heading for tigers

happyarun

Hi IMers, i have been wanting to visit a national park and see tigers in the wild for as long as i can remember. Just seeing the amazing pix here from Ranthambore has motivated me to give myself a deadline. January '10. would be really happy to get info on national parks with tigers from people who have "been there and done that".

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ragz

Bandhavgarh supposedly had the highest density of tigers in india. Its a great place too. A little difficult to access but the surrounding and the park topography is amazing.
had options for elephant safaris and jungle treks, the last time I visited.
I have seen a tiger in Panna national park too, though recently there were news articles suggesting that it had lost all its tigers.
Friends have seen tigers at Bandipur (south of bangalore). Newspaper articles suggest that the number of tigers in that area are increasing.

From all i have read and seen, Bandhavgarh is my pick. Summer months are the (may, june) are the best. Less tourist and the heat brings the animals to the water holes.

Cayle

I'd be skeptical on the Bandhavgarh claim as it is under considerable man/animal conflict pressure and most northern parks claim inflated tiger numbers. This was the reason for the termination of project tiger.

The Nagarhole/Bandipur/Mudumalai zone currently probably has the highest tiger density in Asia at about 1 animal per 10km^2 and probably closer to 1 animal per 4-5km^2 in the tourism zones. Bandipur is mostly free from the anthropogenic pressures, being sandwiched between Nagarhole and Mudumalai. When push comes to shove, this area, along with the Sunderbans, will likely be the last stronghold of the tiger.

That said, you are far more likely to SEE a tiger in Bandhavgarh than in the southern jungles as spotting tigers in dense undergrowth is difficult. I once saw the abstract for a paper published by the Karnataka forest department that estimated a 1:17 chance of seeing a tiger per safari in Nagarhole. Though I'm not sure how different a seeing tiger surrounded by 17 jeeps is from seeing a tiger in a zoo.

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ragz

A very busy mysore ooty highway passes right through the middle of the Bandipur forest. I have stayed there a couple of nights, didnt see any tigers but the hills were beautiful. Saw a bear, but friends have reported seeing a tiger.
sightings are tough because there are no open grasslands and the forest is very thick.

Cayle

True, there is a busy highway, but it is far from the core area and there are not the same hordes of half starved cows that periodically foray deep into the reserve that most parks have to contend with.

Last month, I saw pugmarks of a tigress and young cub(s?) within a couple hundred meters of that highway.

ragz

aint that cool. the scent of a tiger is almost as exciting as seeing the beast itself.
I remember on a trek in Bandhavgarh we came across tiger pug marks a number of times. quite a thrill (mixed with fear) to think that we might come face to face with one round the next corner. we got some pretty good sightings at Bandhavgarh that year, but that was about 6 years ago.

Mobor Man

I would too recommend bandhavgarh. been there myself twice and got lucky twice too. and the trek to the old ( pandav) fort too is amazing. visit the small temple with a pond there.

happyarun

I was looking at the map and i think bandhavgarh is pretty far for me to haul. gonna take a day just getting there; surface.

corbett sightings have been pretty erratic though a few good weeks in march there were a lot of sightings this year.

i was thinking corbett or ranthambore (closer) or maybe Kanha?? how is Kanha?

kartikp

Arun,

There are many places where you can get your Tiger fix. :-)

Bandhavgharh has a reputation for tiger sightings. One thing to remember is that it gets awfully crowded. Best season for sightings are summer months (April -May-June). As the jungle is dry and water is limited, sightings are more. Only thing that scares me so far is that everyone complained about it getting crowded. If you can live with that, it will workout fine for you.

Kanha is a fine choice too. Though sightings are not as frequent as Bandhavgharh, there are plenty of sightings. I think Kanha tigers are collored. (I have not been there, just keep getting updates and pics from various areas)

Ranthambhore is a balanced choice. You can spend 3-5 days and have a good chance for a sighting. You will need excellent guides though. If you stay at Ranthambhore Bagh, Aditya can provide you with a lot of guidance on the park.

Don't put a deadline for seeing tigers. :-) just get into his domain and hope for him to show up.

Cheers,
Kartik

new_traveller

I agree with what Kartik says. I have been to Kanha and Corbett and was lucky enough to sight a tiger. But Now I really feel its not just about those few minutes of the glimpse of teh tiger in the wild. Its an experience even to go through teh jungle knowing there might be a tiger looking at you from his hiding. An experience of watching the birds, hearing the animals make a call when they see a tiger, or maybe watch the monkeys and deer move together (Am i already in the jungle)

So buddy when in jungle look around and dont miss the beauty around you just because you dont see a tiger in it. If you are lucky you will see one.

All the best

mridula

Here is how my tiger seeing expidition went, I did not see a tiger. But then the Kanha Jungle itself is so beautiful!

I would say do your research, but do remember that tigers can't be produced at will and some days no one can see them!

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shahronakm

Tiger sighting is a matter of luck, but if you want to improve your chances of seeing one or more try following this instructions.

1] Bandhavgarh is the best place to see Tigers in India. Contrary to what many of earlier posters have said Bandhavgarh is always not flodded with jeeps. During evening time there are few jeeps as compared to mornings & during one evening in May 08 ours was the only jeep when we had the company of a tiger for around 45 mins. after which one more jeep joined us. But since you have mentioned that Bandhavgarh would take take up an entire day of yours then go to the second best place for Tiger sightings i.e. Ranthambore, which is nearer to you.
2] Go during summer months for better chanches of spotting tiger.
3] Give yourself atleast six safaris (3 days).

You will surely sight a tiger or may be more.

Ronak.

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