The experience can also vary depending on the destination, the type of guidance available and who is travelling.
Here are some factors to consider when planning a wildlife holiday.
Factor in the location
The distance between accommodation and the wildlife zone can affect both the itinerary and the time available for safari and other activities.
Michael Dominic, Managing Director, CGH Earth, said location remains fundamental because “being close to the forest gives travellers more time in nature and makes the destination itself part of the experience”.
Gaurav Mudgal, Managing Director, Black Rock Hotels & Resorts, which manages Aamaghati Wildlife Resorts, said access to the park remains critical. At the same time, he said guests are evaluating the “complete two- or three-day experience” rather than simply choosing the nearest base for a safari.
The surroundings can also determine what else can be included in the trip. A coffee plantation, for instance, can bring birds, food, stories and the landscape into the itinerary, Dominic said.
Understand what guided experiences add
For travellers paying for a guided wildlife experience, the expertise of the naturalist can make a difference.
Dominic said a good naturalist does not simply locate animals but “interprets the landscape”. They can explain animal behaviour, the ecosystem and the significance of different species.
“A naturalist who understands that a guest is passionate about birds, trees or photography can completely change the way they experience a landscape,” Dominic said.
Vineet Arora, COO, Antara Cruises, also highlighted naturalists, conservation experts and local specialists as people who can add context to a wildlife journey.
Mudgal said a knowledgeable naturalist and guided wildlife photography are among the experiences travellers may consider worth paying extra for.
Look at the full itinerary
A safari may account for only a few hours of the day. Travellers therefore need not restrict their planning to game drives.
Anil Agarwala, Managing Director, Tathastu Resorts, said “families today want enough to do before and after the game drive as well”.
He cited birdwatching, nature trails, pottery, botanical tours, rural cooking, village visits and storytelling.
Mudgal similarly pointed to nature walks, birding, local culture, food and wellness as ways travellers can experience a destination beyond a safari.
For families, this can also determine whether everyone gets sufficient value from a trip, particularly when children or older family members have different interests.
Calculate the overall cost
The room rate or advertised package price may not capture the full expenditure involved.
Travellers may need to account for accommodation, safari and park-related charges, meals, travel and local transfers, guided experiences, local excursions, wellness or other paid activities and additional costs for children or extra guests.
Checking these costs before booking can make comparisons between different itineraries more meaningful.
A higher price may reflect specialist expertise, smaller groups, guided activities or greater flexibility rather than simply a more expensive room.
Dominic said travellers are willing to pay more when the entire experience has been thought through, from choosing the destination and bringing in the right people to understanding what the guest wants from the holiday.
“The premium is therefore not necessarily about offering more,” Dominic said, but about offering something “more relevant and personal”, including better access, deeper interpretation and experiences shaped around the guest.
Arora said smaller groups, flexible itineraries, unique wildlife encounters and opportunities to explore destinations at a slower pace can add value to a premium wildlife experience.
Consider who is travelling
The amount spent on a wildlife holiday can also depend on the needs of the group.
Agarwala said activities for different age groups can influence the choice of a destination. His examples include nature trails, pottery, botanical tours, rural cooking, village visits and storytelling.
Mudgal also said families need options that can keep different age groups engaged.
For a family, it may therefore make sense to consider whether the planned activities justify the overall expenditure, rather than evaluating the trip only on the basis of safari access.
Explore the destination beyond wildlife
Food, culture and local communities can also form part of the trip.
Dominic said travellers want to understand the place they have travelled to and not just leave with a list of animals they have seen. A wildlife holiday, he said, can include regional food, stories about the landscape and time spent with people who know the land.
Agarwala said travellers are willing to pay more for experiences involving “local people, local art, local culinary experiences, local outings”.
Arora said destinations such as Bhitarkanika and the Sunderbans can similarly offer experiences around mangrove ecosystems, birdlife, waterways and local communities.
Do not build the entire trip around one sighting
The possibility of seeing an iconic animal can be a major attraction, but it is not the only factor determining the value of a wildlife holiday.
Arora said travellers visiting Bhitarkanika and the Sunderbans are looking not only at iconic wildlife but also at biodiversity, conservation, local communities and the relationship between people and nature.
Dominic said wildlife can become “a portal to explore everything around it”, including the landscape, forest, communities, food and stories.
Mudgal pointed out that “a sighting will always be exciting”, particularly in a destination such as Ranthambore, but travellers do not necessarily want the success of the entire holiday to depend on it.