Category: wildlife

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Adventure National Parks Relax wildlife

Gir National Park, where adventure never stops roaring

You cannot travel to Gujarat but miss out on the epic journey to the Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary. Deadly as they may sound, Asiatic Lions are a glorious sight to behold and you will not find the sight anywhere apart from Gir.

History of Gir Forest

Girl National Park was made into a wildlife sanctuary in 1965 but even before that, back in the 1900s the lions of Gir forest were declared protected by the then Nawab of Junagadh. Since when Junagadh was a princely state, lions used to be hunted down for pleasure following which only 15 lions remained in the forest. The Nawab decided to conserve the remaining lion population and put a ban on hunting them for trophies. Asiatic Lions once used to be found in Africa, Northern Greece and some other parts of the world but now Gir National Park or the adjoining area is the only remaining habitat of 411 Asiatic lions.

Located in Gujarat, it is the only forest where Asiatic Lions (Panthera leo persica) can be spotted. Situated 65 km away from Junagadh, this Wildlife Sanctuary covers 1412 sq kilometre area. The people of Gujarat refer to it as the pride of Gujarat. We have been to tiger reserves (since there are 15 in the country) but Gir was the first and only Lion reserve we had the chance of visiting.

How to reach the Gir national park?

By road: Junagadh and Rajkot are the nearest cities and public transport is available to take you to Gir.

By Air: Rajkot airport is the nearest airport and is about 3.5 hours away from Gir.

By Train: Junagadh Railway station is the nearest railway station.

Get a permit beforehand

Ever since The Supreme Court has restricted the number of safaris per day in wildlife sanctuaries, it is hard to get a permit. We booked a permit online but it has to be done two months in advance since Gir National Park is on high-demand among wildlife enthusiasts. Safari permit itself costs Rs 500 online and it is the same if you buy it at the counter as well. But considering the long queues at the counter, we were happy about booking our slot online months in advance. Along with the permit, there are separate costs for the jeep and the guide. So overall, the safari would cost you Rs 2200. A jeep accommodates 6 people and you can mention it all while booking online along with giving the ID proof of one individual.

Best safari time-slot and pre-safari work

Gir has 3 slots available in a day for Safaris: 6-9 am, 9am-12pm and 3-6pm. The best time slot is the morning slot because there is less heat and the chances of spotting a lion are also higher. After booking online, all we had to do was go to a separate online counter and get our route number. 7 routes go inside Gir Forest and everyone is allotted their jeep, guide and route. We got Route 4. The entire process took about 10 minutes.

 

Our visit to the Gir National Park

Gir National Park was always on our list of places to see before we die since it is one of the most talked-about destinations for every wildlife enthusiast. While once the population of lions in Gir used to be scarce, now the density is high due to the efforts of the Forest Department. We visited Gir during April and stayed at The Gateway Resort, Gir which is quite close to the forest range.

The Resort helped us book a lodge for the morning safari and after our morning coffee early at 5 am, we were ready to greet the majestic lions. The best way to travel around Gir National Park is in the jeep so firstly we travelled to the Forest Department office and switched jeeps to go deep inside the forest that we were there to explore.

The safari began at 6 am and we waited at the gates for the morning safari to begin. Gir forest is a dry deciduous forest. The jeep covered uneven paths and gradually we went deeper into the dense forest, our eyes focused on any flash of yellow and our ears keen to hear dry trees and twigs break under the impact of the jeep tyres. We scanned around, careful and excited to see if we could be the ones to spot the lion before our guide. The first animal we came across was a peacock followed by many deers.

An hour passed with us staring at the trees and forest cover. By this time, the sunlight had also started creeping in and spreading on the ground. We had started getting a bit disheartened until we heard a loud roaring sound and our jeep came to a halt. The sound was making ripples across the otherwise quiet forest. Soon, a bike appeared and on it, one man who the guide told us was the caretaker of the lions. He told us a story of how lions had gotten familiar to their scent and uniform that one time a cub had taken it to an injured lioness so he could get her help. He was the one who took us to the lions. The jeep’s engine was turned off and there was complete silence all around. The caretaker was making a kind of whistling sound and we were waiting patiently in our jeeps, hoping to spot a lion or a lioness.

Soon, a majestic lioness came walking with her three cubs. The cubs roared but it was a tiny shrill sound that made us smile with joy. Both our guide and the caretaker were alert and observed their every step. Even though they were familiar with the scene, they are careful in case there is an unprecedented attack.

The lioness got closer to our jeep and we were both scared and excited. We stood still and tried to click a picture only when the lioness turned around or was at a distance. It sat down a short distance away and we started clicking as many pictures with as many angles as we could. The best part about the sight was the tiny cubs who played with grass and often jumped on the lioness in their playfulness.

After staying there for short while, we moved ahead hoping to see another such sight. We came across other animals like a fox and some deer who merrily walked around in the forest. There were some small cottages built by tribals in the middle of the forest as well. The tribe coexisted with the lions in the forest and despite it being a National Park, they were never forced to leave.

We did not catch another sight of the lions but were quite satisfied with the earlier spectacle. Our guide kept pointing out different birds to us and we were surprised by his keen eyesight. The fact that he could point out a brown oil sitting in a brown tree shows something about his expertise. On route 4, there lies a Kamleshwar Lake near to a tower that gives a spectacular view of the jungle. Kamleshwar Lake was the habitat of many crocodiles so we were told to maintain our distance but we were still able to spot the back of a crocodile from a distance. The guide kept us hoping for a leopard sighting as well which is very rare. But unfortunately, we could not spot one.

By 9 pm, our Safari had ended and we moved back to our resort.

When to visit?

The National park is closed during Monsoons so the best time to visit is summers. Gujarat has a very hot climate so during summers, the lions come out to drink water and move around a lot. They are visible at watering holes more often than in any other season. One can visit even in winter since the weather is better and you don’t have to suffer the harsh climate in an open-jeep but the chances of spotting a lion in winter are less. What’s a visit to Gir without spotting a lion in all its glory?

Where to Stay?

There are many hotels and resorts available at Sasan Gir, the best one being The Gateway resort which is part of the Taj Group. Then there is the Sinh Sadan Guesthouse which belongs to Gujarat Tourism. Whatever hotel you book, check the location and availability of a swimming pool. You would want a place as near to the forest as possible for the best experience. Also, after a hot day in the safari, soaking in the pool feels heavenly.

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Group Travel wildlife

Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary: Home to wildlife in a state known for its wild lifestyle

Goa is immensely popular in tourists both local as well as international. Its sea Beaches, seafood, laid back values, music and easily availability of alcoholic drinks make it heaven who want to enjoy their life in wild ways. But this wild lifestyle aside, Goa is also home to some exotic wildlife.

When we think of Goa, we are mostly thinking of North Goa – the commercialized party center with all the most popular of beaches. Compared to it, South Goa is relatively unknown to the tourist world and thus lacks commercialization. South Goa is thus more peaceful, clean and less crowded while still carrying some of most beautiful beaches, temples, Waterfalls and, also, wildlife hubs. And one such wildlife hub is what we are going to talk about this time – Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary.

The sanctuary offers a welcome break from sea beaches Goa is famous for.

Location

The Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary is located about at a distance of a mere 70 kilometers from Goa’s airport. Like most of the rest of the places in Goa, the best way to reach here is on a hired two-wheeler if you don’t have a personal vehicle.

The beautiful Konkan vegetation, rice fields, and western Ghar hills greet your eyes on both sides of the road when you are on your way there but the internet might not be most reliable in these circumstances. In such circumstances, we recommend asking a local about the routes to be sure.

Best Time To Visit

Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary is best visited during monsoon season, that is, from late June to August; when vegetation is fresh green and the air is pleasant and you have a chance to see Savari waterfall within Netravali at it’s beautiful best.

You may visit it in winter too but we won’t advise visiting it during summers (March to May)

Where to stay?

You can return to your hotel in North Goa in good time if that is where you intend to return. Otherwise, accommodation is available in forest rest houses run by the GTDC (Goa Tourism Development Corporation). The tourism department of Goa also takes care of food, thus making it an ideal place to spot creatures of the wild in their natural habitat.

The Sanctuary

As we were visiting git in monsoons, Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary greeted us with sense natural vegetation – so dense that though the day was sunny, in some parts sunlight didn’t reach the ground… Well, you are also greeted by a check post where you have to pay the entry fees.

The sanctuary is best explored in two-wheelers and, as far as possible in groups as you might not come across any other humans unless it is a working day.

Flora

This dense deciduous mixed with evergreen/ semi-evergreen natural vegetation is a common characteristic of all Western Ghats and Konkan region in particular.

The Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary is spread over an area of 211 square kilometers and drives its name from Netravali (or Neturli) river – a tributary of River Zuari which originates here.

A wildlife enthusiast will find much to love in surrounding areas too – it has Dandeli-Anshi Tiger Reserve of Karnataka on its eastern side; Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, Goa on its southern side and Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary and Mollem National Park on its northern side. All of these along with Madei Wildlife Sanctuary, Goa and Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary, Karnataka together form an incredible home to protected wildlife.

Among wildlife to be found here are included is a tremendous diversity of mammals including – Gaur (Bos gaurus), Malabar giant squirrel (Ratufa indica), four-horned antelope or chousingha (Tetracerus quadricornis), leopard (Panthera pardus), black sloth bear etc which are sustained by abundant availability of drinking water in the region.

The region is also a home to several aviary life forms like the rare Malayan night heron (Gorsachius melanolophus), grey-headed bulbul (Pycnonotus priocephalus, Nilgiri wood pigeon (Columba elphinstonii), white-bellied blue flycatcher (Cyornis pallipes), great pied hornbill (Buceros bicornis),), Wynaad laughingthrush (Garrulax delesserti), rufous babbler (Turdoides subrufa), white-bellied treepie (Dendrocitta leucogastra), etc.

While during our visit there, we came across a leopard, a Gaur and hornbill; the highlight of the day was some of the beautiful butterflies we came across. We won’t know names of species of these butterflies and a Google search suggested several names of butterfly species be found in here like  the Malabar banded swallowtail (Papilio liomedon), redspot duke (Dophla Evelina), Malabar banded peacock (Papilio buddha), southern birdwing (Troides minos),  Malabar tree nymph (Idea malabarica), black rajah (Charaxes solon), blue nawab (Polyura Schreiber) etc.

We spent our whole day exploring this beautiful natural paradise and only made our return journey at 5 pm.

Conclusion

If you are on a long vacation in Goa, say a week or so you will probably look for a break from its mainstream attractions and a day in this cradle of nature is your best alternative. In its own right, Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary has too much beauty bestowed upon it by nature for one to miss it. J

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Central India wildlife

Chhattisgarh:Wildlife, waterfalls, and a glimpse into the tribal culture

Like its tourism tagline, the state of Chhattisgarh in indeed full of surprises. Who would have known that in the heart of India, there is an entire state covered in greenery as much as 41.33%? And did you know that the oldest ethnic tribes of India form 70% of Chhattisgarh’s population? From the largest waterfall of India to the ancient natural caves, Chhattisgarh is fascinating in its every corner.

Rich wildlife
Of all its natural bounties, the biodiversity of Chattisgarh is the most pervasive and prominent. There are three national parks and 11 wildlife sanctuaries across the state that are home to some of the rarest and most endangered species of wild animals found in India. The most-visited ones are the Barnawapara, Sitanadi, and Udanti. All three parks are easily accessible from Raipur- the nearest and the biggest city in Chhattisgarh.

Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary– 128 Km from Raipur and takes about 2.5 hours via NH 53. You can opt for one of the airport cabs in Raipur and reach the park. Barnawapara is known for antelopes, hyenas, Chinkara, Barking Deer, Bison, and wild buffaloes- the state animal.

Sitanadi Wildlife Sanctuary– This is another half an hour drive from Barnawapara. One of the densest forests of India, the Sitanadi wildlife reserve is packed with clusters of Sal, teak, and bamboo, housing a considerable number of herbivores and carnivores like tigers, leopards and jackals, black buck, Sambar, Nilgai, Gaur, and various species of monkeys and birds.
Udanti Wildlife Sanctuary– This reserve forest is the farthest from Raipur at 172 Km and it is better to find a taxi service in Raipur itself to reach Udanti. Spanning 232 sq. km, this natural sanctuary is known for its herbivore population known for its herbivorous population of bison, Barking Deer, Gaur, Sambar, Chital, Four-horned Antelopes, and Chinkara,

Fascinating waterfalls
The rocky terrain of the Vindhya and Satpura mountain ranges dominate the horizon of Chhattisgarh, giving rise to some of the most rapid cascades that one can find.
Chitrakoot Falls– The largest (in breadth) waterfall in the country, the Chitrakoot Falls are also called the Niagara of India because of its horseshoe shape like the Niagara Falls. The waterfalls are fed by the Indravati River and monsoon rains, which drop down from a height of 95 feet, resulting in a torrential flow. You can take a boat ride at the bottom of the falls and watch the rainbow formed by the mist of the water along the edges.

Tirathgarh Falls– This waterfall on the Mugabahar River form a step-like structure, where the water cascades down blocks of rocks from a height of 300 feet. It is surrounded by dense forests and an old temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, which attract pilgrims. That is how the waterfall got its name.

The Amritdhara Falls and the Rajpuri Falls are also noteworthy and call for a day trip to experience their magic.
A peek into the culture of Chhattisgarh
A majority of the state’s population comprise ethnic tribes like the Gond, Abhuj Maria, among many others. Their life, aesthetics, and traditional practices form the foundation of the colorful and vibrant culture of Chhattishgarh. The most intriguing aspect of these tribes is their warm hospitality and their skilled craftsmanship reflected in the exquisite regional handiwork.

You can also buy fabrics, terracotta figurines, handcrafted bamboo and wood products, jewelry made of cowries, bell metal (Dokra), copper, and bronze, to support these communities and take home a piece of their culture. You can also join the local festivals and see them in their most lively form. They celebrate Goncha, Dantewada fair, Champaran Mela, Hareli – the harvest festival, and the popular Rajim Lochan Mahotsav. Women adorn themselves with leaves, wildflowers, and ornaments made of bones, shells, and locally sourced metals and perform traditional dances like Raut Nacha, Panthi, Karma, Pandwani, and Soowa.

With the rugged yet intriguing landscape, the breathtaking biodiversity, and a culture that is unique to the common man, Chattisgarh never ceases to fascinate and that is why it deserves to be on every traveler’s wishlist!

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wildlife

12 Best Wildlife Tourism Destination in India

India is one of the 17 megadiverse countries of the world with more than 120 national parks, 18 Bio-reserves and more than 500 wildlife sanctuaries across the country. It contains four of the world’s 36 biodiversity hotspots – the Western Ghats, the Eastern Himalayas, Indo-Burma and Sunda Land. We are home to rare species like Bengal and Indochinese tigers, Asiatic lions, snow leopards, Indian and Indochinese leopards, clouded leopards, numerous species of Deer, including Chital, Hangul, Barasingha; the Great Indian Rhinoceros, the Indian Elephant and, believe me, this list can go on and on.

Naturally, such diversity of wildlife attracts tourists from around the world looking for exotic adventures. Wildlife tourism means a chance to go on a jungle safari, jeep safari, bird watching, boat safari, elephant ride etc.

The following are some of the beautiful wildlife spots to be found in India:

1. Corbett National Park

Created by hunter-turned-conservationist, the first National Park of India is in Uttarakhand and is popular for Tigers and Great Indian elephants. On your lucky day, you may also spot a white tiger.

2. Ranthambore National Park

Once a hunting ground for the Maharajas, the National Park situated in Rajasthan is now a wildlife conservation park, this park is most its Tigers and birds.

3. Bandhavgarh National Park

The National Park located in Madhya Pradesh has the highest diversity of Bengal Tigers.

4. Sundarbans National Park, West Bengal

Spread over 54 islands located at Delta of two great rivers – Ganga and Brahmaputra, the UNESCO World Heritage Site is famous for its Royal Bengal Tigers. The place gets its name from elegant Sundari trees.

5. The Great Himalayan National Park, Himachal Pradesh

This National Park starting from Kullu is famous for the musk deer, snow leopard, primates, Himalayan pit viper.

6. Nanda Devi, Uttarakhand

Adjoining the equally beautiful Valley of Flowers, the National Park is famous for Asiatic black bear, blue sheep, Himalayan musk deer.

7. Hemis National Park, Jammu Kashmir

The highest National Park in the country is famous for being home to several endangered species the Asiatic Ibex, the snow leopard, the Tibetian wolf, the red fox.

8. Gir National Park, Gujrat

The chance to spot Asiatic lions and other exotic animals aside, Gir National Park also offers you a chance to go boating in many of its lakes.

9. Bannerghatta Biological Park, Karnataka

This National Park located in Banglore has an elephant sanctuary and, hear! Hear!!, a butterfly park.

10. Kaziranga National Park, Assam

The UNESCO World Heritage Site situated is famous for its Great One-horned Rhinoceroses.

11. Keoladeo Ghana National Park, Rajasthan

AKA Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is known for the diversity of the birds. The safari options here do not include jeep but you can have the option of seafaring on foot, cycle or rickshaw.

12. Khangchendzonga

The National Park of Sikkim is famous for being home to red Pandas.

Some other amazing wildlife tourism spots:

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Inspiration North India Staycation wildlife

Into the Wild with Bagheera’s camp!!

Address– Kameshwarjee Road, Raghunathpura 306126, India

How to get there: It is about 160 km long ride from Udaipur by road. 

The name Bagheera has mainly become known because of the popular Indian children story ‘Jungle book’ but Bagheera is actually a South Asian name for Leopards.  Bagheera’s camp is a semi-arid wildlife camp homestay. Operated by the community itself, it preserves the flora and fauna of the place that was previously decimated and overgrazed. The place is at the same distance from Udaipur as from Jodhpur and is perfect for travelers wanting to have an authentic Rajasthan cultural, rural and local experience in the wildlife. An eco holiday for lovers of nature experiencing it in the rawest and authentic form but in a safe and healthy way.

Room: Though there were a few luxurious tents (as much luxury as you can get in the total wild) as well, we chose to stay in a room. The suite we were given was lovely but got too hot because of limited A/C. it was okay to handle since we spent most of the time wandering out or in the Verandah anyway. The scenery of Aravalli hills was beautiful. Though the room was pretty basic in facilities, we spent most of our time on safari and exploring outdoors. And it’s not like anyone would visit the place to live in luxury, we went to experience the wild and that we got.

Camp Site: There are no fences or anything by the campsite, just huge granite rocks to protect from harsh winds. There is a playground right near the site and we played volleyball there and walked barefoot on mud, looking at the bamboo plantations. The money that they earn from travelers staying here is used to maintain the Leopard reserve and so you know you’re helping a good cause. It was so refreshing to meet Princess Padmaja and her team who cared so much about the environment. It is asked of the people to be responsible and recycle waste instead of throwing it.

Food and hospitality: The food prepared is all from Ayurvedic ingredients, totally organic and we sat with the cook while it was being cooked, taking in the aroma as well as learning the tricks. The food is completely vegetarian and plentiful and the whole experience of eating under the stars is inexplicably pleasing. Oh, and we had the best cup of tea, ever. The whole staff which mainly consists of local tribesmen and villagers including the cook was very warm and took such good care of us that we didn’t feel like leaving the place. They treated us more like family than paying guests.

What to do there:

There is a Jodhpur Hunting style Camping Safari that led us into the wild. They took us out in jeeps at dusk and we spotted leopards along with a leopardess with two cubs. It was such a magnificent sight.  In the short safari that we had, we saw birds, desert fox, and crocodiles as well. Since we were more interested in bird watching, Princess Padmaja, our hostess stayed with us for hours enjoying the view.  We were also invited to a local village and saw the special sunrise celebration at a local temple nearby. That had to be the highlight of the whole trip, a real memorable view.

Highlights: The tribal people with their fascinating knowledge and talks, along with their livestock would have to be the highlight of our stay at Bagheera’s. While the wildlife provided the necessary thrill, the bonfire and BBQ sessions gave us peace of mind and relaxation. Moreover, you can’t help but admire Princess Padmaja and her family’s efforts of protecting the place.

The overall experience of us staying at Bagheera’s camp was wonderful. The picturesque views, warm hospitality, fascinating shades of nature have made an unforgettable mark on our mind and it wouldn’t be possible without Bagheera’s camp. The stories we got to hear about the leopards and how the place came to be added to the experience all the more. This place has something for everyone, the thrill for an adventurer, the peace, and inspiration for a writer and the local cuisines that dance on taste buds for the foodie. We recommend it with all our heart. Write us at ghoomophirosisters@gmail.com for your bookings to this unexplored gem in Jawai.

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Travel Trends wildlife

Top 10 Forests of India

Living a busy life amidst the crowds and noise in the city has a way of detaching you from nature. So take a rejuvenating and enriching trip to the jungles of India. India is known to have a rich flora and fauna in all corners of the country but here ghoomophirosisters have compiled a list of the top forests that you must visit

Gir forest, Gujarat

Gir Forest is known for being a home to Asiatic lions but among these dry deciduous forests lay many other species of leopards and wildcats. A night at the watchtower near Kamleshwar dam is something memorable. You can hear the calls of jackals at night and ever roars of majestic lions.Sunderbans, West Bengal

Sunderbans, West Bengal

Sunderbans is home to a beautiful and majestic species of White tigers that you will not want to take your eyes off of. There are lush green mangrove forests to see along with many other wildlife species.

Khasi Hills, Meghalaya

You can visit these hills all year round and they never stop being beautiful and filling your sights with picturesque views. The Meghalaya sub-tropical forests are a tourist attraction.

Kaziranga, Assam

Kaziranga is a habitat for species of one-horned rhinos and you can find many Cafes and restaurants at the main gate. Get a shot of caffeine and then continue your stroll in the lap of nature. There is also an Elephant Safari that you can take.

Arunachal Forests

These rainforests are worth a visit for their ecological diversity. You can see the tropical forest at the foothills and also see bamboo forests. Walk along the forest trails as there are some pine forests as well as Temperate and Alpine forests.

Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, Tamil Nadu

Nilgiri reserves are a major attraction for nature lovers all over the world and they are home to tribal groups as well as lion-tailed macaque and Nilgiri Tahr. It is rich in flora and fauna as well as scenic views.

Vandalur Forest Reserve

Visiting Vandalur Forest Reserve is a great idea for an offbeat holiday. The surroundings offer some relaxing as well as some breathtaking views. You would NOT want to forget your camera. The area includes Madras zoo which is a tourist attraction.

Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand

You should opt for the Tiger spotting tour at Jim Corbett National Park to enhance your experience. You can also spot various kinds of deer and peacocks here. It is one of the best forests to spend a vacation in. Wildlife lovers would be absolutely delighted at the diversity they get to see. Feel connected with nature at the first National Park of India.

Keibul Lamjao National Park, Manipur

It is famous for being the only floating national park in the world. It is a home to a species of deer commonly known as Dancing deer. Keibul Lamjao comprises as an important part of the Loktak Lake.

Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh

It is famous for its Bird watching tours with many different species of migratory birds. Another popular attraction is the Barasingha deer. There is the bamboo forest that makes spotting leopards, Royal Bengal Tiger, and other wildlife easy.  It is known to be a popular forest as it said to have inspired ‘The Jungle Book’.

Take your family for an unconventional holiday to one of these magnificent and wondrous forests. Open up to nature and wildlife and understand your own country better by exploring all these hidden treasures. All these forests have jeep safaris making them adventurous as well as safe options for exploring. 

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North east wildlife

The ultimate wildlife experience at Kaziranga

A world heritage site, Kaziranga National Park is home to over 1500 one horned Rhinos, some wild elephants, and water buffaloes and also the Bengal Tiger can be spotted there.

Get ready for a wild time at the beautiful Kaziranga National Park as the government of Assam has decided to throw open the gates for tourists from October 1 this year, exactly a month before it normally opens for the year-ending season. Apart from the one-horned rhinos, the Kaziranga National Park is also famous worldwide for its population of elephants, tigers, buffaloes, spotted deer, hog deer, bear, a total of 42 species of reptiles, and plenty of winged species such as flying squirrels and bats.

The Kaziranga national park covers about 430 sq km and it is having three main ranges namely Kohora Range (Central), Bagori Range (Western) and Agaratoli Range (Eastern).

How to Reach

The best option is to reach Guwahati first.

From there the tourist can hire a cab or take a bus. (220 km)

The closest railway station is Guwahati while Tezpur has the closest airport.

Sightseeing

Despite the fact that there are about 100 Tigers in Kaziranga, the sightings of this mysterious cat are not very common here. The park hosts two-thirds of the world’s great one-horned rhinoceros. The park also hosts animals such as the Asian and African elephants, the wild water buffaloes and the swamp deer. The tiger, beer, monitor lizards, and python can also be seen here just roaming around casually.

The birds that can be sighted here includes some very rare species of vultures, eagles, and others along with some fascinating species such as serpent eagles, fishing eagles, Pelicans, Bengal floricans the black-necked stork and the jungle fowl.

Tips

  • The walks in the park are not allowed due to a large number of dangerous animals there such as the wild buffaloes and beer.
  • In order to move across the park, you may have to just take a guided jeep ride along with a guide.

Not to be missed

The elephant rides are also quite popular here as you get to sit on the back of an elephant and roam around the area while staring fearlessly at some of the most intricately evolved animal species.

The elephant ride takes place mostly in the mornings and follows a pre-set route. The trip starts at 5 or 6 in the morning and it will offer a close sighting of Rhinos, buffalo and also the swamped deers. The western and central ranges are two of the three total ranges in the park that somehow allows an elephant ride.

Best Time To Visit

However, due to some reasons, the Kaziranga national park remains closed most of the year. In case you want to have a trip to the place, plan it in the months between November and April.

The average stay duration at the Kaziranga National park is 3 nights and they are about enough to witness everything there is about the park.

One of the best national parks in the country is located in the northeast region of the country that refrains most of the countrymen to have a trip here.

Restaurants and Local Food in Kaziranga National Park

The best option for food here would be to dine at the resorts, lodges, and hotels that take care of all tourist needs amazingly. Other than these there are narrow options in terms of local food joints or Dhabas.

You can treat your taste buds to an assortment of local Assamese preparations which include Laksa, Khar, Tenga as well as some other fish delicacies and rice dishes.

Places to Stay in Kaziranga National Park

If you want to cruise along the destination for long, rooms here are usually booked and even overbooked during the peak holiday season – between November and May. So it’s best to go for advanced booking. The place offers some good resorts equipped with spas, bar, gift shop and other basics.

Luxury Hotels

IORA – The Retreat

While you make a weekend visit to the Kaziranga National Park in Assam, try to plan your stay at the IORA Resort which is a breeze of fresh air and lush greens. The double deluxe rooms with balconies and the well-manicured gardens are a delight to stay.

Resort Borgos

It is just a wonderful place to stay for visitors to unwind for a weekend. The rooms are airy and provide all the modern facilities. You will fall in love with nature around as it the place is surrounded by a lot of trees.

Budget hotels

United 21 Grassland Resorts
Nested in the wildlife reserve of Kaziranga, situated amidst a pleasant location, the hotel is an ideal place to stay. It’s a nice hotel in a sprawling area with spacious rooms and wide verandahs. It also features a swimming pool and a fitness center.

So when are getting your bookings done?

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Staycation wildlife

Stay Like a King of the jungle

A Ten-minute drive away from Bandhavgarh National Park lays Kings Lodge, surrounded from all sides by forested hills and spread over an area of 14 hectares in Rancha village. We wandered over to the heart of wildlife and discovered this beautiful place. The luxury hotel has a rustic look and has 10 cottage rooms and 8 stilt cottage rooms with attached modern bathrooms.

While the place offers all the luxuries, it also gives you privacy and ambiance of being surrounded by nature. Like the name suggests, staying at this place will give you the feeling of being treated like a king, perhaps, the king of the jungle. The construction is done so well that the place almost blends in with its surrounding, becoming one with the forest and its trees and you experience wilderness in its purest form.

Let us take you through the Kings Lodge by Pugdundee Safaris and we are sure, you shall be tempted to pack your bags soon for your next vacation.

Rooms:

The rooms are what we would call a writer’s delight. With air conditioned rooms and a huge verandah from where we can enjoy views of the forest, inspiration is sure to strike and thus, the hotel provides a writing desk and chair for getting all the feelings out on paper. The cottage had wooden furniture in beautiful honey shades and cotton linen. The en-suite bathroom is modern and has 24 hr hot and cold water. The whole place is eco-friendly and has eco sensitive systems of disposal. They give you an aluminum bottle to fill with filtered water for use, avoiding the use of plastic bottles.

Dining experience

The dining hall was just as wonderful as the cottage itself. With a fireplace overlooking wild grasslands and multi-cuisine options, the dining experience was one we will remember forever. We also tried the outside barbeque and bush dinner, because that is what the trip was all about. Being out and about in the wild. The food they serve is only Indian, but it is well prepared.

What to do:

The itinerary at King’s Lodge follows Jeep Safari for spotting wildlife (which became easy as their naturalist team was with us), Elephant Safari, Bird watching, visiting of nearby villages and Craft workshops. The Naturalist team was very helpful and honestly, we would be lost without them. They heightened our overall holistic experience.  And the best part about the whole safari was that they encourage cycling or walking in the wilderness. No more formal Vehicular travels. They also organize a day trip to Sanjay National Park, which is an exciting opportunity to see Sloth bear.

Our Special thanks to Mr. Amit Mukherjee for being great host at Kings Lodge, Pugdundee Safaris. We feel under his guidance lodge has been providing services in an extraordinary way to its guests and it gets reflected in every small gesture.

Highlights:

There is a small nature library which helped us get acquainted with the parts of nature we were getting to see from the watch tower. It also has an in-house spa that gave the most relaxing massages to get the stress and tiredness out of our bodies. And if that wasn’t enough already, there was a swimming pool with a sundeck which was an absolute delight.

King’s lodge supported by Pugdundee Safaris is a top class place to stay at with your family or during your solo adventures in the wild. It will give you a feeling like you are living in the wilderness of the jungle, with the upside of being safe and having the internet. What more can one ask for? Go for your perfect adventurous wild ride in Bandhavgarh and stay at this amazing place.

Categories
Central India wildlife

Bandhavgarh is much more beyond Tigers

In the heart of India, lies a world of fantasies. With beautiful flora and fauna, it is sure to captivate your mind. Yet, when we hear the name Bandhavgarh National reserve, an image of tigers comes to mind. No doubt those majestic creatures deserve all the attention they get, but the place is magnificent even beyond them. Once we started observing the rest of the forest and the ecosystem instead of just trying to spot the Tigers, we realized what a truly fantastic place it is. This video is a small attempt to capture the glimpse of #bandhavgarh national park.

Unique trees

We saw lush green Sal trees with Lyra vines that wrap itself around the tree in a curling motion. These vines are parasitical and eat the tree that they grown on. As beautiful as their union looks from the outside, it is harmful to the tree. The trees with the vines entrapping them looked very picturesque and yet their fate was sealed. How ironic for those Lyra vines. They kill the thing that sustains them.

There were also other medicinal herbs that were pointed out to us by the guides. We saw a Saja tree that was ash gray in color and was worshipped by the locals as its bark resembled the ash covered body of Lord Shiva. Its bark had the texture like a crocodile skin and it was one of the holy spots where people bowed down their heads. At least the belief would keep the tree safe for generations to come. We also came across some Jamun trees that made the paths pink with its juice.

Birds

The birds are a delight for the camera but we preferred seeing them with the naked eye. The vibrant colors of feathers of Indian Roller and the somber feathers of Indian Pitta mesmerized us, especially when they opened their wings to fly. Since it was the monsoon, we were lucky to find the peacock with open feathers.

Woodpeckers and Orioles were also a common sight though harder for the camera to capture. They just liked to play hide and seek, I guess. Even predator birds sat calmly on tree branches looking for their next prey as we pointed our camera lenses towards them. Among the species that we saw, there were Black and White Magpies, Crested Serpent Eagle and Oriental honey buzzard. There are many other bird species that flew around the reserve.

Animals in the Wild

From common Monkeys and Langurs to wild boars, we saw them all. The monkeys with their young ones hanging onto their stomach walked towards the pond. We also spotted a bear that was scouting for food and Sambar deer that always walked in groups. The deer drank water at the pond and looked surprisingly at its own reflection. We were lucky enough to sight a Bengal fox and a grey mongoose since they are a rare sight. I’ll refrain from mentioning the tiger since that is obvious. The National reserve is rich in fauna and has animal species that are sure to enrapture your attention. Even if you do not spot a tiger, though that would be very unlucky, there are other creatures that will suffice.

Butterflies and insects

There were trees with white flowers upon them and a swarm of butterflies fluttering in the wind nearby. The Kaleidoscope of those beautiful creatures flew in sync making it a memorable sight. There were also many insects that buzzed around. We spent some time under the tree mesmerized by the sight. It is no doubt that butterflies are always charming no matter where you are but we were amazed by the variety of colors among the swarm. When we were coming back, we saw the butterflies still there but probably a different batch since the colors had changed.

Special sightings

There were orchid flowers growing beautifully in spaces and some of them fell. We observed a member of the Baiga tribe picking it up along with other fallen stuff from the jungle. We were also able to notice a snake that rested coiled up around a well.

There is a lot to see and absorb as you go on a Safari to Bandhavgarh National Park. Special thanks to our naturalist Mohan Joshi from Pugdundee who educated us on various aspects of Bandhavgarh. Stay in a tree house, walk among the flora and fauna and satisfy the nature lover in you. Observe the jungle in all its magnificence along with the birds and animals that happen to cross your path.

How to reach:

Bandhavgarh National Park lies in the eastern region of Madhya Pradesh in the Umaria District.

By Road: The National reserve is just 37 kilometers away from Umaria town.

By Rail: The nearest railway station is Jabalpur that is 190 km away from the Bandhavgarh.

By Air: Again, Jabalpur Airport is the nearest airport and it is connected to many major cities in India.

Special Thanks to Pugdundee Safaris again for this wonderful Safari. Pack your bags today for your vacations to Bandhavgarh.

Categories
Staycation wildlife

Do you wish to live in a treehouse?

Amidst the trees, in the heart of Bandhavgarh, we found the perfect Hideaway. This weekend took us #ghoomophirosisters to Bandhavgarh National Park in village Vijarhia. While we looked for a place where we could stop and rest along with enjoying the beauty nearby, we came across Bandhavgarh Tree House Hideaway supported by Pugdundee Safaris. The place is within close range of the Forest reserve and 220 km away from Jabalpur. With one look, it confirmed our belief that this would be an earthly experience.

As soon as we arrived, we were given a warm welcome by the manager Mr. Ashish Tirkey. Spread over 21 acres of forest, it has various tree houses that are within close range of one another. We woke up to the chirping of birds and slept to the critters of insects as the place has its resident species of birds, reptiles, and animals. It is the perfect place for accommodation as it overlooks Tiger reserve and Bandhavgarh Fort.

Rooms:

The rooms were a mixture of nature and modernism. With a contemporary design of tree-houses, it provides all amenities without taking away the traditional jungle vibe. The rooms were air-conditioned and also had an attached bathroom with 24 hours hot and cold water. The room was spacious with a wooden exterior and a deck where you could stand and just feel one with the wind. There is also a mini-bar and living area with writing desk, loungers on the deck and mosquito netting (that one really needs). The bed had soft cushions that drowned you in a dreamless sleep as soon as you lie down. The lighting was dim so as to give more natural ambiance to it.

This small video will surely give you glimpse of the rooms and will inspire you to get your bookings

Dining experience:

There is a dining hall on ground level that offers Indian, barbeque and continental meals. Though food options were limited, what we ate turned out to be delicious. The Hideaway has an in-house restaurant and bar which, like the rest of the place, is also a blend of natural feel with all modern luxuries. The restaurant is beautifully set with comfy chairs and on the upper level is the terrace bar aka the watering hole.

What to do:

Jeep Safaris are organised into Tiger reserve and there is also an option for Elephant Safaris. The Naturalist that accompanied us was a great help throughout the Safari. We saw varieties of birds and animals and were even able to spot tigers during our safari drive. There were marvellous sightings of Langur Monkeys and Sambar deer. Other activities that one can indulge in include bamboo weaving, visiting nearby villages or a trip to Sanjay National Park.

Highlights:

From the rooms to food and the cherry on top, helpful staff, this place gave us all the luxuries we could ask for and more. With the natural ambiance, necessary amenities and close proximity to wilderness, there is no better place for one to be, while on the journey of discovering oneself or just spending time in the lap of nature than Bandhavgarh Treehouse Hideaway.

Bandhavgarh Treehouse Hideaway offers you the best opportunities to interact with Mother Nature and observe wildlife. This retreat is a relaxing place for all nature enthusiasts or people looking for a romantic getaway. If you are planning on visiting Bandhavgarh reserve, you can do no better than staying here.

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