This is our story
In 2015, Wilderness Uncut was born with a simple mission: craft unparalleled wildlife experiences in India and Africa. As safari outfitters, we tailor exclusive itineraries that deviate from mass-market tourism.
Our credo of luxury goes beyond opulence and amenities, to solitude in small-camp experiences. Years of on-the-ground experience has helped us foster friendships with locals on the field. We extend this warmth to discerning travellers who yearn for authenticity off the beaten track.
Meet the Team
I grew up spellbound by documentaries on Bandhavgarh’s legendary tigers, Charger and Sita in the late 90s.This whetted my appetite, and in 2009, I saw my first wild tiger, Kallu, on field.
Kallu led me down a rabbit hole of exploring Kanha, Satpura, Pench & Tadoba, to name a few.
In 2012, Kenya, my Africa debut, felt like stepping onto a movie set. Time stretched like the savannah before my eyes. Just to soak in everything- the landscape, the people, was special.
The rest, as they say, is history.
What started as a hobby, blossomed into a full-blown boots and backpack affair. Today, I spend an average of 180-200 days on the field in India & Africa. Wilderness Uncut sprouted from this desire to spend more time on the field. Watching a tiger still excites me, and the day that is gone, there is nothing left.
Co – Founder
As a founding member of Wilderness Uncut, a professional hairstylist, and a passionate animal advocate, my professional trajectory is shaped by a confluence of interests. I carry with me the education instilled by my father, nurturing a compassionate side that forges heartfelt connections with both street animals and wildlife. Additionally, as a mother to four rescued dogs, my commitment to animal welfare extends beyond my professional roles. Moving forward, I endeavor to create a tangible difference for animals in need. I envision establishing a sanctuary, a haven where ill and abandoned creatures can thrive.
Co – Founder
I am a guide, wildlife photographer, and writer. I live in East Cape, South Africa. I am an enthusiastic lover of nature, and have travelled widely in Africa and abroad for wildlife. I spent 12 years guiding full-time in Botswana. Today, I lead small groups of travellers on special interest photographic safaris. Some of my favourite countries to spend time in are- Botswana, India, and Kenya.
I enjoy all forms of nature photography. I firmly believe that knowing your subject’s behaviour helps get good results when it comes to wildlife photography. I shoot with Canon, but am familiar with Nikon and Sony cameras as well. I process my images using Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop, and assist photographers travelling with me using these programs.
I shoot a variety of wildlife related subject matter with big cats and wild dogs being amongst my favourites. My images have been on the cover of both Africa Geographic and the US National Geographic Kids magazine. I am regular contributor of text and images to African Birdlife magazine.
Grant Atkinson,
Photographer & Private Guide
My tête-à-tête with wildlife began quite serendipitously in 1996.
As a Naturalist, I mastered tracking tigers in national parks of India like Jim Corbett, Kaziranga, Dudhwa, and Central India’s Kanha and Bandhavgarh, among others.
Going beyond tiger loyalism, I segued into Rajasthan, Gujrat, national parks in South India, and Sri Lanka, guiding wildlife and cultural tours.
Cloistered from the city hullabaloo, I had the honor of working with Sir David Attenborough and Nigel Marvin on award-winning international films like- Tiger: Spy in the Jungle (BBC), Lost Land of the Tiger (BBC), Life of Mammals (BBC), Warriors of the Monkey God (BBC), and Monkey Thieves (Nat Geo). I have assisted acclaimed photographers like Steve Winter and Jonathan Scott with logistics, permits, and location management for film shoots.
27 years into the wild, and it feels like the odyssey has just begun.
Private Guide & Naturalist
Growing up in cantonments, spotting birds on early morning walks, watching chitals, porcupines, and if lucky a leopard on a night drive, was the routine.
After years of masking my passion for the wild as a hobby, I decided to take it up professionally.
As a Naturalist, I have trained in Kanha National Park and worked in Bandhavgarh National Park, Madhya Pradesh. Having tracked and seen every tiger in the tourism zone, it is safe to declare that chasing tigers gives one an appetite, which is not only insatiable, but bottomless.
Operations Head
Being born and raised in a city hemmed by the Western Ghats is what presaged my love for wildlife. Growing up, I’d often visit Bandipur and Madumalai national parks within the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve for the holidays.
I’d go on safaris with the urgent restlessness of discovering something new. Enrapturing my classmates with exaggerated stories of lordly tigers, clumsy macaques, and hulking gaurs, was a welcome reward. Even as a child, the damp beauty of the forest, the untouched serenity, and the solitude filled me with a sense of renewal, which felt strangely familiar.
Time hurtled forward, but my love for big cats in the wild, sightseeing, and camping, only grew stronger. Even today, when I go for a safari, the anticipation of the unknown, the thrill of discovery, and the same childlike wonder bubbles within.
Head – Marketing Technology
