Tigers And Cricket Safari with Paul Goldstein: Wildlife Photographic Holiday and a charity game of Cricket

Our Clients’ Reviews

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It's the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you're interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...

Average Review Rating: from 20 reviews.

Lawrence Penheiro

TIGERS AND CRICKET SAFARI WITH PAUL GOLDSTEIN

Written February 2009
The trip surpassed all my expectation from the location and the quality of the lodge to the drivers, guides and of course the sightings of the tigers was truly wonderful. The other great touch was the cricket match with the school which gave the group another point of interest halfway through the tirp and also provided some fond memories of our short interaction with a lovely community, not to mention the good work of exodus in putting something back to where it matters.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
There was one point in the trip where we happened to come across a two young sub-adult tigers two were following a female on heat. The female showed her displeasure and the sounds and sneers from her were chilling and thrilling at the same time. We were all mesmerized by the event which lasted over an hour and left us drained and privileged at the same time.
What did you think of your group leader?
The group leader was a star in ensuring that we all had a good time and learnt something from the trip. He spent time with every member of the group and also made it humorous during the evenings with jokes. His concern for the getting everyone back home with the least impact to everyone spoke volumes about the quality of the trip management and of Exodus the organisation.
Balvinder our assistant group leader was a great help, good company and made sure that any problems or queries were addressed efficiently. A star and a great member of a successful team.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Just enjoy the whole experience of a trip of a lifetime!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
There may be other opportunities to support the local community by getting them to make up a few camera bean bags for the lodges and the jeeps that people can purchase or rent. I had a few made up in the village and knowing that it came from there each time I use it will evoke memories of the trip. More simple ideas to share the benefits of tourist coming into the area will help the community appreciate the value of the park and the tourists. May be it something that the lodge can organise for small personalised items made for Exodus groups depending on the demand at the time. I gave the order for the bean bags at the start of the day and received 6 by the evening.
Darren Medland

TIGERS AND CRICKET SAFARI WITH PAUL GOLDSTEIN

Written January 2009
If a well known Danish brewery did holidays then this would be it! A trip that exceeded all expectations. Excellent guiding, leaders, local staff and drivers that were outstanding. With so many Tiger sightings it's difficult to pick a defining moment! When is the next trip ?
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
With so many Tigers sightings I think seeing the park's Alpha male Tiger B2 coming out of the mist early one morning takes some beating!
What did you think of your group leader?
Local leader Balvinder Singh was excellent always on hand, polite, helpful and courteous. Paul was his usual self, bringing gallons of enthusiasm, commitment and a determination to make sure we all made the most of, if not exceed the photographic bonanza on offer.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Bring plenty of memory cards and a portable viewer/laptop to download too. Buy/borrow the best lens you can afford a 300mm F2.8 with IS/VR/OS wouldn't be out of place.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The local accommodation, food and staff were excellent. Thanks to everyone of my fellow travellers for making this a special trip that will last long in the memory and a tough act to follow!
Gillian Storr

TIGERS AND CRICKET SAFARI WITH PAUL GOLDSTEIN

Written January 2009
Having enjoyed this same trip in 2008, I had no hesitation in booking again for 2009. What can I say it exceeded all my expectations, both in tiger sightings and in the companionship of a great bunch of fellow travellers.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
We were lucky enough to have so many great tiger sightings, but tracking the dominant male, B2, throught the mist on elephant back has to be a highlight. My hands were shaking so hard with excitement that the photos were rubbish, but I will have those memories forever - photographs or not.
What did you think of your group leader?
Our local leader, Balvinder Singh, was terrific. Nothing is too much trouble, from providing bananas on the long train journey to bean bags for camera support in the jeeps, everything is done with a smile.
What can I say about Paul, boundless enthusiasm and passion for the wildlife win out everytime. He wants you to have a photograph you can be proud of and will go to great lenghts to help you achieve it.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Be prepared for early morning, very early, wake up calls!
You will take more photos than you expect, so bring plenty of memory cards or a means of downloading daily.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The staff at Nature Heritage Resort are great, as are the driver/guides in the National Park. Without the drivers' expertise we would see nothing, they seem to have an uncanny ability to know where the tigers are and also once spotted what they will do next.
If you love wildlife and photography, don't hesitate book for next year!
Val Berry

TIGERS AND CRICKET SAFARI WITH PAUL GOLDSTEIN

Written January 2009
An incredible holiday in every respect. The tigers were magnificent, the group was fantastic, the food was amazing and I have now run out of superlatives to describe everything else
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
When I saw my first tiger. It was a very emotional experience to feel so totally priviledged. It was the alpha-male whom Paul hadn't seen for 5 years. He was rolling on his back like a big pussy cat but when I looked at the size of his paws I was dumb struck. Couldn't actually take any photos for a while as tears were streaming down my face.
The cricket match was also a highlight. The enthusiasm those kids had for their game was great. Everyone put their whole heart into it and it was good to see what the money from previous years has done. All credit to Paul for his passion and enthusiasm for getting this project off the ground and also for keeping it going.
What did you think of your group leader?
As usual he takes no prisoners but his dedication, enthusiasm, passion and hard work to ensure we all had good sightings and a marvellous time is admirable
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Make sure you take your thermals if going in January when it is really freezing cold first thing in the morning. They were absolutely essential on the morning game drives although they were shed immediately we returned for brunch. A warm scarf or pashmina was also useful for both mornings and evenings when sitting around the fire. Ludkily a friend had just come back from India the day before I left and she advised me to take lots of warm clothes. I may not have had these with me otherwise and would have suffered with being cold
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Remember this is India and things can get delayed. It is nobody's fault. Just go with the flow and don't get stressed about it. That way you will have a great time like we did
Ann Finch

TIGER SAFARI - SPECIAL TRIP

Written March 2008
The excitement of glimpsing your first elusive and truly wild Tiger in Bandhavgarh makes the long journey worth every hour it took. A country of huge contrasts as you arrive in bustling Delhi then transfer to the apparent chaos of Indian railways to travel through towns, and vast swathes of countryside to Katni station for the transfer by road to Tala - road travel was an experience unique to India!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The charity work to rebuild and improve the school facilities in Tala (a joint project between Exodus and Friends of Conservation), and another charity providing funds to the villagers to compensate for animals lost to Tiger kills.
These two projects should go a long way to help to ensure the success and future of both Tala villagers and the wild Tigers in Bandhavgarh National Park.
What did you think of your group leader?
Paul Goldstein continues to provide exceptional skills at quickly bringing together a relatively large group of people from diverse backgrounds and making it into a fun and informative trip. Balvinder our local guide from Delhi was outstanding, ensuring we had packed meals for the long train journeys, marshalling us at very busy stations organising porters for luggage and generally taking care of anything we might need.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Be prepared for unseasonably cold weather. In February we had frost overnight! Otherwise information contained in the trip notes was accurate.
The charity cricket match (one lunch time between game drives) was a great occasion for the whole village as well as our tour. If you've played cricket before but a bit rusty get some practise in the nets before travelling, if not be prepared to be an official photographer for the match! Everyone gets to take part in some way or another.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
This trip provided the most challenging wildlife photography that I have encountered to date. Wild Tigers are an especially difficult subject, they are timid and unlike the big cats in Kenya do not sit and wait for you to compose shots and try different angles. You have a fleeting moment if you are lucky. Better chance from the back of an elephant but then the angle is all wrong. Would definitely try this again in the future - just to see a wild Tiger is truly amazing, a trip I will never forget.
Amanda Irvine

Amazing space!

Written September 2007
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Absolutely brilliant trip, with fantastic sightings and great photo opportunitys. The food was superb- very important for me!! The leopard completed an already great trip.
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What did you think of your group leader?
Paul is a great guide and superb photographer, and we all got fantastic results because he pushes us and doesn't pamper us, at the end of the day that's what we were all there for: fabulous photos and boy did we get them. I'd rather be kicked into first gear at 4.30 am and get real results, rather than fiddle faddle about being cossetted at 8am when all the animals have buzzed off, had their brekky and we would have missed all the action.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
If you're not into photography and animals then this isn't the one for you, you need staying power and the yearning to get great pictures, otherwise go with A&K!!! The rest of you, this is worth all the serious early morning wake ups, long waits (I'm talking 3 hours) for that Cheetah to hunt, and unbelievably that elusive leopard sighting -worth every minute. And there is nothing quite like breakfast on the savannah.