As we embarked on the never ending road of 700+ km from Pune to Chandrapur, there was a fascinating and first ever jungle safari waiting for us at the Tadoba tiger reserve.
So while we had been hearing stories of how people made a hundred trips but didn't get a glimpse of the Bengal tiger and how once a tigress lost her cubs and came searching and roaring on the road, we had our own fantasy trip planned in our head!
On the way to the MTDC resort inside the tadoba region, our eyes caught the first glimpse of wild- the sambar- mother and kid.
To spike our adrenaline rush all the more, we heard that just outside our resort a tiger was spotted just some time ago. What more incentive do u need?
So we start our journey in a gypsy, through the dense forests on either sides, scanning hard for any movement in the trees and listening to our guide's stories. What an effort!
To set the preface to our wild life safari, we spotted monkeys on the trees and deer below working in harmony to keep each other safe from the stripped beast.
The crocodiles, storks, robins,hens, peacocks and their mates, the birds flying above , sambars, bisons set the tone right
And there they were! The three cubs of the T7 (choti Tara) tigress lounging behind the bushes, in the shade, having an afternoon nap, snuggling, peeking occasionally at the gypsies. Apparently their mother was on a hunting mission while the kids were having all the fun..
What more did we expect? Our fantasy was fulfilled just within the first hour our ride.. But dil always maange more and so now we wanted to see the mother tiger...
A little further we heard the sambar giving the warning call of a tiger approaching and we sped furiously cutting through the wind and the tree branches smacking in our face
There she was - the famous tigress - MAYA doing what she wanted to do , not giving a damn to the gypsies and people who came to see her.
She drank water, stretched all she could, wondered what the solar panel was doing in her way and gave us a majestic treat of her catwalk!
And we, with our breaths held, camera in hand, eyes screwed tight on her, simply watched her do her thing and part away!
Having experienced more thrill than expected, we started the end of our first ride, enjoying the beautiful sunset by the pond and the occasional ghost tree sighting.
The next day's ride was more of a chase of the majestic beast who tried to elude us again and again. But who are we if we give up?
Sharmilee's cub walked from behind, past the gypsies, had fun bath in the water, then a nap in the bushes, marked her territory and walked off; While we were trying to decide where to focus- with the tiger on the left and the black beauty- bear on the right!
Watching the hefty bison with it's devil horns prodding through grass, cross right behind our gypsy , we ended our ride in the wild.
More photos on my facebook post !