Peter Kemp review 27 Feb 2013
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
We went on this holiday in the hope of seeing a Tiger. Not only did we see one on the first day but had the privilege of seeing a total of ten tigers in three different National Parks. We actually followed a large male tiger along a track for more than half an hour while he sniffed and scent marked his way along. An experience never to forget.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Don't go expecting to see everything but enjoy the whole experience. There is so much to see.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Local people were involved in all aspects of this holiday and therefore they did benifit from it.On top of that the operator funds a local school which we visited. It was great too.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Absolutely brilliant. Great leader, well organised, accommodation and food great.
Gaynor Jean-Louis review 3 Apr 2013
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
We enjoyed every minute of this holiday, although seeing a tiger for the first time was amazing.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes absolutely, local people were employed as much as possible.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
10 out of 10.
Chris Sparkman review 23 Mar 2012
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The skill and knowledge of our birding guide was exceptional, enabling us to see 170 species of birds during our visit.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Be prepared for some intensive birding.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
To a certain extent.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
The holiday overall was very enjoyable, with some good locations, notable Munar and the Hornbill Camp. The final leg to Ooty was OK, but probably not worth the long journey to get there. One point that needs addressing at the Hornbill camp was that our room was not cleaned or tidied during the 3 days we were there.
Andrew Rundgren review 2 Nov 2011
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The most amazing part was seeing the Tigers in the wild and being consumed by their beauty and power. I also enjoyed the historic parts of the trip and the taj was amazing.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
I would recommend that the best time to go on the trip is in feb and after. The bush is very dense at the moment and with the amount of water about tiger sightings can be hard work. I would also measure their expectations as a number of our group didn't get the concept it is a wild animal and that a lot of the sightings had an element of luck to it. The guide was amazing and it was really impressive with the way he dealt with us.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes, I believe it does, without the tourism the tigers will cease to exist. It is an important part in protecting the numbers. The locals also get jobs through the reserves.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
It was excellent. I do think that the travel companies should make sure some of
the older people know what they are getting themselves into. We had a number of
people. We had amazing experience.
John Emerton review 23 Feb 2005
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The excitement of seeing Tigers in the wild, was wonderful, we did not expect to be able to get as close as we did on the elephant, and each sighting was as exciting as the last. Ranthambore was disappointing, as this was the Reserve features on TV, showing Tigers, we had no sightings but others did. We put this down to the "cantors" being too large and noisy, others viewed from jeeps. To my mind, the best Reserve, with the most sightings, was Kanha. The open, grassy spaces were ideal viewing habitat and we saw Tigers on two occasions in that area. The elephant view was magnificent, as we were only yards away from a male Tiger and its Sambur kill, another sighting was very brief. There was also more other wildlife see, Guar, to name but one.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Be prepared for long journeys by train and coach, uncomfortable with the roads being so bad. An opportunity to upgrade to first class in the sleeper train, would have been appreciated, an idea for the future!!
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
The Reserves seem to employ local people, especially Kanha, bringing income to the locals. Everyone was careful not to cause upsets to the locale.
Overall the holiday was most enjoyable, the long journeys are all part of the adventure, and have to be endured. We flew Business class, for the extra comfort, we were upgraded to First class to Muscat, that was a pleasant surprise. The flights were comfortable but the six hours stopover in Muscat needs to be avoided, if possible, or optional fights offered.
