After a memorable tour of Kanha in December 2016.
3/5 members (Amrendra, Ashwini & Shyam) were excited to visit Tadoba in
somewhere in Mar or Apr 2017.
So I have started planning the tour and we have
finalised the dates 24-26 Mar. Meanwhile Amol and Avik also joined. We have
done all the bookings in December itself to avoid last minute rush.
Day Before the Event, 23 Mar 2017:
We have boarded the Train and the journey started.
As Avik works in Bangalore, he supposed to join us on 24th Mar on Nagpur
Airport.
Everyone was excited to visit Tadoba. After Tadoba
discussions we had dinner and went to sleep.
24th Mar 2017:
We all woke up around 6:30 am and as soon I started
my mobile I got a call from Avik, unfortunately he had missed his flight due to
some accident happened to other vehicle on his way to airport and he missed the
flight by 5 to 10 mins.
So we had to make some alternate plan to Avik.
There was a next connecting flight to Nagpur from
Bangalore via Delhi, reaching Nagpur by 4:30 pm.
So we decided that we will go ahead to Tadoba and
Avik will come till Chandrapur after reaching Nagpur. In this process Avik
missed his first Safari.
We reached our destination by 12pm and Shahanaz
Bhabhi welcomes us and as soon as we entered Jimmy(Dog) got excited and started
barking. I went near to her and she stood with her front two legs on my
Shoulder as she wanted to give me tight hug. She remembered me (I had visited
in Aug 2016). That was a very warm welcome for us.
1st Safari:
After good heavy lunch we headed towards Moharli
Gate from where we need to make entry before entering in the Jungle for
Safari.
Samir Bhai (very reputed guide from Moharli region)
agreed to join us as Guide for our 1st Safari.
Safari started around 2:30 pm, Samir Bhai explained
us what all sightseeing’s happened in the morning Safari and also our plan of
Safari. We took 2 rounds around Waghdoh area, spotted Black Ibis,
White-breasted Kingfisher, Indian Gaur, Langoor, Shikra, Yellow wagtail,
Sambhar, Spotted Deer’s, A group of Wild Boars.
In the evening Samir Bhai decided to visit Telia
Dam, just to check if there is any movement of Sonam. As we entered in the
Telia Dam, we saw few Gypsy waiting in the shade. Once we reach close to them
we came to know that on other side of the Dam, Sonam tigress is taking an
afternoon nap.
So we decided to wait if any activity happens till
the park timings get over. Around 6:15 pm we were about to leave and saw Sonam
woke up and started walking left side of Telia lake, as it was dark we got
record shot of her walking.
A sigh of relief as we have spotted tiger in our 1st Safari.
We thank Samir Bhai for his accurate judgement and
guidance. Also we have requested him to Guide us in rest 3 safari. He told us
the process of retaining the Guide and we all agreed on that process. Checked
out from the park by 6:30 pm.
Meanwhile Avik had reached Nagpur and Boarded the
Bus to Chandrapur. Me and Amrendra went to pick him from Chandrapur bus depot.
While return to Tadoba, I explained to Avik that what we all did on 1st Safari.
After a Dinner, we too rest as we all got tired due
to journey.
2nd Safari, 25th Mar 2017:
We woke up around 4:30 am and reached Moharli gate
around 5:30 for our 2nd Safari.
We entered in the Park sharp at 6:00 am. As per the
latest news Chhoti Tara came back to her main area after roaming in buffer area
for few days. This was the good opportunity to see her with Cubs. So without
wasting any time we headed towards Jamani Lake.
We so few Gypsy's already reach before us (as this
area nearer from khutvanda gate). We heard Sambar deer calls and within no
seconds Samir Bhai pointed towards tiger... She was Chhoti Tara. Coming out of
bamboo forest.
She was with her cubs, who were following her. She
came on the road and waited for a while. And the cubs started roaming around
fearlessly. There were 8-10 gypsy's but none of the tiger was scared.
Chhoti Tara crossed the road and started moving
Jamani Lake side and cubs followed her.
She sat in the grassland and naughty cubs started
playing the in grassland.
Spotted deer’s group was on the left side of the
cubs. The group was aware of the situation.
Few bold Spotted deer's fawn (baby deer) started
moving the in direction where cubs were playing. We wanted some action to
happen but fawn saw the paying cubs and Ran away.
On the Grassland there were few Black Ibis
searching their food. And we witness rare moment of Black Ibis pair mating.
Again we saw a group of 3 fawn’s approaching towards cubs. They started slowly
approaching towards cubs and after one point they realise running from this
situation is the best option.
In between Chhoti Tara started moving to her
previous location from where she came. Guide suggested that there is a Gaur
killed so she might go there.
But with 5-7 mins she again crossed the same road
and came on the grass land. Cubs were playing around and exploring the place.
They came near to water body drank some water and started playing again.
Chhoti Tara given a Royal Ramp walk and vanished in
the Grass Land, followed by her cubs.
We waited in the area for 15 more mins but they
were not coming out of the grass land. So we decided to check Pandharpauni and
Ainboodi area for Maya Tigress. While on the way we got the information that
Maya went towards 97 Water body area. We reached 97 Water body and saw some
gypsy's already waiting for Maya to come.
We waited like 20 odd mins and started our return
journey towards Moharli Gate.
Safari ended with very precious moments.
3rd Safari, 25th Mar 2017:
After lunch we headed towards Moharli gate and Samir Bhai was waiting
for us. We entered in the jungle @ 2:30 pm and directly reached to Waghdoh
area, there were some Gypsy’s already reached before us and searching for tiger
traces like pug marks or any alarm calls from other animals.
In Waghdoh area, we started moving alongside Andhari river, after moving
like 500 metres alongside the river. 2 Gypsy’s singled us the presence of Tiger
in the river. We followed the direction shown by other gypsy’s and YES !!! the
Sub Adult Tigress (Waghdoh area sub adult tigress) was cooling herself from
summer heat by lying in the water. As this area was very dense we were not able
to clearly. But every second in wild life is precious, so without wasting any
time we started clicking photos.
After some time, Tigress got up and started walking in the water (water level was not more than 1-2 feet). This time we could manage to take some good close-up clicks. Seeing Tiger in its natural habitat is amazing. After some walk she climbed the river and few seconds got disappeared in the Jungle. We waited to check if any further movement but there was no sign of her.
After that we explored Telia Dam and again visited Waghdoh area spotted Stork-billed Kingfisher. But there is no sign of the tigress. Later in the evening we visited Jamun Zora area, waited near the water pond till the dawn. Spotted Sambhar Deer, Langoors, Peacock siting on the tree branch.
While coming back to Moharli gate, an Elephants group was blocking the main road to exit. Samir Bhai took charge and made way to Gypsy’s.
Again Safari ended with Happy Memories.
Even seeing 3 Tigress in 3 Safaris, we could feel that something is missing.
Yes, Of Course… Maya… The Tadoba Queen. We all crossed our fingers
hoping to see Maya in 4th Safari.
Last Safari, 26th Mar 2017:
We reached before the time at Moharli gate. Safari started @ 6 am and
within 20 mins we reached Khatoda gate and waiting to get gate open (which
opens at 6:30 am). From Khatoda gate we visited Jamani lake area and checked if
any pug marks or calling is going on.
Few single calls were coming from the back side of Jamani lake, but
calls were not strong enough. Samir Bhai suggested that we will explore the
nearby area. As the calls were not strong we decided to move towards Pandharpauni
area (Maya Tigress Territory). On the way to Pandharpauni we could see 6-7
Gypsy’s waiting and singling us that there might be sign of Tiger (Most
probably Maya).
After some time, calls are stopped and we could hear Bison aggression
sound, many of us thought that Maya killed Bison. But after few mins we could
hear one more Bison sound, that time Samir Bhai suggested there is Fight going
between male Bison’s and we should move ahead in search of Maya. Hence we moved
towards Pandharpauni area, No sign of Maya… Sambhar deer group was playing in
the water, clicked few photos and started moving towards Tadoba lake.
As soon as we reached Tadoba lake, the show was already started.
Maya…has climbed one tree and they all waiting for her to get down. After few minutes
Maya got down from tree and Started walking on the Lake bank. What a Royal walk
it was!!!
It was a Dream shot, finally we saw Maya… We also got the news that she
is pregnant and might deliver in the month of April. She walked around 200 mtr
on the lake bank and then got disappeared in the Jungle.
After safari we started our return journey to Nagpur. Tour ended with Precious Memories…
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