Dhikala is a forest camp run by the government. Very basic, but comfortable.
After lunch and a short snooze we were up at 3:30 pm getting ready for our next adventure, an elephant ride. I don’t know why but despite its size the one thing that seems to strike me most when I am in the company of an elephant is its intelligence. Something tells me this is an animal that has a highly evolved intellect and a strong social system quite similar to human families in many ways. I believe it’s the aunts that tend to the young more as the mother or matriarch has to manage the well being of the entire herd. As is typical of me around animals I had my fill chatting with the elephant before our ride, much to my nephew Amaar’s amusement.
Nothing surpasses the experience of a forest from an elephant back. There’s something so supremely beautiful about the way this graceful beast ambles along silently in a forest. It also gives you a false sense of security as you sit on top. By the way you are piece of cake for both leopard and tiger should they decide to knock you off from that height. Thank heavens for us not being on their food chain!!
We made our way down to the river, all of us marveling how these tons of muscle can remain so surefooted. No wonder the elephant was the preferred ride of the royals. Golconda’s steps were a breeze for any pachyderm!
The scene was spectacular as the sun was setting casting a golden hue across the grasslands. The river waters shimmered in the sunlight as we ambled along the banks ahead toward a spot the Mahout claimed was frequented by tigers. On our way we notices Cheetal, Barking Deer and a Hog. There was a domesticated elephant relaxing by the river as he apparently was not well. Further we came up to a wild Bull Elephant or Tuskar who was busy spewing dust over his body to discourage pests. He seemed to notice us as he started to move toward us. Apparently, more than tigers its elephant herds that one needs to watch out for more as they tend to be very aggressive should they have young around. Often they charge and as they can outrun a human its best to maintain your distance from a wild elephant and allow him/her all the room to manuevre. Males in musth are something you apparently should clearly avoid going near. Ofcourse a tigress with cubs is just as deadly.
As we didn’t notice any tigers near the river bank we re-entered the forest to explore further. The thicket was almost as high as the elephant and it was a wild experience as we wove through. Noticed two huge owls, Brown headed owls, must have been atleast 2 feet high!
As we were about to venture out onto the river bed we saw a Sambar in the water ahead and he let out a loud bark. The call announcing the presence of a tiger.
Our excitement grew as we ambled out of the forest onto the river bed only to see the Sambar’s tail high up in the air letting out shrill barks.
As we turned right in the direction the Sambar was looking we see the supremely beautiful sight of a magnificent tiger gliding down from the river bank and settle into the water for a cooling dip. What a sight!!
In that late afternoon glow the tiger almost seemed to be on fire as his coat glowed in the setting sun’s light. In the background of the cool blue waters his orange seemed electrifying beautiful. We were mesmerized, hypnotized. Further behind the tiger upstream we saw another Sambar all tense and watchful of the emperor. Two alert Sambar one in the foreground and one upstream, the tiger in between in the water and a bull elephant to our left busy spewing dust, the moment seemed magical. A warm feeling of deep satisfaction seemed to inundate my being as I realized how beautiful it was to be alive, enjoying this most spectacular forest. My heart filled with joy as we ambled along the river in what seemed like an eternity.
The noise of the elephant walking through water disturbed the tiger as it, without a fuss, got up and disappeared into the thicket.
