Planning a Wildlife Tour

Planning a wildlife safari in India? Confused from where to start? Search engines are loaded with information about planning safaris, booking accommodation and transportation. But the real fight is getting a safari ticket. 

Tourists on a tiger safari in India

Travel bloggers from all over the globe have been visiting and writing about Indian wildlife. Some call it adventure while others term it as an excursion. “Things to carry” and “What to do and what not” articles are readily available all over the web. But all this comes to help only when you’ve decided the destinations and your itinerary.

So first decide the destination according to your choice and interest.

Indian Golden Jackal at Kanha Tiger Reserve, India

This can be a tiring and confusing process as not every member travelling with you has the same interest. Some might look for birds and some might go after the big cats. It is beaches for some and mountains to the rest. India is a large nation with diverse destinations. So plan your travel according to your need, time and pocket. If you’re looking for Asiatic Lions go to Gir National Park in Gujarat, and if you’re interested in bird watching, Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary is the place for you.

Once you know what interests the group and have shortlisted the destinations you would like to explore, you can start the booking process accordingly. 

A tiger cub trying to make a kill.

Booking your hotel, transportation and safari rides can be taken care of by good destination management companies which follow the responsible eco-tourism policies. I would recommend  companies that are certified by TOFT (Travel Operators For Tigers) and follow the guidelines of responsible travel in India.

It does not end here. Stay and transportation is half job done, the purpose of the visit follows – The Jungle Safari!

A joy ride as it may seem, is only possible if you have the ticket to the roller-coaster. Safaris are booked well in advance and it is a first come, first serve process. Tiger reserves have several zones which are further divided by a number of entry gates. Each zone and gate has its positives and negatives. Some are good for tiger watching and some are birding paradise. While the topography of some many render you speechless. 

Tigress at Bandhavgarh National Park, India

The safari tour company can make bookings for your wildlife game drive according to your interest zone. But what matters is the time. If you’re booking months before your travel, you might be able to get the best seats for yourself. This does not guarantee any sightings but sure gives an edge above the rest. 

My suggestions would be to ask the tour service provider to inquire the availability of the zones. They do this on a daily basis and are good at it. They have their team of naturalists and birding guides who are regular visitors to the parks and have deep knowledge about sighting of tigers and leopards. They even excel at birding in these areas and can help you find your targeted species. It is highly recommended for readers to engage one for their trip. 

Brahminy Shelduck at Pench National Park, India

Take out some time and discuss your plan and your targeted checklist with your naturalist. Ask them more about the place. They might be able to help you add more to your list. Some of the local facts and findings which are not even on web articles are known to them. Their experience will surely come in handy.

The other half for a complete memorable experience is good sightings and great pictures you take back with you. 

Destination recommendation:

• Asiatic Lions: Gir National Park, Gujarat.

• Royal Bengal Tigers: Kanha and Bandhavgarh, Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra and Ranthambore ,Rajasthan.

• Rhinoceros: Kaziranga National Park, Assam

• Wild Ass: Little Rann of Kutch, Gujarat.

• Birds: Keoladeo National Park, Rajasthan

The New King!

As they say time never stops for anyone. Bamera took over his father’s dynasty in no time. He made his plans clear when he started visiting the grasslands of Tala. He has been known for aggressively expanding his empire’s frontiers. In 2010, Bamera came up front with his father B2. The father was badly wounded and had to step back. With the death of B2 in 2011, it was time for all to bow down to the new king in Bandhavgarh!

It is very hard for tiger cubs to survive till maturity. To get rid of the future rivals cubs lose their lives to males other than their own father. Some vanish in search of a safer haven and never return to their usual territory while some go missing forever. Poached or even killed in territorial mishaps.

Born to a very courageous mother Chakra, Bamera had to leave tala at a very young age in search of territory. B2 was in his prime and was not letting any tiger intrude, be it his own son. Bamera had to fight his way up the chain of command. It was B2’s own blood who could take on him and conquer him. With time he grew and was all set to win it from his father.

The ancestry of “Charger” and “B2” has now passed on to all together a new generation of tigers. Today the new king has taken over most of the region of Tala. The king has about 5 females in his kingdom. Bamera keeps exploring his dynasty, while keeping an eye out for his enemies and has built his empire strong and safe for his cubs to grow. 

Here are a few pictures I have clicked of Bamera.

Bamera near Siddhababa temple, Bandhavgarh National Park.

Adios B2!

B2, a name that does not need any introduction. A name that will never fade with time. He will always be remembered as one of the friendliest tigers of India. A tiger who reigned for more than a decade in Bandhavgarh will always be missed by all wildlife lovers. It is not because he reigned for more than a decade but for the greatness of tiger himself. I waited hours and hours for 10 years to get a glimpse of him. But I consider myself more than lucky to have seen him and photograph him.

It was until April 2010 when B2 for the first time faced a rival who was able to push him back from his own kingdom. He was lucky to have survived as age was catching up and B2 was a soft target for all the males trying to establish their territories.
With time B2 realized that it was for his own good not to fight for territory and move. He moved to the outer parts of tala where there was no or very less competition. His own cubs (mirchehi) were too small to put a fight against him so as B2 decided this was the best place for him. After settling for a smaller territory near Damna, which is one of the most sensitive areas of Bandhavgarh B2 made regular cattle kills. The security of B2 was of prime importance to the forest department here. But he survived. Until one day when he was attacked by another male where B2 was seriously injured. B2 was again pushed back and was found 22 kms away from his regular territory.

With wounds all over his body, B2 wasn't able to move. B2 was tranquilized and was being shifted to his normal territory where on the way he took his last breath. The post-mortem report suggested that he had not eaten since 15 days and was very weak after the mishap. It is still not clear as to which tiger had a fight with B2. But it is the simplest rule of the wild “Survival of the fittest”. B2 will always be remembered as a ruler, a king, a true Maharaja of Bandhavgarh.

The hunting grounds of Bandhavgarh will never see him roam again! Here are few pictures I could manage to click of the Maharaja. The best way I can pay a tribute to my favorite tiger, who once ruled Bandhavgarh!!

B2 crossing the road near Damnar river. Photograph December 2010.

B2 near Badi Gufa. Photograph May 2010.

B2's pug. Photograph May 2011.

B2 resting under a tree on a summer afternoon. Photograph May 2011.