Hunting Tigers out in India

We all know how beastly tigers are – out in, out in, out in India but it’s Boxing Day and we’re on tiger safari in the Kaziranga’s Western Reserve.

Western Range

We’re on the trail of the Big Five here in India – Elephant, Water Buffalo, Rhino, Sambar and Tiger – and have the chance to see them all.  Unfortunately, everyone else has the same idea and there is a Le Mans like start as the jeeps all jockey for position.

Gentlemen start your engines

And we're off

Sorry, we are full

Luckily, the reserve is large enough to accommodate all the tiger seekers and the safari doesn’t often feel over-crowded.  We cross the bridge into the reserve accompanied by gun toting guard (John thinks he has got an air rifle which is unlikely to stave off a ferocious man eater or an angry boar) and I hope we don’t have to put it to the test.

Crossing into the reserve

Our guard checks the way ahead (or is going to answer a call of nature)

The first three of the Big Five are quickly ticked off.  We see the Rhino and water buffalo at reasonably close range

Who's a pretty boy then?

These guys are big when you get close up

Wild water buffalo

And there are plenty of elephants, including a troop of seven ‘nellies that cross the road in front of our jeep.

The elephants cross

and still they come

move along please

that's the lot

Not to be messed with

And we saw other interesting animals and birds

It's cold so I'm wearing a hat

Neat haircut

Indian Roller

Sand piper

But try as we might, the sambar is difficult to see or photo close up and the tiger remains out of sight.  We’re out until the sun goes down, but along with the other jeeps we don’t get a sniff

Sunset over the western range

So this is what John wanted to see

GRRRRRRR!

and this is the best he saw

Miaow

Oh well, we might get another chance to see a tiger at Sundabans.   Fingers crossed.