[kaushik_s]

Originally Posted by mclaren1885

Hari, judging by the nature of this thread rest assured that only those interested in wildlife will be wanting to come to such a trip. Why would anyone who is not interested in wildlife waste their time & money on such a trip? I have been on a few trips with some members to places like Masingudi, Jodigere, Silent Valley etc and they have been nothing but exceptionally well behaved. Though most of these meets haven't really been about venturing into the jungles to encouter wildlife, I would like to change that trend with this one if it materializes.

Hey McLaren, if that's the case I would also like to take part for sure. And if it's in a FRH then I'm not gonna miss it.

[mclaren1885]

Originally Posted by Lukeskywalker

I would definitely like to be part of such a venture and look forward to a drive into the jungles. BTW which forest are we planning to go?

I was just reading up on all the places around Karnataka, off lately BR Hills has reported the most number of sightings for tigers & leopards. Also I know someone in the tourism department who can get us reservations for the guest houses if we let them know in advance. Now to pick the right time and get everyone interested to tag along.

But I am told that one must not expect to see these animals before hand, because one will only come back disappointed if you don't spot them. Either ways its the tension that fills up in your mind searching for these animals in the wild, its that eerie silence you know you got to have so asto not make any sound, its that fear in the soul that you feel when you imagine what if an animal just jumps out of the bush that such trips are totally worth for.

[yasirsait]

Count me in Rahul.
This weekend I'll be going to Coorg with my team from work.
Next weekend is of course our drive / ride to Yelagiri.
With enough advance notice, anytime is fine by me.
Cheers!

[Lukeskywalker]

But I am told that one must not expect to see these animals before hand, because one will only come back disappointed if you don't spot them.

hehe, I want a money back guarantee if we don't spot the elusive tiger, now Rahul pull all the strings u've got and make sure there's a tiger waiting for us in the wild.

[esteem_lover]

I sure hope you guys are well versed with handling situations. Take a local guide with you, if possible.

[pypkmsrikanth]

Hi Rahul I cant remember the count of number of safaris I have undertaken in Bandipur, Mudumalai, Wayanad forests. The best way to take a safari is to go with minimum expectation so everything you see is a bonus. In all of my trips I have seen the tiger only once and I have never seen a Leopard in the wild till date. If you are looking at having a good trip in terms of the sightings then I would suggest you skip the 1st quarter of 2009 instead make a trip to Kabini at around end April or early May when you could possibly see the largest congregation of Asiatic Elephants ( possibly the grasslands of Dhikala, Corbett is the only exception ). BRT & Bandipur would be decent bets though during the January/February months.

Having said that some of the best sightings (not necessarily good for photo's) were when I have driven on the highways between Gudalur - Bandipur and Bathery highway. I have seen a herd of elephants which should have numbered atleast 15 during one late evening drives in Mudumalai roads. Some of the snaps of sightings which I have had during my drives on the main highways












Possibly "balan" who is one of the members in our forum would be able to suggest you better.

[shazikon]

Count me in when ever it happens..I am tired of these safaris for name sakes.. if possible, get us a good guide and permit to get us deep in to the jungles.. may be even trek for a day with an overnight halt in the forest.

[khan_sultan]

Originally Posted by mclaren1885

There is something about wildlife ....

How many TBHPians here love wildlife? How many of us would turn up for a meet in the jungles? I would love to go out in open top jeeps....

I would say that almost everyone, from Bangalore, who is into off-roading/OTR's is an avid wildlife lover and respects jungle life. Almost 70%-80% of our off-road meets in Bangalore are excuses for us to go into the jungles -- some of them are posted on the forum some are off the forum. Wildlife and being the jungle and close to nature is one thing that is an essential part of our OTR's.

We have been chased by elephants and what not :-)

Originally Posted by mclaren1885

... Would prefer staying in a forest guest house, in the middle of nowhere. A place where you can't sleep at nights as the sounds give your creeps, the shining eyes of animals surrounding you everywhere.

Guest house is not happening. For a real experience, you should tent out in the jungle (obviously at some safe place) and cook your own food. Our off-roading gang always stays in tents.

Originally Posted by deky

...The whole thought of getting up in the morning and listening to the chirping of the birds,...

I am sure many folks here -- who are now into off-roading can now relate to that. They would not miss such outings for anything :-)

Originally Posted by Lukeskywalker

.... provided only nature lovers and folks who can respect and obey the rules of the jungle are in. I'm not saying that we on the forum are not, but any deviation from the above and we would only be creating a nuisance....

A very very essential rule. Only those who like the stillness, the calm, the peace of jungle should go there. Also, one has to be very sensitive to not to litter and bring back all non-biodegradable waste back to the cities.

Originally Posted by mclaren1885

...Though most of these meets haven't really been about venturing into the jungles to encounter wildlife, I would like to change that trend with this one if it materializes.

You are welcome to join any future OTR's for this experience. But understand that wildlife/jungle trips are enjoyed ONLY when you have small groups of MAX 12-15 people with you. So don't expect to have T-BHP mega meets in a jungle :-)

Originally Posted by mclaren1885

...its that fear in the soul that you feel when you imagine what if an animal just jumps out of the bush that such trips are totally worth for.

As part of a group that was chased by a rouge elephant for some 1 kms in a jungle, I can tell you that, those moments are priceless (albeit in hindsight only).

Cheers,

[amip]

I've been to Corbett, Rajaji National Park (in Haridwar), Sariska (hunting for tigers that were never there in the first place!), around Munnar, Kalatope (bear sanctuary in Himachal) and Srisailam. Must say I'm more the roughing out type - enjoy the old forest rest houses & their ambience (and sometimes the lack thereof!).
In fact I was in Tadoba Andhari Tiger reserve last weekend with my husband & was bitten by a scorpion! None the worse for it finally though. Emerged braver i guess! :-)

[appuchan]

This is interesting. I remember going to one Night Safari in Singapore where all wild animals will come and pose for photographers near their name boards! The visitors are apparently taken in a tram inside some jungle like place. The guide will announce in advance the direction and time at which it will appear so correctly. For whatever reason there doesn't seem to be a "day safari" in the same place. May be they are worried if people will realise that the animals are in fact separated and the place is nothing but a glorified cage.

I used to wonder if its really a jungle safari or some sort of circus with trained animals.

[balan]

Originally Posted by pypkmsrikanth

Hi Rahul The best way to take a safari is to go with minimum expectation so everything you see is a bonus. In all of my trips I have seen the tiger only once and I have never seen a Leopard in the wild till date.
Having said that some of the best sightings (not necessarily good for photo's) were when I have driven on the highways between Gudalur - Bandipur and Bathery highway.
Possibly "balan" who is one of the members in our forum would be able to suggest you better.

Hi Guys
Nice pix srikanth. What photographic equipment do you use?

Patience is the mother of all virtues. I can never sit in one place for more than 5 minutes. I am a restless person. But on safaris inside bandipur, I have waited more than 45 minutes in a spot with a sambar in the front and back giving alarm calls while the mighty beast of bandipur was relaxing quietly inside the bushes not showing up.
Once we waited at a spot for 10 minutes after a deer alarm call, then moved out, the jeep that came behind us after 4 minutes, saw the tiger at the same spot.
I may have missed the tiger by minutes so many times. But as luck would have it, I have seen leopards blocking my way (they usually run away).
Once saw 40 elephants within 10 kms in diff batches while driving down on the mudumalai gudalaur road.
Dont go expecting anything in the safari. If you start expecting, nothing turns up. Where as if we go with a open mind, luck favors us. Also wildlife is not equal to elephants, tigers and large mammals. Even a tree is wildlife. The birds on the trees, everything is wildlife.

Quote:
Originally Posted by deky
...The whole thought of getting up in the morning and listening to the chirping of the birds,...

I am sure many folks here -- who are now into off-roading can now relate to that. They would not miss such outings for anything :-)

Well I know how it feels if you get up early and watch / shoot all those birds but getting up early is a problem as I usually prowl on the roads through the forest during 0000 hours to 0100 hours as that is the time we can see small animals like civet, porcupine, mouse deer etc

One thing I will not advise is open jeeps in Mudumalai for night rides. With surprise squads patrolling and applying fines from 1000 to 4000 rs for open jeep safaris in night, it is a risky stuff. A normal car / SUV wont attract much attention

If one wants a bit off off roading which even a santro can handle but really wonderful experience, then Jungle Lodges Doddamakkali is waiting for you. The gravelly steep approach to the cauvery fishing camp is a nice bonus for such a wonderful place. Rush there before the place gets lost due to 3 hydel power turbines coming upstream and downstream of Doddamakkali
Best regards
Bala

[balan]

I forgot to mention one thing
Bandipur forest department has a 20 bed and 10 bed dormitory at bandipur forest office
There is a 20 member dormitory at nagarhole under Hunsur forest department control (We can drive in a SUV on own safari inside the forest)
There is 20 + 10 bed dormitory at kargudi at 35rs per bed (1 year ago i took my whole office there)
But so far I have been impressed by the location of Anshi forest rest house under the control of DCF Dandeli. (We can drive in a SUV on own safari inside the forest) Go here before Jungle Lodges takes over this spot also.

Lakkavali FRH on Bhadra was taken over and made into Jungle Lodges.
Best regards
Bala

[mclaren1885]

Originally Posted by Lukeskywalker

hehe, I want a money back guarantee if we don't spot the elusive tiger, now Rahul pull all the strings u've got and make sure there's a tiger waiting for us in the wild.

Sure Hari! I shall take an appointment from the king of the jungle. He shall make his appearance at the exact time and place I shall ask him. So how about we give him a date, time and the exact GPS location where we can meet him.

Originally Posted by esteem_lover

I sure hope you guys are well versed with handling situations. Take a local guide with you, if possible.

I have been reading up a lot John, the wildlife thread started by Harrie and Sam, some other wildlife sites too.

Originally Posted by khan_sultan

Guest house is not happening. For a real experience, you should tent out in the jungle (obviously at some safe place) and cook your own food. Our off-roading gang always stays in tents.

Unlike you guys, we dont own SUV's to scare away the animals . Do you guys tent up in the core areas? Or is it quite a distance away from the jungle? Because cooking food will surely attract the predators/unwanted guests right?

You are welcome to join any future OTR's for this experience. But understand that wildlife/jungle trips are enjoyed ONLY when you have small groups of MAX 12-15 people with you. So don't expect to have T-BHP mega meets in a jungle :-)

I am sure its evident to all how many people in totality are actually game for such meets, its a very small number. Like I said earlier, not everyone wastes their time on such meets. So, I never expected a big number to begin with. Maybe 10 max.

[shazikon]

I agree camping is the way to stay in a wilderness not in a guest house with a TV Camping is the way i do while hiking. But as a rule no one is allowed to put up a tent or go in to a National Park un-escorted. So camping in the core area of a national park is highly impossible. But with high level contacts it is possible to go to core areas of national parks and sanctuaries with a guard escorting you. Most jungle safaris take you only to peripheral areas with out touching the core parts.

[shazikon]

Is any one interested in hiking??