Seeing a wild leopard in India has always been my dream. For years, I imagined what it would feel like to photograph this mysterious cat in its natural home. And finally, that dream came true — in a magical place called Jawai Bandh in Bera, Rajasthan.

Why Jawai?

While researching wildlife sanctuaries in India, I came across Jawai — a quiet, rocky landscape known for its leopard population. Nestled among ancient granite hills, this area is one of the best-kept secrets for leopard sightings in India. And after being stuck at home for over five months during lockdown, I knew I had to go. I packed my gear, followed my gut, and drove straight to the wild.

The Hunt for a Leopard Named Jiah

My goal was clear: I wanted to photograph a female leopard named Jiah, known to roam a region in Jawai called Liloda. She had recently given birth after mating with a dominant male called Hira. On my first two safaris, my expert tracker and I carefully studied her pug marks and patterns. We started to understand her movements — especially where she hunted and drank water at night.

The next morning, before the sun came up, we returned to the same spot, full of hope. We wanted to catch her walking across the dirt path in golden sunrise light — the dream shot! But Jiah had other plans. Like a true ghost of the jungle, she appeared silently, took a sharp turn, and vanished into the rocky hills before we could even lift our cameras. Leopards in Jawai move like shadows — and Jiah was a master of disguise. We caught only a brief glimpse as she scaled a near-vertical rock wall with grace. She turned back just once — giving us a quick, almost smug look — as if to say, “Nice try!”

That moment changed everything for me. I realized how smart, alert, and ahead of us she was. But I wasn’t ready to give up. If anything, my determination grew stronger.

A Sight I’ll Never Forget

That afternoon, the sun was out, the skies were clear, and my instincts told me to go back to the same place. My tracker and I had a hunch: Jiah might move her cubs to a new cave. Female leopards often shift their cubs every few days to keep them safe from predators and male leopards. If we were lucky, we might witness something very few ever do.

And we were right.

We saw fresh paw prints again. This meant Jiah had eaten — and was preparing to move the cubs. Quietly, we returned to the base of the hills and waited. An hour passed. Then, she appeared.

Carrying her cub gently in her powerful jaws, Jiah came down the rocky slope — not once, but three times — moving each of her three tiny cubs, barely a month old, to a new cave. It was one of the most moving things I’ve ever seen. Strong and graceful, fierce and gentle, she was the perfect mix of warrior and mother. In those few moments, I saw not just a predator — but a nurturer, a protector, and a queen.

The Magic of Wildlife Photography in Jawai

Witnessing this rare behavior was a once-in-a-lifetime wildlife experience. My heart was full. The image of Jiah carrying her cub, set against the dry brown and green of Rajasthan’s rocky hills, is one I’ll always cherish. In that moment, I felt the universe had smiled on me.

If you’re a nature lover, wildlife photographer, or someone looking for a unique leopard safari in India, Jawai Bandh is the place to be. It’s not just about seeing leopards — it’s about feeling the wild, living the silence, and being humbled by nature’s grace.