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The Wild India Few Ever See

Small Group Journeys | Independent | Family

Beyond India's well-known cities, palaces and luxury trains lies a captivating wilderness of snow leopards, rhinos, red pandas, elephants, leopards, tigers and extraordinary birdlife. Few travellers ever realise it is there.

It isn't well-known because India's wildlife reserves are among the most tightly protected in the world. Access is restricted. Visitor numbers are carefully controlled, with a strictly limited number of permits issued each year. And in a move that shows just how serious the Indian authorities are about preserving the natural habitat, mobile phones are now banned in many parks.

Why? Because tourists taking selfies with animals and geotagging their photos on social media trigger "safari jams" – swarms of rumbling 4x4s packed with people rushing to the scene. That is what makes some so-called safaris feel more like a zoo than a true wildlife experience, and it is exactly what India seeks to avoid.

With visitor numbers strictly limited and seasons short, permits are snapped up the moment they become available. And not all permits are equal: the best sightings depend on being in the right park at the right time of year. Knowing where and when to go makes all the difference.

That knowledge is hard-won. RAP Safaris was founded by Rakesh Arora, whose passion for photographing his country's wild heritage meant he spent years in India's reserves, getting to know them in a way few can match. He now shares that expertise through RAP Safaris, taking a fortunate few into a side of India only a handful of travellers ever encounter – on unhurried, small-group journeys shaped entirely around time in the field.

Why Travel This Way

These journeys are built around access and expertise, not volume. With permits scarce and seasons short, the best sightings depend on being in the right park at the right time – and knowing where and when to go makes all the difference.

• Small groups for a more personal, flexible experience
• The right permits, secured long before the season begins
• Multiple game drives in each reserve, timed for peak wildlife activity
• Experienced naturalists and photography guides throughout
• Carefully selected lodges close to park gates
• Seamless logistics, transfers and internal travel

This is the opposite of the "safari jam" – no convoys of 4x4s rushing to a geotagged sighting, no experience that feels more like a zoo than the wild. Just quiet, respectful, low-impact wildlife viewing the way India intends it to be.

Signature Wildlife Destinations

Our journeys reach far beyond the famous tiger reserves, across the full breadth of India's protected wilderness – each destination chosen for biodiversity, landscape and the quality of its wildlife encounters.

Bandhavgarh & Kanha

Among the best places on earth to see Bengal tigers, with rich forest habitats also home to leopards, deer, wild dogs and prolific birdlife.

Bandhavgarh – The Land of Tigers

A deeper exploration of one of India's most celebrated parks, combining repeated game drives with expert interpretation and photographic support.

MP Tiger Circuit

A comprehensive journey through multiple Madhya Pradesh reserves, offering variety, contrast and an exceptional concentration of wildlife experiences.

Pench–Tadoba

Inspired by the landscapes of Kipling's The Jungle Book, this itinerary explores forests known for dramatic sightings and diverse species beyond the tiger.

Snow Leopards & Red Panda

High in the Himalaya, patient expeditions in pursuit of the elusive "grey ghost" and the rare red panda – encounters only a handful of travellers will ever experience.

Kaziranga, Gir & the Far Corners

The one-horned rhinos of Kaziranga, the last Asiatic lions of Gir, the tidal tiger country of the Sunderbans and the birdlife of Corbett and beyond – the wildlife most visitors never know exists.

A Photographer-Led Approach

The photographs throughout this brochure are Rakesh's own, taken across years in the field. Every journey carries that same eye – whether you are shooting seriously or simply want help capturing extraordinary moments.

• Guidance on wildlife behaviour and positioning
• Support with camera settings and field techniques
• Time built into the itinerary for review and learning
• Ethical, low-impact wildlife viewing practices

The emphasis is on observation first, photography second, ensuring encounters are respectful and unforced.

Accommodation and Comfort

Accommodation is selected for location, comfort and atmosphere rather than excess luxury.

• Well-appointed jungle lodges and boutique resorts
• Close proximity to park entrances to maximise game time
• All meals included, featuring local and regional cuisine
• Thoughtful service that complements the rhythm of safari days

What's Included

• Internal flights and surface transport as specified
• National park permits and game drives
• Experienced guides, drivers and naturalists
• Accommodation and meals as outlined
• Photography guidance and on-tour support

International flights are typically additional.

Who These Journeys Are For

These safaris suit travellers who value depth over speed and substance over spectacle. They appeal to those who are curious, patient and genuinely interested in wildlife, nature and India itself.

This is not a checklist tour. It is an immersion – into a side of India only a fortunate few ever encounter.

India's parks reopen in October, and the best permits are secured long before the season begins. Request the Untamed India brochure to begin planning your journey.