Saturday, July 1, 2017

Paul & Amanda - Tiger Safari

Guests Paul Diggins & Amanda UK 
Courtyard House Kanha
Kanha National Park - India 
June 2017 

Tiger amidst Bamboo clumps 

"The weather is uncertain it may rain damping our tiger safari, "I informed the guests. For visitors from far-off lands expectations loom large and rightly so. Short of holiday time, they may not be making another trip to India. That makes my job as a naturalist more challenging and anxiety-filled. - the desire to see a tiger is ever-encompassing for lovers of wildlife and holidaymakers alike.

Why Not? See for yourself. 

Tigers are usually seen with difficulty. This is the inherent nature of big predators they are all time evading the prying eyes of the prey as well as humans which enter their domain. There cannot be a more exciting event than to chance this magnificent predator. 

It is one of the most beautiful and graceful animals in the wild. In fact, it is matchless with its predatory instinct that accords esoteric behavior traits in its natural habitat.    

After four dull safaris, the situation had become gloomy. But thankfully, there were more rounds to go. Those arriving to see tigers at Kanha National Park must plan for at least six safaris in any season, especially wintertime. The fruitful tourism zones keep on changing hence visit all the zones on your trip to this amazing reserve in Central India.  

Anyway, things changed soon we were able to sight a young male tiger on the fifth safari whom we had been unable to trek on the first day. The pug marks suggested a full-grown huge tiger and whence encountered it on this day our surmise proved right. This was one of the fasted growing cubs of the Umarpani tigress and has four cubs now on verge of separation. This male now fully grown and about two and a half is charting his own territory as he is number one on the line. Possibly he has started making his own kills but is on some occasions seen with the mother.        

On the return, we had a brief encounter with Neelam tigress (blue beauty) who rules Kanha meadows. She has four cubs which are seen in very few instances. Much like her name she is one of the most beautiful tigers to see. She had been wandering with her last litters and managed to lose them to a rival tigress. I hope to see has become wiser and would keep her progeny in the safer confines of the meadows.     


The last safari yielded the big male T2. The magnificent carnivore is one of the largest seen in the tourism zone and has overtaken the legendary Munna. Unlike Munna T2 is very aggressive and charges with impunity if disturbed. He is said to have mated with tigresses in his territory and promised future upholds the tiger reserve.     

Male Tiger

Images Paul Diggins UK