A decade behind the lens in Bandipur — my first tiger, my first leopard, and why the monsoon may be the most rewarding time to visit.
By Arvind Karthik, Founder & Lead photographer, Katrivia Expeditions · Reflections from nearly ten years photographing Bandipur (2016–present)
There are places we visit, and then there are places that become a part of who we are. For me, Bandipur Tiger Reserve is not just a wildlife destination. It is home.
Every time I drive down familiar roads, watch the morning mist settle over the meadows, or hear the alarm calls echo through the forest, it feels like returning to a place that has shaped me as much as any person ever has.
My journey as a wildlife photographer began here in 2016. A decade later, Bandipur continues to teach me lessons that extend far beyond photography — patience, resilience, observation, respect, and perhaps most importantly, humility.
Where everything began.
I still remember my very first safari in Bandipur Tiger Reserve. Like every aspiring photographer, I entered the forest with excitement, curiosity, and absolutely no idea what to expect.
What happened next changed my life. On that very first safari, I photographed my first tiger — none other than the legendary Prince, one of Bandipur’s best-known tigers among photographers and regular visitors of that era.
At that moment, I didn’t fully understand the significance of the sighting. I was simply overwhelmed by the presence of a wild tiger standing in its natural habitat.
Today, when I look back at that image, I don’t see a photograph. I see the beginning of a journey — one that would eventually lead me to spend countless days in forests, conduct photography tours, mentor hundreds of photographers, and build a life around wildlife.
Everything started with that tiger. It all began in Bandipur.
If the tiger introduced me to wildlife photography, the leopard made me fall in love with it.
One misty morning in 2016, I had my first-ever leopard sighting. The forest was covered in fog, visibility was low, and the atmosphere felt magical. And there she was, perched on a tree — the leopard known today as the Reception Female, an individually recognised, iconic leopard over the years.
At that time, she was still young and establishing her territory. I watched her evolve into a formidable presence in the forest. I often say that my love for the species began with her. Since then, I have photographed countless others across India, but there was something special about witnessing her journey.
We both started our journeys around the same time. She learned to survive and dominate one of India’s finest forests; I learned to understand wildlife through my lens. Watching her over the years taught me that survival is not always about strength. Sometimes it is about adaptability. Sometimes it is about patience. And often, it is about making the right decision at the right moment.
For nearly ten years, Bandipur has been my classroom. People often ask me where I learned wildlife photography, and the answer is simple: Bandipur taught me. The forest became my teacher, every safari offered a lesson, and every sighting presented an opportunity to understand animal behaviour.
Wildlife photography is often misunderstood. Many believe it is about expensive cameras and lucky sightings, but the truth is very different — the best wildlife photographers are often the best observers, and the forest rewards those who pay attention. Over the years, Bandipur taught me how to read alarm calls, anticipate animal movement, understand predator–prey interactions, interpret body language, and predict behaviour before it happens.
The lessons I learned here transformed not just my photography, but my entire perspective on life.
There are certain lessons that no classroom can teach. The jungle teaches them.
I’ve watched a tiger wait patiently for hours before making a move. I’ve seen leopards adapt to impossible situations. I’ve witnessed elephants display extraordinary intelligence and emotion. I’ve watched dholes execute teamwork better than many human organisations. The forest constantly reminds us that nature operates without ego: there are no shortcuts, no guarantees — only adaptation, patience, and survival.
These lessons slowly found their way into my life. Bandipur taught me that success is rarely instant, that persistence often matters more than talent, and that patience eventually creates opportunities. These lessons have stayed with me far beyond photography.
Having spent years exploring wildlife reserves across India, I can confidently say that Bandipur remains one of the finest wildlife destinations in the country. What makes it special is not just the wildlife — it is the complete experience.
Bandipur, part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve in Karnataka, offers an incredible diversity of species, including:
The habitat itself is breathtaking: open meadows, dense forests, bamboo patches, rocky landscapes, and water bodies — and beyond all of this, the magnificent Nilgiri hills standing proudly in the background. Every season transforms the forest into something new.
My answer to “when should I visit?” surprises many.
People often ask me about the best time to visit Bandipur Tiger Reserve, and my answer surprises many: for me, the most beautiful season is the monsoon, and June is my favourite month.
A quick, practical note before the romance, because there’s a lot of conflicting information online: Bandipur is one of the few major South Indian reserves that generally stays open year-round. Many reserves — Nagarhole, Kabini and most Central Indian parks — close through the rains, but Bandipur typically keeps running safaris. On days of heavy rain the jeep safaris may be paused for safety while bus safaris continue, so it’s always worth confirming the current forest-department status before you travel. That access is exactly why the monsoon is a window most photographers overlook.
As the rains arrive, the forest transforms completely. The dry landscape turns emerald green, fresh grass carpets the meadows, streams begin flowing, and the air feels alive. And then there are the Nilgiris during the monsoons — the hills reveal their true beauty, with clouds drifting across the mountains and mist hanging over the valleys until the entire landscape looks like a paradise.
Many people assume wildlife sightings reduce during the monsoon. My personal experience has often been the opposite. Some of my most memorable sightings have happened during this season. The forest becomes unpredictable, and that unpredictability often creates magic. For photographers who appreciate landscapes, habitats, and storytelling images, monsoon is arguably one of the most rewarding times to visit Bandipur.
If monsoons bring drama, winter brings elegance.
Winter mornings in Bandipur (October–February) have a unique charm: soft golden light filters through the trees, mist rises slowly from the grasslands, and the forest feels calm and peaceful. It is one of the most photogenic periods of the year, and the combination of beautiful light, pleasant weather, and active wildlife creates ideal conditions for photography.
Every season in Bandipur tells a different story. That is why I never get tired of returning.
Bandipur is one of the rare forests where photographers can create more than just wildlife portraits. The open habitats allow you to include landscapes and environmental elements in your compositions — and that, for me, is one of the biggest reasons I enjoy photographing here.
The Nilgiris, the golden grasslands, the flowering meadows, the misty mornings, the dramatic skies — all these elements help create images that tell complete stories. The forest encourages photographers to think beyond close-ups. It encourages creativity. And creativity is what separates photographs from mere documentation.
Today, through Katrivia Expeditions, I have the privilege of introducing hundreds of photographers to this incredible landscape. There is something deeply satisfying about watching participants experience their first tiger, first leopard, or first elephant encounter — I see a reflection of myself in many of them: the same excitement, the same curiosity, the same wonder.
Bandipur gave me these experiences. Now I get to share them with others. Our guided wildlife photography tours are built around education, observation, and ethical wildlife tourism — because photography is not just about pressing a shutter. It is about understanding the story unfolding in front of you. And there is no better place to learn those stories than Bandipur.
➡ Join a Bandipur wildlife photography tour with Katrivia Expeditions or call/WhatsApp +91 96208 08727.
Nearly a decade has passed since I photographed Prince on my first safari. Nearly a decade has passed since I saw the Reception Female perched on that misty tree.
I have journeyed through many forests and left with unforgettable memories from many destinations. But Bandipur remains special. It feels personal. It is home.
Every photographer has a place that shapes them — a corner of the world where everything begins, a landscape they continue returning to, regardless of how many years pass. For me, that haven will always be Bandipur Tiger Reserve.
Because this forest did not just make me a wildlife photographer. It made me who I am.
When is the best time to visit Bandipur for photography?
For landscape and storytelling photography, the monsoon (from June) is my personal favourite — the forest turns green, the Nilgiris come alive with cloud and mist, and crowds are thin. For pleasant conditions and soft light, winter (October–February) is ideal. The hot, dry months also concentrate wildlife around waterholes. There’s no single “best” season — it depends on the images you want to make.
Yes. Bandipur is one of the few major South Indian reserves that generally stays open year-round, unlike Nagarhole, Kabini and most Central Indian parks, which close. On days of heavy rain, jeep safaris may be suspended for safety while bus safaris usually continue. Always confirm the current status with the forest department or your tour operator before traveling.
Arvind Karthik is a wildlife photographer and the founder of Katrivia Expeditions, a wildlife travel company that curates guided safaris, photography expeditions, and immersive nature experiences across India and select international destinations. He has photographed Bandipur Tiger Reserve since 2016 and has mentored hundreds of photographers in the field.
At Katrivia Expeditions, we believe wildlife travel is about more than just sightings—it’s about understanding behaviour, appreciating nature, and experiencing the stories that unfold in the wild.
We organize guided wildlife tours, photography expeditions, and nature-based experiences across India and international destinations, offering travelers an opportunity to connect with some of the world’s most extraordinary wilderness landscapes.
Website: www.katrivia.com
Contact: +91 96208 08727
Join us on a future safari and create your own unforgettable wildlife story.
