Chitwan Jungle Safari by Baharain Yatris

26th March 2013

We woke up to a very
natural surrounding  a serene place were birds were chirping among the surrounding trees. After a typical Indian breakfast (vegetarian) we were taken to the nearby national park in a bus by around 8.30 Am. We were told to talk less as the surrounding eco system was not to be disturbed.

We split in to two groups and boarded two canoes (narrow boats) for a very quiet and calm ride across the nearby river adjoining the jungle. As we sailed past sleeping crocodiles, we also saw kingfishers, hornbills, cranes and a majestic eagle. We saw around 5 crocodiles in different parts of the river but were told not to disturb and kept sailing past them. The ride lasted for about an hour after which we were taken to the Elephant breeding centre. Here we saw a very cute 21 day old baby elephant with its two elder brothers (Ram and lakshman – both 5 years old) and its mother. As we got ourselves familiarized to the elephants and spent a good 1 hour there, we were asked to get back to the bus. We returned back to our resort by noon.

After lunch, we were again taken to the same area for Elephant safari across the river and jungle. This was both a thrilling as well as terrifying ride as the elephant went in to the river as well as trekked up the banks to walk past the jungle. We were worried throughout this journey as the elephant walked past sometimes fast and sometimes slow based on the goading of the mahout. After about half hour of this ride we noticed the famous one horned rhino sitting majestically inside the river. We returned back after watching a wild boar, a monkey and a deer. We were told that as the weather was a little warm, many animals tend to stay inwards.

The rest of the day was pretty casual and relaxing as we sipped coffee while the sun set.