Tigers, Dholes & Sloth Bears
After a traditional Indian cuisine meal in the Teak House at Svasara and an early night. We rose at 4.30 am to a cool, clear morning. After for coffee and cake we took the short drive to the Tadoba park gate, ensuring a place near the front of the queue. An early start on drives is essential in an effort to avoid the dust and get to the wildlife before it disappears into the jungle. Transport in the reserve is in open Jeeps called a Gypsy’s. On board you always have your driver / naturalist and then a government spotter. After a short time looking for tracks and pug-marks we had our first sighting of a Sloth Bear scampering off into the jungle. On the rest of the pre breakfast drive we came across herds of Chital and Samba moving to their safe grazing areas.
Morning birds sightings included :-
Rufous Treepie, Paradise Flycatcher, Indian roller, White-Throated kingfisher, Common Cuckoo Hawk, and Honey Buzzards.
Breakfast was at one of the other gates near an area in Tadoba which had once been a village, but had now relocated outside of the reserve. An issue which seems to be controversial and divides the conservation community. Meeting other vehicles always involved a chat about what’s been seen by the guides and visitors. One such encounter pointed us to an area where there had been reports of a pack of Dholes. Having never seen Dholes we were hoping for at least a glimpse of these elusive creatures. An endangered species (reportedly only 2500 in the wild) and superb pack hunters. Quite able to take down the large Gaur (Indian Bison).
After a short drive we spotted the group of seven dogs just emerging from the thickets. They stayed by the track for some time enabling us to get some good images. A very different looking creature to the wild dogs we had seen in Africa. We spent about 20 minutes watching the antics of the young cubs and the alpha male on standing on guard duty.
As the temperature by now was climbing into the high 30’s we headed back for a shower and lunch, before meeting for the afternoon drive at 3.00pm. Talk at the lodge was of a tiger and two cubs, leopards and good views of more bears so our hopes for the afternoon were high.
The Afternoon Drive
Afternoon mostly start with an hour or two of driving and seeing little movement. That’s until the temperature beings to drop. With the best sightings are usually in the hours around dusk. This afternoon however proved to be very different. Following a short drive checking out some of the water holes for wildlife seeking some respite from the now 40 plus. We came across a sight you could only dream about. A tiger called Maya or T 12 resting in the water and a photo opportunity not to be missed.
After that the afternoon was spent driving through clouds of dust to see if we could spot more of the star species. Unfortunately not on this game drive, so tired, coated in orange dust but happy we returned to the lodge. After a cool shower and a chat with the other visitors, dinner we had another early night ready for the 4.30 am start.