4 independent reviews for Gujarat vacations, Asiatic Lions, Blackbuck & Wild Asses
Reviews for Gujarat vacations, Asiatic Lions, Blackbuck & Wild Asses
Bonnie Shirley review 25 Jan 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
All the wildlife and the wonderful lodges I stayed at: 13 Asiatic lions, 7 leopards, a striped hyena, 2 jungle cats, blackbuck, wild asses, and many species of birds. The Blackbuck Lodge and Bera Safari Lodge were amazing places to stay. The Gir Birding Lodge was incredibly accommodating and hospitable.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Take good binoculars and a good camera (if you want decent pictures). If doing early morning safaris, especially in Bera and Little Rann of Kutch, take a warm hat and mittens and a warm coat. I froze some mornings.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
I believe that most of the places I stayed hired locals, and the National Parks definitely had local guides and drivers.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
I had a very good time and everything went smoothly. My driver was excellent and the car in great condition. However, the trip was much too expensive. I met people staying at the same or more expensive places and doing exactly the same thing as I was who were paying much less than I, so that did not make me happy. We compared itineraries and they were even staying longer in India and visiting more places and parks, and still paying less, so I feel that I was taken advantage of even though I did have a great time.Clive Freemantle review 1 May 2017
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
It would be impossible to identify a single highlight- there were so many! Seeing so many leopards, the Asiatic lions, the nesting hornbills, saving a Blackbuck fawn from a pariah dog, the simply superb staff, some truly amazing dishes we tried and people we encountered- simply too much and many to mention.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Take a travel plug, try to get lots of small denomination rupee notes, plenty of insect repellent, budget for high camera fees especially in Velavadar (where it is USD20 per camera per visit, NOT per day!). Incognito incense sticks were very reassuring and watch out for IndiGo air crew for overcharging inflight purchases!3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes definitely4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
SUPERB! One of our best ever! The structure of our vacation could not have been more diverse and better constructed.Susan Holdsworth review 1 Jun 2015
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Being in amongst the crazy traffic and not having to drive...seeing wild leopard in Gir...seeing a bridal party in all their finery...seeing the contrast between wealthy and subsistence living2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Cut down on the distances and only visit 2 parks reasonably close together. India is a big place and traveling takes time3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, lodges employed locals for staff and also provisions4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Very good. The arrangements with the control of the operator were well managed, and the whole experience was so unlike anything we have done beforeEvert Versteeg review 27 May 2014
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
To enter through the gate of the Taj Mahal at dawn with only 8/10 people in front of you. What an amazing place!2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Carefully consider the long distances. We did not realise that the roads in India were in such a bad state that it takes 6 hours to travel a distance of 250km. Although rural India is special it does become a bit boring when having to do it for many, many hours. We would advise against going from Agra all the way to Jim Corbett NP. It is almost 10 hours in the car.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
All people involved were local people, but I do not think there are many non-local people in the tourism industry in India. Not so sure about reducing environmental impact: travel by car. Focus of our vacation was on culture rather than nature. So the conservation aspect was limited.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
We really enjoyed the vacation. Most of the guides were very good, if not excellent. All the drivers were well trained: no use of mobile phones while driving and very pleasant companions. The food was good, especially in the hotel/guesthouse we stayed in near JC National Park.Holiday Reviews
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