Re: Experience of lifetime... a Ride to remember !!

Till now yes its less. More coming soon. And yes as Ryan said its a land of tigers, no Lions.

Thank you my friend !! Absolutely, I would never forget such an experience !!

Thanks for following this thread and for you interest in this log. Hope I won't disappoint you.

Thank you Rohan .

Re: Experience of lifetime... a Ride to remember !!

Well , a little late here but anyways , Awesome feat this Neeteesh !
Waiting for more !

Re: Experience of lifetime... a Ride to remember !!

Wow.. indeed a ride to remember for generations. Congratulations for pulling it off.
Really inspiring. Eagerly waiting for further trip logs.

Re: Experience of lifetime... a Ride to remember !!

Really a ride to remember buddy. Nice ride and nice pictures.

Re: Experience of lifetime... a Ride to remember !!

@Neeteesh Singh - Glad to hear you travel through my home town of Bargarh.

Surely such rides are a life time experience.

Re: Experience of lifetime... a Ride to remember !!

Thank you Nagesh !! You are not late the journey has just started, not even close to the interval

Thanks a lot !! will come up with day 4 log soon...

Thank you!! It would have been pleasure meeting you as well

Re: Experience of lifetime... a Ride to remember !!

Day 4 Tadoba (Wildlife adventure)

18th March 2013

With a hope to find someone who could share his safari with me I reached the gate safari by 5:30 am. Found all the safari jeeps queued up in front of the gate and many jeeps were getting added to the already queued up jeeps. Went to the counter where all the guides had gathered. Arjun was off from his duty at the counter and a lady was about to start her duty. I asked the lady at the counter if she might be able to help me in getting someone to share the safari with. She politely said most of the vehicles were fully occupied and just check with the guides who could help. I asked one of the guides but he was quite reluctant as the two people with him were photographers and mostly photographers deny sharing safari with other people. I told him I will go talk to them but he was sure that they wont agree.

So was I not suppose to get an opportunity to get a safari. Let alone seeing a tiger, in this land of tigers. Tomorrow its a Tuesday and there was no point in staying here if I don't get a safari. With all my hopes of an wildlife fun diminishing, finally came a respite. The photographers' guide told me that there is a foreign couple and I could try and talk to them about sharing the safari. With no other options left, this was my last opportunity. I went to this couple and told about my situation and asked them if they mind sharing the safari with me. To my surprise they readily agreed and I was extremely happy with the kind gesture.

Thus my safari begun with the sweet couple from Italy Michela and Saverio, our guide Sanjay and driver Bhima.

6 am the gate opened and we entered the reserve area.

















No tiger as the morning safari ended. A lot of pug marks though. But still it was a pleasure meeting such a lovely and lively couple. They already had visited Varanasi and the Kanha National Park during this visit to India. They were to leave tomorrow to Nagpur and then Delhi/Agra before going back to Italy. I helped them increase their Hindi vocabulary in addition to a few words which they had learned in their few days in India. It was quite a pleasure to know them and speak with them. I almost forgot that we are in a safari looking for the tiger for which I had tried so hard. Before they left for their resort they said they will do the evening safari as well and they did not mind me joining them for the evening safari as well. I did not saw the tiger but there was a big smile courtesy Michela and Saverio.

Went back to the resort by 10:30 am and came out to roam around and to try my new lens. I was approached by two gentlemen. And after introduction I came to know that they stay at Chandrapur and was looking over the renovation work at the MTDC Rosort. Kamlesh Thakur and his friend Mohit Modekar. I just realized that these were the same people who had come to help me after the fall. Kamlesh is a local photographer and I am one who loves good photograph so the conversation went on and on. I also forgot that I came out also to give order for the lunch as it was order only. He said that he will be bringing some of his framed photographs which will be used in the resort renovation. I promised him If I am here then I would love to see the photographs.
















After lunch it was time for the evening safari. 2:45 reached the safari gate and saw Michela and Saverio already there. After entering the reserve area as we came across Telia lake our guide Sanjay asked Bhima, our driver, to stop. As we looked where our guide was pointing and to our surprise there it was.


Our guide Sanjay


Sanjay(Guide), Michela, Saverio and Bhima(Driver)


Saverio and Michela

Yes !! A tiger quietly moving across the lake.



As our guide told this was 'cub no. 4' female, of the big beast 'Wagdo', the male tiger. Our guide was the first to spot the tiger and he also called up other of his friends that a tiger has been spotted. Soon a lot of vehicles were around us.





After spending some time in the lake she crossed just in front of our vehicles towards the other waterhole.



Our guide then told the driver to go to the same side and off we went. After reaching the other side we parked our vehicle under a decent tree shade. The wait continued and we were the only waiting there. Finally the tiger reappeared !!







And this time it just went past just in front of our jeep. Ohh what a moment it was!! The tiger just at a arms distance. Amazing !!



As we were ready to leave saw couple of tigers crossing over the dam and going to the other side of the lake.

So the evening safari was quite event full where not one but three tigers were spotted. As we were leaving the park we heard of a sloth bear being seen but I guess that much luck was already consumed by the spotting of the three tigers.







It was close to 6 in the evening as we went out of the park. It was time to say goodbye to the Sanjay, Bhima and the couple Michela and Saverio. I thank them from the bottom of my heart and dedicate each and every pic of the tiger to them.


Thanks a lot Michela and Saverio!!!

Went back to the resort and inquired if I could make a call home to let them know that I was to staying here tonight and will be leaving by tomorrow. But as only Reliance network worked there they did not had normal balance and just used the Reliance to Reliance free talk time. It was quite dark but had to make a call so I went to the village to find a PCO. The lake in between the resort and the village was the main area of concern as I have heard that wild animals also come to quench their thirst to that lake as it gets dark. Still I went alone to the village to find that after the mobile revolution PCO's were not in existence now. So again bought and idea recharge to make a call from the shopkeeper's mobile.

As I was returning from the village heard some noises of something crossing the road just beside the lake. I was hoping that its not what I don't want to see at this moment. Then thought whatever it is I am not going to stop and keep my speed to normal as over-speeding in that dark with just my headlight on that gravel road would be trouble. As my headlight slowly showed me what I had in show I was quite relieved to find a herd of wild boar, running randomly after seeing me approach towards them. I did not bothered to look around to see what all animals were here but just kept my eyes in front of me on the road. I know at some time even they can be dangerous but luckily nothing of that sort happened this time as I reached back the resort safely.

End of an adventurous, wild and exciting day!!
Total distance covered today : 27 kms
Total distance covered till now : 982 kms

Re: Experience of lifetime... a Ride to remember !!

Neeteesh - The thrill of seeing the national animal walking in front of you surely must have been a bone chilling experience. Have you taken any short video while the tiger was crossing or is it just in pictures?

I have been lucky enough to spot to huge Lions in Gir forest but now I want to see Tiger which I have missed to spot in a couple of forest trips in the recent past.

Pictures are mind-blowing and the solo experience is making me think to start solo rides. Please keep them coming!

Re: Experience of lifetime... a Ride to remember !!

Thanks [MENTION=31671]Sachinnair[/MENTION] !! Yes it was thrilling experience to see the tiger so up close but not too personal :P As you look for Tigers my list now contains the Lions. Gir it will be but when is a thought that I have to start thinking of.

Once again thanks for following my thread. More is on the way.

Ride safe be safe...

Re: Experience of lifetime... a Ride to remember !!

Super sightings of Panthera Tigris !!! and the small Blue bird is the Indian Roller.

Re: Experience of lifetime... a Ride to remember !!

@NeeteeshSingh - This is what I was talkin about, wild life attracts me, and u lucky to witness it from a distance of arm... so far the best day ? eh!

BTW ! I see you are in Open jeep, what if that Tiger atttacks you ? *Out of Curiousity*

Re: Experience of lifetime... a Ride to remember !!

Tigers Never Attack Jeeps!..Thats What Every Guide will inform you before entering!! ..

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Neeteshwa!!...Hum Jealouswa!!...Lets go together someday!! Same Place!!

Re: Experience of lifetime... a Ride to remember !!

@Neetesh - No new update?
Waiting for your post, Bring it on buddy!

Re: Experience of lifetime... a Ride to remember !!

Kahin pan :P

Re: Experience of lifetime... a Ride to remember !!

@shahbaz63 + @RyderPavan : Tigers Never Attack Jeeps!..Thats What Every Guide will inform you before entering!!!

well here's a funny dialogue my wife had w/ a guide when we had gone to corbett...
wife: bhaiyya yahan sher bhi rehte hain na?
guide: ji haan memsaab.
wife: baapre. agar hamare saamne sher aakar khada ho gaya, toh hum kya karenge?
guide: memsaab. agar sher saamne khada ho gaya toh hum kuch nahi karenge. jo bhi karna hain, woh sher he karega!
wife: EEEEKKKSSSS!!! i want go go back to the hotel right now!!! turn back!!!
me: LOL! LOL! EPIC! ;-)