Nagzira Wild life Sanctuary (Nagpur), November 22 - 24, 2013

Every year I make two trips. One religious(on my birthday) and one Trek. Trekking has become an addiction for me, unless I see mountains, lakes, forest, birds, animals, I feel very uneasy, incomplete. This year I went to Shegaon (Gajanan Maharaj temple) and Florida (Walt Disney world).  One Foreign trip and your major chunk of the bank balance is gone!!!...  However, as usual I was missing TREK!!!..Was on the look-out for a smaller trek / trip. Vignesh mentioned about Nagzira trip which Kaushal was arranging. When I went through the brochure, was tempted to go. It had all the ingredients which I was looking for including reasonable Budget.  Amit decided to join this trip. (His was the first nature trip). I was slightly hesitant to go since only 3 people had registered for this trip apart from Kaushal (Organiser), Amit and myself. Had a very limited choice of getting to know the people. However I enjoy nature even being alone. Finally, decided to go. Booked Duronto Express (8.15pm) which is a direct train from CST to Nagpur.

Whenever I travel by bus, train, car, flight, etc. I prefer taking window seat ( you always have an option of looking out if your accompany is boring !!!). This time we (myself and Amit) were lucky to get 2 lower berths. However my happiness was short lived, when I saw two elderly people occupying our seats. I don’t know whether this happens with every one or only ME…When you put so much efforts in getting a window seat, invariably there will either be a patient, old people, lady with an infant or a pregnant lady standing in front of you!!!

This time I decided I will not compromise on the seat, for the simple reason, Amit was with me!!!. I requested the lady to sit with her husband and vacant my WINDOW SEAT…..Immediately her husband said to Amit that she had an knee operation and wouldn’t be able to sleep on the upper berth.. Amit very graciously offered his seat!!!since he found an ardent listener in the husband.

Our journey started. As usual, Amit gave some Life ke Funde, conversed with the couple about the pros and cons of Mumbai (This is a very hot topic when you are not from Mumbai)….

Finally we reached Nagpur at 7.20am. We met the other 3 people from our group (Santosh, Prayag and Kumar) & Kaushal  of course!!!. Kaushal suggested that we have tea  till the vehicle arrives. With tea and introductions, we started our journey to Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary.   

Kaushal had booked Nagzira Nature Camp for the 2 nights / 3 days stay. This is approx. 2hrs and 10 minutes  journey from Nagpur railway station (119 kms). Since the group was small, it was easy to mingle. The trio were from one of the best(??) Mutual fund company. When you go from trips, if the group is easy going and ready to mingle types, your trip becomes enjoyable and memorable. This happened with this group. We instantly made a good rapport with them and didn’t realise when the destination arrived!!!Thank you for your lovely company.

Nagzira Nature Camp

This camp is located on the outskirts of Nagpur. It is a 2 hrs drive from Nagpur. This camp has 5 AC tents. Location of the camp is too good. Surrounded by trees and facing to the lake. Village is only 100 mtrs. away. Mr Sharma is the owner of this place and is supported by 12 people. I liked the welcome process. When you are almost 20 mtrs from the site, the driver will      horn to intimate that we are arriving shortly. Once you are inside the camp, two boys welcome you. One with chilled wet napkin(s) and other with chilled kokam sherbet.  Instant refreshing remedy!!!. Kaushal then introduced us to Mr. Sharma, owner of the camp. A very cool guy and makes sure that your stay is comfortable. THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST PLACE I HAVE VISITED SO FAR…the tent, its ambiance, clean toilets, extremely courteous and efficient staff.   This adds to your overall trip experience. Food was too delicious. Menu: Soup, Two veg sabji (one paneer sabji), one chicken item, rotis, dal, chawal, salad, papad, pickle followed by a sweet dish. No wonder Mr Sharma advertises his camp as “First Luxury Camp”!!!.

Ist Safari started at 2.30pm. There are 4 gates to reach the sanctuary. From each gate, 4 vehicles with a capacity of 6 / 8 people are allowed. Package comes with an open jeep, driver and a guide. Permit to enter the sanctuary is a MUST.  You can do it online or once can do in person. However it is safer to do online. Kaushal had already done this process and was all set to take us in the sanctuary. Ours was the first jeep to enter the gates of the sanctuary (courtesy of course Kashual). We consistently maintained this record for all the 4 safaris!!!

Kahan hai Sher??

Chale leaopard dhoondne!!!

There are two forest, viz. Old Nagzira and New Nagjira. Leopard, Tiger, their cubs, variety of birds, Sambar, spotted deer, wild boars, wild dogs, sloth bear, bison, neel guy, etc. are the iinhabitants of the forest. We heard that someone spotted a tiger in old nagzira. We were all very excited to actually meet wild animals. However, it is a very wrong notion that you wish to see a tiger you’re your wish is fulfilled!!!!...Still we didn’t lose our hope of seeing either a tiger or leopard….Forest was densely populated with trees as a result it was very cool inside. We sighted birds, spotted deers, monkeys, bison, wild boars, sambar, etc, EXCEPT Leopard and Tiger!!!!...

Spotted Deer

Gray Langur

Serpentine Eagle

Of course that was not only thing of the forest visit.  By the time we finished our first safari it was pitch dark. It was only 5.30pm!!!..We were once again welcomed with warm wet napkin(s) and TEA / Coffee. Day ended with dinner and later walk in the village and star gazing. We were updated on spotting few stars by Prayag (whenever I hear his name, I find myself on some religious destination !!! just joking Prayag)…. Finally it was time to sleep. Amit requested to put his bed on the lawn outside the tent. He had this wish of reading a book under the starry clouds…Of course his wish was fulfilled sans the book.

Spot me if you can!!!

2^nd day of the visit

Started our safari at 6.10am. Gates open at 6.20 am. We hoped that we could be lucky to spot either the leopard or the tiger!!! Our guide started looking for the pug marks…it is said in the morning the pug marks are fresh…We also started looking out for any signs of the wild animals. I realised people tend to look at their side only thinking that you will be the one who will spot the animal. Usually we were looking down on the road to see any sign of the animal. We almost rode for ½ hr and were busy looking between the trees. Suddenly Prashant (our guide) said look. We looked at him to know where to look!!! His gaze was on the tree right above our head. And there it was the LEOPARD staring right at US!!!..we were looking for him in the trees  and he was right above us!!!We didn’t know how to react…by the time we started for our cameras he disappeared in the bushes!!!...But it guys it was The SIGHT….”the leopard on the tree”. The image imprinted on our mind …Ours was the only group who spotted leopard on that day…After that all other sightings were too       in front of the LEOPARD…  We finished our first half of the safar at 11.30 am. Came back only to be welcomed by chilled wet napkins and the drink. Had lunch. Rested for a while and then started for 2^nd half of the safari.

Eurasian Dove

Hello, I am here!!!

Itna gussa??

Click Me!!!

Do bechare, jheel kinare

This time we decided to visit new Nagzira. We started our trail in the forest. This forested is more densely populated with trees than old Nagzira. It becomes slightly difficult to spot the wild animals. Guide took us to the regular spot where the wild animals usually come to drink water. We waited for some time but there was no sign of the tiger. While coming back, the security asked whether we sighted anyone. We said no. One fellow said just few minutes back he saw 2 tigers at the pond drinking water. We immediately turned our vehicle and started at the pond. We waited for ½ hr but there was no sign of the tiger (s). It was becoming dark also to sight the tiger. Our driver and guide were more excited to sight the tiger than WE….finally we decided to return back and try our luck next day… Santosh was saying that he wished he could see few snakes in the forest, Kaushal said there are no snakes at this time of the season. One could see them only in the monsoon season.  And lo and behold, while returning back, Russel viper crossed our path. He was kind enough to pose our camera!!!

Russel viper

Smile please!!!

Only two things needed: Jhoola & a book!!!

Wait, let me cross

Last day and last safari of the day

We were desperate to see the tiger now!!!We heard that tigress had made a kill in the old Nagzira when we were at the new Nagzira. We decided to once again visit old Nagzira.  We started our safari at the usual time, 6.20 am. Weather was very pleasant. The drive through the forest was too good. Just wished that the drive should go on and on and never come to an end. As usual, our guide started to look for the pug marks. He spotted some fresh pug marks. Prayag commented that he didn’t wanted to see the pug marks but he wants to see the pug wala!!

Pug marks

Sloth bear marks

Again our hope rose to see the tiger. This was our last safari of the day. On the way we met one group who said they spotted the tigress fifteen minutes back. We were dejected to hear this !!!..We just looked at our guide with hope. He said to have patience and not to lose hope. It was his KRA to spot the tigress…He said that we should wait here. She will come back here between 9 – 9.30 am. It was 8.15 am. We decided to wait. We positioned our vehicle in such a way that we could get a clear view of the tigress. All of us waited with bated breath to see the tigress. We were ready with our binoculars and Cameras to capture her since we could not capture the LEAOPARD!!!Of course we were just guessing that she might come at the same spot. Just to lighten the mood, we started joking on the tigress. Santosh said he hasn't put scent but fluroscent t-shirt. (You are not supposed to put any type of perfume or deo while visiting the forest). Around 9.05am, suddenly someone said look, she is here..... And there she was!!!walking towards the pond. 

(Sighting the tigress was difficult since there were no calls from birds, usually birds, monkeys make sound on the arrival of the tiger, Most of the deers, monkeys were on the other side of the forest)

Invading my privacy?

Suddenly there was excitement everywhere. Everybody wanted to click her. In between she gave us a good poses for us to capture in our cameras. 

Her Royal Highness!!!

Jheel girl, dream girl!!!

Go away, let me enjoy the bath

I don’t know whether people watched her with naked eyes. They were all busy taking snaps of her….This went on for 15 minutes, As the news went to other jeeps that the tigress has been spotted, everyone rushed towards the spot. Tigress could not take so much of noise, she disappeared in the forest. However, She made our wait worth it …It was really a amazing sight to see her walking towards to the pond, drinking water, then sitting leisurely in the pond. Taking the sun rays on her body… The sight was too good to be clicked!!!! Of course this was the ideal case to win in the court of law for invading her privacy!!!Clicking pictures while taking a bath in the pond.

We heard from the guide saying that we were lucky to spot the leopard and the tigress on our first visit to the sanctuary. There are people who visit the sanctuary every day to take a glimpse of the animal.

About Kaushal: He made sure that our stay was comfortable. He was always ready to explore the place and the birds. I still recollect his acrobatic style to click the snaps of the tigress!!!!Kaushal, anything to do with the GENDER??

Good place, good company , and ofcourse good sighting of the birds and animals in the forest made our visit a very memorable one!!!....Already looking forward to the next year’s trip!!

About the Guide (Puresh, vinod, Mallik and prashant)….They only lacked physical degrees…They were the walking enclopedias of the forest. They could identify each and every call of the bird along with their names…Felt very dumb in from of them…..

About the group: 

Beghar trio!!!

The trio were too good to chat. Santosh is an avid reader. He could not carry a book with him due to some reason. He said he was missing something. We didn’t allow him to miss that something. Gave him Khushwant Singh’s In the company of woman to read. He finished the entire book in 2 days. Kumar wanted to explore the village. During one of our night walks, he managed to patao one of the villager to part with 1 litre of pure milk. It was not in kind but paid by cash!!! Santosh, Prayag, Amit and Kumar had good knowledge of new movies and new songs…..Please note: My name is excluded…Every one cracked superb One liners…I have documented few of them…

One liners: 
Spotted leopard spotted'
More (peacock) now no more!!!
Breakfast with tiger or by tiger
Nature is ultimate, people are ultimate in nature
why all girls find ullu cute!!!
All were excited, Now it is ex sighted
Pugmark nahi, pug mark walla chahiye
Jyacha nashib naste joravar
    tyala samadhani manava lagta moravar


Mahi Joke: Kaushal said, tomorrow we will get to see Mahi. Prayag & Santosh added to the conversation. Prayag said she is a good actress. I didn't wanted to show my dumbness on films. I also said, yes her performance in Gangs of Wasseypur was good. Her acting is natural.. They discussed some more of her acting skills..They even said that they will get to see her taking bath!!!How mean of them...Out of curiosity, I asked them whether she is coming here for sight seeing. They both said, she is here only in the forest. I thought she is coming for some shoot. Asked them, how is it that she is staying in the forest? They said that it is her home town...What? home town? Whom are we talking about? Mahi the tigress!!!!Oh no, I was thinking of Mahi Gill....

Kodak moment!!!

Amit penned his thoughts in the form of poem

Highly Recommended stay: Nagzira Nature Camp
Kaushal (Trip Organiser - 9223246190

Thank you Vignesh for forwarding the info.