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Where to see wildlife: Best Safari Parks in Kenya

Ketki Gadre — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 16:12:44 +0000

Planning a trip to East Africa and wondering which are the best safari parks in Kenya that are must visit? Read on to know what each park offers and make a calculated decision rather than blindly following a social media video.

Being a wildlife enthusiast since my university days (Environmental science post-graduate), I have enjoyed sighting wildlife and birds in their natural habitat. And that’s obviously why Kenya had forever been on my bucket list – not only for the animal diversity but also for the dramatic landscapes.

I was finally able to visit Kenya at the end of 2025 and was able to visit not one, not two but five safari parks over a period of 10 days. Which is why I am pouring all my knowledge here.

I get it – planning a Kenya trip can be overwhelming – which park to visit, what to give a miss. Although I am listing all the safari parks in Kenya, I am rating the ones that I visited based on my experience and which one should definitely be on your radar. Depending on the number of days, you can customize your itinerary.

BEST SAFARI PARKS IN KENYA FOR WILDLIFE

Amboseli National Park

Elephant and Mount Kilimanjaro

All the people who asked me which safari park in Kenya was best for me, my answer was, is and always will be Amboseli!

With the most fabulous landscape – marsh, rivers, lakes, grasslands there was always the commanding magnanimity of Mount Kilimanjaro in the background. It stood there with or without cloud cover with snow sprinkled on top.

Every drive in Amboseli felt like stepping into a moving wildlife documentary. Herds of elephants slowly crossed the dusty tracks, often pausing near the marshes while flamingos and other birds dotted the shallow waters nearby. Our guide would quietly slow the jeep whenever animals appeared, allowing us to watch them without disturbance — sometimes it was a lone giraffe silhouetted against Kilimanjaro, sometimes a family of elephants marching across the plains.

Flamingoes in flight at Amboseli_Safari parks in Kenya

Wild buffaloes in Amboseli seen from Hot Air Balloon

I also hopped onto the most magical ways to experience Amboseli — the hot air balloon. As the balloon gently rose at sunrise, the vast savannah slowly unfolded below — elephants moving in herds, zebras and wildebeests scattered across the grasslands, and giraffes gliding between acacia trees. The balloon had to land in the park which gave us another opportunity for a game drive. The 1.5 hour hot air balloon ride followed by 30 minutes of game drive ended with champagne breakfast overlooking Mount Kilimanjaro.

My rating: 5/5

Animals spotted: Elephants, Giraffe, Zebra, Wildebeest, African Lion, Hippopotamus

Birds spotted: Flamingoes, Pelicans, Black winged stilts, African fish eagle, Grey Crowned-Crane, Superb Starling and more

Crescent Island, Lake Navaisha

Lake Naivasha_Best safari parks in Kenya

No, Lake Naivasha isn’t a national park. It’s a freshwater lake designated as a Ramsar Wetland site, often visited alongside nearby parks like Hell’s Gate National Park. Close to the lake lies Crescent Island, known for its unique walking safaris. Interestingly, the island’s wildlife originally came here for a film shoot, and after filming ended the animals remained and multiplied. Today zebras, giraffes and wildebeests roam freely across the island.

The experience begins at the lake itself, which is full of birdlife and hippos resting near the shoreline. From here, you take a short boat ride with a ranger to Crescent Island for the walking safari (usually costing around $40–60).

Walking across the island feels wonderfully immersive. Giraffes, zebras and waterbucks often graze nearby, and without predators around, the animals are noticeably calmer. Over two to three hours, the ranger-guide shares fascinating insights while you explore the island on foot.

Hippos at Lake Naivasha

Zebra at Cresent Island

While this is a unique way to get closer to the animals, I honestly feel that the thrill of watching them from a safe distance from a safari vehicle is better.

My rating: 3/5

Animals spotted: Hippopotamus, Maasai Giraffe, Zebra, Wildebeest, Waterbucks.

Birds spotted: African Fish Eagle, Pied Kingfisher, Reed Cormorant, White-breasted Cormorant.

Lake Nakuru National Park

Lake Nakuru National Park Kenya

Lake Nakuru is often called the “Pink Lake,” a nickname it earned from the vast flocks of flamingos that once covered its shores. The lake’s algae-rich waters used to attract thousands of these birds, turning the edges of the lake a beautiful shade of pink. While many flamingos have since moved to Lake Bogoria, plenty can still be spotted here. In 2013, rising water levels changed the lake’s ecosystem, affecting the algae and reducing the flamingo numbers, but the lake remains full of birdlife.

What makes Lake Nakuru National Park special is its variety of habitats — grasslands, acacia forests and the lake itself, which means there’s always something to see. Baboons seem to be everywhere, often lounging in trees or wandering along the roadside.

An African lion in Nakuru National Park

Black Rhinos in Nakuru

The park is also one of the best places in Kenya to see rhinos. During our drive, I was lucky enough to spot a female eastern black rhino walking calmly with two calves, a quiet but unforgettable moment in a park that holds one of the country’s largest rhino populations.

My rating: 3.5/5

Animals spotted: African Lion, Rothschild giraffe, Black Rhinoceros, Warthog.

Birds spotted: Lesser and Greater flamingos, Great white pelicans, Cormorants, Heron , African fish eagles, Black-winged stilts, and Blacksmith plovers.

Maasai Mara National Park

The landscape of Masai Mara

For most wildlife lovers, Maasai Mara National Reserve sits right at the top of the bucket list, largely because of the famous Great Migration. Of course, the reserve has also been in the news for less pleasant reasons — concerns around tourist behaviour, environmental pressure, and development that threatens migration corridors. Yet, despite these challenges, the Mara remains one of the most extraordinary wildlife destinations in Africa.

Often simply called “the Mara,” the reserve was established as a wildlife sanctuary in 1961 and is known for its vast open grasslands that make wildlife spotting incredibly rewarding. This is where huge herds of wildebeest, zebras and gazelles move between Kenya and Tanzania, while predators like lions, cheetahs and the elusive leopard quietly rule the plains.

Maasai Giraffe in Masai Mara

Maasai Mara – A pair of Thompson Gazelle

The Mara is enormous, and to truly experience it you really need a couple of days to improve your chances of spotting the Big Five. Unfortunately, my itinerary allowed only about three hours for a safari, which felt far too short. I saw a few animals, but it ended up being a rather underwhelming, ‘meh’ kind of drive — the kind that makes you promise yourself you’ll return someday and do it properly.

My rating: 3.5/5

Animals spotted: Cape buffalo, Masai giraffe, Hippos, Black rhinos, Wildebeest, Zebras, Topi, Dik-Dik, Impala, and Thomson’s gazelle.

Birds spotted: Lilac-breasted Roller, Secretary Bird, Kori Bustard, and African Fish Eagle.

Samburu National Reserve

Samburu National Park, Kenya

Tucked away in northern Kenya, Samburu National Reserve feels wonderfully wild and remote. The landscape here is strikingly different from the grassy plains of the Maasai Mara National Reserve. Instead of endless savannah, you see rugged escarpments rising over semi-arid plains, with the lifeline of the region — the Ewaso Ng’iro River winding its way through the reserve.

One of the main reasons travellers come here is to spot the famous Samburu “Special Five” animals that are unique to this part of northern Kenya. These include Reticulated Giraffe, Grevy’s Zebra, Beisa Oryx, Gerenuk, and Somali Ostrich. Seeing these species in their natural habitat feels quite special, especially because you won’t easily find them in the southern parks.

Vulturine Guineafowl in Samburu

Gerenuk in Samburu_Safari Park in Kenya

My rating: 4.5/5

Animals spotted: African Lions, Crocodiles, Elephants, Reticulated Giraffe, Grevy’s Zebra, Beisa Oryx, Gerenuk, Dik-Dik, Impala, Black-backed Jackal and Thomson’s gazelle.

Birds spotted: Somali Ostrich, Vulturine Guineafowl, Golden-breasted Starling, Jackson’s Hornbill, African Fish-Eagle, Augur Buzzard, Grey-headed Kingfisher, Black-faced Sandgrouse, Red-and-yellow Barbet, and Golden Pipit.

Meru National Park

Meru National Park, located about 350 km from Nairobi and east of Mount Kenya, feels like one of Kenya’s quieter, lesser-explored safari destinations. The park stretches across wild grasslands, thick jungle, winding rivers and lush swamps, giving it a wonderfully untouched feel.

Despite its remote charm, the park is well equipped for visitors. One of its highlights is the rhino sanctuary, making it a great place to spot rhinos along with other wildlife like hippos, gazelles, reedbucks and plenty of birdlife.

Thanks to its rich landscape and wildlife, Meru offers a rewarding safari experience without the crowds. The dry season from July to October is the best time to visit, and while the park can be explored in a day, spending an extra day lets you truly soak in its quiet beauty.

Mount Kenya National Park

Mount Kenya trekking trail

Mount Kenya National Park, is home to Mount Kenya — Africa’s second-highest peak rising to about 5,200 metres. The dramatic mountain dominates the park, but the landscape around it is just as captivating, with glaciers, alpine lakes and rich forests. It’s this remarkable natural diversity that earned the park UNESCO World Heritage status in 1997.

Many travellers come here to trek Mount Kenya, a challenging climb often summed up by the phrase “come touch the sky.” While the summit requires experience, you don’t have to be a mountaineer to enjoy the park. Even relaxed drives and short walks reveal beautiful scenery, diverse wildlife and, if you’re lucky, a glimpse of the elusive leopard.

Hell’s Gate National Park

Located near the town of Naivasha, Hell’s Gate National Park offers one of the most unusual safari experiences in Kenya. Since there are no major predators here, you can actually explore the park on foot or even by bicycle. Cycling past zebras and antelopes with dramatic cliffs rising around gives a more immersive feel of the wilderness.

The park is also known for its striking landscape of towering cliffs, deep gorges and volcanic rock formations. You can spend hours hiking through these rugged canyons, and the area’s geothermal activity means you’ll even find natural hot springs bubbling quietly between the rocks.

Tsavo West

A wildebeest at Tsavo West

Tsavo West National Park is one of Kenya’s largest and most fascinating safari parks, and it’s often explored together with Tsavo East National Park just across the road. Both parks are about a three-hour drive from Mombasa.

Tsavo West feels wilder and greener than the east, which can make spotting the Big Five a little trickier, but it’s fantastic for birdwatching. The landscape itself is striking with red soil, volcanic terrain and the dramatic Shetani Lava Flow.

One of the highlights here is Mzima Springs, where crystal-clear water attracts hippos and crocodiles. A short walking trail leads to an underwater viewing chamber, offering a rare chance to watch hippos beneath the surface.

Tsavo East

Tsavo East National Park is Kenya’s largest and oldest national park, forming half of the vast Tsavo National Park along with Tsavo West National Park. Often overlooked, it’s a surprisingly good and budget-friendly safari option that works well for a short 3-day trip.

Easily reached from Nairobi or Mombasa via Voi, the park’s open savannah and acacia trees make wildlife easy to spot. It’s especially known for its “red elephants,” along with lions, giraffes, buffalo, zebras and over 500 bird species.

A striking highlight here is the Yatta Plateau — the world’s longest lava flow stretching nearly 300 km along the park’s western edge.

Kimana Sanctuary

Kimana Sanctuary feels like one of Kenya’s best-kept safari secrets. Sitting right next to its famous neighbour Amboseli National Park, it offers the same sweeping views of Mount Kilimanjaro — but with far fewer tourists.

Spread across about 5,700 acres, the sanctuary lies along an important elephant corridor linking the Chyulu Hills with Amboseli. This route is used by some of Africa’s legendary “Big Tuskers,” bull elephants whose massive tusks almost touch the ground. While the sanctuary is home to all of the Big Five, it’s the sheer number of elephants roaming beneath the shadow of Kilimanjaro that makes the experience feel truly special.

Ol Pejeta Conservancy

Ol Pejeta Conservancy is often considered one of the best-managed wildlife reserves in East Africa. The conservancy is rich in wildlife, but what really stands out is its strong focus on conservation and community support. It has pioneered several anti-poaching methods that are now being used across the region.

Ol Pejeta is home to the world’s last two remaining Northern White Rhinoceros. Conservationists here are working on advanced in-vitro fertilisation techniques using surrogate rhinos in a hopeful effort to bring the species back from the brink of extinction.

PLANNING A TRIP FOR NATIONAL PARKS IN KENYA

What are the important vaccinations for Kenya?

The Yellow Fever vaccine is mandatory, several other vaccinations are recommended by the NHS, and malaria tablets are strongly advised (usually starting a day before travel and continuing for about 10 days after). Tourist e-visas are easy to arrange online ahead of time.

What do I need for a safari in Kenya?

Layers are essential on safari — you can always remove them as the day warms up. While Africa can get very hot, early morning game drives are often surprisingly chilly. It’s best to avoid bright colours and stick to neutral tones like khaki or grey, with simple T-shirts or shirts and light trousers. Comfortable trainers work well, and carrying a jumper and a light jacket that zips or buttons up is always useful.

Most travellers fly to their safari camps in small planes with luggage limits of around 15 kg, usually in soft bags. So pack smart and keep it minimal — three shirts are usually enough since many camps offer overnight laundry. The real essentials are sunglasses, good sun protection, and a hat. When it comes to safari packing, less really is more.

Me enjoying the best safari parks in Kenya

How much does a safari in Kenya cost?

The cost of a safari in Kenya varies widely depending on the style of travel, season, and level of comfort. Here’s a realistic and current price range (2025–2026):

Average cost of a Kenya safari

Budget safari: about $200–$330 per person per day (often group tours, camping or simple lodges).
Mid-range safari: about $350–$600 per person per day with comfortable lodges, meals, park fees and guided game drives included.
Luxury safari: $1,000+ per person per day, could be higher for exclusive lodges and fly-in safaris.

Typical total trip cost

5-day safari: roughly $1,000–$2,500 per person depending on budget or mid-range style.
7–10 day safari: about $3,500–$6,000 per person for a comfortable mid-range itinerary visiting multiple parks.

Most safari packages include

Park entry fees
Accommodation and meals
A 4×4 safari vehicle and driver-guide
Daily game drives and transfers.

Where to stay on safari in Kenya

Accommodation during safari in Kenya ranges from simple camps to ultra-luxury lodges, so you can easily find something that fits their budget. Most safari stays include full board meals, game drives and sometimes park transfers, which is why nightly prices appear higher than regular hotels.

Budget camps and simple lodges ($120–$250 per person/night)

These are great for travellers who want the safari experience without spending heavily. Expect comfortable tents or basic lodge rooms, shared safari vehicles and simple amenities. Some options are:

AA Lodge Maasai Mara

Kibo Safari Camp in Amboseli

These options still put you right in the wilderness, often with wildlife wandering close to camp.

Mid-range safari lodges ($250–$500 per person/night)

This is the most popular category for travellers — comfortable rooms, good food, swimming pools and organized game drives. Well-known names include:

Rooms overlooking Lake Nakuru by Sopa Lodges

Sopa Lodges (Amboseli Sopa Lodge, Samburu Sopa Lodge, Masai Mara Sopa Lodge) – reliable mid-range safari properties with spacious rooms and large grounds. Nightly rates can start around ₹17,000–₹27,000 ($200–$300) for two people, depending on dates.

Serena Safari Lodges such as Mara Serena Safari Lodge or Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge – well-established safari hotels known for good service and scenic locations. Prices are often around ₹27,000–₹45,000 ($350–$500) per person per night depending on season.

Luxury safari camps ($600–$1,500+ per person/night)

Luxury camps focus on privacy, exclusive locations and high-end experiences such as private guides, gourmet dining and panoramic tented suites. Popular luxury options include:

Sarova Mara Game Camp – A comfortable luxury safari camp set in the heart of the Maasai Mara, known for its spacious tents, good amenities and easy access to excellent wildlife sightings.

Karen Blixen Camp – A stylish tented camp along the Mara River offering an intimate safari stay with elegant tents and front-row views of wildlife passing by the riverbanks.

When is the best time to go on a safari in Kenya?

The peak safari season runs from June to October, when the dramatic migration of wildebeest and zebra takes place, with vast herds moving across the plains between roughly August and November. It is best to avoid the rainy months of April and May.

FAQs FOR SAFARI PARKS IN KENYA

Which safari parks in Kenya is best?

The biggest name is the Maasai Mara National Reserve, home to some of Africa’s best year-round game viewing as well as the annual Wildebeest Migration. Amboseli comes second.

Best safari parks in Kenya – Amboseli, Masai Mara, Samburu, etc.

What are the big 5 in Kenya safari?

The term “Big Five” goes back to the colonial days of game hunters and the difficulty of pursuing on foot and ultimately killing the animals. The big five are – lion, leopard, African buffalo, elephant, and rhinoceros

How many safari parks in Kenya are present?

Kenya is home to more than 40 national parks and wildlife reserves, each created to protect natural habitats and preserve the country’s remarkable wildlife.

Kenya vs Tanzania – which is a better safari park for wildlife viewing?

Both Kenya and Tanzania offer outstanding wildlife experiences, but Kenya often provides easier and quicker sightings in parks like Maasai Mara National Reserve, especially during the Great Migration. Tanzania, with vast landscapes such as Serengeti National Park, offers a larger wilderness and bigger herds, making it ideal for those seeking a more expansive safari experience.

Which of these safari parks in Kenya have you been to? Which was your favourite? Tell me in the comments below.

SUSTAINABLE TIPS FOR GOING TO SAFARI PARKS IN KENYA

Do not get down from the safari vehicle in the national park as it is against the rules.
Wear camouflage colours that will easily blend with the grassland and habitats – shades of green, brown and grey.
It is totally understandable to get excited when you spot a wild animal in the jungle. But do not make noises – whisper if necessary.
You may carry water and snacks in the safari vehicle but do not dispose of plastic or leftover food in the bush. Keep it in your bag or car and dispose of it safely once you return to the hotel.
Do not feed anything to wild animals.

READ MORE FROM KENYA

Souvenirs from Kenya

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Birdwatching destinations around Ahmedabad

Ketki Gadre — Tue, 12 Mar 2024 17:27:00 +0000

Love Birdwatching? Wondering where are the closest birdwatching destinations around Ahmedabad? I have 5 amazing options which I always go to and they ever disappoint!

Gujarat has some of India’s most accessible wetlands which are avian territories and hotspots for birdwatching. Whether you’re a pro bird watching enthusiast, or simply want to spend sometime amongst the chirping of birds or are a student wanting to know more about them, Gujarat is full of places to experience bird life.

There are atleast 5 such birdwatching destinations around Ahmedabad which provide lush terrestrial natural environment for birds to live. Birdwatching is one of most exciting things on the ‘to do list’ of all tourists and wildlife enthusiasts visiting Ahmedabad.

Come October and the wetlands around Ahmedabad are flocked by the unique species of birds. The diversity includes terrestrial birds, water birds and birds of prey, some resident and some migratory traveling all the way from Europe, Africa or Central Asia. So, time to fire away the camera shutter and grab a pair of binoculars to get going! Let’s have a look at these birdwatching destinations around Ahmedabad.

All of these wetlands come under protected areas and hence require you to buy a ticket for entry.

Recommended Read: Weekend Getaways from Ahmedabad

BIRDWATCHING DESTINATIONS AROUND AHMEDABAD

Thol Lake

Thol lake Bird Sanctuary is a shallow freshwater lake surrounded by marshes on the sides. The lake covers about 7 sq. km. area and is completely dependent upon rainwater. It was declared as a Ramsar Site. A walking trail takes you around the edges of the lake, wherein there are viewing points and pictures of probable birds you may see.

Walking periphery around Thol lake

The lake is spectacle in itself at the sunrise as you are greeted by the sounds of cranes, flamingos doing yoga, cormorants basking in the sun’s glory and raptors hovering with empty stomachs.

The forest area around the lake will leave you mesmerized and remind you of a fairy tale. Look out for Sarus Crane (world’s tallest flying bird) on the outskirts of Thol in the nearby fields. You will also spot a lot of terrestrial birds on the opposite of walking trail in the tall trees. Most commonly seen are Brahminy starlings, green bee eater, black rumped flameback, spotted owlets, shikra, etc.

Timings: 6am to 6 pm everyday

Entry fees: Rs. 500 per car (any number of people in car allowed). It includes camera fees. You can park on the lake boundary road and then climb on the walking trail.

Best time to visit: Winter mornings. January and February are the best seasons from a personal experience for maximum bird spotting.

How to reach: It is 25km from Ahmedabad so best to drive by car or vehicle. It is a favorite route amongst cyclists, too.

Also Read: Birdwatching in Uttarakhand – Pangot, Bhimtal & Sattal

Birds as long as the eye can see

Nalsarovar Lake

The Nalsarovar Lake is one of the largest water bird sanctuary in the country with an area of over 110 sq.km and is one of the most important birdwatching destinations around Ahmedabad.

The National Committee on Wetlands for intensive conservation has identified it to be one of the 15 important wetlands of India and was the only Ramsar site in Gujarat. The lake harbours one of the highest populations of waterfowl anywhere in India.

Nalsarovar is nothing short of liquid gold in the mornings and the sunsets are equally mesmerizing when the flock of birds take off together against the orange sun.

Flamingos and boating go hand in hand here

Due to the sheer size of the lake, one has to hire a boat to go in the lake. The locals are boat owners and you will probably have to haggle as they try to extort extravagant amounts especially if you are not a local.

The prices are capped by the forest department but still the boat owners will bribe you to take to an exclusive place. If you are a serious photographer then I’ll say avoid the boat but if you there just for picnic, I’ll suggest otherwise. My recommendation would be not to pay the boat owner unless you have seen the place and you are confident of having a good time.

Timings: 6 am to 5:30 pm everyday

Entry fees: Rs. 60 per person, Rs. 100 per camera, Rs. 220 per person for boat (duration: 2 hours). Car parking is extra. In case you want to spend more time on the boat, the charges are extra.

Best time to visit: Winter mornings. October to February is the ideal time.

How to reach: It is 60km from Ahmedabad and ideal to drive by personal or hired car.

Also Read: Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary, Jamnagar

An open billed stork sits quietly at the lake bank

Vadla Lake

If haggling with the boat guy is not in your best interest and you want to enjoy birdwatching at your own pace, Vadla is the right place for you. It is in the close vicinity to Nalsarovar (25 km) and you can walk around the dam water to capture bird photos.

Vadla is generally ignored by tourists as their favorite attraction of boating doesn’t exist here, which works out best for serious birdwatchers. Vadla generally comes into highlight only when Nalsarovar dries out after a bad monsoon so tourists then flock there.

A flock of Demoiselle Cranes during take off at Vadla lake

But for years now, Vadla has seen a steady flock of migratory birds in its waters and that is why it is an important birdwatching destinations around Ahmedabad.

The favorite and most in number being – Demoiselle cranes – thousands of them. In early January 2019, when we visited we counted over 3000 of them doing their business of calling, preening, foraging and practicing display. The Demoiselle Cranes are indigenously found in central Eurasia, Mongolia and North Eastern China and spend their winters in Gujarat.

Other commonly seen water birds are also in plenty in Vadla and your camera will have a gala time clicking away.

Timings: 6 am to sunset everyday

Entry fees: None.

Best time to visit: Winter months – October to February.

How to reach: It is 90km from Ahmedabad and ideal to drive by personal or hired car.

A painted stork in Vadla lake

Pariej Lake

Another wetland called Pariej is located in the Kheda district of Gujarat. Because of its location it is closer to 2 cities in Gujarat – Ahmedabad and Vadodara. If you happen to visit Pariej in February, you will be welcomed by the pink blanket of lotuses. A Pheasant tailed jacana will be going around his business and you will notice a lot of moorhens trying to catch their breakfast. Pied kingfishers may dart around and painted storks may just pose pretty for you. That’s Pariej for you.

Timings: 6am to 6pm

Entry fees: Free

Best time to visit: Winter mornings

How to reach: It is 60km from Ahmedabad and ideal to drive by personal or hired car.

A purple moorhen around the lotus buds in Pariej lake

Indroda Park

Indroda Nature Park, Gandhinagar is a game changer for terrestrial birds and a must visit place for birdwatching community. Yes, it has a zoo but the number of birds you see on the trees and the vicinity are phenomenal. Indroda Nature Park (INP) is spread over an area of about 400 hectare in Gandhinagar- and is divided in two parts – the western part is Indroda Nature Park and the eastern part is Wilderness Park.

Most commonly seen birds here are Indian peafowl – hundreds of them dancing, eating, singing, 3 types of kingfishers, Coppersmith barbet, spotted owlet, painted storks, rose ringed parakeet and so many more.

Timings: 8am to 6pm

Entry fees: Rs. 30/person. Parking fees extra depending on type of vehicle.

Best time to visit: All around the year in morning.

How to reach: It is 25km from Ahmedabad and ideal to drive by personal or hired car.

How to have a sustainable trip for Birdwatching destinations around Ahmedabad?

Wear camouflage colours which will easily blend with the surrounding – gree and brown shades work the best around wetlands.
Do not make noises when you spot a bird, it may get distracted and fly.
Do not wear perfumes or body spray in the desert.
You may carry water and food but do not picnic in these areas as most of them are wildlife

Read more from Gujarat

Enjoy Indian Wildlife? Read more wildlife posts here

For Nilgiri tahr: Eravikulam National Park, Munnar
For Sloth Bears: Satpuda National Park
For tiger: Jim Corbett National Park , Tadoba National Park
For Asiatic lion: Gir National Park

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Tadoba National Park: An experience of a lifetime

Ketki Gadre — Sun, 04 Feb 2024 12:53:00 +0000

Tadoba National Park has been a popular wildlife haven for many years offering amazing tiger sightings. I write about my wildlife experience from my visit few years ago!

It is a privilege to live in a country that is home to the highest number of Tigers in the world. Having been to a few tiger reserves such as Manas National Park, Satpura National Park, Periyar National Park, Jim Corbett National Park, Pench National Park and Kanha National Park, there is a thrill every time I watch a tiger in wild.

Tiger Safari’s in the jungles of India are one of the most sought after wild life tours for any wildlife enthusiast across the world. Vacation in forest extremely relaxing.

There are approximately 50 Tiger reserves spread across India that is home to the Royal Bengal Tiger.

Tadoba National Park in Central India is one of these tiger reserves that houses more than 40 of these Big Cats. Tadoba National Park is 116 Sq. Km in area.

Together with Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary adjacent to the park, the TATR (Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve) is spread across a total of 625 sq km.

Deerscape

It is generally accepted amongst naturalists and wildlife experts that Tadoba has the highest probability of tiger sightings across all Project Tiger reserves in India.

A wildlife enthusiast myself, I had my mind focused on visiting Tadoba for the past many years. I researched the best zone in Tadoba to increase my chance of sighting tigers in Tadoba.

Tadoba National Park: Day 1

Once we entered the gates of the park I felt a certain thrill in me like never before. The prospect of seeing a tiger gave me butterflies in my stomach.

At first, the silence of the jungle was exciting as ever but once you enter the park you can hear certain typical calls of birds and animals that are as soothing and relaxing as ever. Hardly half a kilometre inside the park we saw a board saying ‘keep silence in the park and hear the animals in the jungle speak as you are in their territory now’. There was a diversion at that board which allowed us to enter the Moharli zone of Tadoba National Park.

The roads leading towards the tiger trail

Minutes into the safari, we noticed the first signs of wild life. There was a small lake in front of us and basking on it’s shore was a crocodile.

A few lesser whistling ducks basked in the glory of sun near the lake. Up ahead we could hear the alarm call of a spotted dear so we decided to wait there for some time and see if there was any predator around. But the alarm calls stopped after a while and we decided to move on.

Crocodile on the lake bank

In Tadoba, there are quite a few water bodies which are known for tremendous tiger sightings. I immediately recognized these water bodies from the many Tadoba documentaries I have seen over the years featuring Maya tiger and Matkasur tiger.

Our guide and driver decided to keep moving from one water body to another in search of the marvelous big cat. After almost 2 hours of roaming around the jungle, we came to a place where we met another gypsy with its guide and driver telling us to go back to one particular water body where we had already been, as they saw a tiger there right after we left it (what luck!).

Upon hearing this news, we all got very excited and headed back toward that place. Upon reaching there we saw a huge line of gypsy’s and a canter trying to catch a glimpse of the tiger. Beside the water body which was a bit under hill from where our vehicle was, there was a lot of tall grass. The tiger was supposedly in the grass and people could see its ears move or tail wag at regular intervals. It was superbly camouflaged making us unable to recognize if there was any animal there at all.

We decided to stay patient. After 20 mins of waiting for it the tiger gracefully got up. He came uphill first, right at the edge of the road where all the vehicles were lined up. Due to the close formation of all the vehicles the tiger was not able to move to the other side of the road, hence one of the drivers of the gypsy’s moved the car allowing the tiger to pass through. Once he came across we could see him clearly and take some great pictures. He was huge 3-year-old sub adult male tiger, son of the legendary male, Matkasur and Tigress, Chhoti Tara. Due to the names of his parents he is often called Chhota Tarachand or Chhota Matka by the local guides. Chhota meaning small. He also had a tracking collar around his neck. There were reports then that his brother was killed due to electrocution by local nearby villagers. Hence he was collared by the forest department for his own benefit and protection by allowing the forest officials to keep track of his whereabouts. When I saw him I literally had goosebumps on me. It was surreal!

Chota Tarachand in his glory

Tadoba National Park: Day 2

The second day of Safari brought us renewed excitement. I remembered all the Tadoba tiger stories I had read and I wished to add to them from my experience.

Just like previous day’s sighting of Chhota Matka we were ever so hopeful of more sightings on day 2. We set out early in the morning around 6 am towards the park’s entry gate.

This time we decided to check out more places in the park and try to increase the number of tigers we could see. We went ahead of the other 2 cars as we tried to catch a glimpse of any predator at dawn at the first sign of light!

We could not see a single tiger or any other predator for most part of the safari, however, we did see a lot of other wild animals such as the Indian Bison, the Sambar, spotted deer and various birds such as the mottled wood owl and the yellow footed green pigeon.

After around 3 hours of roaming there was no tiger in sight and we felt a bit disappointed and it was time for us to head back to the exit. But luck had other plans as, while returning back we saw another male tiger. It was the same tiger, Chhota Matka that we had seen previous day. Feeling lucky again we thanked the heavens for giving us a final glimpse of the majestic Royal Bengal Tiger.

Pugmarks and vehicle marks

Overall Experience at Tadoba Safari

It was amazing! If you are a wildlife enthusiast, you must add Tadoba National Park to your must-visit places in India.

Are 2 safaris enough?

Yes and No! Yes if you are short on time, no if you want to explore more areas and look for more wildlife other than the tiger.

Here are many quick points to plan a trip to Tadoba National Park.

How to reach Tadoba National Park

The nearest city from Tadoba is Nagpur which is just 145 km away. Nagpur is well connected through the air, rail and road with other major cities of India like Mumbai, Bangalore and New Delhi.

Where to Stay in Tadoba National Park

Tadoba has lots of hotels and resorts that are suited for high-end luxury as well as budget accommodation. Bookings can be done online. We stayed at the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) Resort near Moharli gate in Tadoba which had excellent rooms and a decent restaurant. Here is a Tadoba resort list for you to choose from.

Low Range: Wild homestay, Tadoba Homestay cottage

Mid Range: Tadoba Tiger Resort, Tristar hotel

High Range: The Pugmark Jungle Lodge, Tadoba Trails

Best time to visit Tadoba National Park

The best months to visit any Tiger Park in India are in the spring to summer months from late February to end of May. The forest and grasslands are much thinner and drier in these months and water sources in the heart of the jungles dry up in the summer hence forcing the tiger to come out in the open towards much larger water resources such as the Tadoba Lake situated in the core area of the reserve. Hence the summer months up to May are much ideal for Tiger sightings.

A White eyed buzzard patiently waits for prey

Safari in Tadoba National Park

Wildlife Safari bookings have to be done online on the Maharashtra eco-tourism website. You should try and book for these safaris well in advance. Bookings open 4 months in advance. You have 2 vehicle options for the ride, 1 is a gypsy and the other one is a Canter which is like a minibus. I would recommend the gypsy for obvious reasons. The gypsy can accommodate 6 persons plus the gypsy driver and the guide. You have to select your choice of the vehicle during your online booking.

At the entry gate of the tiger reserve, you need to first show the authorities your online safari booking slip and the original id’s of all the members in your booking. The gypsies are allocated by the forest department and before the safari timings they usually come and pick you up at the hotel where you are staying in Tadoba and take you to the entry gate where your booking is checked. The booking office also allocates a forest guide with you for your safari. So apart from the online safari permit for which you would pay while booking online, you will also have to pay separately for the gypsy and the guide both of them, at the entry gate. The rates for the permit, vehicle and guide all are mentioned on the Maharashtra eco-tourism website.

Safari timings at Tadoba National Park

For the gypsy to come to your hotel, you have to give your online booking id to the hotel and they will call the forest department on your behalf and ask them to send your allocated vehicle. Safari’s here are permitted in the morning from 6 am to 10:30 am and in the afternoon from 2:30 pm to 6:30 pm depending upon the month you visit as these timings also depend upon the sunrise and sunset timings. I took 2 safaris and I would also recommend a minimum of 2 or even 3 to increase your chance of getting a glimpse of the Tiger.

A langur looks on..

Tadoba National Park animals

Tadoba National Park is abundant with wildlife. Apart from the tiger which is the apex predator here, there are lots of other carnivores found here such as the leopard, Indian wild dog, jungle cat, jackals and even Indian Striped Hyenas. Other species of mammals often seen in the park are Indian Bison, Spotted Dear, Sambar, Indian Langur monkeys and Sloth Bears. There are approximately 195 bird species found here but as per our safari guide, a majority of the birds are resident. Only 16-18 birds such as the lesser whistling duck are migratory. Tadoba is home to a lot of reptiles as well such as the cobra, viper and crocodiles in various lakes in the core area of the reserve.

Sustainable Tips for visiting Tadoba National Park Maharashtra

Do not litter inside the national park.
Wear clothes with natural colours such as green, brown and beige in order to blend into the natural surroundings.
Do not talk loudly in the park, try and listen to the calls of animals in order to sight and identify them in the wild.
Stepping down from your vehicle inside the park during the safari is strictly prohibited. Safari drivers and guides can get fined and suspended if someone from their vehicle is seen getting down.
Avoid using your mobile phones in any national park. Mobile phones have been banned in TATR since 1^st December 2018 hence it is best to leave your phone at your hotel before leaving for a safari.
Avoid carrying food with you in safari’s but always keep a water bottle handy. Non-vegetarian food is strictly prohibited as its odour can attract carnivores.
Respect the forest officials and guides. Do not blame them if you do not spot a tiger. It’s just hard luck.

Read More Posts from Maharashtra

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Eravikulam National Park Safari Guide: Must visit in Munnar

Ketki Gadre — Sun, 21 Jan 2024 08:50:00 +0000

Are you on a Munnar trip and want to see something other than tea gardens? Then Eravikulam National Park safari could be something to think about. Learn all about what sightings are possible, safari timings and how to reach Eravikulam.

I am on a never-ending chase to visit any National Park or Wildlife Sanctuary on every journey that I am on. It is fascinating for me to explore the local wildlife and bird species and document them. On one of such journeys when I was on a road trip in Kerala, I happened to experience the Eravikulam National Park safari near Munnar. Eravikulam National Park is famous for Nilgiri Tahr, an endangered deer species and I was super excited to photograph them and know more about them!

Where is Eravikulam National Park

Eravikulam National Park is situated in the Idukki district, about 8km away from Munnar and has earned the title of the first National Park that opened in Kerala. Located approximately 2,000 metres above mean sea level, it offers picturesque views of the Munnar valley and the tea gardens. The national park is around 97 square kilometres but only a fraction of that is open to visitors!

How to reach Eravikulam National park from Munnar

Private cars or taxis can be easily hired to reach here from Munnar. Motorbikes are available for rent and one can easily reach here on them. Public transport such as buses is available (board a bus going to Udumalaipettai from Munnar Bus stand).

History of Eravikulam National Park

Just like most National Parks in India, the protection of the species started only after losing a huge chunk of them! Rajamalai, as it was called in yesteryears, used to be a former hunting reserve for the Britishers before Independence. The park attracted hunters from all over the world to hunt Nilgiri Tahr for sport. Their peculiar shaped horns were why they were hunted.

It was managed by the Kannan Devan Hill Produce Company until 1971. With almost extinct numbers of Nilgiri Tahr due to hunting and shrinking of natural habitat, in 1972 the land was handed over to the Kerala Government. Since then it has been transformed into a conservation area and is also known as Rajamalai Eravikulam National Park.

The conservation efforts have paid off over the years and the park now houses over 860 Nilgiri Tahr (Census 2018) making it one of the largest populations in the world! The pandemic has brought even bigger cheer with a record 155 Nilgiri Tahr calves born in 2020.

Eravikulam National Park Animals and Birds

Apart from the main attraction of Nilgiri Tahr which is found in abundance, Golden Jackal, Jungle Cat, Dhole, Leopard and Tiger are some of the predators documented here. Some little-known animals such as Nilgiri Langur, Stripe-necked Mongoose, Indian Porcupine, Nilgiri Marten, Small Clawed Otter, Ruddy Mongoose, and Dusky Palm Squirrel are also found.

132 species of birds have been recorded which include endemics like Black-and-Orange Flycatcher, Nilgiri Pipit, Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, White Bellied Shortwing, Nilgiri Flycatcher and Kerala Laughingthrush.

Eravikulam National Park entry fee and timings

The National Park opens daily at 8 am and closes at 2 pm. The permit is available online as well as at a ticket window of the park gate.

The permit charges for the Eravikulam National Park safari are

Indian Adults – INR 200

Foreign Nationals – INR 500

Ordinary Camera – INR 50

Video Camera – INR 350

Reservation fee INR 50 (Reservation counter 9 am – 3 pm at the Information Centre, Munnar)

When to visit Eravikulam National Park

Planning a visit to Eravikulam National Park depends upon when the park is open for visitors. The park is closed twice from July to August for their mating season (all national parks in India are closed during this time) and then the second time while giving birth to the calves in the months of January to March.

So, the best time to visit the park is in the summer months – April to June or in the winter months from October – to January. I visited in December second week and the weather was perfect, and so was the sighting.

Start the safari as early as possible in the morning so as to skip the queues, avoid crowds and in pleasant weather.

View from Eravikulam National Park safari

Eravikulam National Park Safari: My experience

The biggest mistake I made was not to book the safari in advance. Honestly, visiting the park was not one of the things to do in Munnar but only when I reached Munnar and my hotel owner convinced me to go there. So I started on an early morning post breakfast. The car driver warned me of long queues but I was determined to pay my visit no matter what.

The car dropped me at the ticket window gate and I could see a long queue even before the ticket window had actually opened. I was not sure what to do as I would easily spend an hour just in the queue. I relented and walked to the end of the queue to place myself.

It was well over 90 minutes when I got my permit to go into the park. I was given two slips which I had to hand over to the shared bus driver and another one for the entry into the park. Yes, private vehicles are not allowed in the Eravikulam National Park Safari and neither are open gypsy like other Indian National Parks. Also Read: Manas National Park

I stood in another queue for the shared bus and finally after 15 minutes the bus arrived and took the visitors up the hills. The bus accommodated about 30 people. I could feel the air getting crisper with each turn on the hill loops. After about 10 minutes we were dropped at the entrance of the Eravikulam National Park. From there it was a safari walk. No vehicles are allowed beyond this point. Basically, visitors are allowed to walk in the designated areas to spot the animals and appreciate the rolling hills and visit Anamudi, the highest peak in India south of the Himalayas.

Visitors can spend as much time as they want at the top of the hill. You are allowed to hire a private guide with permission from the park if you book in advance.

Once you are done, you have to come back to the designated area for shared bus pick up wherein the buses will take you back to the ticket window station.

If the weather is pleasant, the walk can be quite enjoyable with epic views of the hills. I personally liked the hike which was on a nice and flat concrete road (yes there is no forest or nature trail here), it had panoramic views, a well-laid path and there’s the chance to spot wildlife too. So, if you are expecting to go on a long trek into nature, I would recommend booking one with the park in advance.

Walking safari on a concrete road

I walked and walked and walked. I overheard a lot of groups who were disappointed as to not spot anything and that they wasted the money. But I didn’t lose hope, yet!

I saw a group of people gathered near some bushes and their excited voices meant they saw something. Yep, I finally managed to see the Nilgiri Tahr. The deer seem terrified with so many people pushing and shoving each other to get a glimpse.

And it managed to escape away.

Most people from this group turned back, but I decided to go further. And I was rewarded with more sightings.

Almost 2 hours into the Eravikulam National Park Safari, I was hungry and wanted to pee. I had seen paid eco-toilets on my way up so I decided to hurry back down. These are located a little way up a hill just beyond the souvenir shop.

And just like that I was back at the bus pick up point, happy and satisfied to have seen the Nilgiri Tahr in the wild.

The first glimpse of Nilgiri Tahr I managed to capture

Nilgiri Tahr at Eravikulam National Park, Munnar

Pay a visit to the Eravikulam National park souvenir shop

Because all the proceeds go towards the park maintenance. I love national park merchandise and I do pick up something or the other. I paid a quick visit and picked a t-shirt. Merchandise here includes caps, safari hats, t-shirts, fridge magnets and even little Nilgiri Tahr deers as souvenirs!

Places to visit near Eravikulam National park

Lakkam Falls

The Lakkam Waterfalls originate in the heart of the Eravikulam National Park offering breathtaking views. It’s by far one of the pristine waterfalls in the entire town of Munnar and you don’t need a national park permit to visit.

Entrance to the falls cost INR 20 and it provides a cool respite. It is located a few kilometres from the park, so if you are visiting make sure you ask your driver to stop here for a while.

Lakkam waterfalls, Munnar

Yellapatty Tea Gardens

The Yellappetty tea gardens are located on the Munnar – Kodaikanal route. Located 32 km from Munnar city centre the Yellappetty tea gardens can be reached after crossing the Mattuppetti dam. The small village of Yellappetty houses tea plantation workers that live happily surrounded by tea gardens. Read more here: Trekking in Yellapatty.

Where to stay in Munnar

Munnar is a family favorite destination and also popular among honeymoon couples. The pleasant weather allures visitors of all ages and interests to visit Munnar all year round. For the same reason, there are a lot of accommodation options in Munnar.

I stayed at the Blackberry Hills Resort Munnar and it had the most beautiful unparalleled views of the tea gardens. My favourite part was their Hornbill restaurant whose location felt like it was suspended in the hills. They even have a walking trail from the restaurant to a village in the valley nearby which equals a birdwatching trail too.

Other options for where to stay in Munnar include

Hostels: The Lost Hostel, Electric Cats Hostel

Homestays: Munnar Pavithra Riverview Homestay, Mistletoe Homestay & Cafe

Mid-range hotels: Fragrant Nature Munnar, Amber Dale Luxury Hotel & Spa, Munnar

Luxurious Resorts: The Fog Munnar, Seven Springs Resort

The view from my resort, Munnar

Tips for Eravikulam National Park Safari

Just like every national park in India, spotting a Nilgiri Tahr is not guaranteed. Over 850 deers are spread across 97 square kilometres of land which means the chances of spotting are less. They’re even less when you think that you’re only allowed to explore a few kilometres of that on a set walking path!
But patience is the key. Keep your eyes and ears open rather than clicking selfies all over the way.
Don’t limit yourself to a particular distance. Push those boundaries for spotting wildlife and rewarding yourself with amazing views.
Hire a guide for increasing your chances of spotting the Nilgiri Tahr.
But if you still run out of luck, the views from the top of the Eravikulam National park safari are still well worth the ticket price. I still think that a visit to the park is worth it for the breathtaking views you can get from up here!

Have you read my thrilling and chilling Jim Corbett National Park experience?

Do not feed anything to Nilgiri Thar

Sustainable tips for Eravikulam National Park safari

Do not carry food or beverage on the national park premises as it is banned. There is a cafeteria in case you are hungry and want a snack. You can carry a water bottle though.
Do not dispose of plastic bottles and wrappers in the national park. Dispose of in the trash bin in the cafeteria. Remember, it is a plastic-free zone.
Smoking, consumption of alcohol and other contrabands inside the Park is prohibited so please respect it.
Do not feed the deers. They thrive on the grass in the valley which is their natural food.
Do not tease or disturb the wild animals by intimidating or hooting or chasing them.
Keep your mobile phones switched off or in aeroplane mode just to take pictures. Respect the wildlife by not playing music loudly, honking or speaking loudly.
Do not urinate in the open. Kindly use the eco-toilets.

I hope this Eravikulam National Park safari guide will help you to plan your trip to see the endangered Nilgiri Tahr. Have you been to this national park, already? Tell me in the comments below.

Read More Kerala posts:

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Blackbuck National Park, Velavadar: A guide to the Golden Grasslands

Ketki Gadre — Thu, 28 Dec 2023 16:44:00 +0000

Looking for an offbeat wildlife location near Ahmedabad? Then Blackbuck National Park, Velavadar is your answer. Learn all about it here in this blog.

The cityscape turned into an industrial area to a barren land until I reached Dholera from Ahmedabad. From there onwards it turned into golden grasslands till the eye could see. We were driving into these grasslands to see blackbucks live in Gujarat’s Blackbuck National Park, Velavadar. It was highly endorsed on the back of Spicejet’s boarding pass for months and I kept promising myself to visit it saying it only 3 hours from Ahmedabad, I can visit any day! But that day only came now.

Blackbucks are Blackbuck National Park’s signature species, and there is guaranteed sighting of this corkscrew horns antelope, either peacefully grazing, or crossing the road, or jumping out into a meadow.

About Blackbuck National Park

Blackbuck National Park is spread over 34 square kilometres, and divided into two parts: the Grassland Area and the Wetland Area. A narrow road divides the park and visitors can enter both of these areas.

In yesteryear, this was the private grassland of the Maharaja of Bhavnagar for hunting blackbucks with his famous hunting cheetahs. In post-Independence India, this park was established in 1976 and doubled in size in 1980 protecting the wildlife. The cheetahs also do not exist.

Wildlife in Blackbuck National Park

The threatened species of Indian blackbuck has a population of over 5000 in the grasslands of Velavadar. They are a sight to behold, with the adult males sprinting off the ground, a behaviour designed to advertise the antelope’s fitness and ward off predators. You can tell the males by their corkscrew horns, pale black upper bodies, and white underbellies. Females and juveniles lack horns and are a sandy brown colour. The other major mammal, in the park is the nilgai or blue bull. Other easy-to-spot mammals include wild boar, the Indian grey mongoose, and the black naped hare.

The sprinting blackbucks

Apart from Blackbuck, Velavadar is classified as an Important Bird Area by Birdlife International, and is a birder’s delight, with over 200 species of birds found in the grassland. It is mainly popular as the world’s largest roosting site of Harriers (pallid, montagu’s, western marsh, and hen harriers) which migrate in winters. Other birds in grassland include larks, francolin, stonechat, etc. and in wetlands include greater flamingos, pelicans, common cranes, painted storks etc. The grasslands are also a raptors’ paradise which include short toed eagle, steppe eagle, tawny eagle, eastern imperial eagle, short eared owl, etc.

Pallid harrier at the blackbuck national park

Flamingos at the blackbuck national park wetland

Short toed eagle

Common cranes in flight

Predators such as the Indian striped hyena, the golden jackal, the Indian fox, jungle cat and Indian grey wolf have also made this area their home. Many species of reptiles also live here, such as the saw-scaled viper, Indian cobra and common krait.

Can you spot the 3 wolfs on the hillock?

Safari Cost And Timings

Unlike most national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in India, visitors can take their own cars into the grasslands. The track is cleared marked which needs to be followed. It is compulsory to have a guide with you in the car. Visitors can hire a private safari vehicle as it gets really difficult to get bird photos in flight from your closed hatch of the car. Here is the cost break up (as of December 2019).

Rs. 500: Entry fees per vehicle (do consider one seat of guide)

Rs. 400: Forest department guide fees

Rs. 200: Per camera

Rs. 2000: Private safari (plus guide fees and camera fee)

There are 3 safari timings:

7 am to 10am

10am to 1pm

4pm to 7pm

Blackbuck National Park safari

Accommodation at Blackbuck National Park, Velavadar

There are two options for those who want to stay at Velavadar.

Forest Lodge

It is owned and managed by the forest department and has 2 categories of rooms which are basic, clean and with food options.

Guest house: Available with 4 rooms called Kaliyar Bhavan

Cost: Rs. 150 per person

Dormitory rooms: 2 dormitories which can accommodate upto 9 people each

Cost: Rs. 1350 for the whole dormitory

Both accommodations are located within the park, surrounded by grasslands with wildlife visible from the lodge itself. You can reserve the rooms by writing to bbnp.reservation@gmail.com and paying online. Meals cost Rs. 150 per person and Rs. 40 for breakfast.

Blackbuck Safari Lodge

It is a luxurious hotel with a multi cuisine restaurant and private pools.

When to visit Blackbuck National Park

Indian summers (March – June) are unbearable with temperatures hovering over 40°C. However it is a good time for sightings as animals congregate near water sources and the grass is sparse. However migratory birds are not present during this time. The park is closed from mid June to mid October. Winters (October to February) offer the best of bird watching and animal gazing with pleasant temperatures during the day.

How to reach Blackbuck National Park

By road:

Velavadar is 65 km from Bhavnagar and 150 km from Ahmedabad. Government run buses (GSRTC) have good frequency from all major Gujarat cities to Bhavnagar. If you are traveling via road from other states, you have to reach Ahmedabad first.

By train:

Bhavnagar is the closest railway station. You have to travel by road for further reaching Velavadar.

By air:

The closest airport is Ahmedabad.

Sustainable tips for visiting Blackbuck National Park

Even if visitors are allowed to take their own car, visitors are not allowed to get down. Earlier it was allowed, but now it is not. There are camera traps and you will be fined if you get down. You are however allowed to get down near the wetland.
Wear camouflage colours which will easily blend with the jungle – shades of green, brown and grey.
It is totally understandable to get excited when you spot a wild animal in the grassland. But do not make noises – whisper if necessary.
Do not wear perfumes or body spray in the jungle.
Carry water and food but do not dispose plastic or leftover food in the grasslands. Keep it in your bag or gypsy and dispose safely once you return to the hotel.
Do not feed food to wild animals.

Reading Inspiration from Gujarat

Enjoy Indian Wildlife? Read more wildlife posts here

For Nilgiri tahr: Eravikulam National Park, Munnar
For Sloth Bears: Satpuda National Park
For tiger: Jim Corbett National Park , Tadoba National Park
For Asiatic lion: Gir National Park

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Minneriya National Park Safari, Sri Lanka

Ketki Gadre — Tue, 05 Dec 2023 17:57:00 +0000

Minneriya National Park safari offers one of the best wildlife safaris in Sri Lanka. Read on to know why.

Planning a trip to Sri Lanka and not visiting a national park is impossible. With national parks present in close proximity to most tourist destinations in Sri Lanka, Minneriya is worth exploring.

Sri Lanka has many elephant safari parks and visitors can choose the one nearest to the city they are visiting.

While Yala National Park is the most popular one because of the possibility of sightings of leopards, the Habarana area is equally interesting because of its proximity to 3 national parks – Minneriya National Park Safari, Kaudulla National Park Safari, and Hurulu Eco Park.

However, out of the three, Minneriya is the most popular because of the largest congregation of Asian elephants in one place.

Minneriya is close to Colombo and Kandy and a day trip is possible for wildlife enthusiasts from both these cities.

Elephants at Minneriya National Park

WHERE IS MINNERIYA?

Minneriya National Park is a national park in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka. Situated in the heart of the popular cultural triangle of Sri Lanka that covers Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya, and Anuradhapura, this elephant safari park in Sri Lanka is refreshing.

The topography of the park is comprised of scrub plains and mixed evergreen forests alongside rocky outcrops and wetlands, providing a range of habitats to suit a variety of animals.

Set against the breathtaking Minneriya Reservoir, the national park paints a spectacular picture. It is a wildlife photographer’s dream come true with ample opportunities of seeing elephants up close and personal.

A baby elephant during Minneriya National Park Safari

HISTORY OF MINNERIYA NATIONAL PARK SRI LANKA

The reason for declaring the area as protected was to protect the catchment of the Minneriya reservoir and the wildlife of the surrounding area.

The reservoir is of historical importance, as it was built by King Mahasen in the 3rd century.

Minneriya was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1938 and then was designated as a national park in 1997.

WILDLIFE OF MINNERIYA NATIONAL PARK

The wildlife in Minneriya National Park includes 24 species of mammals, 160 species of birds, 9 species of amphibians, 25 species of reptiles, 26 species of fish, and 75 species of butterflies. While Asian Elephants are the hero and are easily seen, other animals seen are Sloth bears, Spotted Deer, Mongoose, River crocodiles, Grey Langurs, and Purple-faced Leaf monkeys.

The bird diversity in Minneriya is varied with many terrestrial and wetland birds making the national park their home. Painted stork, Brahminy Kite, Fish Eagle, Serpent Eagle, and different types of owls reside here.

Painted storks in Minneriya

ALL ABOUT MINNERIYA NATIONAL PARK SAFARI

Why is Minneriya National Park, Sri Lanka famous?

Elephants are loved by one and all. And getting a chance to see them up close and personal is probably on the list of every wildlife enthusiast. I have had the opportunity to see elephants in India in Manas National Park, Assam, Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand, and Periyar National Park, Kerala.

But what I saw in Minneriya was a different experience altogether!

A huge herd of elephants against the Minneriya Reservoir paints a spectacular landscape.

The elephants are quite comfortable with jeeps full of humans photographing them, unlike the ones in India who may charge on vehicles when they are with their young ones. So much so that they come pretty close to the vehicles while grazing.

Best time to visit Minneriya Elephant Gathering

Minneriya is popular for the elephant gathering and if you want to see that then the best time to visit the elephants in Minneriya National Park is between May and September with its peak in August and September.

Elephant Mother-Baby_Minneriya Sri Lanka

Safari Timings

Minneriya offers two types of safaris. 3 hours and 6 hours (or half day). Visitors can choose the time: 6 am or 3 pm as per their suitability for the 3 hour safari.

The ideal duration of Minneriya Safari is 3 hours.

This duration is counted from the entrance of the national park entry gate to the exit. Visitors can exit early but late exit is not allowed.

Safari vehicle

The vehicles used for the safaris are open jeeps.

These jeeps have a capacity of seven pax and a reserved seat for the driver cum guide. Unlike the safari jeeps in India, these jeeps are bigger, bulkier, and sturdier, because of the elephant safari.

Visitors are allowed to stand up and hold on to the bars on the roof of the jeep. The holding bars are a lifesaver because the road inside the national park is extremely bumpy.

The jeep has a rain cover in case it rains, so the photography gear is always safe.

Minneriya jeeps

Minneriya National Park Safari cost and Inclusions

The safari cost in Minneriya is 65 USD per person. The half-day safari costs 95€ per person. Children under the age of 5 do not have to pay, while children under 11 pay a special rate.

This price includes a private jeep, park entry fees, a certified driver cum guide, the driver’s entry fee, the jeep entry fee, the national park VAT tax, the national park service fee, and free pickup from hotels in Minneriya and Habarana. The price for a pickup from hotels near Sigiriya or Anuradhapura starts at 8 USD.

During the tour, the driver cum guide drives along set paths in the park sighting the wildlife and birds. The drivers will get you as close to the elephants as possible without endangering the visitors or the elephants.

Minneriya National Park Accommodation Options

Since Minneriya is situated in the Sri Lankan heritage trail, it is best to stay at Habarana and commute to the park. The commute is approximately 30-40 km depending upon which property you choose.

I stayed at the beautiful Jetwing Lake Dambulla. A sustainable property, they offer birdwatching trails and have amazing bird diversity in their resort. The infinity pool overlooking their private lake is their best feature. The resort can help you book the tickets for the Minneriya national park or arrange another safari such as Wasgamuwa Safari. It can be booked here.

Other accommodation options here include:

Liyya Water Villas

Habarana Village by Cinnamon

Sigiriana Resort by Thilanka

Jetwing Lake, Dambulla

How to reach Minneriya?

Colombo to Minneriya is 160 km and takes 4-5 hours to reach. Most visitors prefer to combine Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura, Dambulla and Sigiriya with Minneriya. So it is ideal to start from Colombo and do a road trip to all these places.

By Flight

If you are only covering the national park then the nearest domestic airport to the national park is Sigiriya Airport which is 24 km away. It takes around half an hour to reach the national park from the airport via a private cab.

By Rail

Sri Lanka has a really good network of railways across the country. Galoya Junction Railway Station is the nearest railway station which is at a distance of 23 km and one will take around half an hour to reach the national park from here.

By Road

One can take buses or hire a private taxi from any major city in Sri Lanka to reach the Minneriya National Park.

Minneriya National Park Experience

After a half-day tour of Polonarruwa, we reached Minneriya around 3 pm.

As we waited for the guide to get our documents vetted, I heard a rustle over my head. I craned my neck to check if it is a bird. A half-eaten fruit fell on me and I saw face almost as if with humiliation. It was a Giant Squirrel nibbling on something.

Giant Squirrel in Minneriya

We entered the national park and crossed a small dam over a river, into a dense forest. A lot of jeeps were queued up, looking in one direction. They were all looking at a Serpent eagle. But it flew away with all the commotion.

A few meters ahead, a trumpet made the jeeps hit the brake. A tusker was happily tucked in the bushes and was playfully tugging at the shrubs.

The driver drove further and we gasped out a breath as we saw many elephants against the reservoir. As we went close it was hard to believe that I was actually looking at over 70 elephants together.

The elephants were playing, grazing, and meandering in the grasslands of Minneriya.

Asiatic elephants crossing the jeep pathway

I couldn’t make up my mind. Should I click the mother-baby duo or the big herd against the landscape, or should it be the tusker or the 3 adolescent female elephants crossing the road? Should I click with my telephoto lens or capture videos from my phone to quickly share on my social media?

As these thoughts gripped me and left me overwhelmed, a few elephants started walking in our direction. They stopped around 10 feet from our jeep and kept on grazing.

My heart skipped a beat as I tried my level best to keep a steady camera for videos.

We spent over 40 minutes taking in all the beauty of elephants and capturing the many ‘awww’ moments.

A Brahminy kite and water buffaloes

Our driver drove further on the bank of the reservoir and we could finally see some birds. A flock of Painted Storks, many Brahminy Kites, and a Grey-headed Fish Eagle. It was perfect!

Just as the sun started setting, it started to drizzle. All I could think about was the incredible safari we had. Words cannot describe how much I loved it. And just then a Black-backed Jackal crossed the road. We turned around and gave some nice solo shots!

A jackal in Minneriya

FAQs FOR MINNERIYA SAFARI

Is the Minneriya Safari ethical?

Yes, I felt Minneriya National Park Safari was extremely ethical. At no point did the driver of any jeep get too close to the elephants. The animals always had the space they need to move freely and undisturbed.

How many National Parks are in Sri Lanka?

There are 26 National parks in Sri Lanka. Minneriya is one of them which conserves Asiatic Elephants.

SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL TIPS

Do not get down from the jeep ride in the national park as it is against the rules.
Avoid wearing perfume or body spray with a strong scent. It distracts wild animals.
Wear camouflage colours that will easily blend with the jungle – shades of green, brown and grey.
It is totally understandable to get excited when you spot a wild animal in the jungle. But do not make noises – whisper if necessary.
You may carry water and snacks in the care but do not dispose of plastic or leftover food in the jungle. Keep it in your bag or gypsy and dispose of it safely once you return to the hotel.
Do not feed anything to wild animals.

Disclosure: I was invited by Destination Sri Lanka to explore Minneriya National Park Safari. However, all opinions in this post are unbiased and my own. Special thanks to the team for taking take of everything during this trip.

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Jawai Leopard Safari in Rajasthan

Ketki Gadre — Tue, 07 Nov 2023 08:26:00 +0000

Jawai Leopard Safari in Jawai Leopard Sanctuary was on my bucket list ever since I saw the documentary by the Discovery Channel. Before that, I had never heard about the place. Check out this detailed guide and my experience.

Imagine strikingly beautiful leopards against the ancient rugged Aravalli mountains!

Jawai is not a protected wildlife sanctuary nor a national park, however, leopards not only exist here but are increasing in population. Probably that is why the hills are known as Leopard Hills.

Just like the hills in the neighbouring areas of Sena, Bera, the leopards of Jawai make for the most beautiful cohabit with the villagers.

Interestingly there has been no major case of man-animal conflict reported in recent years. Just like the Maldharis (the local tribe of jungles) in Gir National Park, the Jawai leopards are living harmoniously in the midst of people.

Conservation in Jawai Leopard Sanctuary

This has been a debated topic for a long time. Though there has been no conflict between man and leopard, there is no check when it comes to the number of visitors and the location of sightings since there are no gates as in a typical safari.

However, conservation efforts have been taken in the past few years by the Rajasthan forest department wherein there are trackers who track the movements of leopards.

Private lands are closed to outside visitors. And only the local hotel/resort owners are allowed to take visitors on safari.

An open-topped 4×4 safari gypsy is the standard vehicle operational in the area along with a guide is compulsory for safari.

Gypsy safari in Jawai over a vantage point

There is also a unique relationship between the leopards and the red turban herdsmen of the semi-nomadic Rabari community, who have lived peacefully for centuries.

The goats and lambs are the primary food of the leopard but there is no hue or cry by the community even if the leopard kills one of them. The local government compensates the shepherd for their loss under the Van Dhan Yojana. Through the efforts of the local community, the leopards of Jawai, have not only increased in number but are also being talked about.

Leopards of Jawai

The Jawai hills were shaped by lava, millions of years ago, which have formed into natural caves that house the leopards. They eat the lambs and goats from herds that are plenty in the area. These leopards have adapted to a fast life – says Adam Bannister who believes that these felines lead relatively short lives owing to the unique landscape that is their home. You can read about his study Grow Fast And Die Young – The Accelerated Life Of A Jawai Leopard.

Jawai leopard on Jawai hill

Leopard population in Jawai

As per my discussion with my guide, the latest figure stands at 55 leopards in an area of over 60km covering the villages of Jawai, Bera, Sena and other small villages.

Jawai Leopard Safari Lodge: Booking and Accommodation

There is no official website to book a safari like in the case of other wildlife sanctuaries. It is ideal to book a safari with the hotel/resort you are staying with. Recommended places of stay are:

Jawai Castle Resort

Sujan Jawai

Aravali Nature Luxury camp

Location and how to reach Jawai

The Jawai hills are located in the Pali district in the western state of Rajasthan.

By road:

Jawai is approximately 140 km from Udaipur, 80km from Abu Road and 300km from Ahmedabad. Visitors can drive to Jawai from any of these locations. Bus services are also available.

By Train:

Jawai Bandh is an important station and a lot of trains on the western line stop here.

By Air:

Closest airports to reach Jawai are Ahmedabad and Udaipur.

Backwaters of Jawai dam

My experience with Jawai Leopard Safari

We drove from Ahmedabad to Jawai on Diwali day and reached around lunch. After a relaxed lunch at the hotel, we headed to the evening safari near the Jawai dam backwaters. This is the area most frequented by leopards and a sighting is almost guaranteed.

On the way, our guide looked over some hills from the road through the binoculars and drove around. At one point there was a dead end and we thought we had to turn back but to our surprise, we climbed the hill (almost at 45 degrees) in the gypsy to get a view of the higher hills. The view was spectacular but there was no leopard insight.

We turned around and went to another hill. There were already a couple of safari jeeps waiting and their binoculars all pointed in one direction. Our guide directed us to the location where a female leopard was resting.

We craned our necks and even with a good set of binoculars, it took us a good two minutes to locate her. Her camouflage was incredible. My 600mm camera could only cover this ground distance giving me a good leopard scape.

Leopard-scape (can you spot the leopard in this photo)

We watched her rest for sometime and then she disappeared in the buses. All that was left to devour was the granite formations, caves, the valley, cacti and the glistening water of Jawai dam.

Our guide informed us that Jawai Bandh is one of the largest water reservoirs in western Rajasthan and attracts an impressive array of birdlife and we should plan a trip in January to see some migratory species. Check the list of bird watching destinations around Ahmedabad.

There was a movement in the safari jeeps and we knew the leopard was out again. This time it was the naughty cub, maybe taking the risk of venturing out of the bush’s protection in spite of his mother telling him against it.

He rested, and jumped over to the next rock, before disappearing into the bushes again. The effortless grace of these leopards was mesmerising to watch against the pink hues of the sky on the other side. We enjoyed the quiet sunset and called it a day.

Panoramic view of Jawai hills overlooking this gorgeous sunset

Next day morning safari brought it in a lot of excitement. We were near a hill in Bera at 6:30 am when it was still pitch dark.

One torchlight on the hill and our guide could locate a handsome male leopard near a cave. We waited for the dawn to break and then let the shutter fire away. And fire it did! The male leopard was comfortable in our company and at one point even enjoyed posing for us. It was a good show for over an hour.

Conclusion and Thoughts on Jawai

Jawai is a spectacular location, especially for wildlife enthusiasts who want to see leopards in the wild. So get into this countryside and experience the wilderness like never before.

If you want to enjoy something other than wildlife there are a few places near Jawai like the Ranakpur Jain Temple and Kumbhalgarh Fort.

Sustainable tips for Jawai Leopard Safari

This may not be a typical wildlife sanctuary but do not get down from your gypsy.
Wear camouflage colours that will easily blend with the rocky terrain – shades of green, brown and grey.
Be quiet and do not make noise. We do not want to disturb the leopards.
Carry water and food but do not dispose of plastic or leftover food. Keep it in your bag or gypsy and dispose of it safely once you return to the hotel.

Enjoy Indian Wildlife? Read more wildlife posts here

For Nilgiri tahr: Eravikulam National Park, Munnar
For Blackbucks: Blackbuck National Park, Velavadar
For tiger: Jim Corbett National Park , Tadoba National Park
For Asiatic lion: Gir National Park
For Indian Rhino: Manas National Park

Possible trips from Jawai

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. It means it adds no extra cost to you if you book/buy through the link but I get a referral bonus which helps me earn a little to keep this website up and running.

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Periyar National Park: What is it famous for?

Ketki Gadre — Tue, 26 Sep 2023 10:03:00 +0000

Periyar National Park paints a pretty picture with Periyar waters meandering through thick green forests with picturesque mountains in the backdrop. Started mainly as a tiger and elephant reserve, the 900 sq km area is centred around an artificial lake formed after the building of the Mullaperiyar Dam across the Periyar and Mullayar Rivers in 1895.

How to reach Periyar National Park

By Road – Thekaddy is the closest town and can be easily reached by road from any major city of Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
By Train – The nearest railway station is Kottayam, at a distance of 97 km. Hire a car to reach here.
By Air – Kochi International Airport and Madurai Airport are two of the closest airports located at the distance of 150 km and 159 km respectively. Hire a cab from the airport to directly reach here.

If you have more time in hand, check my last post about the detailed Kerala road trip itinerary.

Flora of Periyar National Park

The park is covered with moist deciduous forest, tropical evergreen forest with more than 150 species of grasses and over 100 species of orchids. Trees commonly spotted here are mangoes, rosewood, teak, jacarandas, Indian conifer, plum, tamarind, royal ponciana, bamboos, fig, sandalwood, etc.

Animals in Periyar National Park | Periyar Sanctuary is famous for which animal?

Periyar has abundant fauna biodiversity which includes tigers, elephants, Malabar flying squirrel, wild boar, sambar, Indian bison, nilgai, sloth bear, jungle cat and others. With the thick forest cover, over 250 species of birds can be spotted in this park. Famous for the Malabar grey hornbill other birds that can be spotted are white-bellied blue flycatcher, frogmouth, black necked stork, darter, steppe eagle, brahminy kite, etc.

Over 40 species of reptiles and 150 species of butterflies are also found in the Periyar National park.

Best time to visit Periyar National Park, Kerala

The temperature ranges from 15 ºC to 34 ºC and the best time to visit is in winter – November to January. The park is closed during monsoon – from June to October.

Wildlife Safari in Periyar National Park | Boat ride on Periyar River

The most common thing people do at Periyar Tiger Reserve is to take a boat ride on the Periyar lake. The boat has a two-tire and you are allotted seats in the boat. The top tire is the best for better viewing options. Its duration is 1.5 hours. We did the same and being a cloudy day saw only a couple of common water birds – Cormorant and Darter and a herd of wild elephants and Indian bison. We got a ticket on the spot after 30 minutes of waiting. Online booking is also available on the Kerala tourism website.

The boat ride timings are 7:30 am to 9:00 am, 9:30 am to 11:00 am, 11:15 am- 12:45 pm, 1:45 pm to 3:15 pm and 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm and it is ideal to reach there one hour before the ride begins.

We actually wanted to do bamboo rafting which is a full day activity from 8 am to 5pm which includes a three hour bamboo rafting and a three hour nature walk. There are more chances of spotting birds and other mammals when you are actually doing the jungle trail but it was closed on that particular day for some reason. We did not have a spare day so had to settle for the boat ride.

There are a lot of other ways to spend time in Periyar National Park. Some of them are listed below so you can plan properly.

You have to pay entry fees of Rs. 35 per person to enter the main park. As per the activity chosen, the value will be different.
Jungle Patrol – This is a guide night activity in the park. You can get its information and updated fee structure here.
Bamboo Rafting – 8 am to 5 pm full day activity for Rs. 1500 per person
Boat ride – Rs. 240 per person
Jeep safari – between 5:30 am to 4:40 pm and costs Rs. 4000
Tiger Trail – It is a trekking and camping programme for 2 nights and 3 nights. The trail covers an area of 20 to 35 km. The accommodation is in the middle of the resort and costs Rs. 6000 per person.
Nature walk – A guide day trek for wildlife enthusiasts costs Rs. 220 per person
Jungle camp – This is a tented accommodation programme and is the real jungle deal wherein you stay in the middle of the jungle. It costs Rs. 12000 for an overnight camp and min. 4 people need to book this.
Guided nature walks– 7:00 am to 10:00 pm and 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Costs Rs. 750 per person.

Tips for sustainable Periyar National Park trip:

Do not under any circumstances get down from your jeep ride.
Wear camouflage colours which will easily blend with the jungle – shades of green, brown and grey.
It is totally understandable to get excited when you spot a wild animal in the jungle. But do not make noises – whisper if necessary.
Do not wear perfumes or body spray in the jungle.
You will get super thirsty and hungry during the safari/rafting. Carry water and food but do not dispose of plastic or leftover food in the jungle. Keep it in your bag and dispose of safely once you return to the hotel.
Do not feed anything to wild animals.
Try not to point out birds. There have been instances where raptors take notice of pointing toward small, weak exotic birds and hunt them down.
And last and not least, respect the guide. If you do not spot a wild animal do not blame them, remember you’re in a jungle and not a zoo to have surety of spotting animals.

Read More Kerala Posts:

Read More National Park posts:

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Jim Corbett National Park beyond The Tiger

Ketki Gadre — Thu, 13 Jul 2023 13:57:00 +0000

Are you planning a trip to Jim Corbett National Park and wondering if you will get to see the tigers? In this blog, I narrate the tale of all the sightings in Corbett and why it should be on your list.

The only thing which came to my mind while planning a trip to Corbett National Park was Jim Corbett’s book “Man-eaters of Kumaon” and how I had enlivened his descriptions of the Indian jungles. His recreations of flora, fauna, and the tiger hunts still itched my mind. I kept envisioning Kumaon through his words – dense, sacred, and full of surprises. Nestled in the shadow of Nanda Devi Range, Kumaon is a bounty of nature and an adobe to many species of birds.

Vacation in the Indian Jungles is our favorite kind of vacation. After finishing Birding in Pangot, Kilsbury, and Sattal in the Kumaon region, we headed towards the Ramnagar area.

It took time to sink in. I am trying to fulfill my dream of catching a glimpse of the big cat in the wild. Yes, migratory birds are exciting, yes spotting a 10 feet reptile is unnerving but spotting a lion, tiger, or leopard in the thick jungles of India is an experience beyond words. Being a wildlife enthusiast for more than 12 years and having visited many tiger reserves in India, Jim Corbett National Park was a major bucket list tick-off. In spite of spotting the tiger in Tadoba National Park, Corbett NP was equally exciting.

First Tiger safari at Jim Corbett National Park

After checking into our hotel and lazy lunch, we were ready for our afternoon safari in the Jhirna zone. We had to choose this zone as it was the only one available out of the 4 other prime zones in Jim Corbett National Park. As soon as we entered the primary gate, our guide gave us information about the National Park – the abundance of flora and fauna found here and the general do’s and don’ts of a jungle. The sun was taking a beating on us and we tucked ourselves further into a layer of hat and scarf while we listened to him about spotting a tigress and her two cubs, 2 days backs. Tigers are known to be ferocious in the company of their cubs so they move little and go out only to hunt so that the cubs are protected.

We were now at the entry gate of Jhirna zone. A couple of other gypsies waited as their drivers and guides got the permits and identities approved on the gate with the forest officials. As we waited for our driver to return, we started noticing the jungle signs. A group of langurs playfully jumped on the trees above us while a white-throated kingfisher called out in the distance. Nearby a family of Indian thick Knee (Stone Curlew) went about their business.

A red headed vulture on a langur kill

We heard some commotion from the forest office when one of our neighbouring gypsies left. Our allotted guide for the gypsy had not turned up so our driver had to play a guide himself. Inside the gate the guide pointed to an expanse of grassland and said this is where the tigress was spotted the day before yesterday. The gypsy which had left 5 minutes before us was parked on the side of the road. Before we could ask, all of them at once said that they just saw a tigress and her two cubs crossing the road and disappearing into the grasslands. We were disappointed with our bad luck caused due to the initial delay of 5 minutes but we decided to wait here as the guide suspected that she may come out from the other side. 20 minutes on and there was no sign of the tigress. Since it was our first safari our guide suggested we move on. The next halt was near a river and a herd of elephants were seen coming towards the riverbed. A red headed vulture in the distance was feasting on a langur carcass while we moved forward to get better shots of the elephant herd.

Further on, more riverbeds came and went but there was no sign of the tiger. We felt a certain rawness and a deep silence while we captured an Indian Grey Hornbill feeding his partner inside a tree trunk. Female hornbills stay inside the bark of the trees to incubate the eggs while the male takes the responsibility of feeding the female.

An Indian Grey Horbill feeding the female who is in the trunk of that bark

Our safari lasted for 3 hours in the thick jungles of Jhirna zone with some trees almost 200 years old. Dominated by valleys and low hills, the region is unbelievably lush and green and we were overjoyed to be spending our time in the oldest jungles of India. We were mesmerized with the tranquility, clean air, silence and solitude as we headed back to our gate. We waited again at the same grassland to try our luck with the tigress and two cubs. Some gypsies never went inside the jungle as some tourists insisted on waiting there to see the tiger. I pitied them for missing out on an amazing experience of raw jungles which is so necessary when you are away from the urban concrete jungle! No sign of the tigress except some elephants.

A herd of elephants in Jim Corbett National Park

Day 2: Second Tiger Safari at Jim Corbett National Park

The next day we were even more pumped and excited and reached the gate early. Ours was the first vehicle to enter the same zone – Jhirna of the Jim Corbett National Park. It was still dark as we crossed the grassland in hope of a glance of the tigress. There were no other gypsies until this point in time. There was however a light fog and we could see the silhouettes of trees emerging from the dark. A black-shouldered kite was in a deep focus mode trying to find an early breakfast.

We went through the same route as yesterday and crossed the riverbed when we come across a juvenile Steppe Eagle. I clicked almost 50 shots and he just kept posing happily. 50 more from another angle and my forearms start paining with the weight of my 150-600mm lens!

We reached the spot where we spotted the elephant herd yesterday and there were a couple of gypsies(safari vehicles) gathered there. Intrigued we asked if they saw anything and the guide from another gypsy said he had heard alarm calls of langurs and spotted deer. We see a couple of spotted deers running out of the thick jungle in between the meandering river. This confirmed the fact that the tiger is probably on a hunt in the early hours of the morning. We patiently wait for a flutter of sound or some commotion for next 30 minutes. The spotted deers are now in a herd and happily drinking the river water. “Looks like the tiger has moved away or is resting after the kill. He may or may not come out” says our guide as I focus to capture a Chestnut headed bee-eater in the nearby bushes.

Chestnut headed bee eater

Moving on, we notice it is day break and the sunlight is not up. That’s not a good sign as it is cloudy. Overcast skies means less heat which means less chances of animals coming to the waterhole/river for quenching their thirst. We move ahead as a spotted dove lands near our vehicle.

This was slowly turning out to be a birding trip as there were so many varieties of birds that we were able to capture. Our guide pointed out to a riverbed saying he can see a silhouette of a bird. We craned our necks and cranked up the zoom on camera and binoculars. A small debate broke out whether it was a Bonelli’s Eagle or a Booted Eagle. The bird guides and books came out and the debate was put to rest concluding that he is infact a Booted Eagle.

A booted eagle at Jim Corbett National Park

While I tried to adjust my camera’s ISO so as to have less noise in the picture, a movement happened behind us. A golden jackal was devouring his early morning kill of spotted deer. The shutters started going as it was only the one leg that remained to be finished! I must have clicked at least 200 shots of this jackal – eating a meal, crossing the road, drinking water from the river, pooping and then resting, all in this sequence. What a find that was!

A golden jackal

It was time to exit the gate. On the way back we asked the gypsies and it was confirmed that there was no sighting during the morning safari this morning. We were still hoping to find the Royal Bengal Tiger of the Jim Corbett National Park in the afternoon safari! It was going to be a different zone and we were excited once again. Fingers were crossed so that it doesn’t rain during the afternoon safari. It did rain but before our safari and made the forest look even more beautiful.

Day 2: Third Tiger Safari at Jim Corbett National Park

With a light jacket to fight the chill from the rain in an open gypsy, we started our third and last safari in Bijrani zone. A vast expanse of jumbled green vines engulfing ancient trees, freshly washed by rain, it was nothing short of magical to be witnessing this beautiful forest. Bijrani was something else, so much different than Jhirna. It was hard to believe how vegetation can be so different a few kilometers apart. We were wide-eyed, right from the beginning to take in the spectacular view and to spot a tiger.

The Jim Corbett National Park was too quiet for comfort. Maybe all the animals were enjoying a post-rain siesta. We drove from one water hole to another which is frequented by tigers but there was no sign. We crossed past a gypsy and again they showed their pictures of a tigress and three cubs on the road, crossing it, just 10 minutes back. This had to stop! A loud alarm call by the langur signaled the tiger was in the vicinity. We drove towards where the sound was coming from and then shut our engines. It was probably an instant kill. We were being showered for our patience as the teak trees were shedding their flowers. A fragrant yellow pathway was created as we patiently waited again for a flutter of sound or commotion. Nothing happened. And we moved on.

On a parallel road inside a much thicker canopy, a gypsy waited. They too had heard the langur calls and were quite certain that the tiger would move further into his territory after the kill. We decided to shut our vehicles engines and wait. We did not want to lose this golden opportunity. 30 minutes into the wait, a lot of gypsies came and stopped near us. Some lost patience and left but some waited longer. It started becoming dark and eerie silence was playing on our minds. 60 minutes into the wait, we hear the commotion and alarm calls of langurs from the tree. This signaled that the tiger had woken up. The langurs kept looking towards the ground and jumped from one branch to another which meant the tiger was probably moving. The bushes crowded us and were too thick to see anything on the ground when we heard a rustle not more than 20 meters to our left. “The tiger is moving his tail” – says our guide. His paws are so well cushioned that only the tail can make such a noise.

2 more gypsies join the race. Now there are over 7 gypsies on either side of the road and the guide knows for sure that the tiger will cross the road. My guide even tells me the expected place from where he will cross so I should focus my camera and be ready. Trying to spot a tiger in the thick jungle is a patience game and one must keep absolute silent to hear the tiger’s movements and not scare it away in some other direction. Just when we thought the tiger will come onto the road any minute, a baby starts crying in the neighboring gypsy and there is one more gypsy that starts its engine wanting to go forward. This leads to commotion. We have to let them go and their engines grumble, a gypsy from the front flashes its headlight, signaling not to. This is too much commotion to deal with and all of a sudden all gypsies start moving in the opposite direction because one guide had spotted a tigress. We drive into the rat race and see a fleeting silhouette of the tigress. She probably got pissed off with the human noises and climbed the hill with her cubs instead of crossing the road into the ravine. 90 minutes of wait, 5 seconds of tiger flash, one silly mistake by the neighboring gypsy. We were speechless. The adrenaline rush made us quiet. We were not sure if we should be happy to have spotted a tiger finally (but could not photograph) or sad that the wait ended like this?

Was it worth it?

Now after 2 months of the trip, when i think about it, yes it was.

Would we have patiently sat down and meditated in the middle of a forest for 90 minutes otherwise? No!

Would we have experienced the raw jungle and the eerie silence otherwise? No!

Would we go back to experience these 5 seconds again? Yes, of course! 🙂

General and Sustainable tips for visiting Jim Corbett National Park:

Please do not consider taking kids below 6 years of age into sanctuaries/national parks. They can get impatient and cranky in a small vehicle for 3 hours of safari and that can ruin the experience for other wildlife enthusiasts. Please treat jungles as jungles and not zoos!
Try to be patient. The guides and drivers in the national park are far more experienced and know their work well. Do not push them to make silly mistakes.
Hold that pee! You do it in a movie theatre you can as well in a jungle.
Do not make noise! How difficult it is for you to not speak for 3 hours? Will you be dead if you don’t?
Do not wear perfume or body spray in the jungle.
You can carry water and food (only vegetarian food) but do not dispose of plastic or leftover food in the jungle. Keep it in your bag or vehicle and dispose of safely once you return to the hotel.
Do not feed anything to wild animals.
Try not to point out birds. There have been instances where raptors take notice of pointing towards small, weak exotic birds and hunt them down.
Always respect the vehicle driver and your jungle guide. If you do not spot a wild animal do not blame them, remember you’re in a jungle and not a zoo to have surety of spotting animals.

Read about other national parks

Read More Uttarakhand Posts

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Jungle safari in Satpura Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh

Ketki Gadre — Fri, 05 May 2023 13:43:56 +0000

Satpura Tiger Reserve offers offbeat wildlife safari in Madhya Pradesh. Read on to know why.

I am a believer in spending vacation in Indian jungles. They soothe and calm visitors from the hectic technology ridden lives.

While the tiger reserves in MP (Madhya Pradesh) such as Bandhavgarh, Panna, Kanha and Pench are extremely popular among tourists and wildlife enthusiasts, Satpura takes a backseat when it comes to choosing it for tiger tourism.

There is enough density of big cats in Satpura Tiger Reserve, but the sheer size of the forest makes it a little bit difficult as compared to the popular counterparts.

However, that does not mean Satpura National Park should be left out because it is a haven for sighting many other mammals and birds.

Madai gate at Satpura Tiger Reserve

WHERE IS SATPURA TIGER RESERVE?

Satpura Tiger Reserve is a national park located in the Hoshangabad, Betul and Chhindwara districts of Madhya Pradesh. The park is part of the Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve. It is one of the closest reserves from the state capital of Bhopal.

The high mountains, deep gorges and dense forests of Satpura hold secrets bountiful that one can discover only by venturing further into its unexplored terrain. Located in the Hoshangabad, Betul and Chhindwara districts of Madhya Pradesh, Satpura Tiger Reserve, a part of the Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve, attracts a large crowd of tourists each year.

The topography of the park consists of deep gorges, mountains, reservoirs, backwaters and mixed deciduous forests, providing a range of habitats to suit a variety of animals.

The forest of Satpura range

WILDLIFE OF SATPURA NATIONAL PARK

Although Satpura is notified as a tiger reserve, the diversity of wildlife is huge. The next best mammal to tiger is the leopard and sloth bear and the sightings between the sal and teak trees is just fantastic.

The reserve was notified in the year 2000 and is home to over 90 species of trees, 50 species of mammals, 300 species of birds, 100 species of butterflies and more than 30 species of reptiles.

ALL ABOUT SATPURA TIGER RESERVE

Why is Satpura famous?

Satpura National Park is rich in biodiversity of trees and wildlife. The animals here include sloth bear, Indian bison, leopard, sambar, chital, nilgai, dholes (wild dogs), four-horned antelope, wild boar, black buck, gecko, Indian fox, porcupine, flying squirrel, barking deer, and Indian giant squirrel.

The bird diversity is amazing too with birds such as many varieties of owls, eagles, buzzards, kites and hornbills.
Although other animals are seen in most national parks in India such as Manas National Park, Assam, Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand, and Gir National Park, Gujarat, sloth bear is unique for these forests.

A crocodile in Satpura tiger reserve

Zones in Satpura Tiger Reserve

Satpura is divided into 4 core zones and 4 buffer zones.

Core zones are Churna, Madhai, Mallupura and Panaarpani while the buffer zones are Pipariya, Jamani Dev, Parsapani and Tamia Delakhari. Madhai and Churna are the most popular of all the entry gates of Satpura National Park.

Satpura National Park safari cost

Satpura National Park has three kinds of safari options – jeep (gypsy), boat and walking. It is possible to book safari online.

Jeep Safari

Depending on the zone, the entry gates are different. One gypsy safari will cost INR 3500/- (includes vehicle and guide charges) and another INR 1500/- for entry permits to the park. The gypsy can accommodate up to 6 visitors other than the gypsy driver and forest guide.

Boat Safari

Boat safari happens in Tawa Reservoir through narrow water inlets of the Denwa River. I did not do the boat safari in Satpura but it surely looked refreshing. I have done boat safari in Periyar National Park because that is the only way to safari there, but the chances of sighting wildlife is less from a boat safari. Still, a fun activity and among the things to do in Satpura.

Tickets for boat safari are available near the office at Madhai gate. Boat safari cost is INR 500/- per person.

Walking safari in Satpura National Park

One of the highlights of Satpura is the option of walking safari in buffer zones. Walking amidst the beautiful teak and sal trees trying to sight wildlife is a thrill worth experiencing. Walking safari is conducted with a trained naturalist and guide who take visitors on a predefined route. The walking safari is offered by hotels and resorts. Ask your resort if they offer one!

There are options of night safari in Satpura as well.

Sambar deer in Satpura tiger reserve

Safari Timings

Morning and afternoon safaris are of 3 hours duration. The morning safari timing is 6 am to 9 am and afternoon is 3 pm to 6 pm.

There is a possibility of a full day safari in Churna zone that lasts from early morning to noon and again 3 pm to 6 pm.

Safari vehicles

Safari vehicles are jeep or gypsy vehicles that are open from top and side with safety bars to hold on both sides. It is compulsory to enter the tiger reserve in these designated gypsies with an allotted guide and driver.

In Churna zone, tourists can take their own pollution free, four-wheeled vehicle capable of going through the rough forest terrain.

Best time to visit Satpura Tiger Reserve

Satpura National Park is open from mid-October until the end of June. Just like all national parks in India, the Satpura reserve is closed for the monsoon season (July to mid-October). During May and June the temperatures are extremely high such as 40 – 50°C. Winter months are very cold with temperatures as low as 4 – 5°C in early mornings.

Both morning and afternoon safari provide different vantage points for wildlife sightings and I suggest doing both of them from different zones.

Satpura Tiger Reserve Accommodation options

Satpura has 3 forest rest houses at Pachmarhi, 2 at Churna and 1 at Madhai with double bedrooms. These are basic rooms that can be booked through the Satpura Tiger Reserve office.

There are many private hotels and resorts on the Denwa periphery as well as near the other zone gates.

I stayed at the Goldmark Resort which is right on the bank of Tawa Reservoir. The view from most rooms is of the reservoir and is beautiful. Amenities include indoor games, library and pool. The resort can help you book the tickets for Satpura Tiger Reserve.

Other accommodation options here include:

Lehar Sa Resort

Forsyth Lodge

Moustache Panarpani Retreat

View from the Goldmark hotel

How To Get Around Satpura National Park

By Air

Bhopal is the closest city from Satpura Tiger Reserve at 150 km connected via flight. From Bhopal, one can hire a taxi to reach the reserve. There aren’t many options for booking a taxi upon arrival so it is best to request a pick-up from the hotel/resort where you are staying.

By Train

Itarsi is a prominent railway junction with trains from all across the country and is just 70 km away. Piparia (40 km), Sohagpur (20 km), Hoshangabad (70 km), Bhopal (140 km), and are well-suited stations for Satpura. There are several trains to these stations on a daily basis. From these stations, one has to hire a taxi.

By Road

One can drive from Bhopal via Hoshangabad city, Betul city or Pipariya town to reach Madhai gate. The best part about reaching the Madai gate is that one has to get on a boat and cross the Denwa river. The commute is included in the safari cost.

Internal road in Satpura jungle

SATPURA TIGER RESERVE EXPERIENCE

Why waste a weekend near a tiger reserve by not going there?

My husband and I were to travel to Itarsi for a family function and this question arose. Combining social functions and festivals with wildlife trips is our motto! And hence a trip was planned to Satpura National Park. We called up our go to guide and wildlife planner – Joy of WildchasersIndia and booked 2 safaris to Satpura – our first MP jungle!

Our cousin picked us up from the Itarsi train junction at 9 am and we headed towards Madai in the car. This road trip in February included crossing country roads through wheat fields swaying happily in the crisp cold wind. Briefly it was time for a pit stop that included bhaji wada and chai!

A snack for the road.. Bhaji wada

In about 2 hours we reached our hotel on the banks of Tawa Reservoir. After check-in, we napped, freshened up and had lunch.

We walked about 500 meters to the boat jetty. The boat service starts at 2:30 pm and takes visitors to the other bank, to the Madai gate.

Safari in Madai zone

At the Madai gate jeeps were allotted to us with a driver and guide. We entered the gate at 3 pm.

Our guide gave us a brief introduction about the Satpura reserve – the area covered, the diversity, zones, etc.

20 minutes into the safari, our guide sighted a family of Sloth Bears – a mother with 2 sub-adult cubs. As they crossed the road, sniffed trees and played with each other, our cameras kept busy. We spent a good 15 minutes in their presence and went further.

Sloth bear in Satpura national park

The next 2 hours were spent looking for pugmarks, hearing alarm calls of langurs, birdwatching and just soaking in the forest vibe.

Unfortunately it turned out to be a dry safari (no tiger sightings). However, we saw plenty of crocodiles, spotted deer, sambar deer and birds.

The sunset on Denwa backwaters was extremely picturesque and we spent some peaceful moments on the river bank.

Safari in Churna zone

When Joy told us that there was an option of a full day safari in Satpura Tiger Reserve, we were extremely excited and wanted to make use of it. The excitement further fueled when he informed us that we would be crossing the Madai zone into the core zone of the forest and then entering into the Churna zone.

We followed the same routine – went to the boat jetty, crossed the bank and a safari was allotted to us at Madai to go to Churna.

The cold winter winds made our teeth chatter and froze our hands. But the eyes were open for any movement and ears for any alarm calls.

On this day too, we saw crocodiles, Indian bison, herds of spotter deer, sambar deer and 3 types of owls.

Indian scops owl

We took a break and had our breakfast at one of the rest stops in the Churna zone. With yummy parathas, sandwiches, fruits and chai packed by our hotel, we fueled up with the hope of spotting tigers in Satpura.

The jungle provided us many opportunities for the possibility of tiger sightings with alarm calls and fresh pugmarks. Unfortunately, the morning safari turned out to be dry as well, and we headed towards the Churna forest rest house for our lunch.

Here, we met with other wildlife enthusiasts and many stories entertained us from previous days and years. A group showed us their photographs of a leopard from earlier in the day. Another lady shared her experience of sighting a tiger from last year. A scrumptious lunch later, we were pleasantly surprised by a visitor.

Indian giant squirrel in Satpura

Now it was time for the afternoon safari and we drove to all the possible places where tiger territory is. We checked out water holes and other areas.

Finally, some fresh pugmarks!

The pugmarks stayed with us for almost 2 km and according to our guide the tiger crossed this area when we were lunching!

It was almost 4:30 pm and we had to leave the Churna zone to get into Madai and leave from Madai at 6pm – the gate closing time.

As we drove towards Madai, the pugmarks appeared again, only to disappear in the bushes after a while. Another jeep who had noticed the pugmarks was on standstill as they also heard a faint growl. We waited for a bit for a movement, a call, a growl, but nothing happened.

We drove back to Madai with no sightings of the tiger or leopard but fantastic memories of Satpura jungle.

A wild boar in the Satpura jungle

FAQs FOR SATPURA SAFARI

Is Satpura National Park worth visiting?

YES! Satpura is one of the most promising wildlife reserves in India with wide diversity in wildlife. Visitors have the chance to see tiger, leopard, sloth bear and gaur all within one reserve. The forests of Satpura are enchanting with teak and sal trees all around.

Which zone is best for tiger sighting in Satpura?

Satpura Tiger Reserve is divided into 4 core zones and 4 buffer zones. Although there is no guarantee of tiger sightings, Churna and Madai zones are popular for tiger, leopard and sloth bear sightings.

SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL TIPS

Do not get down from the jeep ride in the national park as it is against the rules.
Avoid wearing perfume or body spray with a strong scent. It distracts wild animals.
Wear camouflage colours that will easily blend with the jungle – shades of green, brown and grey.
Be quiet in the jungle and maintain jungle decorum.
You may carry water and snacks in the jeep but do not dispose of plastic or leftover food in the jungle. Keep it in your bag or gypsy and dispose of it safely once you return to the hotel.
Do not feed anything to wild animals.

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