Tadoba Homestay Cottage

I loved my stay at Tadoba Homestay Cottage. The hosts Shehnaz and Suleiman really went above and beyond to help me out in so many ways, for example making me special rice flour chapatis (as I can't eat gluten), taking me to see a festival procession that was going on the village, giving me cloves and delicious ginger and turmeric tea to help with my cough, getting up very early to sort out my safari ... I could go on for a long time. The food was delicious and healthy, made from scratch with organic produce from the weekly village market. I had all my meals there and I'd say it was the best food I've had on my trip so far. It was also very reasonably priced. Guests who are interested in cooking are welcome to watch and learn how the food is prepared. The accommodation is no-frills but homely and comfortable (with air-conditioning if you need it, though I didn't in January), in the middle of the village and only a short walk from the Junona and Moharli gates. On my first afternoon, Suleiman walked down to the Junona gate with me to show me where things were, and we saw a leopard streaking past, just inside the gate! The next day, I went for morning and afternoon safaris and was lucky enough to see tigers both times. I've been on a few safaris in different national parks in India but never seen a tiger, so this was a dream come true! (A quick note about safaris which I didn't realise when I arrived. You're supposed to book around 2 months in advance for your place to be guaranteed - if you just turn up you have to queue up just beforehand and see if places are available. I was able to go on both the morning and afternoon safaris without having booked but I don't know if this is typical.) Shehnaz and Suleiman are very knowledgeable about Tadoba and its wildlife so the homestay is perfect for nature enthusiasts. Shehnaz has a lot of experience as a safari guide and was the first female guide in the state of Maharashtra, very impressively! Suleiman is particularly knowledgeable about the birdlife of the area and has written/photographed a guide to the birds of Tadoba. He also writes news about the reserve on the website vansamachar.com. I don't normally write reviews this long but I think this is a really special place. I hope to return to Tadoba soon and stay there again.