First trip to Bandipur…continued The tiger/tigress (couldn’t make out) was in an ambush mode, crouching behind a bush and waiting for the gaurs – especially the small ones – to come towards it. It must have taken a detour behind the undergrowth, and again come near the path. The gaurs ran towards it, unaware of its presence as they ran blindly away from our vehicle. Then the tiger, jumping out, struck out with its paw as one small gaur came near it. The gaur somehow swerved, escaped (perhaps with some scratches, don’t know), and all of them came running back towards our vehicle. This happened in 2 seconds, so I had no chance of taking any picture – the vehicle was moving, and my camera was pointed elsewhere. We were thrilled, and waited for 20 min at that spot. But the tiger didn’t bless us with another darshan. So we eventually moved on.
Rest of the safari was uneventful. After coming back, I checked out from Jungle Lodges because all rooms were booked for the weekend. I was wondering where to go, since I didn’t want to go Masinagudi this time. Checked with Tusker Trails ...they had a room, so there I went. The drive from the Bandipur Tourist Centre to Hangala (or Mangala – one is near Tusker Trails, the other a few kms before Bandipur gate – I keep on mixing up the names) village is nice – one has to take a left turn after the Tourist Centre. This was the first time I was travelling on this road, so I went further onwards, trying to figure out where the road went. Eventually I came to know that one branch of the road, after much meandering, hits the Chamrajnagar – Gundlepet road.
Tusker Trails was a bit disappointing. First, there was an issue with parking space. Then, I realized that the resort was not really my type. I like wide open spaces and a balcony/sit-out where I can just relax through the day and evening – and where I have a nice view of the surrounding jungle/mountains. At Tusker Trails, the rooms were luxurious, but there was no place with a view, and the campus was a bit claustrophobic. Anyway, I went for a drive in the afternoon to Mudumalai (didn’t see anything), came back, and then went for the evening safari. Saw many bisons, and a herd of elephants that we followed for some time. |