Footprints...: Safari

It was a sudden plan for Bandipur, we left Bangalore at 10.30 PM, reached Bandipur at 3.30 PM awaiting gates to open for the reserve forest at 6.00 PM.

We hurried to get on the first trip of Safari. Having been disappointing so many times, expectation was low as usual with respect to sighting the Tiger.

To our Awe, we found the tiger in a lake. There was a huge excitement and eager to have a glimpse of the majestic beast. It came out of the lake, it seems as if it was waiting for us, to give its majestic vision.

Tiger sighted in the lake in Bandipur Tiger Reserve

Walked towards us to give us the majestic look

Still further, made us spell bounded to see such an animal in such close range

We came to know that the tiger has been named as Prince, no wonder its attitude said all that !

Our safari driver and guide, Mujeeb was intelligent and well aware and seized the opportunity of predicting where the tiger would flash out.

We waited patiently for few minutes, in the mean time we were excited to have spotted the tiger at least and were among ourselves busy chatting.

In the mean time we couldn't believe our own eyes, we were in front of tiger in a few yard distance.

Tiger from the lake walking towards us

Another daring look

Much more closer look of Prince

Attitude

Catching the track

Once the tiger came out of the camouflage, we started following the tiger from behind, where tiger started scenting the trees marking its territory. It was a feast for photographers and a memorable safari for the wild life lovers.

Started the escort

Saying it is my territory

Started scenting the surrounding

My territory, my rules

Majestic step, no words

Showing us its from a Cat Family

Another stare at us

Scenting the territory

Prince walking

Prince walking - fearless

Challenging

Anybody daring ?

Looking around

Finally disappearing into Huli Katte

The last glimpse

Later the tiger disappeared by leading us to an another lake near Huli Katte.

It was pure bliss of 20 minutes, where we were escorted by this magnificent beast. We almost forgot the place, time and were submerged in shooting the sight.

Our special thanks to Mujeeb, Forest Department for taking special interest in helping sight a tiger. And of course, our team Raghu, Kiran, Shreyas and Hemanth who made me come to this trip.

Here are some of the memorable snaps after that.

The forest department guide - Mujeeb

Our co-passengers accompanied and witness of this memorable Safari

Our team - Raghavendra, Mujeeb, Kiran, Shreyas (From left)

At last, the clip of the same for the one who missed !

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A great place to relax and energize amidst nature is none other than the great tiger reserve forest, Bandipur also known as BTP.

The two nights stay at Bandipur was refreshing being in the lap of Mother Nature. We had been to the safari for 6 times, and always leaves behind a curiosity and urge for the next one for witnessing more wild life.

Let me start narrating the whole trip plan, which might help some of the wild lovers

Day 1

We left Bangalore at 7.30 AM on August 15, as usual it was a holiday, pretty stressful traffic. We had our breakfast at famous Shivalli Restaurant. On the way there is a beautiful temple of Apremeya Swamy, also Lord Krishna manifests as infant (Bala Krishna). We visited this temple and then hit straight to bandipur.

We reached bandipur at around 1.30 PM, bought the safari tickets for 5.30 as there was unusual crowd on account of Independence Day.

We rested in the Dom we had booked till then, munching the snacks we had bought till then and hot beverages at the Bandipur canteen was refreshing. We skipped the lunch for the safari tickets.

We were entertained by the Monkeys, Spotted Deers. There was some Mongoose, Wild Boar and Langoor which grabbed my attention and kept me busy in photography.

You can also find lot of birds, If you are keen observer which can help you in cutting time. Also, in case you are a facebook chap, then these ideas are of no use, as you will be busy clicking selfies and group photos.

The time finally arrived and we were in the bus, getting my camera setting correct for fast shoot, we set off for the first day safari. We were welcomed by some packs of wild Dogs, which are rare, Wild Bison, Elephants, Mongoose, Peacock and others. Here are the few glimpse of the same.

Watched the Bandipur Videos and Kripakar Senani Documentary and had sumptuous dinner and dozed off in our Dom.

Day 2

Our unquenched thirst for more experiencing the wild, resulting in waiting for the tickets, as the first safari starting at 6.30 AM.

Remember, there are seat numbers also, If you are wild life enthusiasts / Photographer always get the tickets first, so that you get the first seats.

Enthusiasts would trace the animals fast and can tell the driver to stop for a while for a quick shot.

Morning safari is always enchanting, the fresh green surroundings and previous day silent night would double the chances of sighting the rare animals.

Here is the glimpse of the morning safari.

After this we had gone for another safari after returning in the morning.

We finished our breakfast at Bandipur Canteen.

Later we planned of visiting Himavat Gopalaswamy Temple at 11.30 AM, wondering what “Himavat” means ? Lord Gopalaswamy who has been on top of mountains which is covered by clouds almost all the time, which in turn would create the “mist”. Mist means “Hima” in Kannada. So the name.

This temple is around 15-20 Kms from Bandipur, as very cool place you can find.

Usually even here the crowd would be significantly low, but there was auspicious day so the people were flooding in.

Here is the pics of the same.

After feeling blessing by the Lord, we raced to Bandipur for the safari tickets. And we are once again set for it.

Once again we had missed the lunch because of the Safari, we drove to Gundulpet, which is around 20 Kms form Bandipur, which is a small town to have our evening munching.

“Wow”, We whole heartedly relished the street food there, be it the Manchurian, Bhel, Sukka Puri etc.

We dozed off after having the dinner at Bandipur Canteen at around 10 PM.

Day 3

We once again hit the counters at 5.30 AM for the first Safari and for the front sets. We started for the Safari at 6.30 AM. We found elephants and we found the fresh foot prints of the Tiger, but not fortunate enough to have a glimpse of the King.

The pics of Day 3 safari

We left Bandipur at 9.30 AM to Biligiri Rangana Betta, which is around 90Kms and its in the way to Bangalore. We visited the temple, a serene and quiet road trip inside the jungle is trilling.

The View points from here is just amazing. Here are the few.