 |
| The Royals of the Jungle: Rulers of Bandhavgarh |
With my beloved family, comprising of my wife, Swati, and my two cute daughters, Jahnavi and Krishvi, by my side, we embarked on this adventure on the 4th of March 2023 from Prayagraj. As we boarded the train, we knew that the journey ahead would be filled with excitement and wonder. Finally, on the 5th of March, we arrived at Umaria Railway Station, the nearest railway station to Bandhavgarh at the break of dawn.
The MPT White Tiger Forest Lodge at Bandhavgarh was our destination, and we travelled there through the buffer zone of the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve. Along the way, we were graced with sightings of spotted deer, langurs, and other wildlife. The greenery around us was serene, and the tranquility was almost palpable, lifting our spirits for the journey ahead.
As we reached the resort, we were taken aback by its natural beauty, situated in the midst of the jungle. The Manager, Mr. Abhishek Dubey, was incredibly welcoming and supportive, making sure that we felt comfortable and at home. He got us an evening safari booked for one of the core zones, Magadhi Zone on the same day. After a brief rest, we eagerly awaited our first jungle safari and a chance to encounter the king of the jungle.
The Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve is an incredible wildlife sanctuary nestled in the heart of India. Our cameras were ready, binoculars in hand, and our hearts brimming with anticipation for the next two days. Little did we know that we were about to embark on a journey that would leave us breathless, with close encounters with the elusive tigers and an array of other wildlife that roamed freely in the reserve.
At 3 pm, we boarded the canter of MP Tourism for our first safari in the Magadhi Zone. We were filled with excitement as we began our safari, and we were lucky to have a sighting of a tiger roaming with a prey in its mouth early on in our journey. We then saw many other forms of wildlife like sambhar deer, wild boar, wild elephants, langurs, and many exquisite birds like giant stork and hornbill.
We returned to our cottage, and after a good night's rest, we were eager to begin our next safari in the Tala Core Zone of the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, considered by many to be the most beautiful part of the reserve.
As we began our journey, the beauty of the jungle in the Tala Zone mesmerized us, as if we were transported into the pages of "The Jungle Book." We encountered many forms of wildlife from a close proximity, including great Indian eagle, giant stork, wild elephants, Indian jackal, and many birds.
Our luck continued as we had a rare sighting of a tiger family. Our hearts raced as a tigress strode towards our gypsy, her intense gaze locking with ours before turning to tend to her cubs. The intensity of the moment was palpable, the air alive with the fierce growl that erupted from her throat. It was an encounter that sent shivers down our spines, a moment frozen in time.
As we journeyed back, the wilderness gifted us yet again, with an unforgettable encounter with a wild elephant. The beast charged towards our gypsy, a terrifying yet exhilarating experience. Our hearts filled with awe and wonder, we basked in the beauty of nature's wild and untamed spirit. With our souls invigorated and our spirits soaring, we returned to our resort, our faces wreathed in joyous smiles.
As our journey drew to a close, the magic of Bandhavgarh lingered in our hearts. We bid farewell to the majestic sambar deer that walked along the road, their regal grace a fitting farewell to a journey of a lifetime. A promise to return and immerse ourselves in the wilderness once more, we journeyed back to Prayagraj, our hearts heavy with gratitude for a memory that will stay with us forever.
Map of Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve:
- Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve covers an area of approximately 105 square kilometers and is home to around 50 tigers, making it one of the best places in India to spot these magnificent creatures.
- The reserve is situated at an altitude of 800 meters above sea level and is spread across a hilly terrain with the Vindhya Mountain Range forming the backdrop.
- Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve is known for its dense Sal and Bamboo forests, which provide an ideal habitat for tigers, leopards, sloth bears, deer, and a variety of bird species.
- The reserve is divided into four zones: Tala, Magdhi, Khitauli, and Panpatha. Of these, Tala is the most popular and is known for its high tiger population.
- Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve was declared a national park in 1968 and later became a Tiger Reserve in 1993 under Project Tiger.
- Apart from wildlife, the reserve is also home to several ancient temples and caves, including the Bandhavgarh Fort, which is believed to be over 2000 years old.
- The best time to visit Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve is between October and June when the weather is pleasant, and the chances of spotting tigers are higher.
- Visitors can explore the reserve on jeep safaris, elephant safaris, or on foot with the help of a naturalist guide.
- Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve is committed to conservation and has several initiatives in place to protect tigers and other wildlife, including anti-poaching measures and community outreach programs.
- The reserve is easily accessible by road and is located approximately 200 kilometers from Jabalpur, 250 kilometers from Varanasi, and 450 kilometers from Delhi.
- Visit the official website of Madhya Pradesh Forest Department or the official website of Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve to make a booking. You can also contact your travel agent for assistance in booking a safari.
- Choose the type of safari you want to book. You can either book a jeep safari or an elephant safari. Jeep safaris are more popular as they offer more flexibility and cover a larger area. Elephant safaris are more limited and can only be booked for specific zones.
- Decide on the zone you want to visit. Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve is divided into four zones, and each zone has a limited number of safari permits available. The Tala zone is the most popular and has the highest chance of tiger sightings, so it is recommended to book well in advance.
- Choose the time slot for your safari. Safaris are conducted twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. The timings may vary depending on the season.
- Make the payment for your safari. You can pay online through the website using a credit or debit card. You can also pay in person at the booking office in Bandhavgarh.
- Once you have made the booking, you will receive a confirmation email or message with your safari details, including the time and date of your safari, the zone you will be visiting, and the meeting point.
- On the day of your safari, arrive at the meeting point at least 30 minutes before the scheduled time. You will need to show your permit and ID proof at the entrance gate.
- Enjoy your safari and follow the rules and regulations of the reserve. Do not get down from the vehicle or disturb the wildlife. Remember, you are in their home, and we must respect their space.
