10 independent reviews for Central India vacation, culture and wildlife
Reviews for Central India vacation, culture and wildlife
Zoe Davies review 23 Feb 2026
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
I really can’t thank Saurabh from the tour operator enough. Our trip was utterly brilliant from start to finish. First and foremost, the biodiversity and landscapes were stunning. The mammal sightings, particularly tigers and leopards, far exceeded our hopes and expectations. The birding was also brilliant. The backdrop to this was similarly fantastic – the people, food and places we stayed in. Tathastu, Bandhavgarh. This was probably our favorite accommodation. Our cottage was very comfortable, spacious and quiet. The food was amazing! The staff soon realised that we just wanted to have Indian food and we were totally spoilt for choice - it was all delicious and a real highlight of the trip. The service and attention to detail were great. The whole team were lovely, but Debasish was particularly kind and engaged, taking the time to look after us throughout our stay. Shergarh, Kahna. The setting was beautiful, as were the tents. Getting to hang out with Vipul was a high point of the entire trip. He was so generous with his time and knowledge - we learnt so much from him in all regards (wildlife, conservation across the region, food, culture). We also laughed with him a lot. He was a delight to hang out with. Jungle Camp, Pench. The accommodation is a bit tired, but fine. The staff were good. Reni Pani, Satpura. The cottage was beautiful and very comfortable. The staff were all very attentive. The food was diverse, plentiful and tasty. We loved visiting and learning about all the parks, each one being unique and stunning its own right, but Satpura was the standout. Totally magic. This is partly because there are far fewer safari vehicles around in the core and buffer areas. Being on the water in the Reni Pani boat was also extraordinary and led to some truly remarkable sightings (e.g. a tiger chasing a couple of sambar deer into the water and then resting at the waters edge, having breakfast while watching a female leopard and her two large cubs for a couple of hours). George was completely brilliant. We loved spending time with him, as well as him being a talented naturalist. The Bhimbetka caves were a delight and well worth visiting on our way to Bhopal. Jehan Numa Retreat was also a great location to pause before the journey back to the UK. We have no hesitation in recommending this tour operator to our friend and will definitely be in touch about booking up a future trip in the coming years. Saurabh really is brilliant at what he does!2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
It was totally and utterly superb!Talitha Soldera review 3 Feb 2026
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Seeing wild animals up close and personal.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Be prepared for chilly mornings and bumpy rides and be patient if you don't see wildlife right away.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, local lodges grow their own food and employ people from the surrounding area.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Excellent.Louise Cox review 9 May 2025
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Seeing the wildlife! Every time we saw something it was just amazing. We felt incredible lucky and privileged to see so much wildlife in their natural habitat.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
To remember to put your camera down and just observe the wildlife. The pics are never as good as witnessing it first hand. Being present in the moment and a good pair of binoculars are a must!3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, very much.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
10/10Sharon Montgomery review 19 May 2024
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
There were so many but what stood out to me was being able to go to the Elephant Sancturary in Jaipur where I had and incredible experience with the elephants along with many fantastic tiger sightings along the way with Rhinos and other wildlife.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
For anyone interested in ancient culture and who loves wildlife this would be an excellent journey to take.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, I benefited the local community, economy and supported conservation by taking this journey.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
This was an exceptional, interesting, fantastic, awesome experience. I would give it 10 stars if I could!Sam Lowe review 15 Feb 2024
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
There were memorable moments on every day, each safari providing something different. Tigers are an obvious highlight, but we also saw leopards, dozens of birds, wild fogs, and even a pangolin.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
My main tip would be to book it! If you have an interest in nature you will be very satisfied.The only other thing would be to be aware of the tipping culture expectation ahead of time so this can be budgeted for as an additional, though not too substantial, cost.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
There were definitely benefits to local people, you could tell Saurabh had cultivated strong relationships with them in each location. Environmental impact and conservation were inherent to the nature reserves purposes and the ethos of locations we visited. Jeep rides unavoidable but were pooled.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
This was a fantastic trip, it over-delivered on my expectations. Saurabh was incredible throughout. He is extremely knowledgeable and alert in the field, but also very good company. He went out of his way to help us with any challenges including before and after our time with him.Neil Kendall review 10 Jan 2024
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
We got to see tigers as advertised.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Read the supporting information carefully. If traveling in winter it can be very cold.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Excellent!!Sue Kramer review 29 Nov 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Both the temples/culture and the national parks even though we only saw one tiger and one leopard after 14 game drives the experience was amazing2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Just absorb everything you see. India has so much to offer3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Definitely benefitted local people and supported conservation. Environmental impact would be helped with less jeeps in the park but the tourism is obviously needed4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
ExcellentJeff Moore review 7 Nov 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Khajuraho temples2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Spend an extra night in Khajuraho to go on a tiger safari.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Not really4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Very good. Everyone turned up on time.Read the operator's response here:
Hello Jeff,
Thanks a lot for your review.
I want to emphasise our strong commitment as a company to conducting our tours with responsibility. We go the extra mile to minimize our environmental impact by actively working on reducing and offsetting carbon emissions. Our approach also involves being considerate of delicate ecologies, wildlife, and their habitats.
We actively support local economies by opting for locally managed accommodations that employ local staff. Throughout your tour, all guides, drivers and hotel staff were local, fostering a close relationship that enables us to reinvest in the communities we visit.
The vehicles used on your tour adhere to strict emissions regulations, whether it's the Euro standards set by the European Union or the Bharat emission control regulations mandated by the Indian Environment Ministry. This not only helps limit carbon emissions but also ensures the comfort and safety of our passengers.
Your visit to the historical and heritage sites on the tour contributed directly to the maintenance and restoration of the unique places in a form of the entry fee. I hope this provides you with valuable insights into our commitment to conducting tours in line with our Responsible Travel policy.
Best regards,
Saurabh
Rossol Bourisli review 9 Mar 2020
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The hotels.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Take light snacks the Indian food was heavy for us all.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Excellent.Barry Hunter review 13 Mar 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Seeing tigers at Bandhavgarh and staying in some wonderful accommodation.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Avoid the cities as much as possible (very difficult though as that's essential to get flights etc!!) Be prepared for the early morning starts for the game drives3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, produce bought from local villagers and people employed from the villages at the various places we stayed. Green/Eco approaches in the rural areas.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
It was terrific!!Holiday Reviews
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