I just made a pretty bold statement didn’t I?
Firstly, here at Mantra Wild, we LOVE Africa. Africa is an amazing place, and personally I am looking forward to the opportunity to go myself in the near future. The safari experience on the African Continent would be fantastic. I just want to make that clear. 🙂
In 2007, I wanted to discover Wild India. This trip would really be a safari adventure for me. I wanted to visit as many National Parks as possible in 2.5 months. I did get the chance to do that, and so much more.
One of my favourite experiences, was visiting Ranthambhore National Park, Rajasthan. I was everyone’s good luck charm. Why? Every single game drive I went on, I saw my favourite animal, the tiger. On this one particular safari, we were driving up a steep part of the road. If anything came up the road, there would be nothing we could do but sit there and allow whatever animal came up, to try and pass us.
Just our luck, of all the animals, we see a tiger walking up the road!! We had a couple of jeeps behind us. This made it difficult to reverse and keep a safe distance, and after a while the jeeps behind us stopped reversing, and all we could do was watch this tiger walk around our jeep. If I reached out to touch the tiger, I could have stroked his soft fur, however I’m not that silly….the video tells the story better
It was the most exhilarating, adrenalin pumping, scariest moment of my life. To be so close to one of the most beautiful creatures on the planet. I really lived that moment to its fullest.
You would never have an experience like this anywhere in the world, except in India. That’s is why I say, “Forget Africa!”. (I really love Africa)
Here are my top 4 reasons why India is the hottest safari destination….
1. There is no other place on the planet to see a tiger in the wild, better than in India…
As rare as the tiger is becoming, India has the largest number of tigers than any other country. Once apon a time, in 1900, there were 100,000 tigers remaining in the wild. The number is closer to 3,200-3,500 left in the wild today.
1% of India’s land mass is national parks and forests. That is pretty impressive for a country of close to 1.2 billion people.
India has some amazing national parks. Our top picks are:
1. Corbett Tiger Reserve in Northern India, at the foothills of the Himalayas and India’s first Tiger Reserve.
2. Kaziranga National Park, Assam, also home to the one horned rhino, Kaziranga is wild and untamed.
3. Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan your best chance to see a tiger in the wild. It is one of the well known reserves. I call it an Oasis in the Desert.
There are so many more, and will give you more information in the near future of the best Tiger Reserves in India.
2. You are not just stuck on safari when in India
This is what I mean. The wilderness of India is only 1 part of the broad spectrum of what it has to offer. You can definitely visit the national parks only, however why would you, when you can add on an experience to the Himalayas, or the Lakes and Palaces of Rajasthan, or a day trip to Bhutan when visiting the eastern national parks, or the beaches of the south, hill stations of the north and temples.
The variety and diversity of India allows for a holistic experience of culture, spiritual, religious, historical or relaxed.
3. Every National Park/Tiger Reserve is different in India
I have been to many national parks in India. Corbett, Ranthambhore, Nagarhole, Kaziranga, Manas, Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Panna, Ranthambhore are a few that come to mind that I have seen and experienced.
The vegetation, landscape is so different on the vast sub-continent. The foothills of himalayas to the north, provide a spectacular backdrop to Corbett Tiger Reserve, wet and wild Kaziranga is a lush grassland savannah mixed with tropical forests and marshlands, and Ranthambhore is a desert beauty. So much variety!
4. The “Big 5” exists in India too!
How many of you knew there were lions in India? India has the last remaining Asiatic lions in Gir National Park, Gujarat.
India is also home to the tiger, leopard, buffalo, rhino, elephant….there you go!
A visit to India is not just a visit to the Taj Mahal, Delhi, visiting temples. It is a wild and untamed destination.
We would love to hear your safari experience in India, or if you have not visited India for safaris, tell us what you think!
Travel on Purpose,
Reena
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2 Comments On Forget Africa! Why India is the Hottest Safari Destination
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