Tariffs & Testimonials
Read what our clients — birders and wildlife photographers from around the world — say about their experience with us.
Guide Fees & Transport
- An experienced, English-speaking guide is provided for every trip. Guide fees starting at USD 200 per day. Guide fees vary by availability and group size — please contact us for current rates.
- We use an SUV equipped with large open windows for all-round visibility — ideal for viewing and photographing birds and wildlife.
- You are picked up at a venue of your choice in Bangalore and returned at the end of the outing.
- Locations and vehicle are chosen to suit your target species and minimise unnecessary walking.
🌟What Our Clients Say
It is a great pleasure to recommend Bopanna Patada to anyone seeking a truly superb guide for birding and natural history in India. In January 2017, I spent a sensational few days with Bopanna in the Coorg area of the Western Ghats. Thanks to his intimate knowledge of birds and landscape, we found essentially every Western Ghats specialty — Malabar Trogon, Sri Lanka Frogmouth, Heart-spotted Woodpecker, Rufous Woodpecker, Wynaad Laughthrush, and Rufous Babbler. By knowing the timing of certain birds' daytime habits, he put us in the right places for Jerdon's Baza, Yellow-browed Bulbul, Blue-faced Malkoha, and Malabar Barbet. Besides his superb skills, we greatly enjoyed Bopanna's relaxed personality, terrific wit, and deep understanding of the local community. I wholeheartedly recommend him.
I had just one day to spare for bird and animal photography whilst on a hectic business trip. Bopanna collected me in his 4×4 at 5.30am and we were back at my hotel at 7pm — having photographed 71 bird species, crocodiles, spotted deer, monkeys and landscapes. He came with breakfast and lunch prepared at home to maximise our time. His knowledge of both local wildlife and photography is second to none. I could not recommend him more highly. He has convinced me to move to RAW processing and taught me techniques for birds in flight. The safari used the car as a hide, making it a very productive day.
In September 2014, six public health researchers from three countries spent a long weekend in the Western Ghats with Bopanna as guide. Despite some novices in the group, Bopanna skillfully found nearly 90 wonderful species in three days, including several endemics and rarities in Coorg's forests. A group of over twenty Wynaad Laughing Thrush, the Malabar Trogon and Sri Lanka Frogmouth were highlights. His skill with birdsong is exceptional — he is never stumped by any sound in the forest. I have used tropical forest bird guides on five continents, and Bopanna is the best I have met — highly recommended.
I wanted to express my immense pleasure with the birding outing from Bangalore to the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary. Both for birding experience and photography — both new to me — I totally enjoyed your mastery. The birds-in-flight photography was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Your talent at spotting birds is exceptional. The sighting of 84 different species in one day is a clear testimonial to that enthusiasm. Your persistence in making sure I saw every bird you spotted — and expertly guiding the car for the best angles — made this a day to remember.
Bopanna is the real deal. I found him on the internet and had not met him before, but he took me on a lovely day's birding around Bangalore. He knows all the calls and has a detailed knowledge of the best spots. My favourite moment was visiting the owl roosting trees and watching 5 of them come out to screech at us! Thanks Bopanna — best bird guide in Bangalore.
I had the opportunity after a business trip to spend 3 days with Bopanna in Coorg. His knowledge of bird calls and sites was invaluable, and he has an ability to seemingly predict the next species to appear. These skills allowed me to connect with all my target species and amass over 140 species on the trip — Sri Lanka Frogmouth was a real highlight. Beyond the birds, Bopanna has great knowledge of his homeland and was adept at answering all my questions on Indian life. I look forward to another visit.
Bopanna responded very promptly to my initial enquiries and sent me thorough information about the birds we'd likely find. As a sceptical birder who likes to be sure about identifications, Bopanna was the perfect guide — he knows calls very well and was always honest and diligent when making an ID. We spent two very long days birding, seeing 130 species in total, visiting wetlands, farmlands, dry scrublands and forests. Highlights included yellow-crowned woodpecker, painted spurfowl, and yellow-throated bulbul. I would recommend him unreservedly.
At very short notice, Bopanna organised a full-day tour that made us feel lucky to have found him. He is an excellent organiser who picked us up and dropped us off right on time. While showing consideration for a non-birding colleague who joined us, Bopanna guided us to more than 80 species including three endemics. I appreciated the care he took with tricky identifications. Bopanna was also excellent company, with interests outside birding that ensured both birder and non-birder enjoyed the day. If I find myself back in southern India I intend to arrange a longer trip.
I had an excellent day's birding with Bopanna. He has fantastic knowledge of both the birds and where to find them. As someone visiting from the UK it was also great to see another side of India. In total: 83 species in 12 really excellent hours. I would recommend without hesitation.
I managed to get three days birding with Bopanna in the Western Ghats foothills, staying at a wonderful lodge in a shade-grown coffee plantation. In two morning walks we picked up around 120 species, including several endemics — Malabar Hornbill, Crimson-fronted Barbet, many Malabar Parakeets, and staggering views of Sri Lanka Frogmouth. The sound of elephants at night crashing through bamboo across the river was the perfect contrast to busy Bangalore. Bopanna was the perfect guide and host again. I can't wait to get back.
We want to offer our enthusiastic endorsement of Bopanna as a birding and photography guide. We spent three days travelling from Bangalore to Nagarhole and other prime birding areas in Coorg. He was a superb bird guide and outstanding photographer who took care of us in every way. During the trip we saw over 120 species — Tom photographed about 70 of them. Bopanna also showed us giant tree squirrels, spotted deer, and the amazingly large gaur. In all, a great time both observing birds and learning about India.
Thanks for a great trip — it was the highlight of our India visit. The Western Ghats birding was very relaxing and Gillian and I really enjoyed seeing the elephants and the birds. Hope to see you again!
I was searching for a guide to show some birds around Bangalore. To my surprise I met not a guide, but a Master. Bopanna is the best when it comes to wildlife photography, particularly birds. He knows the birding sites like the back of his hand and has instilled in me enthusiasm and motivation. Want to spend some quality time in nature? Bops is the best. Last but not least — you will never miss his home-made chicken sandwiches on tour!
My colleague Clare and I wanted to see as much birdlife as possible during a day in Bangalore. Bopanna suggested a trip to Nandi Hills then Hoskote Lake — we really fell on our feet! He is extremely knowledgeable, helpful and determined to show you as much exciting wildlife as possible. In all we saw 68 species: from a Ring-necked Parakeet enjoying a farmer's maize, to a pond heron facing off a snake and a Brahminy Kite snatching a fish. Whether you are a keen birder or just enjoy nature, I have no hesitation in recommending Bopanna.
I decided to stay an extra day in Bangalore to go birdwatching. I contacted Bopanna and in no time had a proposal to visit several areas around the city. The day was absolutely fabulous. The experience of looking for birds where every species you see is new is amazing, and the rural landscape is stunning. Bopanna is a very patient, nice person to spend time with. He knows the hotspots, tailors the trip to your needs and knows his birds. I will definitely ask him again next year.