Tiger Safari in Bandhavgarh National Park
In Ranthambhore, I saw my first Tiger, but it was in Bandhavgarh National Park in the Chakradhara meadow that I was able to click my first decent Tiger photograph. After a three-hour of safari in the Tala zone when I could see nothing, we descended to Chakradhara. This was a meadow of hope in the 90s. When you didn’t see a Tiger anywhere else, come and park yourself here, and in some time one was sure to see a Tiger. That evening during my Tiger Safari in Bandhavgarh National Park, I arrived and stood there
Waiting, time was running out and with every passing second, our heartbeat was also increasing. When the setting sun showed as a great ball of fire, was resting on the rim of the Bandhani hill, a Sambar belled just below Shesh Shaiyya. The Tiger was on the move, and there were just few moments before he would step out in the meadow, while there was still sufficient daylight for taking decent images.
Setting sun as seen from Chakradhara.
My eyes were getting dilated with the dimming of the light. Repeated glance on my wrist watch as it seemed the time was flying fast, sun was going down faster, my heart beat the fastest, and Tiger in an entirely different time zone, the slowest of the lot. For no gates were to close on him, he was at home. And then emerged, from a clump of bushes a head projecting forward. It paused, surveyed the area in a moment, and he looked towards me. My mouth opened aghast, my words failed me as my vocal chords froze, nostrils forgot to breathe, only the Tiger moved and my eye balls. Time stands still when every drop of blood racing through a rapidly beating heart is tingling with excitement.
He stepped out of the bushes, the huge body in a rhythmic motion, like a composition of Mozart. And then he roared. The effect was startingly instantaneous, the meadow came alive. The Chitals gave an alarm call, the magpies, babblers and thrushes, everything around chattered, and the hearts of the deers in the meadow shattered. Excitement with me had reached the stage when the whole of my body was trembling, and the throat was dry. The King, least bothered about his surroundings continued his walk from left of me to the right. The frantic alarm calls of the Chital deer echoed. Chital ran off to save their lives.
The Tiger, still not bothered continued to walk, and roared once more. The deep throated roar generates a chill, a fear, but in my case it was cessation of fear. The whole atmosphere was electric. His roaring continued and he entered the bush on the other side roaring. It seemed as if he was searching for a mate.
My guide kind of shook me out of daze, and said, time out, and time up. Leaving the spot with a heavy heart. Thus ended my first safari in Bandhavgarh. A thrill still fresh in my mind after 23 years.
Are you looking for an adventurous tiger tour in Bandhavgarh? Take a look at our Bandhavgarh tour package of 6days/5nights and enjoy the adventures of nature.
Sharad Kumar Vats
Sharad Vats brings over three decades of rich safari experience across the Indian wilderness, leading a passionate team dedicated to delivering seamless and memorable wildlife journeys. With deep knowledge of jungle logistics—ranging from flora and fauna to experienced guides and skilled jeep drivers—he ensures that every safari is thoughtfully curated and effortlessly executed, offering guests an immersive and almost ethereal experience in the wild.
Over the years, Sharad has also spent extensive time assisting guests, curating personalized tours, and leading wildlife expeditions, combining operational excellence with a deep understanding of guest expectations.
Beyond tourism, he is an active contributor to the wildlife ecosystem. His initiatives include planting and maintaining thousands of trees, creating safe passages and corridors for tigers, and establishing solar-powered waterholes across Kanha and other national parks. He is equally committed to community development, supporting and adopting schools in nearby villages, reflecting a holistic approach to conservation and sustainable tourism.
