India Nature is a small, specialised travel company based in Goa, India that focuses exclusively on birdwatching and wildlife travel throughout India and selected parts of the wider subcontinent. 

Owned and operated by husband and wife Qupeleio (Leio) and Jennifer De Souza, India Nature is built around our own passion for the natural world.  From the moment you first contact us you will be corresponding with someone who understands your enquiries, and is well equipped to advise.  Our small size allows us a degree of personal involvement in the planning and operating of our tours that is second to none.  We are available 24 hours a day to answer all of your enquiries in advance of and during your tour – sometimes we may be out in the field preventing us from answering emails or calls, but we will always get back to you as soon as possible.  The fact that we are a small company based in India also contributes to the affordability of the prices we pass on to you.

Each and every one of our tours has been thoroughly researched and meticulously planned using our considerable first-hand experience and knowledge of travel, services, and wildlife watching opportunities in India, allowing us to create finely-tuned itineraries that progress to meticulously organised tours, with ongoing inputs from the field continually refining our itineraries, which are smoothly executed and persistently productive as a result. 

India is home to over a billion people, one sixth of the entire human population, on only 2.2% of the earth’s total landmass and we are constantly reminded of the overwhelming pressures of maintaining natural habitats and species diversity in this circumstance.  Because we believe that ecologically sensitive wildlife travel has the potential to be conservations greatest tool we operate with a responsibility towards the long-term future of India’s natural heritage, dedicating proceeds to the conservation of biodiversity and habitats.

OUR TOUR LEADERS & GUIDES

Leio De Souza

Apart from being co-founder of India Nature Tourism, Leio De Souza is also a founding partner/owner of Backwoods Camp in Goa, and with more than fifteen years experience in leading bird tours for leading international tour companies as well as countless private groups and individuals, both birders and photographers, he is widely acknowledged as among the leading bird guides/tour leaders in India today.  Leio guides extensively in Goa and throughout India as the primary tour leader for our fixed departure tours.  His extensive knowledge of the avifauna of the Indian region, long experience of guiding and easy rapport with local guides and service providers combine with an infectious enthusiasm for the natural world, natural leadership qualities, easy-going nature and ever-present sense of humour to ensure rewarding tours and an enjoyable on-tour atmosphere.

Jennifer De Souza

Jennifer is the main point of contact at India Nature and handles the day-to-day running of the company, from developing new fixed departure tours and perfecting custom-made itineraries to tour planning, promotion and website maintenance.  Originally from England, Jennifer began birding at a very young age and pursued a BSc (Hons) in Natural Sciences at Durgham University before moving permanently to India in 2004.  Since then she has developed an extensive knowledge of the avifauna of the Indian region and butterflies of southern India, and puts this to good use handling enquiries and as tour co-leader when office work permits.  Jennifer is also a keen wildlife photographer, currently developing a database of photographs of the butterflies of Goa.

Lokesh Kumar

Lokesh lives in Bharatpur, and having been surrounded by birds and birding from a young age he has developed his knowledge, leadership qualities and English language skills to become one of the most experienced bird guides in northern India today.  Lokesh guides many of our custom-made tours, for both individuals and larger groups.  He is an excellent field birder with an innate ability to find skulkers and scarcities, and his enthusiasm and friendly personality make him an excellent on-tour companion.