Camera Trapping Photography Workshop at Raat Safari

Overview

Join DCP Expeditions for an immersive Camera Trapping Workshop at Raat Safari in the heart of Uttar Pradesh’s wild landscape, one of India’s most exciting destinations for wildlife photography. Famous for its rich biodiversity and elusive species, Raat Safari offers a rare opportunity to document secretive creatures like the Striped Hyena, Desert Cat, Jungle Cat, and Rusty-spotted Cat — species seldom seen elsewhere in the country. Led by camera trapping expert Mayuresh Hendre, the workshop covers advanced camera trap setup, field strategies, and lighting techniques, helping participants master the art of capturing intimate, nocturnal wildlife moments and transforming their approach to wildlife photography.

DCP Experts

DCP Safety

Entry fees

Images Review

Meals

Post Event

Stay

About The Tour

Workshop Highlights

DSLR Camera Trapping: Master the art of setting up DSLR and trail camera traps to capture rare and elusive species in their natural habitats.
Night Safari: Experience thrilling night safaris and witness the nocturnal activities of striped hyenas, desert cats, and other secretive wildlife.
Exclusive Wildlife Viewing: Learn wildlife tracking, documentation, and den monitoring guided by our expert naturalist and Raat Safari founder, Kartik Singh.
Traditional Village Stay: Enjoy eco-friendly cottages built in traditional style, surrounded by the lush greenery of Raat Safari.

Key Features

Camera Trap Setup Provided: Sensors, housing and triggers will be provided. You just need to bring your camera, lens and memory cards. Gain practical, hands-on experience with professional equipment.
Build Your Own Setup: Customize your own camera trapping configuration with expert guidance, from choosing sensors and triggers to fine-tuning flash setups and housing, tailored to your photography goals.
Locational Expertise: Benefit from our team’s in-depth understanding of local wildlife movement patterns, ensuring your camera traps are placed in the most promising locations for exceptional results.

Quick Information

Route:

Varanasi airport - Raat Safari - Varanasi airport

Start Point:

Varanasi airport

Duration:

3 nights 4 days

End Point:

Varanasi airport

Inclusions

Installing camera traps on Raat Safari’s private land
Transfers to and fro Raat Safari camp from Varanasi
Accommodation per night on twin sharing basis in Traditional Cottages
All meals at Raat Safari for the duration of the stay
Camera Trapping and Photographic guidance of DCP Photography expert
Camera Trap Equipment for every participant including sensors, triggers and housing

Experts

Mayuresh Hendre

Panel Expert - Wildlife Film Making and Photography

Mayuresh Hendre is an award-winning wildlife filmmaker, photographer and a naturalist from Mumbai, India. He is also a well-known name in the field of camera trapping and his passion has taken him to some of the most remote and beautiful locations in India and beyond. For several years, he has worked as a Naturalist, Photographer and Filmmaker in various parts of India, especially in North-East India, on the Brahmaputra River Landscape of Assam. He has been instrumental in developing exemplary wildlife lodges in India with first-ever camera trapping and animal photography hides in India with water hole. He is a seasoned camera trapper with expertise in DSLR Camera Trap technology on the trails of Tigers and Elephants. We are proud to have him as a Panel Expert - Wildlife Film Making and Photography.

Reach Varanasi airport. We will be arranging for pickup of all our guests from Varanasi airport.

You may reach via train to Varanasi. We will be arranging for pickup of all our guests from Varanasi airport. Request you to coordinate with our team for logistics.

Not recommended

Getting Ready

Things to carry:

Your DSLR / Mirrorless camera
Wide angle lens
Carry fully charged batteries for your camera / flash.
Carry battery charger. Carry extra pack of camera batteries
Carry backup memory cards / HDD storage drives, Laptop
It is advisable to carry basic first aid along with you.
Please carry Odomos to keep you protected from mosquito bites.
T-shirts/sweatshirts, light-weight long trousers and warm long-sleeved shirts
Rucksack (even though you will have porters carrying luggage, it is a good idea to carry rucksacks if not then a duffle bag)
Wind Proof Jackets/ Rain gear (a must)
Multiple Layers of warm clothing (Thermals are recommended)
A knapsack for the trek to carry your water bottle, camera and rain gear
A pair of good Trekking shoes. Good idea to have rubber soled ankle length shoes
Sunglasses, Caps, Sun Hats, sunblock retainers for spectacles
Woollen Caps/ Gloves
Reading / Writing material
Personal Medical kit

Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival, Transfer & Introduction to Camera Trapping

12:00 PM – 2:00 PM | Arrival at Varanasi Airport & Transfer to Mirzapur

Participants arriving at Varanasi Airport will be received by the DCP team and transferred to our lodge in Mirzapur. The scenic drive through the countryside of eastern Uttar Pradesh offers an opportunity to get acquainted with fellow participants while enjoying the changing landscapes of the region.

2:30 PM | Check-in & Lunch

Arrive at the lodge, complete check-in formalities, and enjoy a freshly prepared lunch before settling into your rooms.

4:00 PM – 5:30 PM | Introduction to Camera Trapping & Equipment Session

Join wildlife experts Mayuresh Hendre and Kartik Singh for an engaging introduction to the fascinating world of camera trapping. This session will cover wildlife monitoring techniques, animal movement patterns, ethical considerations, fieldcraft, and practical aspects of deploying camera traps. Participants will also gain hands-on exposure to different camera trap models, settings, placement strategies, and essential field equipment.

5:30 PM – 6:30 PM | Habitat Familiarisation Walk

A guided walk around the surrounding habitat will introduce participants to animal trails, tracks, signs, bird activity, and potential camera trap locations. The session is designed to help participants begin understanding the landscape from the perspective of a wildlife tracker.

7:00 PM | Tea, Snacks & Group Interaction

An informal gathering with the mentors and fellow participants to discuss workshop objectives, wildlife possibilities in the region, and expectations from the coming days.

8:00 PM | Dinner & Workshop Briefing

Dinner will be followed by a detailed briefing covering safety protocols, field schedules, camera trap deployment plans, and preparations for the next day’s activities.

Day 2 – Camera Trap Setup, Birding & Field Exploration

6:00 AM – 8:00 AM | Morning Birding & Crepuscular Wildlife Session

Begin the day with an early morning visit to either Jogiyadari Waterfall or Khajuri Backwater. This session focuses on birdwatching and observing crepuscular wildlife activity during the most productive hours of the day. Participants will learn to identify birds, understand habitat associations, and observe animal behavior in the field.

8:30 AM | Breakfast

Return to the lodge for breakfast and a short break.

10:00 AM – 1:00 PM | Camera Trap Deployment Check & Field Session

Accompany Mayuresh Hendre and Kartik Singh into the field to inspect camera trap locations, review placement decisions, and make any necessary adjustments. Participants will gain practical experience in evaluating animal trails, selecting optimal positions, and maximizing the chances of successful captures.

1:00 PM | Lunch

Enjoy lunch and some downtime before the afternoon field activities.

4:00 PM – 6:00 PM | Birding Safari & Hyena Den Exploration

Head out on an evening field excursion focused on bird photography, wildlife tracking, and a visit to an active striped hyena den. Learn to recognize signs of animal movement while exploring one of the region’s most fascinating carnivore habitats.

6:00 PM | Camera Trap Review & Q&A Session

Review the first batch of camera trap footage and images collected from the field. This interactive session provides an opportunity to discuss settings, troubleshoot challenges, and refine deployment strategies with guidance from the mentors.

7:30 PM | Dinner & Fireside Discussion

Enjoy dinner followed by an informal discussion where Mayuresh shares insights into animal behavior, wildlife tracking, and memorable experiences from years spent in the field.

Day 3 – Advanced Camera Trapping & Wildlife Tracking

6:00 AM – 8:00 AM | Guided Wildlife Tracking & Birding Trail

Start the day with a guided tracking session around the surrounding habitat. Learn how to identify tracks, signs, scat, feeding evidence, and other clues that reveal the presence of wildlife. Birding opportunities during the walk add another dimension to understanding the ecosystem.

8:30 AM | Breakfast

Return to the lodge for breakfast and a short break.

10:00 AM – 1:00 PM | Advanced Camera Trapping Techniques

This practical session focuses on refining camera trap placements and improving capture success rates. Participants will learn advanced techniques including trigger optimization, sensor adjustments, framing strategies, habitat-specific deployment methods, and troubleshooting common field challenges.

1:00 PM | Lunch

Lunch at the lodge followed by some time to relax.

3:00 PM – 5:30 PM | Lakhaniya Cave Paintings & Nature Exploration

Explore the remarkable Lakhaniya Cave Paintings, believed to be over 4,000 years old, while learning about the region’s cultural and natural heritage. Participants will also have opportunities to explore the surrounding landscape and understand the relationship between conservation, history, and local ecosystems.

5:30 PM | Review Session & Group Discussions

Review photographs, camera trap footage, and field observations collected during the workshop. Mentors will provide detailed feedback and discuss key learnings from the field sessions.

7:00 PM | Dinner & Special Storytelling Session

Day 4 – Final Camera Trap Retrieval & Departure

6:00 AM – 8:00 AM | Final Camera Trap Check & Data Collection

Head into the field for the final retrieval of camera traps. Review the images and videos collected during the workshop and discuss the successes, challenges, and lessons learned from each deployment.

8:30 AM | Farewell Breakfast

Enjoy a final breakfast together while sharing experiences, photographs, and memories from the workshop.

10:00 AM | Check-out & Departure

Depart from the lodge with a deeper understanding of wildlife tracking, camera trapping, fieldcraft, and ethical wildlife monitoring, along with a unique collection of images and experiences from the forests of Mirzapur.

Field Learnings

Participants will leave with:

A thorough understanding of both basic and advanced camera trapping techniques.
Practical experience in setting up, monitoring, and analyzing camera traps.
Insight into the conservation applications of camera trapping and how to engage local communities
A solid foundation for conducting independent camera trapping projects in various wildlife habitats.

Package Cost

Indian nationals:
Twin sharing: INR 30,000 per person inclusive of all taxes
Single occupancy: Not available

Foreign nationals:
Twin sharing: US$ 540 per person inclusive of all taxes
Single occupancy: Not available

Gold members - Upto 5% off
Silver members - Upto 3% off

WhatsApp to ask for a payment link / QR code to pay.

[Save upto 2.5% of tour cost by opting to pay via NEFT / RTGS / UPI]

Inclusions:

Transfers to and fro Raat Safari camp from Varanasi
Accommodation per night on twin sharing basis in Traditional Cottages
All meals at Raat Safari for the duration of the stay
Installing camera traps on Raat Safari’s private land
Camera Trapping and Photographic guidance of DCP Photography expert
Camera Trap Equipment for every participant including sensors, triggers and housing

Exclusions

Travel cost from your city to Varanasi
Anything that is not included in the Inclusions list (see above)
Mineral Water, Soft Drinks, Laundry Charges, Phone Calls, Tips etc.
Any kind of insurance, Medical or/and Emergency Charges.
Any extra meals not included in the above itinerary

Please take a note that sighting of a wild animal and / or a good photography opportunity to capture it in an ideal frame is a matter of luck. Though the possibility of sighting is high but it can never be guaranteed in the wild.

Map

Raat safari

Policies

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations 30 days or more prior to departure – 20% cancellation fee.
Cancellations within 30 days of departure – non-refundable.

FAQ's

Can I get a single occupany accomodation?

Please write to us on info@dcpexpeditions.com as it is subject to availability.

Design Your Custom Tour

Raat Safari, Mirzapur - Camera Trapping Expedition, Oct 2026

₹ 30,000₹ 38,000

₹30,000₹ 38,000