TAJ TEMPLES & TIGERS

I have been a wildlife photographer for over fifty years I have been to around 50 countries including both polar regions. Group travel is not what I was used to;  I usually travel on my own in a private capacity whenever possible, but I would highly recommend you speak to Natural Focus if India, its wildlife, and culture is of interest to you. My thanks to Annie and Tirath for their dedication to everyone. They are an exceptional pair as nothing is left to chance with Annie across every little detail. They went out of their way to ensure we got the best experience. I know I did. The hotels and lodges were of a good standard, and The Birder’s Inn was my favourite accommodation. The tour was comprehensive and diverse, travelling through rural India in comfort was a plus and the cultural side of this trip is usually what I add into my own travel so was very impressed by what was offered.

I have travelled with Natural Focus on the Taj and Temples Safari in 2025 and again in 2026. The first safari was excellent with lots of wonderful wildlife experiences and comfortable, friendly lodges in fact it was so good I decided to return and take a friend with me. The 2026 was outstanding when compared to my earlier experience, every day was an adventure with a lot more very special wildlife experiences. Where on the first trip we often saw on tiger, most experiences on the second trip involved more than one tiger and other wildlife. I call them experiences because we were able to sit and get involved with what was happening rather being pushed aside by other viewers or encouraged to race off to see something else by our guides. All I can say is that Annie and Tirath arranged an absolutely fabulous trip with something unforgettable happening every day.

My wife Di and I recently experienced the Taj, Temples and Tigers tour throughout India, and it truly exceeded all expectations. We primarily booked this tour as I wanted to see a tiger in the wild and I was not disappointed with 14 sightings. Well beyond anything we imagined. As wildlife lovers we were absolutely astounded by the number and variety of animal we saw, from Rhinos, elephants to countless bird species. The trip was flawlessly organised and at no point did we experience any issues. Annie, Tirath, and the other guides were exceptional. Their engagement and knowledge added to the experience. Don’t get me started on the food – it was outstanding. The Indian architecture and temples were amazing. If anyone is contemplating the extension to Kaziranga, don’t contemplate just go as Kaziranga is a truly spectacular place. Overall, I do not believe we could have not had a better experience in India.

It was an absolute privilege to be a part of the Taj Temples & Tigers Tour of 2026. We loved the itinerary, which presented a balance of history, culture, and wildlife experiences across various regions of India. The main attraction for us was the possibility of seeing tigers in the wild. (Really? Is that possible?) Well, I have to say that this tour exceeded our expectations. The many game drives on offer were a testament to the company’s efforts to maximise our opportunities and we thoroughly enjoyed every single one. Each day there were new animal species to encounter: otters, elephants, jackals, mongoose, rhino, a proliferation of incredible birds, several species of deer and yes…tigers! We had so many brilliant experiences and saw tigers on seven different occasions: at times in full, clear range and for several minutes, rather than the expected fleeting glimpses. And wonderfully, the tigers were healthy and magnificently beautiful. We even saw some tiny cubs on their first outing!

Another highlight was visiting Kaziranga NP, seeing the one-horned rhinos and hearing how conservation efforts have recently reduced poaching to zero in number. These majestic animals were numerous and easy to spot as they grazed across grassy areas.

No trip to India would be complete without a visit to the Taj Mahal. It is as splendid a building as you expect, but a whole new dimension is added when you hear the history of its construction and the story of the family for which it was built. It is awe-inspiring to see the exquisite, inlaid semi-precious stones and the delicate carvings in marble and then to marvel at the hands that created such fine work.

We were incredibly well looked after for our whole tour. All transportation arrangements, including flights, buses, and cars, were organised efficiently. The accommodations provided were comfortable and secure, and the included meals were both delicious and generous. Our guides were wonderful, investing great effort into ensuring our travel experiences were smooth, safe, enjoyable, and fascinating. Annie was the perfect blend of assertiveness and compassion and Tirath ensured that everything was in order. He also held a great knowledge of the plants, birds, and animals which he shared with us. It was a truly a terrific top tier tour! Highly recommended.

The Taj Temples & Tigers tour was a fantastic experience that we thoroughly recommend for those new to visiting India and returning travellers who want the benefits of an organised trip. For us, the mix of wildlife and “tourist hotspots” was exactly what we wanted as an introduction to India. We felt the group size (10 plus the tour leader Annie and naturalist Tirath) was perfect. There are some necessary long transit days and early starts but the timings of the itinerary were such that there was enough down time to offset these. The transport used for the road sections of the trip was comfortable and transition from aeroplane to car to train was much smoother than we were expecting. The accommodation throughout was very good, especially in the lodges by the national parks. The Birders Inn and Chitvan Jungle Lodge deserve particular mention as being the standout lodges for us, but all were good. The rooms were clean, comfortable, and service was very good. The food was good. The Birders Inn deserves special mention as we felt this was the best food we ate in India. The safari drives were excellent. The use of Jeeps with maximum of 4 (plus the driver and spotter) and the distribution of passengers with similar interests worked well. The drivers and spotters were excellent and ensured great sightings. The ten safari drives provided us with so many wildlife viewings. I did not expect to see 10 tigers or get the quality of sightings we got. The number of rhinoceros seen at Kaziranga was a real bonus too. The wildlife sightings were many and varied and as a bird watcher I was amazed to add at least one new species to my life list every day. This was a completely unexpected bonus. I think the level of organisation of this tour and the abilities, attitude, and personal philosophy of both Annie & Tirath were a major contributor to the success of the tour. As first-time visitors to India their experience ensured a stress free, absolutely enjoyable experience. It has left us wanting to return to visit places we have yet to see and revisit our favourite places (Kanha and Bharatpur) from this trip.

The attention Annie & Tirath put into the planning and logistics of not only the overall tour but also each day’s experience was amazing. Our Taj Temples & Tigers itinerary was jam-packed and included multiple locations and transfers by bus, car, train, and plane, and they made it look seamless. Our luggage turned up every time. I watched Annie & Tirath’s discussions with guides, drivers, hotel and resort staff, and others – their attention to detail is extraordinary and very much appreciated. The Kazaringa add-on was an incredible few days – definitely another highlight. I’m so glad we did that! The rhinos were everywhere, lots of mothers with babies, and one experience with ‘Big Daddy’ crossing the road in the opposite direction after a mother and her baby had passed. We had many, many amazing experiences – in fact, I need to find a different word than amazing! Natural Focus work with the best guides/spotters/drivers who know the animals’ habitats & behaviour intimately, giving their clients the best chance of spotting and photographing the tigers, elephants, rhinos, birds, and lots and lots of other wildlife. It was a once-in-a-lifetime trip for me – one that is difficult to explain to someone who wasn’t there, because it really is about the experiences – not just the photos.