Tadoba, Pench, Ranthambore, Bandipur
When you see these names you immediately think of tigers. Majestic, beautiful and ruthless creatures that you will get to see for a few seconds or a few minutes depending on your luck. The morning safari starts with an air of repressed excitement and as the tour guides race across the safari roads, you get caught in the adrenaline too- they heard a call somewhere, they spotted pug marks here, the tiger must be around etc. And usually this culminates in a sighting, complete with quiet gasps and respectful wows. In case you are one of the unlucky jeeps you roam around, your spirits dipping, before the guide announces in a fake cheerful voice that you will see the tiger on our next safari.
When you see these names you immediately think of tigers. Majestic, beautiful and ruthless creatures that you will get to see for a few seconds or a few minutes depending on your luck. The morning safari starts with an air of repressed excitement and as the tour guides race across the safari roads, you get caught in the adrenaline too- they heard a call somewhere, they spotted pug marks here, the tiger must be around etc. And usually this culminates in a sighting, complete with quiet gasps and respectful wows. In case you are one of the unlucky jeeps you roam around, your spirits dipping, before the guide announces in a fake cheerful voice that you will see the tiger on our next safari.
After a few of these safaris I cant help be underwhelmed and disappointed at how everything rides on that one elusive tiger being spotted. Sure its a tiger safari, thats what you are paying for, but the forest isnt just the tigers. How often do you see deer in the city? Arent wild dogs just as exotic to us ? And all national parks have a lake where you can see various kinds of birds and many animals come to drink water. Isnt that sight worth something?
By racing around competing with other jeeps to spot the tiger, how are we making this any different from what we do back in our office? Fixing on a target and ignoring everything else to chase that one elusive thing that becomes a bragging currency once you come back.
My niece who loves all animals gives the same kind of attention to a tiger, as she does to a cat. Sitting with her and watching a house cat made me realise that most animals are interesting if we pay enough attention to them. And I do that on my safaris, if the others arent in a frenzy to catch a tiger. Watching a troop of monkeys play with their young ones, observing animals drinking water, and seeing birds perform some kind of routine that only they understand. And I come back from the safari feeling content, regardless of whether the tiger was spotted ( or striped :D )
If you ever go on a tiger safari, look for the tiger, and be excited if you get to spot it. But in the heat of the chase, dont miss the forest for the tigers.
