tadoba-andhari tiger reserve

16/12/2012

This trip is an addition to the get-together of old school friends at Nagpur.
We left Nagpur at 9.30 a.m. by Tata Sumo. We loaded our luggage on the carrier and took off. This vehicle is ideal for a long journey .

We reached Tadoba at 2p.m.We were hungry and wanted a good lunch ,so we ordered food at the M.T.D.C. Resort at Tadoba.We had reservations and they had allotted Rooms 107.108 and 109 to us.
They served us rotis,dal chaval,bhindi sabji,anda curry dahi. Everything was piping hot and very tasty-not too spicy  or too bland.After lunch,we rested a bit and in the evening we walked about in the resort watching birds and getting friendly with a dog and a pup.Dinner was good too. One has to inform them in advance about the next meal -the menu and timing-then the service is very good with hot food .Once we understood this method we became innovative about the foods that we ordered.Next morning we were to go on  the safari ride and we had to get up early and leave at 5.45 a.m.

  


17/12/2012:We got up in the morning and left for the jungle in an open jeep. There was a guide with us.One is allowed to take one's car but the presence of a guide is compulsory.The jungle is thick-full of saag and bamboo trees.We went a little distance inside and immediately heard calls of deer -indicating the presence of tiger/s.We waited at that spot for half an hour but could not spot any tiger and slowly the calls also stopped.We went further on and spotted birds on the way-yellow footed green pigeons [state bird],serpent eagle,lots of spotted doves,green bee eaters,white eyed buzzard.Spotted deer and sambar were seen by us.Deer were in groups ,somewhere even alone in the tall grass.

The jungle was looking beautiful with the sun peeping from the tall trees,birds waking up and calling and a slight warmth creeping in.It wasn't very cold so we were all very comfortable.At about 9a.m. we were told that tigers were spotted at Telia paazar.We rushed back and sure enough across the lake on the banks were three fully grown tiger cubs-  first lying around then getting up and moving towards the water. We got some photographs and we had to rush back as time was up.
.We came back at about 10.15a.m. had tea ,biscuits bread, butter and went to our rooms for a hot bath and rest.We had lunch at 1.15 p.m. dal, chawal, flower sabji,patwadi curry [a speciality of Vidarbha]roti and dahi.

Immediately at 2 p.m. we left for another safari.This time it was hot as the sun was out but the jungle is never very hot so it was exciting.We went to the area where we had spotted tigers in the morning but this time they were not there.We went ahead . We saw a bison grazing peacefully.Further on spotted a    wild boar and deer .The deer had antlers and were in a group .We rushed to a place where there were calls of deer,hoping to see tigers.There were fresh pug marks but no tiger in sight.We then turned around and headed towards Telia Pazar and on the way we spotted a mongoose, a wild cock, a sambar -mother and child with the child suckling the mother.We reached the spot and there they were-the tigers one walking on, the other following.They were nearer than the morning but due to grass not very photogenic.It was an exciting time ! Again time was up and we had to head back .

18/12/2012The tiger safari is closed on Tuesdays, so we spent the day lazying ,visiting nearby areas where we saw some water birds-moor hens,storks,tree pie,drongo, tailor bird,wood pecker. 

 19/12/2012  Again went for the safari but this time we were  unlucky so far as tiger sighting is concerned. We saw deer , birds and of course the ride through the jungle is always a new discovery ,a new awareness.

A must visit for every one as it opens up a new world of peace, greenery, lovely sounds, nature awareness.