Best chances of spotting a tiger in NE states or Sunderbahns
Replies: 20 - Last Post: Mar 11, 2013 12:25 AM Last Post By: JonMW
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Best chances of spotting a tiger in NE states or Sunderbahns
I've been mulling the idea of a major detour to Bandhavgarh NP for what is purported to be one of the best parks to see a tiger. But if I skip it, how high or remote are my chances of seeing a tiger in a park in Assam in April or Sunderbahns in the first week of May? For the latter, my guidebook says rainy weather makes it difficult to see a tiger that time of year.Cheers.
Jon
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As far I know the best possibility to trace tiger is in Corbett NP which is in Uttrakhand. But in terms of tiger density the Kaziranga National Park has the most tigers and also has a very good possibility. But I think the Sundarbans has least possibility.3
If you go to any of the NE parks and Sundarbans, you should go with no expectation to see any tiger. If you see one, it is a bonus. There are plenty of othe animals like rhino, wild buffalo, elephants, a number of species of deer and antelopes etc. In my opinion, the best place to see tigers in April/May would have to be Ranthambhore, Kanha or Bandhavgarh. Corbett has very good scenic value but to spot a tiger there again you have to be lucky.4
Thanks for the replies.If I were to go to Bandhavgarh it would be in a few weeks, like end of Feb/beginning of March. Still a good time to go? I read it could be cold but that wouldn't bother me.
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I went to Kanha and Bandhavgarh in March and the tiger viewing was excellent. We saw 5 in Kanha and 2 in Bandhavgarh.Kanha has become a better park for seeing tigers. It is also a much nicer reserve--you are not restricted to specific routes and there is a lot more wildlife to see between tigers, like wild dog (dhole), gaur, various deer species, etc. The Baghira Log Huts is a fantastic place to stay--wildlife right outside your door and all around the lodge grounds.
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As far as convenience is concerned Ranthanbhore has to be the most convenient as it is very close to a railway station of Sawai Madhopur where a number of trains between Delhi and Mumbai stop. You will also find a variety of budget accommodation in Sawai Madhopur. These hotels will also be able to get you on game drives although they would charge some premium for that service. The advantage in Kanha would be that you could stay just inside the park in their log huts and the wildlife is all around these huts at night. A leopard also paid us a visit near the log huts while we were walking from their restaurant to the huts after dinner, about 100 mts away. I am not too sure about the booking system for Kanha and Bandhavgarh now.9
Great. I'll head to Ranthanbhore from Rajasthan then play it by ear for Kanha or Bandhavgarh.Do you remember approximately how much were the huts in Kanha? I thought I read somewhere there was a dorm, albeit ratty. Is that true or was that a different park?
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Not sure about the rates now. It was a few years ago. Rats are definitely there and are experts at getting to any food that is not tightly sealed in a jar. We had hung our nibbles from the ceiling via a thin wire in the centre but these little buggers even got to that. But then it's a jungle and in the middle of the night when there is dead silence and pitch dark and then you hear the sound of something nibbling away at your food, it is an adventure on its own. If you go to Kanha and stay in those log huts, do not forget to take a torch or headlight for the night.11
I'm closer to finalizing plans for Ranthambore and wondering if it's wise to show up without reservations for the park or accommodation. This would be for a few days starting March 5 or 6, mid-week. I read there are limited spots allotted each day for jeep safaris, etc. for walk in visitors so I'm hoping that will work for me since I'll be solo.12
Accommodation should not be a problem. There are plenty of places in Sawai Madhopur for all kinds of budget. Jeep safaris could be a problem. If you already have your dates why don't you book online, the you won't have to worry about missing out on the safari. Alternatively if you could contact one of the hotels in Sawai Madhopur and the could book some drives for you, of course for a small premium.13
That's the thing - I don't have the exact dates so this is a bit of a conundrum.I'm headed to Rajasthan today from Mumbai and am planning to go to Sawai Madhopur on an early morning train from Jodhpur. But if for some reason I can't get a train ticket, are there frequent buses plying the same route?
Thanks.
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The distance between Jodhpur and Sawai Madhopur is around 425 km. So using a public bus would mean almost a whole day. I doubt you will be able to reach on time to go for the evening drive. Your best bet would be to book a morning drive and an evening drive for the next day. That would mean spending at least two nights in Sawai Madhopur. Just checked the online booking site for 5-8 March. Shows no availability for gypsy for an of these days. There are plenty of seats available on canters. If you prefer gypsy you might just have to try your luck when you arrive in Sawai Madhopur.
