Narayana comes from the small village of Belathur, which borders the renowned Nagarahole National Park. Growing up near the elephant-rich forests of Kabini, part of the Nagarahole Tiger Reserve, he developed an early fascination with the birds around his home. That curiosity soon expanded to include the broader spectrum of wildlife in the region, eventually guiding him toward a career as a naturalist.

With more than two decades of experience, Narayana began his full-time work as a naturalist in Kabini. He spent over five years with various wildlife lodges across Karnataka, particularly in Kabini and Coorg. His interest in exploring ecosystems beyond his home state led him to central India, where he joined Taj Safaris, recognized for its leadership in luxury wildlife tourism in India.

In 2010, Narayana moved to Madhya Pradesh and was among a small group selected and trained by expert instructors from &Beyond. His time in central India has taken him to Pench, Bandhavgarh, Panna and Kanha. At Kanha’s Banjaar Tola Lodge, he served as Head Naturalist and later took on the role of Chief Trainer for Taj Safaris.

Narayana has also led wildlife expeditions across the Indian subcontinent and beyond. His work has taken him to Ladakh in search of snow leopards, to the Northeast for red panda tracking, and to national parks including Kaziranga, Dudhwa and Ranthambore. He has also guided in southern India, Sri Lanka and Nepal.