Many of us dream to see a tiger in the wild. Be it for photography or just to witness the royal Bengal tiger in its habitat. A tiger is the pride of the nation, the majestic appeal and royalness make it one of the fondest subjects for the wildlife enthusiast. India is the land of the royal Bengal Tiger. Every year there are thousands of photographers who fly down to click tigers in their habitat.
If you are one among the many who is looking to tick off Tiger safari from your bucket list here is how to plan your first Tiger Safari India and increase your tiger sighting chances.
Tiger Safari India: Places Planning & Tips
Choose the Right Park
India is the home of the Royal Bengal Tiger there are a lot of options available that will make any beginner feel overwhelmed. Choose the tiger reserves that have high tiger density. Madhya Pradesh has the highest tiger population in India. Bandhavgarh and Kanha National Park from Madhya Pradesh are the most preferred locations in India.
You can also check out Bandipur and Kabini from Karnataka, Sariska from Rajasthan as they have promising tiger sighting chances too.
Choose the Right Weather
Though nothing can guarantee a tiger sighting in a safari few seasons are favorable than the others. It is less likely to spot animals during monsoon as they have access to water all over the jungle.
Wild animals pay visits to the water holes during summers, the frequent movement increases your chance of spotting them. You can sight big cats in winters as they mark their territories and engage in courtship this time of the year.
Plan in Advance
Any holiday requires intense research, especially when it involves wildlife. Sighting a tiger depends on a lot of factors such as the season, time tiger density in the park. Research more on the park and the time of the years there is a higher possibility of tiger sighting.
Tiger sighting can be time-consuming. You might have to wait for days in the reserve to catch a glimpse of a tiger. Proper planning of the time, stay, budget equipment, and food will help you be prepared for your tiger safari India.
Gear Up
If you are a wildlife photographer or a wildlife enthusiast, choose the right gears for documenting your experience. Pick the right binoculars with the optimum focal length. Go for cameras with the right lens to capture the magnificent beings.
The ideal zoom lens for wildlife would be 300mm and above. Make sure that you have extra backups and SD cards to capture every moment you see.
Listen to Your Guide
Do not compel your guide to take you on a specific route if it is not allowed. Respect the boundaries and rules of the tiger reserve. Understand that the rules are made keeping your safety in mind and no not overstep on the.
Getting down from the jeep or canters to get a closer sight or to click an animal is highly dangerous and must be avoided at any cost. Make sure you keep your safety as a priority during your safari.
Tips for Tiger Safari India
Tiger Safari India offers you an experience for a lifetime. Even if you are unable to sight a tiger, being in the jungle takes you one step closer to divinity. Here are a few tips to make your tiger safari India a memorable experience.
● Take the early morning drives. The mornings are less crowded and this offers you a high chance of spotting a tiger.
● Take a jeep instead of a bus or a canter, especially if you are looking to photograph the tiger. A gypsy/ jeep offers you more visibility and as they are smaller in size they can go along smaller tracks. Canters or buses can get noisy and this disturbance risks your chance of spotting wild animals.
● Avoid bright-colored clothes and heavy perfumes. A tiger is very sensitive to smell. This means they will change direction if they smell something new or suspicious.
● Respect the forest and refrain yourself from howling or littering in a national park. This will not just run your tiger sighting chance but also pollute the habitat.
● Try visiting in April/ May as summers increase the movements of wild animals in the reserve as they go in search of water bodies. This is also the season where there are very few tourists due to heat. Summers definitely promises a better chance at tiger sighting.