Tiger safari India

The word tiger safari in India has become a common term for touring to see the tiger in the wild. This does not connote the usual tiger safari that takes place in zoo or private sanctuaries as in USA.

Most of the safaris in protected areas in India are on open jeeps only as trekking is not allowed. The organizers book the entry at the park gate. One has to pay the requisite fee wild excursions. The jeeps are provided by local taxi owners for a charge based on per kilometer. These are expert drivers capable of driving on the jungle roads.

The safari is organized two times a day. The morning excursion is from dawn to noon while the evening safari is post lunch to dusk. Timing differ from one reserve to another in India. During the excursion in the forest one can enjoy the panoramic splendor of forest. The safaris offer a good chance to sight wild animals and birds along with endangered tigers in the wild.

The most exciting animal to see in the wild is the majestic Indian Tiger. Tigers were once abundant in the jungles of India. In recent times due to habitat loss and poaching tiger numbers have come down drastically and the animal is on the verge of extinction.

It is not only because of the plight that the tiger is facing, it is also the charisma the animal beholds that people from all over the world wish to see. Watching this graceful and extremely beautiful cat in the wild is a treat to the eyes and your camera. An unforgettable moment that you will cherish for the rest of your life.

The best places to see the tiger in the wild are Kanha, Bandhavgarh and Pench National Park in Madhya Pradesh in India. Ranthambhore and Corbett are also good bet. But since I am visiting the former three on regular basis I know for sure that sighting tigers in the wild is most successful here.

One must book one's tour in advance and through a proper channel. There are agents who specialize in tiger tours. Many safari agents are online operators though their website. They provide the best packages offered by the resorts at Kanha and other tiger reserves.

Best wildlife tour packages in India offer tiger safaris to top National Parks. Many tour packages include sightseeing as well as wildlife watching in one itinerary. There are many tour companies in India, one can search for their websites on the Internet.

The top wildlife resorts and hotels in tiger reserves arrange tiger safaris themselves for the comfort of the visitors. They provide luxury stay as well as budget accommodation. .

One must be careful while traveling to tiger reserves since they are situated in remote areas. Hence credit cards, travelers cheque may not be acceptable there so carry cash. Carry medicines required by you and beverages that you like.

Be equipped with binoculars, spotting scopes and books on birds and mammals. Read books on nature to enjoy the place. Get hold of a good naturalist if possible.

The best places to see the tiger in the wild are in the state of Madhya Pradesh. These parks are the best for tiger safaris in Central India. They have a large number of tigers which can be seen on jeep safari. The parks can be approached from Jabalpur City based in MP.

The tourism infrastructure in the tiger reserves is well organized. Apart from tiger, the reserves are excellent bird habitats with more than 250 species. Other wild animals seen are leopards, sloth bears, bison, swamp deer, barking deer, spotted deer; sambar deer, four horned deer, wild dogs, wild boars, langur and nilgai. The reserves abound in reptiles and butterflies.

The accommodation is available near the buffer zone of the parks. They range from five star to budget hotels. Most of the resorts are well equipped and serve excellent Indian cuisine. Some of the resorts offer naturalist guide services who are excellent birders and can trek tigers with their experience and skill.

Kanha Safari Park

Bandhavgarh Safari Park

Pench Safari Park

One can also make a trip to these parks on package tours. Since the parks are at a motor-able distance it is possible to include more than one park in the itinerary.

It is however advised not to visit the preserves during the holidays as the rush is very high and accommodation is difficult to get. Summers are the best for animal watching but it gets too hot after March.

New upcoming wildlife watching areas are Ratapani Tiger Reserve near Bhopal in Raisen District and Satpura National Park near Hosangabad both in MP. The latter is near the Pachmarhi wildlife sanctuary and along with Bori WLS forms the Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve.

The most popular form of trekking tigers in the wild is on elephant back. The long and short elephant safaris are not available in many parks. But wherever available it is worth going for. The adventure may last for two to four hours and you experience the jungle life from close.

At many wildlife refuge in India tiger show is held. This is a very short ride to the spot where the tiger has been located and back to your jeep. This is a good way enjoying an exotic safari on elephant while paying less charge.

The tourists alight on elephant using a ladder or from a machaan which is a wooden platform. They sit in a wooden cradle called Howdah and are secured by a rectangle steel rod set up. One has to hold the rods in order to avoid falling down. With trained Mahout and elephant this is a safe ride.

Wildlife watching is fun and exciting. But it is also a learning experience. We learn about food chain concept and ecosystems and how they affect humans. We learn how the interlinked chain reaches down to us and deliver fresh water, food and energy. We derive all this from nature hence we should protect it. Unlike a holiday in beach resort or elsewhere, wildlife watching involves a degree of seriousness and responsibility.

As responsible tourist our first duty is to follow green friendly policies. We should encourage the service providers - tour operators, wildlife lodges, transportation services etc. Our foray into eco-tourism should be beneficial to local communities to whom the heritage belongs.

There should be an effort to go green and use alternative eco-friendly energy resources. This can happen when we care for it. Conserving our natural resources is important for life on Earth to sustain.

In responsible tourism, benefits should flow to locals and it should be participatory in approach. There should be substantial involvement and encouragement for local culture and mores.

Indulge in local shopping, visit to villages, interact with rural people. Visit rural schools, hospitals and perhaps make contribution of some kind. This is the right way forward. The recourse to alternative eco-friendly sources of energy should always be preferred. Besides the tourists and establishment should limit the use of energy> They should encourage the hotels to make an effort to use recycled resources.

Tiger Safari in National Parks of Madhya Pradesh can be booked online at MP Online Portal. You have to book in advance as there is a limitation on vehicle entry into the parks. Advance booking insures your entry into the park when you reach there. This way you can plan as to which zone to explore.

At Bandhavgarh and Kanha the tourism area is divided into zones. Your jeep safari is limited to this area. on a long trip you can choose to visit all the zones in order to make your tour more interesting.

You can also ask your hotel booking agent to make the necessary arrangements for jeep hire.

The safaris are conducted twice a day once in the early morning and once in the early evening hours. On foot trekking is not allowed, the trips are organized in open jeeps registered with the forest department. A gate and guide fees is to be paid if you are booking om the spot.

Professional equipment fee is applicable so keep the necessary cash. Five tourists are allowed on board so if you are alone or less than five you can share the vacant seat/seats and divide the expense.

The naturalist accompanying you is counted as a member of group and not exempted from the charges. A forest guide is compulsory accompaniment with each vehicle.