Day 3 - Final day - 01 June 2017
.
This was our day of taking a morning safari trip to best of 3
regions of Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, the Tala region. The anticipation was
written large on our faces (obviously of sightseeing Tigers) when we got up at
0420 to board safari gypsy which was to come at 0500 hrs.
 |
| Early Morning at Mogali Resort |
 |
| Mogali's Jungle |
The resort had provided us a cup of tea at 0445 as committed to
us the previous day. As we had our tea the gypsy was there, dot on time. Since
we were already ready with our cameras and binoculars, we boarded the vehicle
and started for Tala gate.
 |
| Waiting in Anticipation Tala gate |
After verification of identity (by examination of Aadhar card)
we waited for the gate to open. Gate opened at 0600 and we were in to a lush
green beautiful forest bathing in soft morning Sundays and morning light chill.
Chirping of birds all over the forest was a bonus.
 |
| Where are the Fish |
What Colours?
 |
| Perfect Stillness |
 |
| Two are a company |
 |
| Keeping an Eye |
 |
| Snow Capped Mountains at Tala? Just some clouds |
As the vehicle progressed the lush green landscape gave way to
hilly terrain and back to lush green plains. There was lot of bird activity but
being early morning and lush green trees with thick canopy reduced the chance
of sighting them.
 |
| I am Around - A Pug Mark |
 |
| I am so Happy |
 |
| How do I Look |
In the mean time the driver got news of Tiger cub sighting at some
place. Our gypsies immediately changed directions towards that area. Going
there, it was a “wait n watch” time for us. There was a trainee elephant
tracking that cub and we were tracking the elephant.
During waiting for the Cub we also found a Hornbill (hope I identified it
correctly) sitting atop a leaf less tree. That got photographed to best of our
ability in wildlife photography.
 |
| Under trainee Elephant |
 |
| An Eagle |
 |
| Meditation |
 |
| Should I fly away |
 |
| Still Thinking |
 |
| Horn Bill |
 |
Run, they are coming
|
 |
| Hush, Finally crossed safely |
After a prolonged wait some of us saw motion of that cub at a
long distance but that was all we could see. This was supposed to be a cub from
a group of 3 young cubs of 12 month age and tigress mom.
Getting tired of the wait we decided to go to “central point”,
a real central point to all four routes (each safari vehicle is allotted a
specific route in the forest out of four routes, A, B, C and D). Another
important point is, this is the only place where one can get down from the
safari vehicle, go to toilet (both ladies and gents toilets are available) and
have a cup of tea or have some thing to eat.
 |
| Don't have Any Doubts |
Even before we are done with our cup of tea our driver got to
know of sighting of another group of a tigress and her three cubs (about two
years old but still dependent on their mom) in a place called Andhiyari Ziriya
(a spring of that name). Some photos taken enroute are posted below.
 |
| View from the Center Point |
 |
| A Beauty - Name unknown to me |
That made us gulp our time and quickly mount the vehicle and
rush. The driver and guide got busy looking for tigers. The warning calls of
the monkeys were getting louder. After some time they sighted another elephant
with some people on the back (how does one get this elephant ride at
Bandhavgarh is a mystery to me despite many inquiries). And as they watched the
elephant (who was possibly tracking the tiger) a tiger was also noticed moving
towards the road where our Gypsies were standing.
What a view that was. The majestic Tiger (actually a tigress as
we were to realize later) kept walking in proud steps and nonchalantly crossed
the road right next to our vehicles and soon vanished in the jungle.
Our guide was very experienced one (as stated by our driver)
who soon realised that this tiger will have to reappear around Andhiyari Ziria
area. He guided the driver to that area.
At Andhiyari Ziria we were not alone. There were about six to
seven gypsies who arrived almost with us (and we were told some impatient
visitors saw the single cub and left the forest to return to their hotels, just
few gypsies was a possible confirmation). Then the wait started.
The Omni present big elephant was seen in the area (how easy it
was to sight Tigers atop an elephant, I wish I had one) but the wait was still
on. We were rewarded for the wait. There was a tiger (rather tigress) walking
through the Nullah that flew from the mountain to plain and passed through this
point. The tigress was moving from downstream to upstream towards mountains
taking her time and resting in the Nullah water to cool herself. We waited with
breath held for her to progress towards us and then on to hills.
 |
| Here comes the Queen of the Jungle |
 |
| Walking on |
 |
| Waiting for Some One? |
We did not know then what lucky we had turned out to be until
we saw another tiger (her cub number 1) following her. Then came the second cub
and the third. We could not believe that we are seeing not one, not two but
four Tigers walking in the Nullah as if attending a parade walking one after
the other in a straight line.
 |
| Bonus Three |
 |
| Wait, Where are you going? |
 |
| Perfect Synch |
 |
| Where is our Mom |
What a magnificent sight it was. They paused in the Nullah for
a while, rested on the ground for a while and continuing their journey towards
the hills in a seniority order with their mom in the lead.
 |
| Let me Sit and Think |
 |
| Its Too Hot in Tala |
Slowly, steadily and majestically they walked over the ground
parallel to Nullah (as our gypsies were on the bridge on the Nullah) to there
destination, each one crossing the road behind our vehicle. A sight to behold
and cherish for days to come. In all the sighing was for about 30 minutes of
visual treat.
 |
| Leading the Pack |
 |
| Time to March |
 |
| Boys, Lets Go |
 |
| Let Me follow my Mom |
 |
| Tired of Bathing |
 |
| Commanding Steps |
 |
| I don't bother about you all |
 |
| Marcthing on to My Den |
Bidding good bye to the tigress and her 3 cubs we reluctantly
turned our vehicle out of that area. It was already about 1000 hrs. Crossing
the territory of the forest, watching few more birds, spotted deers, Sambhar,
Monkeys and wild boar we returned to the main gate at about 1045. It was a very
enjoyable trip to Tala range of Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve with a absolutely
huge bonus of sighting four grand Royal Bengal Tigers.
It was then a return to Mogali Jungle Resort, lunch and the
return trip to Jabalpur. This trip took us four hours including a stop over.
In the end of this narrative which I enjoyed putting together I
can only say “guys and girls, just come out of your comfort zone and go and
meet the Kings (and Queens) of the Jungle at Bandhavgarh. Only advice is, get
online safari booking at forest@mponline and then tailor your plan of travel
accordingly. Else you will have to endure a few hour's hardship पर safari for
current booking as I did endure.
Lastly, there was a board at the exit of the range which said’
“Perhaps you may noy have seen me but please don't be disappointed, I have seen
you” (see photo below). There lies the key to happiness when one visits the
tiger reserve at Bandhavgarh or elsewhere. Happy Safaris.
PS - Some answers to questions one would like to ask.
Best time to visit a Tiger Reserve - from April to Start of the Monsoon when water shortage in the deep forest brings out all animals into open at few water points in the forest.
Among Pench, Kamha and bandhavgarh (My ratings)
Beauty in descending order - Kanhs, Bandhavgarh, Pench
Chance of Tiger sighting in Descending Order - Bandhavgarh (highest per capita tigers by area), Pench, Kanha (Ever green forest)
