In the Footsteps of the Tiger: A Wildlife Safari in Ramnagar
If you are looking for an adventure in the wild, you might want to consider a wildlife safari in Ramnagar, Uttarakhand. Ramnagar is the gateway to the famous Jim Corbett National Park, which is home to a variety of flora and fauna, including the majestic Bengal tiger.
In this blog post, I will share my experience of visiting Ramnagar and going on a tiger sighting safari.
I booked my trip through a reputed travel agency that arranged everything from accommodation to transportation. I stayed at a comfortable resort near the park, which offered a serene and natural ambience. The resort had all the amenities I needed, such as Wi-Fi, hot water, and delicious food. The staff was friendly and helpful, and they gave me some useful tips on how to make the most of my safari.
The next morning, I woke up early and got ready for the safari. I joined a group of other tourists and boarded a jeep that took us to the park entrance. There, we met our guide, who briefed us on the rules and regulations of the park.
He also told us some interesting facts about the wildlife and the history of the park. He said that Jim Corbett National Park is one of the oldest and largest national parks in India, covering an area of over 500 square kilometres. It was established in 1936 as Hailey National Park and later renamed after Jim Corbett, a legendary hunter-turned-conservationist who played a key role in saving the tigers from extinction.
As we entered the park, I felt a surge of excitement and anticipation. I had always wanted to see a tiger in its natural habitat, and this was my chance. The guide told us that there are about 200 tigers in the park, but they are elusive and shy animals, so spotting them is not easy. He said that we had to be patient and quiet and follow his instructions. He also warned us not to get out of the jeep or feed or disturb the animals.
We drove through the dense forest, which was rich in biodiversity. I saw many different kinds of trees, plants, flowers, and birds. The guide pointed out some of the common species, such as sal, teak, mango, peepal, banyan, jacaranda, orchid, parrot, hornbill, kingfisher, eagle, and vulture. He also told us about some of the rare and endangered species that are found in the park, such as gharial, otter, pangolin, python, elephant, leopard, bear, deer, monkey, and wild boar.
But the highlight of the safari was undoubtedly the tiger sighting. After driving for about an hour, we reached a spot where the guide said there was a high chance of seeing a tiger. He asked us to keep our eyes peeled and our cameras ready. He also told us to stay calm and quiet if we saw one. We waited for about 15 minutes, scanning the surroundings for any sign of movement or sound. Then suddenly, I heard a low growl from behind a bush. I turned my head and saw a flash of orange and black stripes. It was a tiger!
The tiger emerged from behind the bush and walked slowly towards a waterhole. It was a magnificent sight. The tiger was huge and muscular, with a thick coat of fur and piercing eyes. It had a powerful presence that commanded respect and awe. I felt a mix of emotions: fear, admiration, wonder, and gratitude. I quickly took out my camera and snapped some photos. The tiger seemed unaware or indifferent to our presence. It drank some water from the hole and then lay down on the grass. It looked relaxed and content.
We watched the tiger for about 10 minutes until it got up and walked away into the forest. We followed it for a while until it disappeared from our sight. The guide congratulated us on our lucky sighting and said that we should consider ourselves fortunate to have witnessed such a rare and beautiful creature. He said that tigers are facing many threats from poaching, habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and climate change. He urged us to support conservation efforts and spread awareness about the importance of protecting tigers and their environment.
We continued our safari for another hour or so before returning to our resort. I was thrilled with my experience and felt like I had fulfilled one of my dreams. I thanked the guide and the driver for their service and tipped them generously. I also thanked the travel agency for arranging such an amazing trip for me.
I highly recommend visiting Ramnagar and going on a wildlife safari if you are looking for an unforgettable adventure in nature. You will not only enjoy the scenic beauty and diversity of Jim Corbett National Park but also get a chance to see one of the most majestic animals on earth: the Bengal tiger.
