Planning A Tiger Safari Choose the Best National Park for You

Inbound Tourism in India 

Inbound revenue generation comprises a significant amount of nature tourism. The global market size stands at USD 650 billion. India makes an impact in inbound revenue generation that fetches significant foreign exchange vital for the country's economy. Well, this is not all, nature tourism, like tiger tourism in India, is vital for sustainable local economies, and a large sum of revenue is plowed back into the conservation of the inheritance.  

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Tiger Tourism In India

In MP alone visitors' fee draws in rupees 13 crores plus every year and this money is plowed back into conservation. Hence when you make a visit to a tiger reserve you not only seek a holiday recreation you contribute to conservation as well in terms of entry fee, guide fee, hospitality charges, and whatnot. You contribute to the local economy as well which is vital for the conservation of our priceless inheritance.

Tiger in India

What Pays Stays

Nothing can be truer. The contemporary economy is an equity-based one, and income for survival plays a vital role in managing environmental concerns sustainably. Wildlife attracts crowds and draws revenue hence preserving takes precedence over neglect and destruction.  The core benefit that these tiger reserves and the National Parks accord are employment and business to locals, infrastructure development in terms of schools, and dispensaries, diverse training for empowerment of women and children, and better mainstream connectivity. 

The parks and hospitality industry employs a huge chunk of locals as guides, cooks, waiters, guards, and drivers.  The tiger safari in the parks is regulated to prevent disturbance and harm to the animals. In spite of severe criticism, and a court case the ecosystem, on the contrary, has increased immensely and the tiger population has risen from 1411 to over 3000 since the beginning of Project Tiger Campaign in 1973. The inviolate core at the protected areas has proven to be the main savior of endangered tigers and other lifeforms. The buffer sustains old animals and growing populations of herbivores and tigers as well. Although conserving the sink is of major concern due to extreme human pressures nevertheless positive efforts are being made. 

With over 52 tiger reserves, inbound tiger tourism is one of the main contributors to foreign exchange earnings besides the supporting income generated for domestic tourism. 

Organizing a Safari Holiday in India 

No wonder the concept of a safari holiday is on the increase globally. In India, the spurt is recent, beginning in the mid-nineties, and has begun to peak now. Though the ecotourism concept includes bird watching, tiger spotting, and spotting the country's endemic and rare animals spread all over, the mainstays are the reserves where the big cats thrive. 

For overseas holidaymakers, wildlife enthusiasts, filmmakers, and photographers the preparation for tiger safari in India should begin at least six months in advance unless they are frequent travelers. For domestic travelers a few days ahead of planning is a prerequisite.   Remember securing a safari permits is mandatory for excursions. 

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Among the top-ranking factors that you should consider for a memorable experience are:

• Tiger Watching Success
• Other Animal Watching Success
• Birding Potential 
• Expectations 
• Popular Circuit 
• Local Experiences (Frequent Travelers) 
• A Classic Hospitality Experience 
• Reach 
• Ease of Travel
• Safety 
• Smooth travel in a long itinerary (package tours)

The Best National Parks 

There are many reserves that are well known for the high visibility of the big cats and tourists flock in large numbers to them. Though the purpose is a holistic visit, it is well known that the focus is on the tiger. But many other factors define a sound holiday experience.  

Although there are few well-known National Parks in India, the ones listed below are most preferred.

• Ranthambore National Park
• Kanha National Park
• Corbett National Park 
• Bandhavgarh National Park
• Pench National Park
• Tadoba National Park 

These destinations rank highest among visitors as far as tiger sighting is concerned. But there are other factors that encourage visitors to choose them for a safari. Corbett, for example, is not only good for spotting big cats but also good for spotting a number of mammals and reptiles, besides it is the best place for birding. The bird species at Corbett range over 500 including the Palearctic migrants. It is close to birding hotspots like Sat Tal & Pangot in Nainital in Uttarakhand. The preserve gets crowded on weekends and festival times so plan your visit carefully.

Ranthambore is part of the famous Golden Triangle Tour that comprises visits to New Delhi, the Taj Mahal, and Jaipur the capital city of the State of Rajasthan. It is popular for the high visibility of predators and for bird watching in terms of the number of visitors, it could be most crowded so avoid a visit during the weekends and holidays. 

Kanha, Pench, and Bandhavgarh form an extended circuit for package tours in Central India. Though the wildlife experience is the same, there are subtle differences that make tourists visit them often.

Bandhavgarh's inheritance includes panoramic sightseeing and exploring ancient tribal architecture that dates back over 2000 years. Kanha has been acknowledged as the world's best-managed park, it is home to the rare hard-ground swamp deer a race only found in this park. 

Pench is Kipling's Country made famous by the movie Jungle Book based on Rudyard Kipling's esoteric novel the Jungle Book. Shere Khan, Bagheera, Baloo, Bandar Log, Tabaqui, and Kaa all can be seen on a visit. Though Mowgli is no more thousand of charismatic kids live around the neighboring villages. Another attractive feature of Pench is its vicinity to Nagpur Airport which is just 90 km away. 

Tadoba is a recent success with a phenomenal number of sightings of the big cat. The tourism infrastructure is fast developing and attracting a large number of inbound tourists from many countries.  It is about 140 km from Nagpur Airport. 

Other Popular National Parks are:

• Periyar National Park
• Manas
• Namdhapha
• Wayanad 
• Nagzira Navegaon
• Bandipur
• Nagarhole
• Mudumalai
• Eravikulam 

These destinations attract tourism on an impressive scale with unique sightings and wildlife experiences. They have a well-developed tourism infrastructure and can be reached easily. 

Choosing Best Destination 

If the tiger is the main focus, choose the first list for making a decision. Base your decision on the ranking factors listed above. Holidaymakers have their own reason for visiting wildlife places for recreation and rest. But if you consider the factors described above you will be able to have a good wildlife experience and tiger spotting of course. Choose a place based on your own preference besides the suggestions made here. 

For travelers not interested in making their own arrangements package tours are the best. There are many package tour operators in India that provide good service. They can be verified using testimonials and TripAdvisor reviews or using references from friends and relatives.  

 

Khajuraho The Land of Love Temples

The TT looked at me and asked for the ticket. "You should be in a general coach," he spoke nonchalantly without even looking at me.

"Where am I?" I looked at the maddening mass of humanity piled up mercilessly inside the coach crushing each other for whatever space available.   

"Worse than a general coach," I mutter.

"That will be 340 Rs", as he began preparing the receipt.   

For nearly the same  price I could have enjoyed the AC coach and the ensuing luxury and safety.  

After three hours of standing at one corner of the coach the express finally reaches Satna in Central India. From here onward it was a long and agonizing wait for the filming crew to arrive from Mumbai. "The train is three hours late an we will arrive at 9.30 PM". Kiran the ace photographer called me up.

Dance Festival Khajuraho

The journey towards Khajuraho is riddled with potholes. The torturous drive halts at Nagod for a tea and ciggy break. It is almost 11 PM and I am bone tired. After long expectation we halt at a Dhaba at 1.00 pm for some mouth watering food.

"Amazing at this time of the night".  Our driver had long convinced us to have supper here and it was rewarding.

Khajuraho Temple

We than proceed to Khajuraho through the Panna National Park and eventually reach Taj Hotel Chandela. The night staff is waiting for me and ushers me into my room. "Sleep Well Sir, the attendant wishes me politely. The main stay here has been warmed up by extremely courteous and attentive staff and delicious food.  I am thankful to Poonam Uppal for hosting me in five star luxury. She is the author of "A Passionaate Gospel of True Love".           

Temple at Khajuraho

I glimpse in absolute amazement at the group of temples that date back to 10th Century AD perhaps earlier. "Treatise on Tantric Sex," Mamaji one of the senior most guide of Khajuraho. The erotic carvings are on the outer walls of Hindu Temples. "Absolute freedom of expression in that conservative era," I speak to Mamaji.

"This extreme ecstasy portrayed here is divinity." He informs me as I peek at bizzare carvings of  the erotic kind.  People from World over come to see these magical wonders in stone. "The structures are skilfully interlocked without the use of any cementing material," Mamaji is a gold mine of information.

The quaint little town engulfs the temples of love and supports a population of about 18000 locals.

Natural Cave Panna by Jagat Flora

The museum is humid and suffocating but not the exuberant pieces of tribal art. I gloat at the art on the walls before I am called for what I came here for.

I was anchoring an interview with the celebrity author Poonam Uppal. For all three days I am involved with the video shoot. A brief reprieve being lunch at Ken River Lodge at Panna Tiger Reserve and a boat ride on tranquil waters of crocodile infested Ken River.           

Panna Gorge by Jagat Flora

At Khauraho, the temples appear as neat structures, as they truly are, and carry an enigmatic message of love in its most divine form. All through, I did not find anything banal on those exquisite carvings.
 
This destination along with the tiger reserve is a  must add on one's wish list. Other places of interest nearby are the Panna National Park 35 km, Kalinjar Fort, Raneh & Pandav Falls, Ken River Sanctuary and Panna Township.

How to reach? From New Delhi By air and rail (overnight). From Jhansi (UP) by road. From Jabalpur via Satna by rail and then by road.   

All other images by courtesy Nandita Amin

Places to see in India?

A very difficult question to answer since India is so vast and diverse. It is each to himself or herself depending upon what you wish to see during your travel in India. For lovers of archeology historical places in New Delhi and Agra are must visit, as for example the "Taj Mahal" Delhi Fort, Kutub Minar and Fatehpur Sikri.

For the lovers of Indian desert life it is a trip to vast stretches of Rajasthan to live in Maharaja style in the palaces in Udaipur, Jaipur and Jaisalmer to name few. Rajasthan has a rich colorful culture to offer to the visitors. Bharatpur offers excellent bird watching to birders and is one of finest birding destinations in India.

Central India offers best tiger safaris to wildlife enthusiasts. Kanha, Bandhavgarh and Pench are popular tiger reserves in India. Pachmarhi is a pristine, unspoiled little paradise for holidaying at high places. It is a popular hill station in Madhya Pradesh.

These posts are going to highlight best places to see in India so keep subscribe if you wish to know about the places to visit in India.