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Dee Hughes travelled on our 'India - Tiger Direct!' holiday and submitted this entry to our writing competition.
Bengal Tiger, Kanha (Dee Hughes)
Tiger watching in Kanha National Park by Dee Hughes
We were woken by our early alarm call at 5am, to a cool clear morning. A spectacular storm the previous evening had cleared the air and settled the dust: good conditions for sighting pug marks. After our morning refreshments we set off in anticipation of seeing the elusive Tiger. Although there had been numerous sightings during the tour, I had yet to have a close encounter with one of these majestic animals, so hopes were high that today might just be the day.
Just after dawn we arrived at the entrance to the Kanha National Park and were joined by Garini, our guide for the morning. We set off on our quiet, relaxing drive into the reserve, the silence broken only by the raucous calls of the peacocks hoping to attract a mate. In the misty meadows we came across a small group of Swamp Deer and a herd of the pretty Spotted Deer grazing, so we stopped for a while to admire and photograph them and a Common Hawk-cuckoo which was conveniently perched on a nearby tree. A passing guide informed us of a possible Tiger sighting on the road ahead, so we drove through the beautiful stands of Sal trees with the sun filtering through their bright lime green leaves, onto the open road. Within a few minutes we came to a sudden halt as a male Tiger slowly walked out of the bamboo to cross the road directly in front of us! Finally, I had my good close sighting and so early into our drive. Wonderful!
We ventured on, now convinced that luck was on our side. Reports of Sambar Deer alarm calls alerted our guide to a possible site where we might see even more Tiger and, arriving at a suitable place, we waited patiently, but with no luck, so decided it was time to try another area. No sooner had we gone round a bend in the road, when in the distance another male Tiger was making his leisurely way across our path into the bush. Two Tiger sightings and not even eight o'clock!
Breakfast beckoned but the temperature was still low and therefore still the optimum time to see any wildlife so the decision was made to postpone our break and make the most of the cool conditions. Driving along slowly, Garini said he would take us to a well-known watering hole, where Tigers were often seen, when a short time later our driver, Raj, suddenly stopped, pointing to a shady hollow beside the road in which was a solitary, shaggy coated adult Sloth Bear. What a great and surprising sighting and, while we were watching the bear, it decided to emerge from the hollow out into the sunshine and slowly amble in front of us and away into the tall bamboo, quickly to be hidden from view. What a morning this was turning out to be.
We finally reached the watering hole but unfortunately no Tigers or any other animals were there to be seen. At this point we had reached the perimeter of our allotted area within the reserve, so, slightly disappointed, we reluctantly had to turn around and return, to meet up with the rest of our tour group for breakfast. Then, without warning a female Tiger was spotted by our driver, walking onto the road about 100 yards behind us! Silently and patiently we waited, hoping that she would continue to walk in our direction. Mesmerised, we watched as she slowly, but surely, progressed towards us. Hardly believing our luck, or even our eyes, we stayed transfixed as this stunning creature came ever closer.
Eager to keep a respectful distance, our driver slowly edged forward but still the Tigress kept walking behind us. I was trying hard not to take too many photos and just to absorb the moment, but Garini our guide, so excited by this fabulous sighting, was encouraging us all to continue photographing. At several intervals along the road, the Tigress scent-marked as she continued her silent and purposeful journey, before finally, after more than 10 long minutes, she climbed slowly up the bank and disappeared into the tall vegetation. She was gone!
The five of us, still stunned by what we had just witnessed, high-fived with hugs all round. We were ecstatic, overwhelmed and all very emotional as we realised what we had just experienced, to be in such close proximity for such a long time with this magnificent, beautiful animal was truly a privilege, an amazing experience that will never be forgotten.
Read more about our visit the tour webpage holiday.