Last Updated on December 5, 2019 by asoulwindow
MY FIRST TIGER SAFARI: BUDGET TRIP TO BANDHAVGARH NATIONAL PARK, MADHYA PRADESH INCREDIBLE INDIA!
This blog is about my first successful Tiger safari in Bandhavgarh National Park in Budget. It is situated in Madhya Pradesh, Incredible India.
We approached Bandhavgarh National Park late night from a short cab drive from Jabalpur. After making Dhaba stops at interesting places, we entered the pitch dark pathways of the forest. Deers ran past swiftly, their eyes shining when met with the headlights of the car. Suddenly the car gets stuck on a large stone. I came out of the car, secretly scared that a Tiger will snatch me and drag me to the dense dark jungle. None of that drama happened. We crashed into our bed, shivering thanks to the extreme North Indian winters.
THE NEXT MORNING AT BANDHAVGARH NATIONAL PARK:
The uncanny silence had cast its spell on the dense forest of Bandhavgarh. As we sat like statues in the safari jeep, holding our breaths alongwith other creatures of the jungle, a faint grumble made us skip a heart beat. I suspected it was a tiger roar. Just as I was anticipating my first Tiger sighting in the wild, Joanna, the Polish co- traveler who accompanied us suddenly blurted, “Guys, chill, it’s the tummy of one of us!” Laughing out loud would have been a mistake. We settled for constipated smiles and concentrated on hearing a real roar.
The guide was unperturbed by our tomfoolery. He focused on each sound the jungle made. A peacock call! A monkey haphazardly jumping over branches. With every movement of a tiger, the inhabitants of the forest unite. The different species communicate with each other and their own kind about the looming presence of the predator.
After waiting for sometime in futile, the guide moved the jeep to another spot. He told us that the probability of seeing a tiger is high on that spot. We waved to other weary and grumpy wildlife enthusiasts on another jeep. They looked disappointed as they punished themselves in the chilly North Indian winter morning just for a glimpse of the elusive tiger.
As we stopped behind a slew of safari jeeps, populated with anxious travelers, we were told that a Tiger roar was heard sometimes back. A half-hearted roar welcomed us minutes after parking ourselves. A real one! We were told that a tigress and three sub adults were lazing behind a bush! Is it this bush? Or that corner? Goosebumps ran through our hands as we realized that we are very close to 4 tigers. We waited patiently, almost forgetting to keep breathing!
A sudden commotion disturbed our meditative search for tiger. Here it was! A sub adult tiger suddenly walking in the middle of the dirt track! Unfortunately we faced the other direction. We turned our backs in a jiffy. Unperturbed by the human presence and all the unsolicited attention, the Tiger moved arrogantly in a self important way. He walked without making any eye contact, with a swagger fit only for the King Of The Jungle. Within few seconds, he disappeared in the thick forest, leaving us with lasting memories. It will be always special to me he was the first Tiger I spotted in the wild.
Making the effort to travel all the way from Mumbai, waking up on a freezing winter morning in the middle of the jungle, skipping breakfast; all made sense now.
My maiden Tiger was successful maybe due to the beginner’s luck. I did more safaris after this in other National Parks and missed the tigers by few minutes. The famous Bandhavgarh National Park is famous not only for its celebrity tigers but also for its heritage sites and rich history. I had planned to visit the fort in the forest. However, it was closed thanks to an annual religious fair where Kabirpanthi congregated and made music!
As our Tiger obsession met its satiating end, we made sure we appreciate the other gems Bandhavagarh has to offer. An Asian paradise flycatcher showed up and vanished instantly, as if it never appeared. This is one of the most beautiful birds I have seen in India. A long and bright tail and a crown perched on its head gives it the aura of ‘Queen of the jungle.’
We came across an open grassland. Monkeys and spotted deers had huddled around a mahua tree. It was a symbiotic relationship. Deers and monkeys are always found near each other. They alert each other of the presence of a predator. The monkeys drop fruits as they feed or jump over the branches. This helps the deers gain access to the fruits on tall tree. This strategic arrangement amused me with the ways of the jungle. We also spotted the spotted deers, monkeys, swamp deer, peacocks etc.
FACT FILE
Best time to go to Bandhavgarh National Park: The Bandhavgarh National Park is open for wildlife safari from October to June every year.
How to reach Bandhavgarh National Park on a budget:
I arrived at Jabalpur from Mumbai via train. It is also connected with other metro cities like New Delhi and small cities. I stayed overnight in Jabalpur. I made a stop in Jabalpur to see Chausath Yogini Temple and Bhedaghat. I stayed at the home of my friend Mayuri and Sudeep Sen. From Jabalpur I took a cab in the evening. I stayed overnight in a guest house. The next morning we did the safari and returned for Jabalpur in noon. Easy!
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You were lucky to have spotted the tiger in the wild, even though it eluded for a while. Thanks you very much for writing such a detailed article.
I’ve only ever been on Safari in South Africa but I would love to head to Bandhavgarh National Park to see the tigers! So glad you got to witness the king of the jungle in person. What a memorable experience. Plus, that paratha looks delicious (I’d travel just for that)!
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So cool! I would love to go on a Tiger Safari!!!
The first tiger spotted will always be special. Mine was in Bandipur. It sure was a thrill. Any clue what was the name of this guy? It is interesting to know the stories of these guys from the rangers.
Sighting of a tiger is definitely an experience that is going to stay with you for a long time. A wildlife safari always has this element of thrill and every small sound is sure to send the adrenaline coursing through the veins. Thoroughly enjoyed reading your tiger story.
I have to gather all my courage if I ever have real experience like yours. It’s just wonderful that you see a TIGER with your own eyes. And witnessing other wild animals is undoubtedly a great memory.
I have to gather all my courage if I ever have real experience like yours. It’s just wonderful that you see a TIGER with your own eyes. And witnessing other wild animals is undoubtedly a great memory.
Seems you had a lot of fun! Thanks for sharing about this place, will surely take a visit!
I am from MP n been here several times, always such a fun experience it is
Heard a lot about this place and about its wonderful experiences from many people. I have never been here or to any wildlife Sanctuary before. But to see tiger in wild i mean i cant imagine how I will feel then but really want to go now. You seem to be very excited. I am sure it’s one of the best travel memories you have
Wow, the pictures are magical… It seems like you have enjoyed a lot.
what a lovely art of writing. it kept me hooked throughout — but the polish guy’s comment has to definitely take the cake. lol
Wow beautiful pictures .. I would love to visit this place.
Such amazing pics and what an adventurous trip. I’m planning to take my kids to a National Park. This is so exciting.
Wow so beautiful pics. Even i feel like visiting. Well planned trip .
You had a great experience! I too will plan for Bandhavgarh National Park as inspired by your post
Loves all the pictures , it’s so amazing AF. The information is quite useful for.
Congrates you are the lucky few to spot his highness 🙂 .. Grt clicks
Amazing safari trip must be fun….tripping was always my dream.. N nw aftr baby it has become a dream….. 😔😔😔😜😝
I too had been to such Tiger safaris and I know how much fun it is chase after a Tiger’s hints.
The post is beautiful and loved every bit of it
This looks so much fun. Thanks for this virtual trip. I would love to experience this myself
I love Jungle safari have covered most of south India. Would love to explore MP. thanks for sharing
Great pics and I can only imagine the thrill of Watching tigers in the wild.
That is an awesome article. I love safari golidays and will guide myself through your article
That’s incredible wildlife sanctuary to visit. I’m not aware that MP holds up so many natural habitat
That is a great safari i must say. I would love to go.
What????????? You managed to spot the striped beauty in your first ever tiger safari??? I envy you. I’m yet to spot one and I’ve already been on a couple of safaris. Your local guide did get a stunning shot of the tiger. Wrapping up the tiger spotting with the aloo paratha is just perfect.
Seems like you had a great experience! Congrats on seeing a tiger on your first tiger safari, what luck. Never heard of aaloo ka paratha before, but now I want some, it looks so good!
I would love to see Tigers in the wild that would be truly amazing experience to see. This tiger safari is a once in a lifetime experience for sure and I will definitely be adding it to my bucketlist for the future. Glad to know that the best time to go is October to June as well
Lovely place and to observe wildlife so closely must be very adventurous and thrilling. You have captured nice shots of tiger and deers. I lived in Jabalpur for few months and had been to Bedaghat but never been to Bandhavgarh due to lack of time for which now i am regretting.
I can’t imagine being that close to a tiger. What an adventure!
Majestic king at Bandhavgarh. I love safari’s but my bad luck, haven’t been able to spot any tiger!
What a cool experience! I laughed when the first “roar” was just someone’s tummy grumbling! I would have assumed it was a tiger, too!
You look very happy, excited, and satisfied at having seen a tiger on your safari! I’m glad it worked out so well.
Wow. I will visit here soon
Oh I am basically from MP yet never visited Bandhavgarh.. 😦 You seem to have been lucky to spot the Tiger.. Travel goal for me.
Wonderful post and especially love your story-telling method and how you incorporate everything into it, from the safari to the food and information on how to travel to Bandhavgarh. Off late it has been one place where most people are lucky enough to stop the tiger, but as I have learnt from my travels, there’s so much more the jungle than just the tiger and it’s great to see you have captured other animals too. Especially loved the night shot of the deer.
What an awesome way to spend the day! Definitely worth an early morning start. Seeing wild animals in their natural habitat is the only way that I want to see them, even if it means I might have to wait a few hours.
I got a real chill when reading your post. This tiger safari is a once in a lifetime experience and I hope I get to see it one day. Your photos capture the excitement of the safari!
Wow beautiful photos, we recently spotted 6 tigers and a few lions and loads of deers at the Bannerghatta National Park in Bangalore!
I remember my visit to jin Corbett national park . Didn’t get to see any animal . Yours seem excited.
The tiger looks majestic. Looks like you had a lot of fun on your visit.