Introduction

A wildlife tour when devoted for safari based photography, we need to do some special preparations. Here we need to be more specific towards our preparations because here enjoyment becomes secondary and instinct photographic shots becomes priority. Here every safari drive is like a mission. During jungle safaris, pace of safari vehicle often disclosed the type of safari. For example, we will notice some safari vehicles are moving at slow to moderate speed, guest is wearing sunglasses, talking with each other, poor or less communication in between guests and guide, driver is looking relaxed, guide is not in alert mode or watchful, no communication with other passing by vehicle to get some tips etc. then it is a leisure safari where results doesn't matter and safari is like a formality to mark checkbox do visiting the forest. Similarly when we notice a less crowded vehicle with 1-4 guests, very watchful, guide is on alert mode, vehicle is moving slightly faster as if they are on hurry, guests are ready with holding camera, binoculars are vicinity, driver is on slightly tense mode, keeping eyes on safari route to spot pugmarks, frequently stopping to exchange some tips from passing by vehicle then we can conclude that these guests are on wildlife photography safari. Thus when safaris  can be done in two different ways then the safari preparations also varies for a safari holiday trip and photography safari tour. Let's try to understand the various phases and backside preparations which helps in success of a wildlife photography tour.

Planning Phase Preparations

Here we will discuss about the preparation work done before leaving our home for the trip. Their are so many things we do which proves major building block of tour upcoming tour experience. Some of the vital and helpful preparatory steps as given below:

• What do want to see ? Here we will have to decide our major safari attractions. We have to short list our top 5-10 species which we would prefer to seen during safari tour, at their natural habitat. This will guide us to search the list of possible destinations where we have chance to find them all at one or more national park which can be connected to form a tour itinerary.
• Where to go ? When we ascertain our star safari attractions then we will prepare a list of possible safari destinations where we can find them. This will help us to move to next step in which we will sketch our rough plan.
• What should be our rough plan ? Here the major role played by your travel company. For this we have to check the current safari status of each selected destination. Status report is prepared on the basis of current safari updates and on the basis of expectations view share by our local guides we need to draw our plans. Here travel dates also play important role in deciding the tour plan. As per dates, we have to check on which day which park is closed for safaris and accordingly adjust the plan. Being local and well connected with safari guides, we get quick update on any change in rule, change in safari prices, safari timing changes, guest feedbacks on hotel services etc. thus we swiftly adjust our plans as per situation.
• What at the things to carry ? In this phase we will decide the things to carry which will prove helpful in safari drives. Things like a well functioning camera, lens (100-400 / 200-600mm) of different capacity, binocular, sufficient memory cards, bean-bag etc proves very useful. Come with empty bean-bag to avoid luggage weight issues and get it filled (by rice) at your safari destination. Avoid tri-pods as majority of safaris are done by jeep and here tripods proves useless burden.
• Reconfirm travel documents: In this part we have already collected our travel documents from our tour agency. We need to just re-confirm the documents by checking vital details like visitors names, travel dates, flight/train timings, safari schedule, hotel check-in and check-out dates, safari zones etc. By doing this, if any error or confusion arises, we can timely take action to rectify it.
• For foreign nationals, sun-screen cream is recommended as here in India, safari vehicles will be mostly open to sky, exposing us to direct sun-light. You may carry it from home or may buy it from any medical store, on the way.
• Sanitary Pads: If you are with adult women traveler, sanitary pads are recommended to carry. Don't fully rely on resort of having it on their stock. Many resorts keep stock of it for emergency but better to keep our own arrangement. In case of emergency of you are expecting its shortage, we may buy it from local nearby shop, in day time or inform the resort team in advance, to arrange it for you. At national parks area, due to remote sites, shops operational hours are less in compare to city stores. Usually this point is not shared in preparation category but as per our past experience we feel it is an important point to be informed to everyone, to avoid any future inconvenience.
• What to wear ? Try to carry cotton full sleeve dress whose colour should be according to your surrounding natural site and dress should offer you comfort while sitting on safari vehicle, for 3-5 hrs duration. Avoid any vibrant color dress. Here it is important to note that try to use dress having closed pockets so that your wallet or necessary items, kept on pocket may not slip out, during safari drive on rough trails. Slipping out of mobile phone is a common problem thus sharing this advice. Before leaving your home, always check climatic condition of your safari destination and accordingly carry your clothing.

Touring Phase Preparations

Once tour plan get finalized, arrange your logistical things for safari trip and begin your journey from your home and reach your safari destination. Here also we have to observe certain precautions, before proceeding for safari drive. Some of the commonly observed precautions are as follows:

• Re-check your safari permits information like safari dates, timings, safari zone name, visitors name etc. 
• Check the safari vehicle reporting time and place.
• Share your safari plan with resort management also so that they will make arrangement of your breakfast, lunch, dinner, wake-up call accordingly.
• If you are doing jungle safari at any national park of Madhya Pradesh state then we need to note that morning safari duration is long thus here breakfast is packed and put in tiffin box at your safari vehicle. For this, it is our duty to inform the hotel team about our morning safari drives so that they will do tiffin box, water bottle preparations accordingly.
• Charge your camera and mobile phone battery properly.
• Check your memory cards status, insert them to keep camera in ready to use status.
• Carry something to protect your camera from direct dust or sudden showers. Things like towel or scarf etc proves helpful.
• If you have allergy with dust, always carry a face-mask with you as dust is very common at all the national parks are vehicles run on rough tracks and while entering and exit, they runs in a row.
• During safari drive, make sure you are not carrying any inflammable item like cigarette lighter, matchbox, any fire-arm etc. It is restricted at all the safari destinations.
• Drone camera is not allowed at any national park.
• Check your original ID document is with you, for safari gate verification procedure. Once done, collect it back, without any fail.
• Wear your safari dress as per clothing advisory (matching to nature colors).
• Do not use any perfume, during any jungle safari.
• Apply sun-screen lotion, if you have any allergy with direct sunlight. 
• If you are passing through menstrual phase, then keep 2-3 pads in spare, at your travel bag and carry it during safari drive. Basic washroom or restroom facility is available at each safari zone. On any emergency, we can use them. Usually all safari vehicles take their guests for restroom (toilet) during safari drive, as per guest instruction.
• Always keep a small carry bag during all safari drives in which you can keep your necessary things like water bottles, sunglasses, binocular, camera, any towel, cap, id document etc. If not required, then keep your mobile phone also inside it. Such bags proves very useful, especially during night safari when we move in complete dark, nothing is visible in and around our seat. Keeping small item intact is highly recommended as due to rough trail movement, vehicle provides jerks and such repeated jerks often removes small loose items from their places.