Umred Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary

Day 1: Arrival, Birding & Prep

Our journey begins with a meet and greet at Nagpur Airport or Railway Station. Once everyone has arrived, we travel to Gothangaon, a peaceful village near Umred Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary, known for its natural beauty and proximity to prime safari zones.

After checking in and relaxing for a while, we head out for a leisurely birding session near Gothangaon Lake. This serene spot offers excellent opportunities to photograph waterbirds, raptors, and woodland species in soft afternoon light.

Back at the homestay, we enjoy some hi-tea before gathering for a briefing session. Here, we’ll discuss the upcoming full-day safaris, sighting zones, expected species, and field strategies. We’ll also prep our gear, batteries, memory cards, bean bags, and lenses for the intense days ahead.

We close the day with a wholesome dinner and retire early to rest before the long safaris begin.

Highlights:

• Arrival at Nagpur

• Travel to Gothangaon & check-in

• Afternoon birding session at Gothangaon Lake

• Safari briefing & gear prep

• Dinner and overnight stay

Day 2, Day 3 & Day 4: Full-Day Safari Immersion (12 Hours)

For the next three days, we immerse ourselves fully into the forest with full-day safari permits — entering at sunrise and exiting at sunset. This format is ideal for photographers looking to track movements across zones, follow animal trails, and capture rare behaviors that don’t occur during fixed-time safaris.

Each day begins early morning, as we pack our breakfast and lunch to be enjoyed inside the park. With 12 hours of uninterrupted access, we optimize our chances of:

• Tracking tigers and leopards across zones

• Capturing golden hour light in both morning and evening

• Observing birdlife during midday lulls

• Avoiding gate time pressure and maximizing sightings

Post safari, we return to the homestay for hi-tea and downtime, followed by daily sighting review and photo critique sessions — a valuable time to learn from each other and refine techniques.

Dinner is served afterwards, and we retire for the night with batteries recharged (both literally and metaphorically).

Daily Flow:

• Early morning departure for full-day safari (12 hours)

• Packed breakfast and lunch inside the park

• Return by sunset

• Evening hi-tea and relaxation

• Sighting log + photo review session

• Dinner and rest

Day 5: Slow Morning & Departure

After three intense days in the field, today is meant for rest and reflection. We enjoy a slow, relaxed morning at the homestay, followed by breakfast.

With memory cards full and hearts fuller, we check out and begin our journey back to Nagpur, carrying with us not just photos — but stories, sightings, and deep connections to the wild.

Departure Summary:

• Easy morning and breakfast

• Check-out from homestay

• Travel back to Nagpur for departure