Varun was born and brought up at Nagpur, a city blessed with pristine wildlife habitats all around. He is an entrepreneur by profession and based at Nagpur, Maharashtra. The ‘call of the wild’ for Varun was back in 2007 when he first held the camera under the aegis of a friend and photographer Navin Varma. Since then there has been no looking back for him. He escapes to the jungles whenever he can! Varun has travelled far and wide covering most of the National Parks of the country capturing the magic of the Indian jungles. He has travelled to the wild lands of Africa capturing the African wildlife through his lens.
He has widely documented the big cats, their behaviour and their habitat and has been fortunate to have photographed more than 300 tigers which earns him the title of being a ‘good luck’ when it comes to the Tiger sightings! Apart from the jungles of India and Africa, he has spent days documenting the stunning landscapes and the incredible biodiversity of the Himalayas and has shot some rarely sighted animals like the Red Panda, The Himalayan Monal in their habitat at high altitudes. Talking of the recognitions, his work has received widespread appreciation and several National and International awards.
He is the contributor of the Social media pages for the Discovery Channel and his work has been showcased by several Governmental and non Governmental agencies across India and outside. Though he personally dislikes being appreciated but his photography speaks for itself and undoubtedly makes him one of the most promising and outstanding wildlife photographer the country has today. Varun strongly believes that photography is not merely his passion but an attempt to help conserve the wild by spreading awareness about our jungles, its flora and fauna.
By his photography he strives to bring forth the wild-raw and uncut as also to inspire young minds to take a moment and think about nature and wildlife. He has been an active member of the NGO Srushti Paryavaran Mandal, Nagpur for the cause of betterment of the wildlife and environment in central India. He has worked closely with the Forest Department and the Sanctuary Asia Magazine highlighting the challenges faced by the Forest Department and their efforts to conserve the forests. Off the work and jungle tours he spends his time resolving the queries of the young minds about wildlife and wildlife photography.
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More Than Just a Snapshot | 18 Years of Wildlife Through Varun Thakkar’s Lens | OCLF
On 23rd Nov 2025 03.00 PM TO 03:40 PM
Step into the wild with Varun Thakkar as he shares 18 years of unforgettable encounters, breathtaking patience, and the raw beauty of India’s untamed landscapes. In conversation with wildlife filmmaker and TravelXP presenter Rohan Patole, this session from OCLF 2025 dives deep into the craft, passion, and purpose behind wildlife photography.
Varun takes the audience behind the lens, revealing the stories that shaped his most iconic shots and the emotional highs and challenges of life spent in the forests. He speaks about ethical photography, the importance of conservation, and the role of visual storytelling in protecting India’s wildlife. The discussion explores technique, timing, field safety, and the unpredictable nature of working with wild animals.
The conversation is made even richer with reflections from Rohan’s experience with National Geographic and global travel stories, creating a powerful dialogue on craft and creativity.
A must-watch for photographers, nature lovers, and anyone curious about the real world behind each extraordinary frame.