19/12/2023
Kabini Jungle Safari 🌳
28th and 29th Nov 2023
Long Post Alert
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Readers' are advised to read at their own risk!
You might Fall in Love with Jungle unconditionally after reading this.. (if not already) ❤️
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We started our Jeep safari and entered into the southern part of Nagarhole Tiger Reserve, known as Kabini. 🌳
Generally, after entering into a jungle, the very first thing crosses our mind is to spot a Big Cat (Tiger, Leopard etc.).
We were also not an exception to it!
But after a while, we almost started to forget the fact that we were there inside a Jungle, just to spot a Big Cat!
You know why?
Because, by that time we already started to appreciate the beauty of the raw nature!!
The terrain is a mix of dry & moist deciduous forest, which consists of a large number of Sal trees, Teak trees etc.
The landscape of the jungle comprises of both the grasslands and the dense forest.
And of-course, the lifeline of the wildlife is Kabini river itself.
The jeep slowly started entering into grasslands!! 🌿
We saw “Grey Langurs” in amazing Golden Light.
While some of the “Langur” kids were playing and having fun, one of them was not really in a playful mood.
She was holding her mother tightly and the mother was busy protecting her kid. What a beautiful sight to behold!! ❤️
Among them there was one Langur who was sitting alone - probably had a recent break-up or going through some rough patches of life - who knows!
Then we saw “Chital Deers” in herd. Like "Langurs" they are also very social in nature. They were enjoying the beautiful Golden Light of the Jungle.
Since they can’t climb up the trees, “Langurs” help them by dropping partially eaten leaves, fruits etc. so that the “Deers” can consume that.
They also give “Alarm Calls” to each other to make each other aware when there is a potential predator nearby.
This amazing relationship between “Langurs” and “Deers” is called “Mutualism” - as it’s based on mutual understanding. Amazing right?! 😄
Then we spotted, “Malabar Giant Squirrel” - a colour bomb!! What a beauty!! ❤️
This little guy was very busy in eating fruits. Generally, they are very shy and wary in nature and they rarely descends from the canopy.
By leaving all these stories behind, we continued our journey in-search of exploring the rich biodiversity of this Jungle.
The landscape started to transform from open grasslands to thick dense forest. 🌳🌳
In Jungle, there is a surprise at every turn!! And I love that thrill.
When we took the next turn we saw a pug mark (footprint of a tiger) and we started to follow the trails.
And then all of a sudden we started hearing the “alarm calls” from “Chitals” and the “Langurs”.
If a “Chital” gives “alarm call” there is a probability of 60%-70% to spot a predator nearby.
“Chitals” are timid in nature and they get scared pretty easily!
That’s why we can’t rely 100% on their calls.
On the contrary, “Langurs” and “Sambar” Deers are bold enough and they will only give alarm calls when they spot a predator.
Since, “Langurs” were also giving the calls, so we were 100% sure about the presence of the predator in this vicinity!
But the Jungle was so dense, we were not able to see any movement. We waited for almost half an hour but the alarm calls slowly faded away….
Remember, in Jungle, even though you know the rules and understand the wildlife behaviour, it’s not enough to spot a Big Cat. There’s no guarantee to it.
Luck plays an important role as well and maybe we’re not lucky enough!
We continued to explore more…
On the next turn, we spotted one “Sambar” Deer, drinking water from a water body. Unlike "Chitals", the male "Sambar" deers prefers to stay alone for most of the times. Female "Sambar" deers prefers staying within a small group.
All of a sudden, the "Sambar" stopped drinking water & looked at a distant (inside the jungle).
Then it started giving calls continuously...!!!
We were again 100% certain about the presence of the predator!!
We waited for 15-20 mins near the water body but the calls faded away again - so does our hope....
To be honest, we were cursing our luck! 😞
It was getting dark and we’re almost at time. The safari is going to be over in the next 15 mins.
Far away, our Naturalist noticed “Lappet-faced Vulture” and “Indian Vulture” eating something.
When I looked through the lens I was shocked to see some yellow “carcass”.
As we progressed further we realized, that was the carcass of a “Chital”.
Generally, when a Predator hunts, they don’t leave it until their tummy is full or they are thirsty.
They don’t like sharing their prey with others.
Since, the Big Cat was not around, the Vultures and the Crows were enjoying their meal!!
We were very sad thinking about that poor “Chital” because this is the first time in our lives we were seeing “carcass”.
But that’s the law of the Jungle, the law of the raw nature - “Survival of the fittest”!!
And then suddenly on the next turn, our Driver and Naturalist shouted in excitement, “Tiger Tiger……!!!”
As I mentioned earlier - "There is a surprise at every turn in the Jungle" - we just need to be patient and admire the beauty!
It was really dark and we could only see the face of “The Almighty”! Her eyes were glowing like anything!!
She was such a "Beauty Queen"!! ❤️❤️

Her body was hidden entirely under the thick bush.
I was fascinated just by looking at her eye.
To be honest, I was lost for a couple of minutes & I forgot to click the moments for a while!!
But then I was back to my senses again & immediately put my eye through the viewfinder of my camera..
The beauty of the “Photography” lies in controlling the light.
Although, it was dark enough in reality, I managed to lower my shutter speed and consume more available natural light.
And then the “Queen” was ready for an eye-to-eye portrait shot.
After standing there for nearly about 5-7 mins, “Her Majesty” then returned back to her Kingdom! ❤️❤️
Indian Wild Dogs (also known as Dholes) are the most dangerous animals of a Jungle.
I call them “The Superstars of Kabini”. ❤️
They are very social in nature.
Most of the times they are seen in a group of 5 or 10 or even more.
When a pack of wild dogs are around, the Tiger or Leopard don’t dare to cross that road - yeah, that’s how dangerous they are!
I was also hopeful for a sighting of Wild-dogs...
But if we see everything in one shot, what’s the point of returning back to this Jungle again!
Maybe that’s why we could not spot the Wild Dogs... Until next time! ❤️
See you soon, Kabini! Take care! ❤️❤️
