights Delhi ⇄ Bhopal (Economy)
- Private ground transfer Bhopal ⇄ Satpura (Urbania by Force Motors or similar)
Accommodation and Catering
- 2 nights Lemon Tree Aerocity Delhi (breakfast)
- 7 nights Forsyth Lodge / Denwa Backwater Escape (full board)
Safaris and Activities
- 7 jeep safaris in the Satpura Tiger Reserve
- 2 boat trips on the Denwa reservoir
- 2 walking safaris in the buffer zone
- 1 night walk in the buffer zone
- All entrance and park fees
Expert Guidance
- Julius Kramer as photographer and tour leader
- Ingo Zahlheimer as co-tour leader
- Gaia Tales naturalist throughout the entire trip
- Daily image reviews and editing sessions
Miscellaneous
- All applicable government taxes
Nicht enthalten
Arrival and Visa
- International flights and airport taxes
- Visa fees for India (e-Visa)
- Travel and health insurance (highly recommended)
Meals and Drinks
- Lunch and dinner in Delhi (only breakfast included)
- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks with meals and on longer drives
Personal Expenses
- Laundry costs, telephone bills, table drinks
- Camera/video fees at sights
- Tips for staff, drivers, and guides
- Porters at hotels and restaurants
Miscellaneous
- Single room supplement on request
- Any service not expressly listed under "Included in the price"
- Additional costs due to unavoidable circumstances beyond our control (flight cancellations, delays, natural events)
Gallery
What we get in front of the lens.
Your Guides
Who is going with you.
Julius Kramer
Wildlife-Fotograf aus München. Über 20 Jahre Erfahrung, Fokus auf bedrohte Arten und das Verhältnis von Mensch und Natur. Category Winner Glanzlichter 2026.
Ingo Zahlheimer
Mehrfach ausgezeichneter Fotograf und Autor. Schwerpunkt künstlerische Naturfotografie — der zweite Blickwinkel auf jeden Wald.
Ratik Sharma
Gründer von Gaiatales. Kuratiert maßgeschneiderte Fotoreisen in Indien unter Leitung erfahrener Naturalists. Nachhaltigkeit, Bildung und ethischer Naturschutz im Mittelpunkt.
