Akshay grew up in Pune, India, where forested hills, rugged plateaus and ancient forts formed his outdoor playground. Weekend treks and birdwatching trips soon turned into a lifelong fascination with the wild. He began volunteering with local nature groups, trained as a rock climber and completed a course in ornithology, discovering how deeply every creature is connected to its habitat. Inspired by mentors who shared tales from India’s jungles, Akshay decided to turn his curiosity into a career and trained as a professional safari naturalist.

He began guiding in Kanha National Park and has since explored some of India’s most diverse landscapes, from tiger forests to bird-rich wetlands and desert dunes. Akshay has led photo expeditions, school nature programs and inclusive trips designed for travelers with special needs, always bringing energy, patience and enthusiasm to the field.

Photography is Akshay’s favorite way to slow down and truly see the wild. Starting with a small pocket camera, he learned to frame nature’s quieter stories, from dew-covered flowers to a tiger’s silent stare. Today he enjoys helping guests master their cameras and create images that hold both beauty and meaning.

Akshay believes guiding is about creating genuine connections with nature, with people and with the moment. He aims to make every expedition feel like a shared adventure, where guests don’t just see wildlife but understand the stories unfolding around them. His hope is that travelers slow down, observe deeply and return home with a sense of awe and a shared responsibility to protect the places and species they encountered.