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

What can you expect on a Tiger Safari in Bandhavgarh?

When it comes to tiger sighting, Bandhavgarh Reserve is the first choice of tourists coming to India.  Tiger spotting is fairly easy due to the high density of tigers found in the park. The land of Charger and B2 has never disappointed. The legend of Sita and Charger is not new to anyone. The couple raised several litters in their kingdom before Sita fell to a trap of poachers in 1998. The tigers we see today in Bandhavgarh are the bloodline of the royal couple.

Tiger in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, India

Today, the jungle holds a population of about 60 tigers in the tourism area. The area open to tourists is divided in 3 core zones viz. Tala, Magdhi and Khitauli. The buffer is further divided into 3 zones which are Pachpedi, Dhamokhar and Panpatha. The manmade barriers, gates and zones are no hindrance to a territorial cat like Tiger. Every zone and route is its territory.

The forest department of Madhya Pradesh takes care of safari bookings in Bandhavgarh. The vehicles are limited to 20 in each of the tourism zone. The department offers two safaris everyday viz. Morning and Evening. Open jeeps carrying a maximum of 6 guests enter the park in each round. The guests are accompanied by a driver and guide for help and guidance.

Tourists waiting to see tiger in Bandhavgarh

The umbrella species which marks a healthy eco-system is the Royal Bengal Tiger. The continued presence of a predator is an indicator of a good prey base. Mammals like Spotted Deer (Cheetal), Swamp Deer (Sambar), Barking Deer or Muntjac, Bluebull (Nilgai) makes the prey base of Bandhavgarh. Tourists on safari drives come across several deer herds of hundreds.

The forest also has a good population of the elusive of all cats the leopard. They are for sure difficult to sight, but seeing in the wild is an experience of a lifetime. Even the safari naturalists and drivers are excited to spot the rosettes. No less than a tiger, leopards are masters of the ecosystem.

Primarily nocturnal, the Sloth Bears' often joins the party in broad daylight. They can be seen in the meadows carrying their young ones on their back. Game drive through the thickets also gives a chance to see Wild Boars. They fall under the prey category and are favorite food of the predators. A forest with tigers has the more to offer than one without.

Like any other national park in Central India, Bandhavgarh is a tropical moist deciduous forest with Sah tl as dominant species along with the mixed forests. It has a variety of trees, and vegetation changes with topography. The dominant of all Sal Shorea Robusta and Bamboo Dendrocalamus strictus covers a large chunk of the forest land. Trees like Flame of the Forest Butea Monosperma (Palash or Tesu in Hindi), Crocodile Bark Tree Terminalia Elliptica (Known as Saja or Saaj in Hindi), and Indian Ghost Tree Sterculia Urens (Called Kullu in Hindi) are fairly common. Visitors who have already been to a tiger reserve in Madhya Pradesh are familiar with these names. Apart from large patches of Bamboo, the grasslands extended to the horizon are a treat to the eyes.

Photograph of Vishnu idol in Bandhavgarh

A visit to Shesh-saiya which is nearly half way to the fort is highly recommended. A drive through the lush green valley in a four by four Maruti Gypsy is an experience in itself. What awaits on the other side is worth the an adventure drive.  A 32 feet reclining Vishnu idol resting amidst deep forest leaves the visitor enchanted.

The lifeline of Bandhavgarh - Charan Ganga, originates here and flows across the forest spreading water to every nook and corner of the park. Mother to several lakes, ponds, waterholes and wetlands in tiger territory there are around 12 manmade talabs (ponds) built on the tabletop mountain from which the river originates.

Visitors are not allowed beyond Sheyya Shaiya. Some attractions which are now closed for guests are Bandhavdheesh Temple, Kabir Temple and sightseeing spots like the Suicide point. A paradise for bird watchers, it is the breeding ground of the Malabar Pied Hornbills.

Haven to around 300 species of avifauna Bandhavgarh is a bird watchers treat. Birding can be done from the open vehicle while tracking tigers in the core. But tourists are not allowed to walk in the core. The meadows, grasslands and waterholes are very rich in avifauna. The forest is a hotspot if you are looking for the Blue-bearded Bee-eater.

A walk in the buffer area can get you some rare findings. Close to the village ponds, waders in

Oriental White-eye found during a birding trip

good number arrive in the winters. Not only winter visitors, the jungle also shelters summer migrant species like Indian Pitta, Banded-bay Cuckoo and Eurasian Cuckoo. A widespread resident Mottled-wood Owl can be found near these water bodies.

The stories narrated by guides and drives are endless. Bandhavgarh awaits a new event to happen every day. Each safari is a beginning of a new episode, full of adventure and fun-filled experiences.
Come to India, Come to Bandhavgarh!  

A view of the Jungle from the Bandhavgarh fort

The Spotted Cat - Leopard in Bandhavgarh!

I have seen and photographed many tigers. But finding a leopard in the wild is always special. Known to be very shy and elusive, leopards are masters in tricking anyone.

The jungle of Bandhavgarh holds a very high density of tigers. With so many tigers around leopards are even harder to sight. Though not many tourists and photographers choose Khitauli zone for their safari, I recommend it as the best zone in Bandhavgarh to see leopards. In my personal experience, I have always seen a leopard on my drives to Khitauli. I've come across a couple in courtship, cubs, males wandering around and all. 

The forest department in Bandhavgarh has closed nearly half of the area in Khitauli after the Apex Court ordered for limiting the tourist area. But Khitauli is still by far the best area, mostly unexplored and a birders paradise.

The leopard at Bandhavgarh

Marjatgarh, an area situated in the centre of Khitauli has a watch-tower from where you can have a bird’s eye-view of the jungle. We planned to visit marjatgarh, as there are some water bodies near the area which attract tigers and other animals. On our way to marjatgarh, all happened in a flash. Here we were right in front of a male leopard who was trying to cross the road. Stood right in front of our vehicle and then rushed towards the other end of the road. Before it vanished in the thick forest it turned around, posed and walked away. What a sight it was!

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