SUJÁN x ORYX

SUJÁN x ORYX is a partnership between two companies who share a passion for the conservation of our natural world.

Our goal is to raise US$1,000,000 for the conservation arm of SUJÁN, the SNS Foundation, by offering you a variety of prizes and other items in exchange for donations:


THE PRIZES:

The Grand Prize:
(Valued at an incredible US$90,900!)
Win a 12-night, all-inclusive adventure for two people across all three of SUJÁN's exclusive wilderness camps in Rajasthan, India: SUJÁN JAWAI, SUJÁN Sher Bagh and SUJÁN The Serai. Professional photo leader, host and CEO of ORYX Photo Tours, Marius Coetzee, as well as SUJÁN’s Vice President and Director of Experiences, Yusuf Ansari, will accompany you around Rajasthan, ensuring you one of the world's best photographic experiences. 
- Minimum donation required US$10,000

Silver Prize:
(Valued at a total of US$38,720!)
Win an 8-night, all-inclusive adventure for two people across two of SUJÁN's exclusive wilderness camps: SUJÁN JAWAI and SUJÁN Sher Bagh in Rajasthan, India. Your guide, Yusuf Ansari, is Vice President, Director of Experiences and Head of Field at SUJÁN and has privately guided guests from around the world. 
- Minimum donation required US$5,000

Bronze Prize:
(Valued at a total of US$14,795!)
Win a 4-night, all-inclusive safari at the original SUJÁN camp for two people. Ranthambhore is the world’s finest place to observe tigers in the wild, and SUJÁN Sher Bagh is the ideal base from which to discover this majestic forest.
- Minimum donation required US$500


THE EXPERIENCE:

Bewilderingly beautiful, India’s overflow of colour and variety of wildlife, people and topography are truly diverse, and it is this juxtaposition of widely varied themes that makes India so compelling. It’s a country that is as unique as the stripes on a tiger! India is most famous for its rich wildlife & exotic cultural attractions, all which form focus on our various Indian photography tours.

Ranthambhore is the world’s finest place to observe tigers in the wild, and SUJÁN Sher Bagh is the ideal base from which to explore this billion-year-old forest. Home to arguably the world’s richest cultural landscape, you will have unbeatable opportunities to capture a diverse portfolio of Tiger images (all the while not forgetting the other resident wildlife) and the beautiful architecture in the jungle. Other than the King of the Jungle, Ranthambore plays host to a variety of wildlife, including the Sloth Bear, Chital, Indian Gazelle, Peacock and if you’re lucky, the elusive Leopard

SUJÁN Jawai is the new frontier, opening up a truly unique way to safari and an even more rewarding arrival into a land of adventure and antiquity. A varied menu of photographic experiences awaits in this lap of the former kingdoms of Mewar and Marwar. The region is home to the charismatic Rabari herdsmen, a people at peace with the indigenous wildlife, including the resident spotted cat, the ultimate showstopper that captivates guests both at camp and on safari.

Blending sophistication and ecology, there is no better place to discover one of India’s most enchanting and breathtakingly beautiful landscapes. The vibrant Rabari herdsmen who have shared this land with wildlife for centuries endorse the organic and continuing link between local culture and wildlife. This is a relationship that SUJÁN is deeply committed to nurturing in the face of rapid change, as a means of fulfilling their commitment to conservation, to cultures and wildlife. It is these experiences that we are proud and delighted to share with guests at in this region.

In the heart of the Thar Desert lies Jaisalmer, a simply unmatched, dynamic place known as the “Golden City” due to the yellow sandstone used to build the fortress and all its intricate havelis and temples. Historically speaking, it was a thriving trade centre on the famous Silk Road (the ancient camel-train route that ran through India and Central Asia) and had a business relationship with Persian countries. Photographing Jaisalmer is a real treat, with many architectural & cultural marvels, and heading out into the dunes to explore the deserts & camels makes for a truly unique experience.


CLIENT TESTIMONIALS ABOUT INDIA:

"In any event we had the BEST trip ever! I had questioned prior to the trip if it made sense to be going back to India a second time w Marius, given all the places we want to visit, and I can unequivocally say it was …and then some! Every stop of the trip offered unique and interesting experiences and photographic opportunities and with Marius as our “fearless leader” we were able to capitalize on the environment in a way we would never be able to do without him. We walked the back slum alleys of Jodhpur capturing the daily street life…sat in the sand dunes while camels ran up the dunes…photographed mating leopards in the magical rocky setting of Jawai.. visited with the local tribal chiefs as they prepared for a family wedding …and found a path to a front row seat to photograph drinking tigers with full reflections (a personal bucket list item for me!)

All along the way we laughed and learned and shared in the enthusiasm exuded by Marius and just had so much fun!

Photographically we continue to learn and grow from our time with Marius “in the field” as he inspires us to see things from a new perspective with the use or our camera. He helps create magical moments for us to capture, teaching us more about light and shadows and composition. We return home after each trip more excited about our photography, as we practice our editing skills in search of creating better and more interesting images. Yes was a magical two weeks and I am only sorry it had to end!"

- LC, USA


"I have recently returned from my second ORYX private tour to India with Marius, and wanted to say how much I enjoyed it and to recommend ORYX to anyone considering taking a wildlife photographic trip.

Everything had been taken care of, from accommodation in the best locations and travel between national parks, down to tips for our drivers and guides, so that we only had to think about the wildlife and the photography – a real luxury.

Marius is an inspirational photographer, and a superb travelling companion. He has seemingly endless patience, and his knowledge and advice have helped even this novice photographer capture some exceptional images! Nothing is too much trouble for him, and his experience has proved invaluable in enabling us to take shots that I know we would not have if he had not been with us. We had the most amazing tiger sighting in Ranthambhore -as well as many other wonderful wildlife moments on the trip, which were entirely due to him – so a very big thank you to Marius.

I have been on numerous safaris in Africa, and have been lucky enough to have had many amazing wildlife experiences, but the ORYX tours to India have been in a league of their own. We are already planning our next tour to India with Marius, and hope that there will be many more to come!"

- AW, United Kingdom



THE SNS FOUNDATION:

All funds generated by this initiative will be donated to SUJÁN’s philanthropic wing, the SNS Foundation. The SNS Foundation was established in 1976 and addresses four development verticals – Education, Health and Hygiene, Skills Development and Conservation. The mission of the Foundation is to create social impact among rural communities, with an aim of achieving economic self-reliance and coexisting harmoniously with the environment.

In terms of SUJÁN’s conservation initiatives, they are run across several districts of Rajasthan with a focus on, but not limited to, the following four tenets: Biodiversity, Holistic Community Development, Sustainability and preservation of India’s Culture & Heritage.

Biodiversity
The restoration, preservation and protection of our landscapes is central to SUJÁN’s conservation vision. In partnership with their local communities SUJÁN helps to manage wilderness land, so that it can support and maintain ecological processes and wildlife in harmony with the human population.

Holistic Community Development
Ensuring that their local communities understand and benefit from the existence of each SUJÁN is a crucial element of their responsible tourism model. SUJÁN’s long-term community development goal is designed to improve the quality of living, health & sanitation, education & future for their communities.

Sustainability
Operating in an environmentally conscious way at every level of the business – is at the heart of the SUJÁN ethos. SUJÁN believes sustainability is an ongoing journey of continuous awareness, improvement, and adaptation, and they do their best to be as eco-friendly as possible.

Culture
Preservation of India’s rich heritage and culture is incredibly important to SUJÁN as a family. SUJÁN aims to always respect, protect and promote the local culture wherever they operate, supporting the arts, music, textiles, artisans & traditional customs that are found in their local communities.