Firsthand Knowledge
Travel insights written by Sanjeev Sharma
Destination research, hotel inspections and practical advice from journeys across India.
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India Travel Guide
Mahua Kothi, Bandhavgarh: A Taj Safari Lodge That Feels Like Living Inside the Forest
Our firsthand review of Mahua Kothi, A Taj Safari Lodge in Bandhavgarh National Park, after personally inspecting this luxury wildlife lodge.
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India Travel Guide
The Tusker That Held Our Jeep Hostage for 45 Minutes in Bandhavgarh
A tiger sighting turned into a 45-minute standoff with a wild tusker, the real story from our June 2026 Bandhavgarh safari.
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India Travel Guide
Which Tiger Reserve in Central India Gives the Best Tiger Sighting Chances?
Discover which National Park gives you the best tiger sighting chances in Central India.
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India Travel Guide
We Spent 8 Days Inspecting Central India Tiger Reserves So Your Wildlife Trip Has No Surprises
Our ground team inspected four Central India tiger reserves in June 2026.
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India Travel Guide
Best Time to Visit Central India for the Highest Tiger Sighting Chances
Mid-March to June brings peak tiger sightings across Bandhavgarh, Kanha, Pench, and Panna as water sources shrink.
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India Travel Guide
How to Plan a Perfect Tiger Safari in India (2026 Guide)
Planning a tiger safari in India is one of the most rewarding wildlife experiences you can have, but it is also one of the most misunderstood.
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India Travel Guide
Experiencing the Chamba Camp Thiksey Ladakh by TUTC
Set against the dramatic landscape of Ladakh, Chamba Camp Thiksey unfolds quietly, where soft light moves across the valley and the mountains appear almost sculpted.
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Private tours curated by Sanjeev Sharma
Use these thoughtfully paced itineraries as a starting point, then personalize the route, hotels and experiences.
7 Days
Central India Wildlife Tour
Checked in Person
Hotels personally inspected
Properties visited by the Alkof team and assessed for comfort, service, location and suitability.
Luxury Resort
Mahua Kothi, A Taj Safari
Bandhavgarh National Park
Mahua Kothi is a Taj Safari lodge located close to the Tala gate of Bandhavgarh National Park, the zone known for the highest tiger sighting record in the reserve.
View HotelGuest Experiences
What Sanjeev Sharma's travelers say
Firsthand accounts from guests who explored India with our local team.
1 to 3 out of 6 Reviews
Hilly
Netherlands
To make the tiger safari to Bandhavgarh, Kanha and Pench with Alkof Holidays was a unique experience to us. It has a very good price for a complete private tour.To make the tiger safari to Bandhavgarh, Kanha and Pench with Alkof Holidays was a unique experience to us. It has a very good price for a complete private tour. Everything was perfect organized with 24/7 support. When there was any question, they always replied in a few minutes. Anytime of the day, even very late at night. That gave us a very safe feeling. Friendly local guides, good and clean hotels and eco friendly resorts. Everything was perfect. To meet the tigers made of course everything complete. This tour gave us the time of our life and we look forward to make a new trip with this company again.
Harmen
Netherlands
The tiger tour to Bandhavgarh, Kanha and Pench arranged with Alkof Holidays was a very good experience. I realy reccomand other tourists to make a trip with your company.The tiger tour to Bandhavgarh, Kanha and Pench arranged with Alkof Holidays was a very good experience. I realy reccomand other tourists to make a trip with your company. The contact we had via whatsapp was always correct and with good information 🙏. I had an amazing time in India with a great tour in Delhi and memorable tigersafari’s in Bandhavgarh, Kanha and Pench 🐅🤩. Firoz is an excellent driver and a very caring man. Always on time, taking care of the safari’s and ready for having a chat 🥰. The hotels of Aranyak are a very good choice to stay at with a lot of comfort, excellent service and tasteful meals 👌
Michael Mcdowell
Australia
We did 9 Safaris and had our only Tiger sighting on the last one this morning much to our joy. Of course Taj have been superb in service and food and accommodation so 5 stars there.We did 9 Safaris and had our only Tiger sighting on the last one this morning much to our joy. Of course Taj have been superb in service and food and accommodation so 5 stars there. Mr Diamond is a very efficient and accommodating chap and it has been a pleasure to be looked after by him. I would say without a doubt that I will be highly recommending Alkof to any of our friends who are considering a trip to India. Personally, I am very impressed with Sanjeev alacrity and efficiency in answering my questions, kudos to you Sanjeev. Cheers Michael
Hartmut Maichel
Germany
We are having a truly wonderful stay and are very happy with the organization, the tour guide, and the driver. Everything has been organized by Alkof Holidays absolutely brilliantly!
Judith Goodson
Australia
My husband and I have just returned from this amazing private tour with Alkof Holidays. Communication before and during the trip was excellent.My husband and I have just returned from this amazing private tour with Alkof Holidays. Communication before and during the trip was excellent. Having WhatsApp and an eSIM was very helpful, and any questions we had were answered quickly. Internal flights, boarding passes, and transfers were all clearly organized. Our focus was wildlife, but we were also very happy with the accommodation throughout the trip. We stayed at Kavish Gir Lion Resort and Aranyak Resorts near Kanha and Bandhavgarh. The rooms were spacious, the food was excellent, and the staff were always welcoming. Be prepared for some long road journeys and flights, but they are all part of the adventure. We appreciated arriving at the national park gates early each morning, as the cooler hours provided the best wildlife viewing opportunities. The wildlife sightings exceeded all expectations. At Gir National Park, we saw an incredible 26 Asiatic lions, including cubs, along with jackals, mongoose, wild boar, and many beautiful bird species. At Bandhavgarh, we were fortunate to spot six tigers, as well as Indian gaur, owls, hornbills, eagles, and vultures. One of the most memorable moments was watching a magnificent tiger slowly cross the road directly in front of our safari vehicle. Alkof Holidays and India made this trip truly unforgettable. We highly recommend Alkof Holidays to wildlife lovers and would happily travel with them again. A few tips for future travelers: bring binoculars, a good camera, and some extra tissues or toilet paper. We were also advised that mobile phones are not permitted during safaris in India's national parks, which was not an issue for us as keen photographers.
Eric Preston
USA
I was in India for business, Alkof Holidays was able to arrange a custom itinerary based on where I was, when I was available, and what I was interested in. When I wanted to make an adjustment mid-trip they helped out for no extra charge.I was in India for business, Alkof Holidays was able to arrange a custom itinerary based on where I was, when I was available, and what I was interested in. When I wanted to make an adjustment mid-trip they helped out for no extra charge. I will not hesitate to use them again.