Filming Tigers in India

Every wildlife photographer amateurs or professionals dream of photographing tigers in India. All filmmakers major or minor think of filming big cats in India. The country has more than 50 tiger reserves and more than 3000 adult tigers. Due to active protection, the number of these big cats is growing day by day as breeding has increased tremendously. The big cats give birth to more than 4 cubs every year, and rear them for two and a half years after which they breed again. The males can mate throughout the year till the ripe age of 14 years.      

Though any tiger reserve can be chosen for filming the big cats,  some destinations offer better opportunities due to the high number of sightings. The parks with very good sightings usually have high visitor traffic. These are the most visited parks but there is a limit to the number of people that can enter the reserve due to restrictions placed by NTCA and the State governments.  The parks are divided into a few zones, and each zone has a limit. Most of the safaris are booked online on the State Government Portals while booking is also available at the reserve gates. You can also book a safari at the director's office or respective reserve, these are protected areas and have separate forest departments. The addresses could be found online on the Internet by typing the name of the reserves.

Best Tiger Reserves

Some of the best reserves are National Parks as well.

Corbett Tiger Reserve in Uttrakhand

Kanha Tiger Reserve in Uttrakhand

Bandhavgarh In MP

Ranthambhore in Rajasthan 

Pench National Park in MP

Panna National Park in MP 

These NPs have more than 100 thousand visitors and are highly popular. While many amateur photographers and small filmmakers can use their skills to film on safari, making documentaries is costly and time-consuming.  

For documentary makers, and professional photographers who need to cross the limits of regular safari need special permission from the Ministry of Environment or MOEF, and the principal chief wildlife warden or PCCF  of the states.  These are costly and require time for permissions to be granted if acceptable. It is not easy to organize photo tours in India for professionals.  Wildlife filmmakers and professional photographers need to make a lot of arrangements for photography sessions and need the help of local guides.

The best is to take the help of the local tour operators who can help organize the sessions in the respective tiger reserves.  The best choice is to go with Indian tour operators who can organize the documentary filming events.  Remember there is a rush during the festive seasons and weekdays hence book safari in advance.